Bologna travel guide: where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Mortadella di Bologna IGP
Where: Salumeria Simoni, Via Drapperie 5/2, and other Quadrilatero delis; vacuum-packed pieces from about €8 (~$9.20)
Parmigiano Reggiano
Where: Quadrilatero delis and Mercato delle Erbe, Via Ugo Bassi 25; vacuum-packed wedges from about €8 (~$9.20)
Fresh and dried egg pasta (tortellini, tagliatelle)
Where: Fresh-pasta shops on Via Drapperie and Via Pescherie Vecchie; dried egg pasta travels best
Aceto balsamico (traditional balsamic vinegar)
Where: Eataly Bologna, Via degli Orefici 19, and Quadrilatero delis; look for the DOP label on traditional vinegars
Local wine (Pignoletto, Sangiovese di Romagna)
Where: Wine shops in the Quadrilatero and Eataly Bologna; many ship abroad
Certosino (Bolognese spiced Christmas cake) and local sweets
Where: Bakeries and pastry shops in the centre, especially at Christmas
Books, prints and maps
Where: Libreria Coop Ambasciatori, Via degli Orefici 19; bookshops along Via Ugo Bassi and Via Zamboni
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Mercato delle Erbe
Bologna covered market a few minutes from Piazza Maggiore, with produce stalls by day and food counters and bars into the evening.
Where: Via Ugo Bassi
Hours: Mon–Sat about 7AM–midnight, closed Sun (produce stalls to about 2PM; food counters from about 11AM) – reported
Mercato di Mezzo
Historic market building in the Quadrilatero converted into a food hall with counters for local specialities, plus a bar area.
Where: Quadrilatero
Hours: Daily about 9AM–midnight (reported; individual stalls vary)
Mercato della Piazzola (Montagnola)
Large weekly open-air market held on Fridays and Saturdays around Piazza VIII Agosto, selling clothes, shoes, accessories, homewares and food.
Where: Piazza VIII Agosto / Montagnola
Hours: Fri and Sat, early morning to about 2PM–6PM (sources differ; busiest before noon)
Mercato Ritrovato
Farmers' and producers' market in the Cineteca courtyard, with local food and drink direct from producers.
Where: Cineteca di Bologna, Manifattura delle Arti
Hours: Sat about 9AM–2PM Sept–May; summer evening market on a weekday (sources differ; check the market Facebook page)
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Quadrilatero (Via Drapperie, Via Pescherie Vecchie, Via Clavature)
Via dell'Indipendenza and Via Ugo Bassi
Galleria Cavour and Via Farini
Piazza VIII Agosto (Fri and Sat market)
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
Galleria Cavour
Elegant covered arcade off Piazza Cavour with designer fashion and jewellery boutiques.
Hours: Shops generally Mon–Sat about 10AM–7:30PM, some close for lunch; Sunday mostly closed (reported; confirm on galleriacavourbologna.com)
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is not customary in shops, delis or boutiques; prices are fixed
At the Piazza VIII Agosto flea market, polite negotiation on multiple items is acceptable; carry small notes
Ask about vacuum packing (sottovuoto) at delis; it is usually free or inexpensive and keeps cured meats and cheese for travel
Check the label before buying: look for IGP, DOP or DOC marks on mortadella, cheese, vinegar and wine
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Items:
- Custom
- Tax-free shopping (VAT refund)
- Detail
- Non-EU residents can claim VAT back on qualifying purchases above €70.01 (~$80.51) in a single shop displaying a Tax Free sign. Ask for the tax-free form at the till and have it validated at the customs desk before leaving the EU.
- Custom
- Sunday and midday closures
- Detail
- Many small shops, especially in the Quadrilatero, close on Sunday and take a lunch break; larger shops on Via dell'Indipendenza open more continuously. Mercato delle Erbe is closed on Sunday.
- Custom
- Seasonal sales (saldi)
- Detail
- Winter and summer sales start nationally in early January and early July, usually the first Saturday of the month; many fashion shops cut prices 30%–50%.
- Custom
- Customs on food souvenirs
- Detail
- Meat and dairy products are restricted when entering many non-EU countries, including the United States and the United Kingdom. Check the destination country's customs rules before buying mortadella or cheese.
- Custom
- Payment
- Detail
- Cards are widely accepted in shops; markets and some small counters, including Osteria del Sole, prefer cash. Carry small notes.