Bologna itinerary — 2 days
Day 1 — Bologna
7 stops · ≈ 5 h 34 minA vast brick basilica on Piazza Maggiore, begun in 1390 and never given the marble facade promised for it. At 132 metres long it ranks among the largest brick churches in the world. Inside, look for the Bolognini Chapel with frescoes by Giovanni da Modena based on Dante's Inferno, and Cassini's 1655 meridian line: a sunbeam from the dome's oculus marks solar noon on the nave floor. Entry is free; the rooftop terrace costs extra.
A food hall in the heart of the Quadrilatero, Bologna's old market quarter between the Two Towers and Piazza Maggiore. It was the city's first, opened in 2012 within the shell of a historic covered market. Counters serve fresh pasta, mortadella, crisp crescentine, glasses of wine and craft beer. Grab a tray and take a seat at the long tables — unhurried, Bologna-style, right in the middle of a sightseeing loop.
Two 12th-century leaning towers standing at the ancient crossroads of Bologna, forming the iconic symbol of the city. The taller Torre degli Asinelli reaches 97 metres, climbed via 498 steep wooden steps offering sweeping panoramas over red tiled roofs. The neighbouring Torre Garisenda stands 48 metres high with a severe lean, famously mentioned twice by Dante in the Divine Comedy.
Bologna's premier art museum, situated in the university quarter within the historic former Jesuit novitiate of Sant'Ignazio. The gallery offers an unrivaled survey of Emilian and Bolognese painting from the 13th to the 18th century. Notable highlights include Raphael's celebrated 'The Ecstasy of St. Cecilia', polyptychs by Giotto and Vitale da Bologna, alongside grand baroque canvases by Guido Reni, the Carracci brothers, and Guercino.
A revered artisanal gelateria situated on Via Santo Stefano in the historical heart of Bologna, just footsteps away from the famous Seven Churches square. The gelato is made fresh daily following traditional Italian methods, using whole milk, rich cream, and pure ingredients. Crowds line up for signature flavours such as Crema Antica, Sicilian Bronte pistachio, dark fondente chocolate, and creamy ricotta paired with wild berries.
One of Bologna's most atmospheric public squares, Piazza Santo Stefano is distinguished by its unique triangular shape, river-pebble paving, and Renaissance palaces with elegant porticoes. It is anchored by the Basilica of Santo Stefano, famously called the Seven Churches—a fascinating labyrinthine complex of interconnected medieval sanctuaries and quiet cloisters. Closed to vehicle traffic, the square is lined with inviting cafes and markets.
Spanning 26 lush hectares just outside Bologna's historic center, this is the city's largest and most beloved public park. Opened in 1879 and named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, it was designed in the romantic English landscape style by Count Sambuy. Winding trails weave around mature horse chestnuts, open lawns, and a scenic pond with swans and turtles. Former greenhouses, Le Serre, host creative workspaces, events, and cafes.
Reserve
4If you have time left — worth it too.
In the same neighborhood, the city's strong film history lives on at Cineteca Bologna, a laboratory and foundation for film restoration. In November 2023, the organization reopened the historic cinema Cinema Modernissimo, "baptized" by Martin Scorsese. It also hosts annual events such as the Il Cinema Ritrovato festival, which marks its 37th year in June with huge open-air screenings in Piazza Maggiore; and the autumn queer film festival Gender Bender, in partnership with the LGBTQ+ center/gallery/nightclub Cassero. If you love film or simply want to spend an evening in Bologna in an unusual way, head to Cineteca di Bologna. This historic cinema specializes in the restoration of classic and rare films, giving you the chance to see beautifully preserved works on the big screen. It's a great way to get to know Bologna's cultural life from a different angle.
The Certosa di Bologna is one of Europe's grandest monumental cemeteries, established in 1801 within a Carthusian monastery founded in 1334. Its vast network of vaulted arcades, cloisters, and courtyards forms an open-air museum of neoclassical and Romantic sculpture that captivated Lord Byron and Charles Dickens. Notable burials include Nobel laureate Giosuè Carducci and painter Giorgio Morandi.
Bologna's flagship museum of modern and contemporary art, located in the cultural district of Manifattura delle Arti inside the repurposed 1915 municipal bakery Ex Forno del Pane. Its airy industrial halls trace Italian art from post-World War II to the present, highlighting Arte Povera and daring experimental installations. The venue also houses the Museo Morandi, the world's most complete collection of Giorgio Morandi's works.
The Museo per la Memoria di Ustica commemorates the 81 victims of the 1980 Ustica tragedy, when a passenger DC-9 aircraft plunged into the Tyrrhenian Sea. In the center of the hall, the reconstructed wreckage of the airliner is encircled by Christian Boltanski's moving installation: 81 pulsating light bulbs beating like heartbeats and 81 mirrors with whispering speakers. Entry to the museum is free.
- Try the local cuisine, especially pasta dishes like tagliatelle al ragù.
- Purchase a Bologna Card for discounts on attractions and public transport.
- Explore the city on foot to fully appreciate its historical architecture.