Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy. A charming, historical city perfect for a day trip from Milan. Trains between Milanâs Central Station and Bologna run hourly every day. Although it is the seventh largest city in Italy, it feels quite walkable, and most points of interest can be covered in one day.
Bologna has a rich history dating back to the 3rd century BC. A site of an Etruscan settlement, a Roman colony, the place for the coronation of the last Holy Roman Emperor Charles V, and a city in the Papal states, Bolognaâs history is still evident in its preserved churches, leaning towers, and beautiful porticos. It has excellent museums and a vibrancy you can observe in its everyday life. The city is quite beautiful and feels very manageable and easy to enjoy.
Read a lot more about the history of Bologna here.
The city is known as âThe Red, the Learned and the Fatâ. You can use these qualifiers to inspire your day â see the red roofs of the city, marvel at its history and emphasis on learning, and finally sample its fantastic food, which is not at all light but oh so deliciousđ.
What to do, where to go in Bologna
You can enjoy much of what Bologna has to offer in a day. You can walk the streets of this historic town, appreciate its architecture, marvel at its porticos, and definitely try some of the delicious local food. Seeing and experiencing Bologna is easy and very enjoyable even in a short period of time.
Walk to Piazza Maggiore
Walk to the center of the city and arrive at Piazza Maggiore home of the Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo del Podesta, and Pallazo dâAccursio. Spend some time and marvel at the architecture and beauty of this central square. You can visit the beloved Bolognese Basilica or peak into the Pallazo dâAccursio, which has been the symbol of Bolognaâs political power since medieval times and which still houses some administrative offices.
Visit the Archiginnasio
The Archiginnasio is the first seat of the University of Bologna, founded in 1088. It is considered the oldest in continuous operation in the world and is worth a special visit. The buildings you will see were built in 1562-63 and remained the center of the University until 1803. They are magnificent, and their history is worth exploring. Peak inside Teatro Anatomico where some of the first scientific studies of the human body were performed; take time to see the library with its 500,000 books and many manuscripts. Pause and reflect!
Climb the Asinelli Tower
In the Middle Ages, Bologna had up to 180 lookout towers. They were built both for protection but also for prestige. The still-standing Asinelli tower takes its name from the family who built it in the 12th century. At 97 meters tall, it is the highest leaning medieval tower in the world. You must climb 498 steps to get to the top (there are plenty of platforms where you can take a break). The 360-degree views from the top are simply breathtaking. You can see the leaning Garisenda tower rising next to the Asinelli and the red roofs of the city in all directions as well as marvel at the remaining towers and squares below.
Reservations to visit the tower are mandatory and you can make them online here.
Stop at the MAMbo â Museo dâArte Moderna di Bologna
If you enjoy modern art, the MAMbo museum should be on your list of places to visit in Bologna. It is rather small when compared to other world-famous modern art museums, but it does house the largest permanent exhibit of Giorgio Morandi. If you are not familiar with Morandi, you can find more information about the artist here.
You can purchase tickets online here, though you do not need to do so as you can easily buy tickets at the door.
Try Bolognese food
Visiting Bologna just for the food is a good enough reason, especially if you consider yourself a foodie. You can just stop by at any restaurant that seems of interest and be guaranteed excellent food. Here are some insights from us.
Mercato di Mezzo
In the morning, visit Mercato di Mezzo located near Piazza Maggiore â an indoor food market inside the Quadrilatero area of the city. This indoor market was created by Oscar Farinetti, owner of Eataly. Stop at any of the small stalls to sample food from local producers. You can either eat at the counter or sit down, enjoy your food and people-watch.
Make it a Bolognese lunch
There are plenty of great restaurants in Bologna, but our recommendation goes to Trattoria da Me â this small but lively trattoria serves traditional food in a setting which feels like your grandmaâs house (if your grandma was Italian and lived in Bologna!). The food was outstanding! We highly recommend that you make a reservation.
If you cannot get a reservation at our favorite trattoria, try one of the following excellent restaurants â Oltre, Ahimè, or AllâOsteria Bottega.
Donât miss the gelato
Leave some room for dessert. You can try different types of desserts in Bologna (tagliatelle cake, Fiordilatte â creme caramel, Africanetti cookies) but our recommendation goes to sticking with Italian gelato. Try some interesting flavors at Cremeria Scirocco or Majori Gelati.
What else to do in Bologna
If you have extra time or you stay overnight, consider:
- Visiting the Museum of the History of Bologna
- Taking a food tour
- Enjoying Aperitivo hour
- Doing some shopping or window shopping. Check out some of the local brands, specifically Furla and Barbonese for womenâs handbags, Manila Grace for womenâs clothing, and Giusti for suits and shirts for men.
- Taking a trip to nearby towns of interest, including Modena, Ferrara and Ravena
What we loved about Bologna
- A charming town with rich history
- Vibrancy that can be felt no matter what you do
- Fantastic food
- A very walkable city
- An easily accessible destination by train, airplane or by car
What to bring
- No matter the season, just as you would throughout the rest of Italy, bring stylish clothes to wear
- Bring comfortable shoes, as you can expect to walk a lot
- Sunglasses
Check out our list of travel essentials on what to take and how to maximize your packing.
[All pictures taken by the Styled Traveler]
Additional resources and inspirations
Here are some links to additional resources you might find useful and inspirational for your spring trip to Bologna, Italy:
Pablo Tibis
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