Piazza Maggiore
Bologna's main square, framed by Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo d'Accursio, Palazzo del Podesta and Palazzo dei Banchi; the heart of the medieval city and the starting point for most walking routes.
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About Bologna
Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna and one of Italy's great university and food cities, in the north of the country between Florence and Milan. Its medieval centre is a maze of terracotta-coloured lanes sheltered by about 40 km of porticoes, with a UNESCO World Heritage listing for 12 of them. Piazza Maggiore and the unfinished Basilica di San Petronio anchor the city, the leaning Asinelli and Garisenda towers mark its skyline, and the University of Bologna, founded in 1088 and widely regarded as the oldest in the Western world, keeps the streets young and lively. The Santuario della Madonna di San Luca is reached by the world's longest portico. Bologna is Italy's food capital in the eyes of many: tortellini in brodo, tagliatelle al ragu, mortadella, lasagne and Parmigiano Reggiano are served in trattorie across town, and the Quadrilatero market lanes show the produce behind them. The city is also an excellent rail hub for day trips to Modena, Parma, Ravenna, Ferrara and the Adriatic coast.
- Capital
- Bologna
- Largest city
- Bologna
- Population
- About 390,000 (municipality); about 1 million in the Metropolitan City of Bologna
- Languages
- Italian
- Currency
- Euro
- Time zone
- Central European Time (CET, UTC+1); Central European Summer Time (CEST, UTC+2) from the last Sunday of March to the last Sunday of October
Explore Bologna by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Bologna
The 17 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Fontana del Nettuno (Neptune Fountain)
Giambologna's bronze Neptune (1563-1566) on a marble fountain beside Piazza Maggiore, nicknamed 'il Gigante'.
Basilica di San Petronio
Gothic basilica, one of the largest brick churches in the world, with the 1655 Cassini sundial meridian line, Bolognini chapel frescoes and an unfinished marble facade.
Due Torri (Asinelli and Garisenda Towers)
The two leaning medieval towers that symbolise Bologna; the 97 m Asinelli can be climbed for a rooftop view over the terracotta city.
Quadrilatero (Mercato di Mezzo and Via Pescherie Vecchie)
Medieval market grid of lanes east of Piazza Maggiore with delis, bakeries, fishmongers, tagliatelle and tortellini shops and the Mercato di Mezzo food hall.
Archiginnasio and Teatro Anatomico
Carved-spruce anatomical theatre of the old university
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Bologna Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Bologna, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Bologna
- Days 1-2Bologna city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Bologna
- Days 1-3Bologna comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Bologna, departure
Where to stay in Bologna
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget €75 (~$86)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range €180 (~$207)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury €480+ (~$552+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni
Five-star hotel on Via dell'Indipendenza with sauna, hydromassage and a fitness room, meals served on a terrace, and the restaurant I Carracci.
Check rates on Booking.comI Portici Hotel Bologna
Design-led hotel on Via dell'Indipendenza that houses the one-Michelin-star restaurant I Portici.
Check rates on Booking.comStarhotels Excelsior Bologna
Chain four-star beside the central station with a fitness room, bar and restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comRoyal Hotel Carlton
Four-star hotel near the station with a sauna, fitness room and private park.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Bologna
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Trattoria Anna Maria
Classic Bolognese trattoria with handmade pasta; a meal costs about EUR 30-40 (~$34.50-$46) per person.
Ristorante Diana
Historic restaurant open since the 1920s with traditional Bolognese cooking; about EUR 40-50 (~$46-$57.50) per person.
Trattoria del Rosso
Budget-friendly trattoria close to Piazza Maggiore offering a fixed-price menu of about EUR 20 (~$23).
Trattoria da Tony
Small trattoria in the centre with typical Bolognese dishes; about EUR 20-30 (~$23-$34.50) per person.
Da Cesari
Typical Bolognese tavern with handmade pasta; about EUR 30-40 (~$34.50-$46) per person.
Osteria dell'Orsa
Long-running no-reservations osteria near the university serving Bolognese pasta at budget prices.
Book a food tour in Bologna We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Bologna
Bologna is served by Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), about 6 km north-west of the centre, and by Bologna Centrale, one of Italy's busiest rail hubs, with high-speed trains to Florence, Milan, Rome and Venice. The historic centre inside the ring road is compact and best covered on foot; TPER city buses fill the gaps, and regional trains from Bologna Centrale reach Modena, Parma, Ferrara and Ravenna.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | €35 (~$40) | €110 (~$127) | €300 (~$345) |
| Food (per day) | €22 (~$25) | €45 (~$52) | €120 (~$138) |
| Transportation | €5 (~$6) | €10 (~$12) | €30 (~$35) |
| Activities | €13 (~$15) | €15 (~$17) | €30 (~$35) |
| Daily total | €75 (~$86) | €180 (~$207) | €480+ (~$552+) |
Best time to visit Bologna
Weather through the year in Emilia Romagna
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for Emilia Romagna.
April to early June and mid-September to October combine warm weather with open restaurants and festivals. Trade fairs at BolognaFiere (Cersaie, SAIE, EIMA, Cosmoprof, Arte Fiera) raise hotel rates and fill rooms, so check fair dates before booking. Winter is cold and foggy but quiet, with lower prices and a lively indoor food scene.
Essential travel tips
- Book the Asinelli Tower climb at bolognawelcome.com ahead; slots are timed
- Most museums close on Monday; plan museum visits for Tuesday-Sunday
- Restaurants typically serve lunch 12:30-2:30PM and dinner from 7:30PM; book trattorie ahead on weekends
- Pay for a coffee at the bar standing up; it is cheaper than a table
- A city tourist tax is charged per person per night at hotels and is paid at the property; confirm the amount for the accommodation category
- Hotel prices spike during trade fairs at BolognaFiere; check fieribologna.it if dates are flexible
Safety information
Save 112 (general emergency) and 118 (ambulance) before arrival; operators handle English
Wear bags cross-body and zipped in Piazza Maggiore, the Quadrilatero, the station and on buses, and keep phones off cafe tables
Book taxis through taxibologna.it, cotabo.it or the Uber app; taxis in Bologna are not hailed on the street
Avoid the Montagnola park, Piazza XX Settembre and the streets behind the station after dark; use Via Indipendenza and Via Ugo Bassi instead
Do not drive into the ZTL; park outside the centre and walk or use TPER buses
Validate paper bus and regional train tickets before boarding, or pay by contactless card on TPER buses
Check for transport strikes (sciopero) at scioperi.mit.gov.it and on trenitalia.com before intercity travel
Carry a photocopy or photo of the passport and keep the original in the hotel safe; the Questura is at Piazza Galileo 7 for lost documents
Frequently asked questions
Is Bologna safe to visit in 2026?
Bologna is generally safe for visitors who take normal city precautions. Petty theft, including pickpocketing around Bologna Centrale, Piazza Maggiore and on buses, is the main concern. The European emergency number is 112; ambulance is 118 and State Police is 113.
What is the best time to visit Bologna?
April-June and September-October offer mild weather of about 15-25°C and the fullest food-festival calendar. July and August are hot and humid, while winters are cold and foggy but quiet.
Do I need a visa to visit Bologna?
Italy follows Schengen rules. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens need only a valid ID. US, Canadian, Australian, and UK citizens can stay up to 90 days in any 180 without a visa for tourism. Check travel-europe.europa.eu/etias for the ETIAS start date.
What currency is used in Bologna?
The currency in Bologna is the Euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available and cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants, but carry some cash for markets, coffee bars and small trattorie.
How do I get from Bologna airport to the city?
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is about 6 km from the centre. The Marconi Express train reaches Bologna Centrale in about 7 minutes for roughly €12 (~$14); the Aerobus costs about €6 (~$7); a taxi costs about €20-€25 (~$23-$29).
What are the top attractions in Bologna?
The top attractions include Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica di San Petronio, the Due Torri, the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca and its portico, the Basilica di Santo Stefano, the Archiginnasio and the Pinacoteca Nazionale.