aventuro
Italy
Things to do in Bologna
511 attractions · Italy
Photo: AnetaMalinowska, CC BY-SA 4.0
Emilia-Romagna, Italy · 44.500, 11.350
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].
Good to know
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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.
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Bologna is the birthplace of mortadella, a protected geographical indication sausage that dates back to the 17th century.
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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.
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Bologna was a major center for silk production in the Middle Ages, powered by advanced water-mill systems that predated the industrial revolution.
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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.
Plan your visit to Bologna
Best time to visit
May, June, and September are ideal, as the weather is temperate and avoids the intense summer heat typical of the Po Valley.
How many days
2-3 days, sufficient to explore the medieval center, local food markets, and major religious sites.
Getting around
The historic center is highly walkable, while local bus lines manage transport to outer areas; the city is notably flat for cycling.
Where to stay
Stay in the Quadrilatero district for proximity to historic markets or the University Quarter for a lively atmosphere and architectural density.
Budget
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.
Highlights of Bologna
The places our editors single out - and why they're worth your time.
The Two Towers: Garisenda & Asinelli
Climb the remaining medieval structure that defines the city's skyline.
Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca
Follow the longest portico in the world up to the hillside sanctuary.
Museo Ducati
Explore the technological history and design heritage of Italian motorcycle manufacturing.
Basilica di San Petronio
View one of the largest brick-built churches in the world, featuring an unfinished facade.
Neptune's Fountain
Admire the 16th-century bronze statue of Neptune located in the central square.
Giardini Margherita
Walk through this expansive urban park modeled after English-style gardens.
Basilica of San Domenico
Visit the final resting place of Saint Dominic, located within a historically significant basilica.
Renato Dall'Ara Stadium
Experience the home turf of Bologna's historic professional football club.
Top things to do in Bologna
The 511 most popular places in Bologna.
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151
Museums Known locally
Collezione delle Cere Anatomiche Luigi Cattaneo
The Luigi Cattaneo Anatomical Wax Collection is a specialized scientific museum located within the University of Bologna...
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152
Temples Known locally
Cenobio di San Vittore
Cenobio di San Vittore is a historic monastic complex situated in the hilly southern outskirts of Bologna, Italy, offeri...
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153
Temples Known locally
Parrocchia Santa Teresa del Bambino Gesù
Parrocchia Santa Teresa del Bambino Gesù is a functioning Catholic parish church situated in the residential district of...
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154
Temples Known locally
Church of Saint Rita
The Church of Saint Rita in Bologna is a modern neighborhood parish located on Via Giuseppe Massarenti in the eastern pa...
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155
Temples Known locally
Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Benedetto
The Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Benedetto is a historic parish church located along Bologna's bustling Via dell'Indipende...
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156
Parks Known locally
Giardino Vittime della Uno Bianca
Giardino Vittime della Uno Bianca is a memorial park in Bologna established to commemorate the victims of the Uno Bianca...
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157
Parks Known locally
Parco Città Campagna
Parco Città Campagna is an expansive green space located in the Borgo Panigale district on the western outskirts of Bolo...
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158
Temples Known locally
Church of Saints Peter and Jerome
The Church of Saints Peter and Jerome is a Catholic parish church located in Rastignano, a residential frazione in the s...
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159
Parks Known locally
Parco della Zucca
Parco della Zucca is an urban green space in Bologna that serves as the site for the Museum of the Memory of Ustica. The...
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160
Historical places Known locally
Ex Chiesa di San Mattia
Ex Chiesa di San Mattia is a deconsecrated 16th-century church located on Via Sant'Isaia in Bologna, Italy. Originally b...
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161
Venues Known locally
Battiferro finché caldo
Battiferro finché caldo is an outdoor cultural venue and social space located along the Navile Canal in Bologna, Italy....
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162
Temples Known locally
Church of Saint Mary of the Announcement
The Church of Saint Mary of the Announcement, known locally as Chiesa di Santa Maria di Fossolo, is a modern parish chur...
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163
Parks Known locally
Arboreto del Pilastro
Arboreto del Pilastro is an innovative urban park and community botanical garden located in the Pilastro neighborhood of...
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164
Parks Known locally
Parco delle Querce
Parco delle Querce is a neighborhood green space located in the Borgo Panigale district on the western outskirts of Bolo...
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165
Museums Known locally
La Quadreria - Palazzo Rossi Poggi Marsili
La Quadreria - Palazzo Rossi Poggi Marsili is a museum located on Via Marsala in Bologna, housed within a historic arist...
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166
Historical places Known locally
Porta San Felice
Porta San Felice is the westernmost gateway of Bologna’s thirteenth-century outer ring of defensive walls. It served as...
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167
Places of interest Known locally
Palazzo Magnani
Palazzo Magnani is a late 16th-century Renaissance palace located on Via Zamboni in Bologna, Italy. Commissioned by Lore...
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168
Museums Known locally
Museo Civico del Risorgimento di Bologna
Museo Civico del Risorgimento di Bologna explores the Italian unification movement with a heavy emphasis on Bologna and...
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169
Historical places Known locally
Statua di Luigi Galvani
The Statua di Luigi Galvani is a bronze monument dedicated to the 18th-century physicist and pioneer of bioelectricity,...
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170
Museums Known locally
Museum of Villanovan civilization
The Museum of Villanovan Civilization (MUV) is located in Castenaso, on the site of a major archaeological discovery tha...
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171
Temples Known locally
Church of Saint Anthony 'di Savena'
The Church of Saint Anthony 'di Savena' is a significant parish church located in the eastern district of Bologna, servi...
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172
Museums Known locally
Museo d’arte LERCARO
The Museo d'arte Lercaro, officially known as the Raccolta Lercaro, is a prominent modern and contemporary art museum lo...
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173
Places of interest Known locally
Belvedere di San Michele in Bosco
The Belvedere di San Michele in Bosco is a terrace located behind the historic San Michele in Bosco monastery complex in...
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174
Museums Known locally
Museo Ebraico di Bologna
The Museo Ebraico di Bologna is located in the heart of the historic former Jewish Ghetto, housed within the 16th-centur...
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175
Museums Known locally
Casa Morandi
Casa Morandi is the former residence and studio of the renowned Italian painter Giorgio Morandi, located in his lifelong...
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176
Places of interest Known locally
Vista Panoramica di Villa Ghigi
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177
Parks Known locally
Parco Eugenio Montale
Parco Eugenio Montale is a neighborhood public park located in the eastern district of Bologna along Via Scandellara. Na...
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178
Parks Known locally
Parco Nicholas Green via della Certosa
Parco Nicholas Green is a community green space in Bologna located near the historic Certosa monumental cemetery. The pa...
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179
Venues Known locally
Teatro del Meloncello
Teatro del Meloncello is a cultural venue situated at the base of the porticoed path leading to the Sanctuary of the Mad...
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180
Temples Known locally
Campanile della Cattedrale di San Pietro
The Campanile della Cattedrale di San Pietro is the bell tower of Bologna's Metropolitan Cathedral, located on Via Altab...
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Bologna on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Frequently asked
How many attractions are there in Bologna?
Aventuro lists 511 curated attractions in and around Bologna, sorted by popularity.
What's the top attraction in Bologna?
Piazza Maggiore is the most popular place to visit in Bologna right now.
What kind of attractions does Bologna have?
The largest category is temples, with 131 places to explore.
Which other cities are worth visiting nearby?
Travellers also explore Rome, Milan, Turin.
