Bologna itinerary – Best things to do in Bologna in 1, 2 and 3 days

Known by its nicknames – La Dotta (the educated one), La Rossa (the red one), and La Grassa (the fat one), Bologna offers a splendid blend of history, stunning architecture, and mouthwatering cuisine.

As you stroll through its ancient streets, you’ll be enchanted by the charming red brick buildings that define the city’s character. However, what truly sets Bologna apart is its gastronomic delights. Prepare yourself for a culinary paradise that will take your taste buds on an unforgettable journey.

Below I’m sharing crafted itineraries and recommendations on the best things to do (and eat) in Bologna in 1, 2, and 3 days.

These itineraries include unmissable sights like the Asinelli tower and the Archiginnasio, some off the beaten path attractions and I also made sure you get plenty of fun, delicious food, and the best aperitivos into your days. This way you’ll get a feel for the history and culture, but you’ll also be able to enjoy the incredible cuisine of Emiglia Romagna.

Bologna itinerary overview – the best of Bologna, Italy

I’ve condensed all of the best things to do and the most amazing places to see into these 1, 2, 3, and 5 day Bologna itineraries.

These itineraries are designed to provide you with a diverse range of experiences in Bologna, encouraging you to step out of your comfort zone and embrace new adventures.

Throughout the itineraries, I will provide ample information and include relevant links to articles about each attraction or activity when it is first mentioned. However, to avoid repetition, I have consolidated the repeated activities into a list and you can refer back up to where they’re first mentioned for additional information when needed.

Refer to this map of Bologna sights to find the attractions mentioned below.

How many days in Bologna

Two to three days in Bologna are the perfect amount of time to experience this wonderful city. You’ll be able to see all the main sights, do a food tour, visit some of the museums and galleries or walk up to Madonna della Salute.

You can see the main sights in Bologna in just one jam-packed day but ideally, you’ll spend the night here in order to experience the magical evening atmosphere.

With three days or more, you’ll be able to enjoy even more of the delicious food, venture out of the historic center and do some day trips from Bologna.

Where to stay in Bologna

Bologna is a walkable city but really not as small as it might initially appear so you’ll want to stay fairly central. If you’re traveling by train and prefer to be closer to the station try to find accommodation within the ring rather than north of the station.

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Where to stay in Bologna

3 day itinerary

With three days in Bologna you’ll be able to explore all the highlights without rushing and you’ll also be able to do a cooking class and a day trip of choice. Or you can simply skip what doesn’t appeal to you in lieu of some more aperitivos and delicious bites.

Day 1 – Historic City Center

The historic center of Bologna is fairly small and walkable so I highly recommend you join this walking tour to get acquainted with the city and the main sights. You’ll learn so much about Bologna’s history and culture.

Cappuccio e brioche

Start the day with a typical Italian breakfast and grab a coffee and brioche before heading out to explore the city. Forno Brisa and Impero are both fabulous options and on your way into town if you’re just arriving from the train station. Most attractions in Bologna don’t open before 9:30 or 10 am so you have plenty of time to enjoy your breakfast.

Asinelli Tower

The twin towers of Bologna, also known as Le Due Torri, are iconic symbols of the city. But only the taller Asinelli Tower is open to the public. Climbing its 498 sketchy stairs is a challenge, but you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent 360-degree view of the entire city of Bologna from a height of 97 meters

Most guides will suggest you climb the Asinelli Tower at sunset, but there are two problems with doing so. First, due to the opening times you’ll only be able to do so in winter, and second, the sun sets over the piazza maggiore so you’ll be looking straight into the sun if you go there in the late afternoon or evening.

Book your ticket with audio guide

Piazza Maggiore & Nettuno

Walk down Via Rizzi to reach Piazza Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s beating heart and home to some of Bologna’s most prominent buildings. Enjoy the live music courtesy of the buskers on the square and take in the views of the magnificent Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo dei Notai to its right, and Palazzo dei Banchi to its left. Don’t miss Palazzo d’Accursio with its clocktower, freshen up at the Fontana del Nettuno, and admire Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo Re Enzo behind it.

Basilica di San Petronio

Named after the city’s patron saint, the Basilica of St. Petronio was intended to be larger than St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome. Although it was never finished due to a rivalry with Rome, it remains the world’s largest brick-built church. Inside, you’ll find three naves, 22 chapels, and the world’s oldest functioning organ and a golden sundial.

From the side entrance, you can also take the stairs or elevator to the terrace, offering breathtaking sights of Piazza Maggiore.

Clocktower and museum

The Clock Tower is part of Palazzo d’Accursio, and access is included with the museum ticket. From the top, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view. Take in the sights of Piazza Maggiore, the grand Basilica of San Petronio, and the numerous towers, including the iconic Asinelli towers.

Book your ticket with audio guide

Quadrilattero

Hidden behind Palazzo dei Banchi you’ll find the vibrant Mercato di Mezzo, where vendors call out their daily specials, vibrant produce catches your eye, and tantalizing aromas fill the air. This bustling market is a feast for the senses.

The Quadrilatero offers a treasure trove of street food and traditional delicacies perfect for lunch. From sumptuous ragù clinging lovingly to freshly made pasta, to the exquisite mortadella that will leave you weak at the knees, here you can find it all.

Sit down at one of the trattorias in Via degli Orefici or head to Via Calcoliere for incredible street food. You can also join this food tour that takes you to both, the Mercato delle Erbe and the Mercato di Mezzo for the ultimate Bologna food experience.

Book your food tour

Archiginnasio & Anatomical Theatre

Walk down the Pavaglione to reach the Archiginnasio, the former main building of the University of Bologna from the 16th century. Here you’ll find the Library of Bologna (for registered users only) and the fascinating Teatro Anatomico. This ornate lecture hall is carved entirely out of spruce wood and once hosted lectures for medical students. This amphitheater-style room is decorated with spellati wooden statues displaying the human anatomy and astrological symbols on the ceiling. The marble table at the center is where students would dissect human bodies during lectures.

Book your visit with audio guide

St. Stephen Square and the 7 churches

Piazza San Stefano is a quieter square and a welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of the Quadrilattero.

The Basilica of San Stefano, also known as Sette Chiese (Seven Churches), is a complex of religious buildings that occupies the entire eastern side of the square. Originally, there were seven churches in the complex, but only four remain intact today, including the crypts. Particularly impressive is the Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro. Octagonal in shape, it was designed to faithfully replicate the place where the remains of Christ were laid after his death and is dominated by a large pulpit in the center.

Take a stroll

Depending on how fast or slow you worked through the attractions above you might still have time to take a stroll and aimlessly wander around the streets and porticoes of Bologna. Grab a gelato or buy some souvenirs. Bologna is also home to some incredible artisan and vintage shops with loads of charm and history, make sure to peek into some of them.

Ghetto Ebraico

In medieval times these narrow streets and courtyards imprisoned the Jewish community of Bologna, but have now transformed into hipstertown, a hub of quirky shops, bars, and restaurants, all brimming with progressive residents and university students. The Ghetto is perfect to sit down for an aperitivo. La Prosciutteria and Camera a Sud are my favorite options for a drink and bite in the Ghetto. At select places, like Lab16 or Caffè Zamboni you can even get an apericena which is a buffet-style selection of food to enjoy with your drink.

Day 2 – Sanctuary of San Luca and good food

Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

Today you’ll embark on a journey through the enchanting Portico di San Luca, a UNESCO World Heritage site. This portico stretches a whopping 3.8 kilometers and with its 664 intricately designed arches, this portico is the longest in the world and a wonder to behold.

As you make your way through the porticoes keep an eye out for the Arco del Meloncello. This 18th-century arch forms a pedestrian portico over the road solving the problem of an intersection where two roads met and allowing pilgrims to proceed uninterrupted.

The final part of the walk is mostly stairs to the top of the hill where sits the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. Inside are magnificent frescoes and artwork by renowned Italian painters and sculptors such as Creti, Reni, Pestrini, Mazza, and Bigari. But for me, the real appeal were the breathtaking views of Bologna

If walking up to the Sanctuary of San Luca is not feasible for you, don’t worry, you can reach it with the San Luca Express. It runs every half hour from Piazza Maggiore, just make sure to book your tickets in advance, especially during the summer months. An even better option is this guided tour of the porticoes and the basilica.

Book your visit:

Porticoes & Madonna di San Luca tour

San Luca Express ticket

Hidden Bologna

You should still have a couple of hours after getting back from the sanctuary and before your cooking class. Use this time to relax at Parco Giardini Margherita and have a drink at Le Serre dei Giardini. Or, if your feet can still take it, discover the 7 secrets of Bologna.

Cooking class or FICO Eataly

Cooking Class

Nothing says Italy like Italian food which is almost a religion for the locals. So why not join a cooking class! You’ll be warmly welcomed into a local’s home for an intimate lesson and learn to prepare a delicious, authentic Italian meal from scratch. Whether you’re a rookie or an experienced cook, you’ll soon be whipping up famous Bolognese delicacies like a pro, from mouth-watering tortellini to freshly made pasta. And best of all? You’ll get to enjoy these dishes with a glass of wine for dinner.

Book your cooking class

FICO Eataly

FICO Eataly World is the largest food theme park in the world and a food lover’s paradise with Michelin-starred chefs and fresh ingredients everywhere. It’s not just about eating, it’s an experience with unique hangout spots and an opportunity to deepen one’s love for gastronomy. With 45 restaurants, food factories, gardens, and even animal farms, at FICO there’s something for every taste.

Book your admission ticket and just take a stroll or delve a little deeper and combine your visit with a pasta, mortadella, gelato or wine course.

Book your foodie adventure at FICO:

Admission ticket
Pasta course
Mortadella course
Gelato course
Wine course

Day 3 – Day trip of choice

Bologna is stunning and you could certainly spend your last day in town, visiting museums or galleries, people-watching, and eating delicious food. If that’s your vibe, go for it! But Bologna is also the perfect base to discover the incredible Emiglia Romagna region from and there is so much beauty within easy reach that it’d be a shame not to go on a day trip when you have 3 days in Bologna!

There are so many options for day trips from Bologna that I’ve written a whole article about it. Some of my favorites are this Parma foodie tour and this Modena foodie tour. If you’re into cars then make sure to check out this Lamborghini and Ferrari tour.

2 day itinerary

If you have two days in Bologna you’ll follow the first two days of the above itinerary but skip the day trip. If you really want to visit Parma or Modena you can visit the sanctuary really early in the morning and go on the day trip instead of the cooking class.

Day 1 – Historic City Center

The historic center of Bologna is fairly small and walkable so I highly recommend you join this walking tour to get acquainted with the city and the main sights. You’ll learn so much about Bologna’s history and culture.

Cappuccio e brioche

Asinelli Tower | Book your ticket with audio guide

Piazza Maggiore & Nettuno | Join this walking tour

Basilica di San Petronio

Clocktower and museum | Book your ticket with audio guide

Quadrilattero for lunch | Book your food tour

Archiginnasio & Anatomical Theatre | Book your visit with audio guide

St. Stephen Square and the 7 churches

Stroll the shops

Ghetto Ebraico for aperitivo & dinner

Day 2 – Sanctuary of San Luca and good food

Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca | Guided tour | San Luca Express ticket

Cooking Class | Book your cooking class

FICO Eataly | Admission ticket | Pasta course | Mortadella course

1 day itinerary

If you only have one day in Bologna it’s gonna have to be a jam-packed one so grab some comfy shoes and get ready to do your steps! I highly recommend you book this walking tour and this Porticoes tour to the sanctuary so you can avoid getting lost and wasting precious time.

Since everything opens so late in Bologna it’s best you start the day early by walking up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. If walking isn’t feasible for you, you can take a taxi since the San Luca Express isn’t an early riser either but you can certainly catch it on your way down.

Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca | Guided tour | San Luca Express ticket

Piazza Maggiore & Nettuno | Join this walking tour

Basilica di San Petronio

Clocktower and museum | Book your ticket with audio guide

Quadrilattero for lunch | Book your food tour

Archiginnasio & Anatomical Theatre | Book your visit with audio guide

St. Stephen Square and the 7 churches

Asinelli Tower | Book your ticket with audio guide

Ghetto Ebraico for aperitivo & dinner

Getting to Bologna

Bologna is serviced by the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport which is just 5.8 miles (9.3 km) from the city center.

The fastest way to get from the airport to the city is via the Marconi Express. The journey takes just 7 minutes and you can use contactless. Taxis at the airport can be pricey so make sure to book this private transfer instead. The drive from the airport takes 20-40 minutes depending on traffic. For budget travelers, the 944 bus has services into the city every 15 minutes from 5 am.

Itly has a fantastic railway network train and there are high-speed services (Frecciarossa) between Bologna and other major cities across Italy. It’s a short walk from the station to the center of the city.

You can also reach Bologna by car. It is connected to nearby cities via motorway (A1 for Florence and Milan, A13 for Venice). However, bear in mind that central Bologna is a traffic-restricted area and parking in the city is limited.

Getting around Bologna

Bologna is a very walkable city and the old town area can easily be covered on foot. Bologna’s gorgeous porticoes will keep you out of the rain and sun, which makes navigating the city center an absolute pleasure.

Another popular way of getting around includes cycling, as traffic in the city is slow which is perfect for a bike tour. You’ll find many locals and tourists traversing the city on two wheels, and this is one of the best ways to explore at your own pace. And for something a little different, why not try the segway!

For those a little less mobile the city also has an excellent bus service covering all the major points of interest. Taking the hop-on, hop-off bus is one of the best ways to explore the city’s most famous landmarks and includes a commentary on the history of the places you pass. The San Luca Express is a tourist train that departs from Piazza Maggiore and will go past several sights on it’s way to the Basilica of San Luca.

Where to eat and drink in Bologna

Anywhere and everywhere really. I had one kinda average coffee in Bologna and everything else I tried was simply incredible!

I highly recommend Murtadela and Tigellino for quick bites and street food. Sfoglia Rina and La Montanara are great options for lunch or dinner while Camera a Sud, La Prosciutteria Bologna and Le Vie Dei Briganti have the best aperitivo and late bites. For breakfast and coffee head to Impero.

Is Bologna worth visiting?

Bologna is an absolute must for any foodie or foodie-curious. There are just too many regional delicacies that you can only try here, it’s not called La Grassa for no reason after all! La Rossa and La Dotta however will also appeal to all the history and architecture buffs.

Best time to visit Bologna, Italy

Bologna is a year-round destination. The endless porticoes will keep you dry in the rain and shaded in the scorching sun so you can walk around comfortably in any season.

That being said, keep in mind that summer, and particularly July and August can get quite hot the shorter winter days might make it a bit harder to plan your trip. But in all honesty, I am actually a big fan of Italy in winter.

Planning a trip to Italy?

Italy is such a stunning country that packs beautiful nature, astonishing architecture, rich history, interesting culture, loads of hand gestures, and delicious food. Oh, don’t even get me started on Italian food!

I’ve prepared a whole plethora of articles to help you plan your Italian adventure so make sure to check out the relevant resources below.