- The city's porticoes, spanning over 40 kilometers in the historic center, are a UNESCO World Heritage site designed to expand living space without increasing ground footprint.
- Bologna is the birthplace of mortadella, a protected geographical indication sausage that dates back to the 17th century.
- The city houses the Archiginnasio, which features one of the oldest anatomical theaters in the world where students studied cadavers in a wood-paneled room.
- Bologna was a major center for silk production in the Middle Ages, powered by advanced water-mill systems that predated the industrial revolution.
- The city contains a complex network of underground canals that were once used to power mills and transport goods, though most were covered by road paving in the 20th century.
About Bologna
Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, celebrated for hosting the world's oldest university, founded in 1088. Its medieval core remains largely intact, characterized by an extensive network of porticoes and iconic structures like the Two Towers [17439]. The city serves as Italy's gastronomic heart, often referred to as 'La Grassa,' and features significant religious landmarks such as the Basilica di San Petronio [9161]. Travelers can ascend the hill toward the Santuario Madonna di San Luca [3713] or explore the local engineering legacy at the Museo Ducati [3416].
Highlights of Bologna
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Places of interest
Climb the remaining medieval structure that defines the city's skyline.
Temples
Follow the longest portico in the world up to the hillside sanctuary.
Museums
Explore the technological history and design heritage of Italian motorcycle manufacturing.
Temples
View one of the largest brick-built churches in the world, featuring an unfinished facade.
Historical places
Admire the 16th-century bronze statue of Neptune located in the central square.
Parks
Walk through this expansive urban park modeled after English-style gardens.
Temples
Visit the final resting place of Saint Dominic, located within a historically significant basilica.
Venues
Experience the home turf of Bologna's historic professional football club.
Top things to do in Bologna
The 623 highest-rated places in Bologna, ranked by travellers.
1
Places of interest
The Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, are medieval structures located in the heart of Bologna that define the city's s...
2
Parks
FICO World Eataly is a large-scale food-themed park located in Bologna, focused on Italian culinary culture and producti...
3
Parks
Giardini Margherita is Bologna's largest public park, spanning 26 hectares of green space designed in the English landsc...
4
Temples
The Santuario Madonna di San Luca is an 18th-century basilica situated atop the Colle della Guardia in Bologna. It is fa...
5
Venues
Renato Dall'Ara Stadium is the historic home ground of Bologna FC 1909, originally inaugurated in 1927 under the name St...
6
Historical places
Rocchetta Mattei is a 19th-century fortress designed by Count Cesare Mattei, incorporating a complex fusion of Moorish,...
7
Museums
Museo Ducati is located within the active Ducati factory complex in Borgo Panigale, documenting the brand's history from...
8
Historical places
Neptune's Fountain, known locally as Il Gigante, is a monumental Mannerist fountain located in the heart of Bologna. Des...
9
Temples
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Peter serves as the primatial church of the Archdiocese of Bologna and is dedicated...
10
Parks
Parco di Via dei Giardini serves as a significant green lung in the Bolognina district of Bologna, Italy. The park featu...
11
Temples
Basilica di San Petronio is the largest church in Bologna and serves as a primary civic symbol dedicated to the city's p...
12
Places of interest
The Arco del Meloncello is an 18th-century Rococo structure that functions as a monumental gateway over the busy Porrett...
13
Temples
The Basilica of San Domenico houses the remains of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican Order, inside the elaborate A...
14
Museums
Palazzo Albergati is a 16th-century Renaissance mansion in Bologna that functions as a major temporary exhibition space...
15
Museums
The Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna is the primary state museum for Bolognese and Emilian art, spanning the 13th to the...
16
Historical places
Porta Saragozza is one of the twelve surviving gates of Bologna’s 13th-century city walls. Originally constructed in the...
17
Museums
The Bologna Civic Archaeological Museum is housed within the 15th-century Palazzo Galvani, located in the heart of the c...
18
Venues
Teatro Duse is a historic 999-seat performing arts venue situated in the heart of Bologna, known for its horseshoe-shape...
19
Museums
MAMbo is housed in the former Forno del Pane, a historic communal bakery turned industrial-style exhibition space. The m...
20
Venues
Teatro EuropAuditorium is one of Bologna's largest indoor theaters, functioning as a primary hub for international touri...
21
Parks
Parco della Chiusa, also known as Parco Talon, is a 110-hectare public park situated along the Reno River in Casalecchio...
22
Temples
The Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano, known as 'Sette Chiese' (Seven Churches), is a complex of interconnected religious...
23
Parks
Giardino Lunetta Gamberini is a large public urban park located in the Santo Stefano district of Bologna. Covering appro...
24
Parks
Parco della Chiusa, also known as Parco Talon, is a 110-hectare woodland park situated along the Reno River. It serves a...
25
Venues
Teatro Celebrazioni is a prominent cultural venue in Bologna known for its versatile programming ranging from contempora...
26
Parks
Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa is a protected regional park situated on the first hills southeast o...
27
Historical places
Palazzo Re Enzo is a 13th-century municipal palace located in the historic heart of Bologna, originally built in 1244 to...
28
Temples
The Basilica di San Francesco in Bologna was the first example of French Gothic architecture in Italy, modeled after the...
29
Parks
Parco Regionale dell'Abbazia di Monteveglio covers approximately 900 hectares in the Bolognese hills, characterized by t...
30
Parks
Villa Ghigi is a 28-hectare public park located on the southern hills of Bologna, characterized by its historical layout...
Explore by category
Jump straight to what you're into.
Bologna on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Bologna
May, June, and September are ideal, as the weather is temperate and avoids the intense summer heat typical of the Po Valley.
2-3 days, sufficient to explore the medieval center, local food markets, and major religious sites.
The historic center is highly walkable, while local bus lines manage transport to outer areas; the city is notably flat for cycling.
Stay in the Quadrilatero district for proximity to historic markets or the University Quarter for a lively atmosphere and architectural density.
Mid-range; while Bologna is a major commercial hub, it offers diverse price points for dining and lodging compared to more tourist-saturated cities like Florence.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 623 curated attractions in and around Bologna, ranked by traveller ratings.
Two Towers is the highest-rated place to visit in Bologna right now.
The largest category is temples, with 199 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Rome, Milan, Galatina.
Explore more of Italy
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
