Things to do in Bologna: top sights and where to go
Bologna is a student and food city between Florence and Venice, with forty kilometres of porticoes and red-tiled roofs. Its highlights sit close together: the Asinelli and Garisenda towers, San Petronio on Piazza Maggiore and the Fountain of Neptune, with the Quadrilatero market of tortellini and ragù in between. Bologna is also the base for the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. One or two days is enough.
Sights
Bologna itineraries
Bologna travel guide
What to know before you go: where to stay, the towers and porticoes, food, the airport and trains, weather and a trip to Maranello.
Bologna on your own: the essentials
- Entry
- Schengen rules; ETIAS for visa-free visitors when it starts
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - How long
- 1–2 days, +½ day for Maranello
- Best time
- April–June and September–October
- Food
- Tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù, mortadella
- Money
- Euro; cards widely accepted
- Airport
- Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ) — monorail to the station ≈ 7 min
- Trains
- Florence ≈ 40 min, Milan ≈ 1 h, Venice ≈ 1.5 h
- City tax
- Charged per person per night by your hotel
verifyingi
From reliable travel sources; we are still checking it against an official one. Double-check before you go. - Centre
- On foot, under the porticoes
- Time zone
- CET (UTC+1), CEST (UTC+2) in summer
officiali
Confirmed by an official source: the venue, a ministry or the operator.
Key facts
Sourcei
UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 1650Sourcei
Wikipedia, University of BolognaSourcei
Wikipedia, Porticoes of BolognaSourcei
Wikipedia, Towers of BolognaThings to do in Bologna
Bologna's highlights cluster in the centre: the Asinelli and Garisenda towers, San Petronio on Piazza Maggiore and the Fountain of Neptune, surrounded by porticoes, the Quadrilatero market and the university quarter. Bologna is also the base for the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. Every place with its YesGo score is in the list above.
| Piazza Maggiore | San Petronio, Fountain of Neptune | 1 hour |
|---|---|---|
| Porta Ravegnana | The Two Towers | 30 minutes |
| Quadrilatero | Market, cheese and pasta shops | 1 hour |
| Maranello | Ferrari Museum | ½ day |
Rather not plan it yourself? The list above includes a ready-made one-day itinerary.
Bologna itinerary: 1 or 2 days
One day in Bologna covers Piazza Maggiore with San Petronio and the Fountain of Neptune, the towers, the Quadrilatero market and a stroll under the porticoes, ending with a tortellini dinner. Day two is the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, or the portico walk up to the San Luca sanctuary on the hill.
- Day 1 — San Petronio, Fountain of Neptune, the towers, the Quadrilatero market.
- Day 2 — the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, or Modena.
Where to stay in Bologna
The handiest base is the historic centre inside the ring of boulevards, within walking distance of the square and towers and close to the station. The university quarter is lively and cheap, Santo Stefano quiet and pretty, and the station area convenient for Florence and Maranello.
| Piazza Maggiore | All central, first visit | Pricier |
|---|---|---|
| University quarter | Bars, students, budget | Noisy at night |
| Santo Stefano | Quiet streets, atmosphere | Fewer hotels |
| By the station | Trains and day trips | Less picturesque |
Bologna airport and trains
Bologna Airport, Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ), is just 6 km from the centre, and the Marconi Express monorail reaches the central station in 7 to 8 minutes. Bologna is a major rail hub, with high-speed trains to Florence, Milan, Venice and Rome.
| Marconi Express | Airport — Bologna Centrale | ≈ 7–8 min |
|---|---|---|
| Taxi | Airport — centre | ≈ 15–20 min |
| High-speed train | Bologna — Florence | ≈ 40 min |
| High-speed train | Bologna — Milan | ≈ 1 h |
| Train | Bologna — Venice | ≈ 1.5 h |
| Train | Bologna — Modena | ≈ 25 min |
Bologna weather by month
Bologna has a continental climate: hot summers around 30 °C and cold, foggy winters with days of ≈ 7–9 °C. The best months are April to June and September to October. The porticoes shelter you from both summer sun and rain, so the centre is pleasant to walk in any weather.
°CiLong-term averages, °C: day and night air, sea water near the shore, rain — rainy days a month. Any given year can be warmer or cooler. Tap a month for details below. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day | 7° | 9° | 14° | 18° | 23° | 28° | 31° | 30° | 25° | 19° | 12° | 7° |
| Night | 0° | 1° | 5° | 9° | 13° | 17° | 20° | 20° | 16° | 11° | 6° | 1° |
| Rain | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
Warm — 20 °C and above by dayBest time to go: April–May and September–October
- day ≈ 7°
- night ≈ 0°
- rain 6 days
Cold and foggy.
- day ≈ 9°
- night ≈ 1°
- rain 6 days
Fresh, carnival.
- day ≈ 14°
- night ≈ 5°
- rain 7 days
Spring, warming up.
- day ≈ 18°
- night ≈ 9°
- rain 8 days
Warm, hills in bloom.
- day ≈ 23°
- night ≈ 13°
- rain 8 days
A lovely month.
- day ≈ 28°
- night ≈ 17°
- rain 6 days
Warm, cinema on the square.
- day ≈ 31°
- night ≈ 20°
- rain 4 days
Hot, cinema on the square.
- day ≈ 30°
- night ≈ 20°
- rain 5 days
Hot, the city empties.
- day ≈ 25°
- night ≈ 16°
- rain 6 days
Warm, students return.
- day ≈ 19°
- night ≈ 11°
- rain 8 days
Mild, truffle season.
- day ≈ 12°
- night ≈ 6°
- rain 8 days
Damp and foggy.
- day ≈ 7°
- night ≈ 1°
- rain 7 days
Cold, Christmas market.
4 October is the feast of St Petronius, Bologna's patron saint, with a fair and concerts on Piazza Maggiore.
What to eat in Bologna
Bologna is nicknamed 'the Fat' for its love of food: it gave the world tortellini, tagliatelle with meat ragù (what everyone else calls 'Bolognese'), green lasagne and mortadella. The Quadrilatero market and the trattorias around it are the easiest places to try them all.
- Tortellini in brodo — little filled pasta in meat broth.
- Tagliatelle al ragù — the real 'Bolognese'.
- Lasagne verdi — green spinach lasagne.
- Mortadella — Bologna's famous cured sausage.
- Tigelle and crescentine — flatbreads with ham and cheese.
- Parmesan and balsamic — from neighbouring Parma and Modena.
Bologna sightseeing costs
Free in Bologna: the squares, the porticoes, San Petronio, the Fountain of Neptune, the market and the Sala Borsa library. You pay for the San Petronio terrace, museums and the Asinelli climb (when open), and for the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.
| Towers of Bologna | 51 | 30 min | Free outside |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Petronio | 48 | 45 min | Free |
| Museo Ferrari, Maranello | 15 | 5 h | Paid |
Free — 1 places: Fountain of Neptune.
Tips
- Walk under the porticoes; they shelter you from rain and sun.
- Check whether the Asinelli climb is open.
- Lunch at the Quadrilatero market.
FAQ
What should I see first in Bologna?
The Asinelli and Garisenda towers, San Petronio on Piazza Maggiore, the Fountain of Neptune and the Quadrilatero market.
How many days do you need in Bologna?
One or two days, plus half a day for the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.
How do I get from Bologna airport to the centre?
By Marconi Express monorail to the station in 7 to 8 minutes, then on foot or by bus.
How do I get from Bologna to Florence?
By high-speed train in about 40 minutes.
What's the weather like in Bologna in May?
About 23 °C by day and 13 °C at night, a good month to visit.
Where should I stay in Bologna?
In the historic centre near Piazza Maggiore, the university quarter or Santo Stefano.
What food is Bologna known for?
Tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragù, green lasagne and mortadella.
How do I get from Bologna to Maranello?
By train to Modena in 25 minutes, then the shuttle to the Ferrari Museum.
Sources and fact-check
- UNESCO World Heritage List, no. 1650 — The Porticoes of Bologna
- Wikipedia: Bologna; University of Bologna; climate of Bologna (1991–2020 normals)
- Bologna Airport — official site; Marconi Express