While it’s often overlooked in favor of cities like Florence or Rome, Bologna has a unique allure that’s hard to describe. Known as Italy’s foodie capital, Bologna has reputation as the birthplace of some of Italy’s most beloved foods. From its medieval architecture and impressive university, Bologna offers a real slice of Italian life that is deliciously off the beaten path.

I think Bologna is one of Italy’s most underrated cities. It isn't a popular tourist destination + that is a benefit in a country that suffers from overtourism. 

Bologna is a refreshing escape from the hoards of tourists in nearby Venice and Florence, while still offering a plethora of interesting things to explore, and more importantly, delicious things to eat! In this guide, I’ll cover why Bologna deserves a spot on your itinerary and share carefully curated foodie recommendations. Whether you're here for a taste of traditional ragù, a walk through the city’s famous porticoes, or simply to soak up the lively atmosphere, Bologna has plenty to offer, even on a quick visit.

The Ultimate Bologna Travel Guide & Itinerary

Is Bologna Worth Visiting?

With many nice Italian cities to choose from, Bologna usually isn’t the first destination in Italy that comes to mind. You might be asking yourself – is Bologna even worth visiting? I understand that Bologna isn’t your standard Italian destination, which means I should probably explain why Bologna is worth it over, say, an extra day or two in Venice or Florence. 

I think there are two main reasons why Bologna is worth visiting:

Reason 1: Known as "La Grassa" (or “the fat one”), Bologna is Italy’s foodie capital. No literally though. Bologna is the capital of Emilia Romagna, the Italian state that gave birth to culinary icons like Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma, and traditional Bolognese ragù. And let me tell you, this ragù is a far cry from the spaghetti Bolognese you might expect. For foodie travelers, I would dare say Bologna is the most important Italian city to visit. But it’s not just about the food.

Reason 2: Bologna offers a refreshing break from Italy’s busier cities like Rome and Florence. Honestly, it feels like one of those rare undiscovered Italian city destinations. Unlike the packed piazzas of Venice or the overcrowded attractions in Rome, you’ll find a lively local community with minimal tourist crowds in Bologna. I think it gives the city a warm, welcoming energy in every piazza and under every portico.

Travel Logistics

How Long to Spend in Bologna?

While you could see Bologna’s highlights in a day, I think two days is the sweet spot for savoring the city’s unique rhythm and deep-rooted food culture. This timeframe lets you take in the essentials but also leaves enough time to join a food tour or cooking class, experiences that help you really soak in Emilia-Romagna’s famed cuisine. If you have a bit more time, Bologna also makes a perfect base for day trips to nearby gems like Parma and Modena. 

Arrival & Departure

Bologna is highly accessible, whether you’re coming from within Italy or from abroad. For international visitors, Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) offers direct flights from major European hubs. Although, many travelers might prefer to fly into larger airports like Rome or Milan and then connect to Bologna via Italy’s excellent rail network. 

From BLQ Airport, an efficient monorail called the Marconi Express connects directly to Bologna Centrale, the main train station, in just 8 minutes. Tickets are easy to purchase on-site or by tapping a credit card at the entrance gates.

For those traveling within Italy, Bologna’s central location makes it a train hub, with direct, high-speed connections to most major Italian cities. Intercity trains are fast, taking only 45 minutes from Florence and around 2 hours from Rome, while regional trains offer more flexibility at a slower pace. Book your high-speed train tickets in advance through Trenitalia for the best rates, and be sure to look for “Bologna Centrale” as your destination. 

Where to Stay in Bologna

Bologna is a fairly small city, so you can’t really go wrong with the particular area you choose for accommodation. Ideally, you want to be within a 5-10 minute walk of Piazza Maggiore, which is the beating heart of the city center. Plus, it is the centerpiece for many of the activities on this itinerary. Because it is compact, just about everything in Bologna, with the exception of San Luca, is about 10-15 minutes away from Piazza Maggiore. I stayed at the Best Western Hotel San Donato, a shockingly nice option for those on a budget. 

Best Things to See in Bologna

I recommend dedicating an entire day in Bologna to wandering around. This is such a classic way that Italians experience their cities, and I think tourists should too. While there are cultural sights and museums to visit in Bologna, its real charm lies in the exploration and architecture. Less guide book agendas, more charming side streets was my motto! 

Piazza Maggiore

This is Bologna’s main square and it dates back to the middle ages. It is one of the largest and oldest squares in all of Italy! The piazza is surrounded by magnificent buildings, from the Palazzo re Enzo to Palazzo d’Accursio and the Basilica di San Petronio (more on that below). Great for people watching, Piazza Maggiore is full of locals and travelers alike at all hours. You’ll also find street performers and musicians in the square throughout the day.

The most distinguishable attraction in the Piazza is Neptune’s Fountain. Commissioned in the 15th century by the Pope, the striking fountain stands as a symbolic meeting point in the city. Take note of the female figures in a.... strangely sexual position at the base of the statue. Never seen that on another fountain before. You might also notice that Neptune’s trident looks familiar to the Maserati car logo. Rumors say that the famed automaker was inspired by the trident!

Basilica di San Petronio 

Basilica di San Petronio is the grand but unfinished backdrop that you will immediately notice in Piazza Maggiore. As the story goes, construction began in the late 14th century with big ambitions: the size and grandeur of the basilica was planned to surpass St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. However rumors got back to the Pope, who fearing competition with the Vatican, halted the project before it could be completed. As a result, the front facade remains famously half-finished, with a pink-and-white marble base and exposed brick above.

While entry to the basilica is free, a small fee is required to photograph its interior. 

Inside, the basilica’s vast scale is awe-inspiring, with 22 chapels housing priceless artworks and religious relics. Notably, it features the world’s longest indoor meridian line, stretching 67 meters across the floor, once used to mark the solstices and equinoxes.

University of Bologna

A visit to the University of Bologna, founded in 1088 and the oldest in the Western world, is a must when in Bologna. Housed in the historic Archiginnasio Palace near Piazza Maggiore, the university originally centralized disciplines like medicine, math, and physics in one stunning 16th-century building. Though damaged by WWII bombings in 1944, the palace has been carefully restored and offers a fascinating glimpse into Bologna's academic legacy.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the palace, with advance booking recommended during peak season.

Highlights of the visit include the iconic 17th-century Anatomical Theater, where anatomy lectures were held around a central marble dissection table, with intricate sculptures of "Skinned Men" by Ercole Lelli adding a dramatic touch. Nearby, Stabat Mater Hall, formerly a law lecture hall, offers a doorway view of the Municipal Library, displaying thousands of historic books (although closed to the public). Take your time to admire the palace's beautifully decorated halls adorned with coats of arms representing past students, dating from the 16th to 18th centuries. 

Quadrilatero

Known for its narrow medieval streets, the Quadrilatero district has been a bustling marketplace since Roman times and remains the center of Bologna’s food scene. Here, vendors and small shops showcase the best of Emilia-Romagna’s renowned culinary heritage—from freshly made pasta and aged Parmigiano Reggiano to cured meats and local wines. The aroma of artisanal breads, espresso, and truffle-infused delicacies fills the air, creating a sensory experience that draws food lovers from around the world.

Admire Porticos & Piazzas

One of Bologna’s characteristic features are the portico-covered walkways. They even have UNESCO World Heritage status! The historic porticoes were built starting in the 11th century and now span over 62 km throughout the city. You’ll see them along piazzas and parks all over the city. I recommend strolling beneath them, admiring the views and snapping some mind-bending photography. The porticoes surrounding Piazza Cavour are especially beautiful with fresco paintings.

Italy is famous for its piazzas, or open squares, and Bologna has no shortage of nice ones. I particularly liked Piazza Servi di Maria, a relatively “off-the-beaten path” spot where you can enjoy the painted yellow columns in peace. The columns and arcades are well mirrored in this piazza for some interesting photography. Piazza Santo Stefano is also lovely with some cute cafes under the portici where you can grab a coffee and people watch in this lively area. 

What to Do in Bologna

Food Tour

Since Bologna is known as the foodie capital of Italy, what better way to get a taste of the local cuisine than with an expert guide? This Classic Bologna Food Tour is a great option. You will taste local specialties such as Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Bolognese ragu, and mortadella. The tour begins with a gourmet coffee, followed by visits to farmer’s markets, and a meet-and-greet with sfoglinas (pasta makers) to see how tortellini are made.

Sunset at Santuario Madonna di San Luca

Bologna is absolutely beautiful during sunset, when the golden hours enhance the city’s already warm colors. The rust-colored buildings and terracotta roofs seem to light ablaze in color at sunset. One of the best places to admire the sunset is at the top of San Luca hill at Madonna di San Luca. Regardless of rainy weather or not, you can walk up because the entire walk is covered in porticoes. It is also beloved by locals' who often pack a small picnic basket to bring along.

Cooking Class

Get ready for a true Italian experience—a pasta-making class with a real Italian nonna! Booked through Airbnb Experiences, this “Cook Pasta with Grandma” will take most of the day – but it is worth it! The class starts with a 9AM pickup near Bologna’s main train station. After a scenic 30-minute drive into the countryside, you’ll arrive at a beautiful home where the two hosts, Pia & Vittoria, greet you with a pot of fresh coffee to chat about their background, personal story, and of course, cooking. 

You’ll learn how to make a few dishes, including the region’s iconic ragù bolognese and a dessert. Walking you through the steps of dough preparation, you’ll create your own pasta (usually tortelloni, tagliatelle and ravioli). The five-hour, hands-on class is both fun and authentic, as Pia, who speaks only Italian, teaches you traditional pasta-making techniques with translation help from her charming family and neighbors.

Where to Eat in Bologna

Coffee

• Naama Cafe: great choice thanks to an expansive menu of tea and coffee drinks
• Mister Coffee Bistrò: slightly more stylish option with great espresso

Food Markets

• Mercato della Erbe: translates to herb market, where you’ll find local farmers selling fresh produce.
• Via Clavature and Via Pescheterie Vechie: Both of these streets swell with farmers selling fresh produce and lightly prepared food.

Pizza

Although Bologna isn’t quite as famous for pizza as Naples in the south, there are plenty of excellent pizza options to choose from.

• Pizzeria Spaccanapoli: Located on Via San Vitale, this was recommended to me by a friend who said it was the best pizza in Bologna. I absolutely loved it! The dough and sauce are perfection, so any other toppings you get will only improve what is already there.
• L'antica Pizzeria da Michele: Imported from Naples, this is another excellent choice for pizza. Their traditional Antica style pizzas almost always garner a wait in their bustling downtown restaurant. 

Pasta

Battle of the bolognese! The iconic ragu sauce now known worldwide originates from Bologna, and adorns a variety of dishes other than spaghetti. It is typically cooked in layers of lasagna or tossed with fresh tagliatelle. 

• Osteria dell’Orsa: a no frills student joint with a lively vibe and cheap delicious food. 
• Osteria Broccaindosso: traditional Bolognese cuisine that is DEEPLY yummy. Feels like a local gem. Gramigna, tagliatelle and tortellini in broth are all nice choices. Reservation not required.
• La Traviata: Bolognese, or colloquially called ‘ragu, is always on the menu here and it is delicious. Not in the mood? Order either the tortelloni alla zucca (pumpkin tortelloni) which comes glazed in balsamic vinegar or the cheese-filled gnocchi. Make sure you call for a reservation a day or two in advance, because this place fills up. 

Gelato

No trip to Italy is complete without a once (or twice) daily gelato run

• Cremeria Funivia: it is awesome! No other way to say it. You can customize your sundaes, or simply order from the set menu. My husband got the Alice, which consists of mascarpone gelato with melted dark chocolate at the bottom of the cone. I had the incredible Cable Car Pie, which is chocolate cake stirred together with your flavor of choice. 
• La Sorbetteria: more traditional style gelato, but nonetheless delightful. Locations on Via Castiglione and on the way to Madonna di San Luca church.

Have thoughts or questions about this Bologna travel guide? Tell me in the comments!