Bologna Italy – Detailed guide of the best things to do

Originally published 31 January 2018

There are so many things to do in Bologna that it deserves to be on any Italian itinerary you might be planning. Located in the heart of the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, it is a heady mix of culture, history, stunning architecture and of course, food.  It is its reputation for food that earns it the “food valley” of Italy tag, known worldwide for its commitment and traditions to creating authentic food dictated by centuries-old regulations, restaurants and street food.

The surrounding areas and cities are packed full of great cities so any visit to Bologna needs time to be fully appreciated.  One thing we have learned from our many visits to this great city is that you can never, ever truly see everything in Bologna if you are only there for a short time.  While some things stay the same, this lively city is constantly evolving and for this reason alone, I know we will return over and over again.  Without question, it is one of the best places to visit in Italy.

While this article contains a huge list of what to see in Bologna, what to eat and drink and where to stay, it is by no means an exhaustive one.  However, if you are starting to plan a trip to Bologna and the Emilia Romagna region,  this detailed guide will be a good starting point. 

Is Bologna worth visiting?  It’s a city worthy of staying at least a few days, but it will reward you if you can stay even longer.  We hope you love Bologna as much as we do.

**Editor’s note: We have spent an enormous amount of time in the Emilia Romagna region, returning year after year. We originally published this article in 2018, after our first visit. At that time, it was one of only a few comprehensive articles on this city. Since then, many other websites have taken some liberties concerning the information on this site and re-published it. Some of it is a direct copy. Back in March 2021, I re-published this information giving it a newer date. However, this article has been and always will be based on our actual experiences and is original content. There are 15 guides on locations, cities and tours in Emilia Romagna here. **

Things to do in Bologna Italy

1. Walk around the old city

The best thing you can do in the centre of the Old Town is to put on your most comfortable walking shoes and traverse the streets and narrow, cobbled laneways.  It’s hard to get lost here as the two towers that mark the centre of the town can be seen almost everywhere.  I loved getting up early and walking through the streets long before the rest of Bologna had risen for the day.  The streets are mostly silent. 

The whizzing and beeping of the Vespas haven’t begun for the day, and the hustle of the cars and buses as they fight for road space is absent.  Instead, the sounds of steam effusing from the coffee machines as the early risers head to the cafe for their morning espresso make me smile.  I shout my best “Buongiorno” to anyone who passes, making them smile as I look for my next passerby.

If you can’t get up early, never fear; there are still plenty of great times to be had.

Our tip: When you first arrive in Bologna, it’s a good idea to head into the Bologna Welcome Visitors Bureau on the main Piazza Maggiore Square.  Here you can pick up a good map showing all the key attractions and ensure that if you don’t use mapping apps on your smartphone, you at least have some help with directions.  Tours, cooking classes and various other activities may be booked here, or you can purchase the Bologna Welcome Card (more on that later).

2. Visit a museum or a library

Bologna is well known for its cultural appreciation, which can be seen no more fervently than in the collection of museums.  Depending on the museum, I can sometimes see one (or two if they are right up my alley), but Bologna is a museum lover’s dream.  At least 22 museums in Bologna cover everything from music, industrial heritage, Jewish heritage, art, archaeology, tapestry and the world-famous Ducati motorcycle.  It will come as no surprise that the museum I enjoyed the most was the Gelato Museum.

Just off Piazza Maggiore, the oldest library in Bologna (Libreria Annani) sells hard-to-find and rare books.

3. Learn about the history

Bologna is a medieval city, with so much hidden beneath it and within the walls of the beautiful buildings.  Bologna is a place where doing research ahead of your visit will expose so much more than if you just read the popular guides or winged it.  On one side of Piazza Maggiore sits the imposing building of the Salaborsa Library.  Previously the city’s economic lifeblood, today it houses an incredible library.  As one of the key meeting points in Bologna, its multi-stories are always abuzz with people.

Enter through the front doors and look up.  You will be welcomed by one of the most amazing art nouveau ceilings and arches you will ever see.  The other surprise in this building lies under the glass bricks on the floor.  Here, it is possible to see the archaeological remains of the city.  You can do it in style with an array of free reading material and a coffee shop beside it.

We did a local walking tour with a guide around the streets of Bologna so we could understand more about the major landmarks in the city.  There are some very unusual stories and legends about the city.

4. Hang out at Piazza Maggiore

Like any Italian city, there are piazzas everywhere, but Piazza Maggiore is one of the premier squares in Bologna. Large, vibrant, and surrounded by some of Bologna’s most famous sights and buildings, it’s the perfect place to take a break on the steps and people-watch. At night, musicians are often dotted around the square, all vying for your attention and a euro or two. It’s a thoroughfare and a resting place, a place to meet friends and even the location of special events and parades.

One of the apartments we stayed at was on the edge of the piazza, so it became our beautiful back-lit backdrop every evening as we leaned out the window to watch everything happening below.

5. Visit a Basilica

There are many beautiful basilicas. If you are short on time, don’t miss these special ones below.

San Petronio Basilica

Like museums, there are also many incredible basilicas to visit, many of them located in the city’s centre.  The San Petronio Basilica, pictured below, is the main church of Bologna, located right on the Piazza Maggiore.  Inside a painting caused quite a drama many years ago from a religious point of view. 

Following the September 11 attacks in New York City, several attacks were also attempted here as a result of the painting.  Now, as a precaution against future attacks, the church is guarded by military members at all times.

The basilica is also known for two other reasons.  Firstly, it is still incomplete.  From the outside, this is obvious with the lower half in marble and the upper part still only brickwork.  The church became a pawn between the church and the city of Bologna.  The city wanted to build a church bigger than Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, but the Pope of the time didn’t agree. 

In response, they poured funds into the nearby university, allowing it to expand and stymying the growth of the church.  Eventually, after all the lost time and fighting, the money dried up, and the church was never completed.  Perhaps they achieved their wish after all, with the church still one of the largest in the world. 

This church is also famous for having the world’s longest sundial.  The 67-metre sundial dates back to the 1600s.  Inside the church, under the left nave, the sundial is inset into the tiles on the floor.  It was designed and implemented by a professor with a love of astronomy.  This sundial replaced one that had been in situ many years earlier but had been destroyed.

A hole exists in the ceiling, enough to let the light through.   Look for a drawing that resembles the sun, and you will find the hole.  When the sun comes through the hole, it hits the sundial, and various time events can then be noted.  The sun is meant to hit the dial at midday, but I’m told that it isn’t always accurate.

St Stephen’s Basilica

St Stephen’s Basilica sits on one of the nicest squares in Bologna.  Not as well known or frequented as the main Piazza Maggiore, Stefano Square is special because it looks as though there are seven churches here.  There are only three.

The Basilica of San Domenico and San Francesco is also located in central Bologna.

6. Tell your secrets to the Whispering Wall

Don’t make the mistake of just wandering through and around the Piazza Maggiore.  Whilst the square is always full of life, late into the evening, there are plenty of hidden gems too.  Directly opposite the San Petronio Basilico is the Palazzo del Podestá.  The building dates back centuries.  Just to the right of the Bologna Welcome Tourism Office, an entry will take you inside and under the arched ceiling vaults.  Long ago, the markets operated here too. 

The walls here have some magical acoustic features and were said to allow lepers to come here to confess their sins.  In later years, important city public servants would also come here to share confidential information.  How is this possible?  I can’t answer this scientifically, but if you go to one corner and have someone else go to a corner diagonally opposite and whisper something into the wall, the person on the other side will hear it.  It’s amazing.

7. Visit the food markets

Nothing sets the scene for a city more than its central market, and in Bologna, the centre of the Italian food universe, you’d expect the market to be great.  Whilst I am the first to admit it wasn’t as large as I thought it might have been, the quality of the fresh produce and other Italian foods at the Mercato Delle Erbe more than makes up for its lack of enormity.

As mentioned earlier, getting here as the market is just waking up is one of the best times to see it.  It’s when the vendors are at their most active, unpacking their food and getting ready for the thrust of locals that will arrive soon.  We savoured the lack of people, hovering over bright red, vine-ripened tomatoes that my husband raves about.

Soon after, we find the tastiest strawberries and grapes, then oranges to tuck our teeth into.  Trying to buy one or two items in our best Italian is always challenging, but when the fruit makes its way into a brown paper bag and is handed to us, we know we’ve done ok.  Buying food at a market is one of our favourite things to do if for nothing else, the smiles we get when we interact with them.

Someone in the market is always willing to give you something to try.  A little fruit, some bread, maybe some cheese.  Try it all, the flavours are a sensation.

The old Quadrilatero has many gourmet food stores, small grocery stores and fresh fruit, vegetable and fish vendors.  You’ll also find Eataly, a three-story haven for all things food, and a casual dining restaurant.

Nearby the Mercato di Mezzo has a wide range of casual eating places.  They are great for a quick bite to eat that doesn’t cost the earth or a cheeky glass of wine.

With so many different food markets in Bologna, we recommend taking a market food tour where all the most important streets and food areas are uncovered.

Location: Mercato Delle Erbe accessed from Via Ugo Bassi and is open every day except Sunday. Mercato di Mezzo: Via Clavature, 12, 40124 Bologna  Eataly: Via degli Orefici, 19, 40126 Bologna

8. Admire the porticos

To make the most out of your time in Bologna city, it is essential to lift your eyes high.  So much is going on around you and above you that if you don’t look up you will miss so much.

In a city so blessed with such a rich variety of offerings, it seems unfair that it could also be home to the most beautiful porticos in the world.  They were built in the Middle Ages to cater to a city bursting at the seams with people, particularly academics and students.  Initially built to extend the room of the house or apartment, clever people soon worked out that the covered area underneath could also be used. 

Whilst the explosion of porticos in other cities eventually led to their demise through changes in town planning, those in Bologna not only survived but became a compulsory part of the new building code.  Today, porticos in Bologna cover a length of nearly 40 kilometres. 

The portico that leads up the hill from the city walls to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca is almost four kilometres long.  The porticos are so much more than just a covered walkway.  Not only are they great at protecting you from the blistering summer heat and the rain, but all of them are decorated and built differently, adding a uniqueness not found in most other cities.

Pro tip: Don’t just wander through the porticoes during the day. At night, the lights make them seem even more romantic.

9. Climb the Asinelli Tower

When you are finished looking up, climb the Asinelli Tower to look down and out. One of the twin towers of Bologna, the Asinelli Tower provides one of the best views over the city’s rooftops. 

The Garisenda and Asinelli Towers were once part of 100 towers that dotted the skyline of Bologna.  Centuries after they were built, ruined, burned and left to crumble, only around 20 remain.  

The Asinelli Tower was built in the early 1100s.  At over 97 metres high, it is easy to spot from many locations within the city and from viewing points on the hills surrounding Bologna.  Inside, 498 winding, sometimes narrow timber steps will take you to the top.  When you are nearby, you will also be able to see that it has quite a lean.  The Garisenda Tower adjacent to it is much smaller.  Sinking foundations required the tower to be lowered in order to preserve it. 

Only the Asinelli Tower may be climbed.  Tickets may be bought online or at the Bologna Welcome Tourism Office located on the Piazza Maggiore.  For accurate opening times, check the Bologna Welcome website.  Alternatively, if you have purchased the Bologna Welcome Card Plus, then entry is free.

Our tip:  In peak visitor season, if you don’t like climbing stairs behind a pile of other people, I recommend getting to the tower ahead of your ticketed time to get into the queue early.  On the other side, if you think that climbing the stairs might take you a while, hang back so that you can take your time without others trying to get past you.  The stairs are narrow in parts and winding but there are landings where you can take a break if required.  It gets really hot in there, hotter in summer, so it’s also a good idea to take some water with you if you can.

It can get very busy on the top during peak times but the views are worth it.

10. Explore the Jewish Ghetto

Jewish people lived in Bologna until the mid-1500s when they were forced to leave the city. Today, the medieval streets where the Jews once lived – and were locked in at night – remain in the area close to the university. It is now a thriving area of bars, cafes and restaurants, coming alive at night in particular.

At Via dell’inferno 16, Casa Buratti has a plaque that denotes one of the Bolognese Jewish synagogues. A new synagogue was built in the 1920s, damaged and rebuilt, and is now still used by the local Jewish community.

11. Visit the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

If you don’t want to walk the four kilometres (uphill)  via the portico up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, you can catch the San Luca Express bus that is available every day.  Either way, make sure you get there. The building alone is fantastic, both for its design and its washed pink colour.  We tucked ourselves up under one of the covered areas to escape from the sun and to take in the view over the familiar red rooflines and the forested areas.

12. Take a ride on the City Red Bus

Bologna is a city meant to be walked.  It’s flat in the city (the hills surround it), so we rarely used public transport.  It was only when we did the day trips that we needed buses and trains.  However, if the summer heat gets too much, you have mobility issues or time restrictions, or you’re just plain tired, the City Red Bus will take you on a tour of all the key sights in Bologna.  The bus operates like many of the “hop on hop off” buses worldwide, and here you can do this as much as you like all day for the one ticket price.  Audio guides are also available in eight different languages.

13. Take a cooking class

Where else would taking a cooking class be such a cool thing to do?  Learn how to make perfect pasta, gelato or even pizza in the heart of the food valley.  If you can’t take a class, be sure to pop by any of the fresh pasta-making stores to view the pasta being made.

Read our article on a cooking class we took with a local in Bologna. We took this cooking class through Le Cesarine and truly loved it. 

You can book the same cooking class we did here.

More reading >> Gelato making lessons in Bologna

Unusual places to see

For all the main attractions that are well known, there are also some lesser-known sights to see in Bologna.

1. Canale di Reno

As is always the case with us, we love to see all the main areas in a new town, but we love to find the not-so-common ones too.  Bologna was once a canal city, with approximately 60 kilometres of open canals visible until about two centuries ago.  Time has seen them built over or at least covered from view.  We found one of the sneaky holes cut into the walls in a back laneway opening up the secret world of the canals.

Where:  From Via Samboni, towards Via Independenza go to the arcade of Via Piella.  Look for a bright orange wall with a round blue sign noting that you have found the Canale di Reno.  Here you will see a square cut into the wall, and when you look through it, the view below is what you will see.  

This is called the Finestrella di Via Pialla, meaning Little Window in Venice. Canale di Reno is one of five canals that still run beneath Bologna.

2. Parco della Montagnola

Near the main train station, you can also see old Roman ruins.

3. Church of San Michel in Bosco 

Now while a church might not sound so different, I’ve included this one here because of its location.  In Bologna, there are two main places where everyone migrates for a great view.  As already mentioned, they are at the top of the Asinelli Tower or the Sanctuary of the Madonna San Luca. 

For a different perspective, head to San Michele in Bosco.  On a perfect day, you will get a great terracotta-filled view.  Ours was a little hazy, but the view was still great.  Can you see the Two Towers?  The church up here is also worthy of a visit.  

Where:  Located about a 15-minute walk uphill from the city’s centre.  Alternatively, catch a bus from the centre (Via Rizzoli), which takes about 10 minutes.

Day trips

Bologna is so well placed and supported by excellent roads and public transport (especially trains) that taking day trips to other towns close by is very easy and something that should be considered to ensure you make the most of the Emilia Romagna region.

1. Hire a Vespa

Italy is so full of cliches that it sometimes feels hard to escape.  But when the cliches mean eating great food and having an amazing time, who am I to get caught up in the details?  Italy and Vespas are a combination like no other.  Sure, you can ride scooters elsewhere, but there’s nothing quite like the thrill of being in a busy Italian city with Vespas scooting past you at often break-neck speeds. 

Whizzing in and out of cars, bikes and people, they are people on a mission and fully skilled, having probably ridden on the back of one since they were children.  In a university town such as Bologna, riding a scooter is the transport of choice.

As a visitor, you don’t have to let the locals have all the fun.  Hiring one is easy, or if you don’t feel up to it yourself, there are plenty of tours to tag along on.

We went on an all-day vintage Vespa tour in Bologna, taking the bikes up into the surrounding hills.  With the wind in your hair and some great stops along the way, it’s a day trip we highly recommend.

Hire your Vespa or organise a Vespa tour in Bologna through the team at Travelhoo – Via Caduti di Cefalonia, 4, 40125 Bologna BO, Italy

2. Brisighella

About one and a half hours from Bologna is the town of Brisighella, known as one of the most beautiful villages in Italy.  Whoever came up with this classification was right; this ancient medieval city is overlooked by the fortress known as “Rocca”, which has a church sitting aloft on another hill nearby and a 19th-century clock tower that you can climb.  Along with beautiful buildings, some incredible history, cute restaurants and amazing views over the valley, it’s a town worthy of a stopover.   

3. Rimini

Also only just over an hour away (except for weekends when everyone from Bologna flocks to the seaside) is Rimini.  Built on the Adriatic Sea, it is a beachside resort packed in the summertime with umbrellas, lounges and of course, people.  To many, it can appear sometimes tacky, but for those who are simply wanting to break away from their city life and catch some sun, this is just the place.  

As Australians, we are blessed with many beautiful beaches, but they are never dressed up like in Europe and South America, for example.  Our beaches are just the sand and the people, perhaps with their makeshift tents and umbrellas.  Seeing beaches like this always seems like something out of a fairytale!

There’s plenty to see in the Old Town, and if you are a fan of the film director Federico Fellini, there’s a strong presence of him here.  We’d never heard of him but that’s not surprising.  

Rimini is part of the 2024 Tour de France route. If you are travelling in a motorhome, you might like to read our review on following the Tour de France.

4. San Marino

If there is one place we think you should try to see when you are either based in Bologna or its surroundings, it would be the tiny country of San Marino.  Completely landlocked by Italy, it is one of the smallest countries in the world and packed full of things to see and do. 

Unfortunately, because of its location and because it is a place where you only need to spend two days maximum, visitors don’t tend to go here to this country alone.  

Don’t miss visiting San Marino – read here to find out why!

5. Have lunch and wine tasting at an agriturismo

Agriturismos can be found all over Italy, but Fienile Fluò sets itself apart from the usual agricultural flavour of most of them.  Built on a vineyard, wine tasting is a common activity, but owner Elizabeth has built this business into so much more. 

With an intimate dining setting outside overlooking the surrounding countryside, partaking in some of their fresh produce and local wines is just the start.  Take a walk through their property, stay in their accommodation and be sure to check out their monthly calendar that offers outdoor movies and other food events.

Location: Via di Paderno 9 – 40136 Bologna

6. Visit FICO World Eataly

FICO World Eataly is the largest agripark in Europe, covering 12 hectares.  While it might sound strange to list as a day trip from Bologna, if you are a serious foodie or love to eat, you can keep yourself occupied all day here.  Whilst some locals and true food lovers might argue that this is over-commercialised, it is still the largest offering and showing of major brands and producers in Italy under one roof. 

For visitors, this is perfect, especially if you are short on time.  You can taste your way around the huge area, learning about traditional and authentic Italian foods.  you can buy products to take home with you, and it’s an awesome place to bar hop and try different foods.  Should you need some help getting around, there are bikes (Bianchi of course) to help you traverse this extensive place.

You can book tours for FICO Bologna, but this is one of those occasions when it is best to wander around on your own and take as much time as you want.

Where: Via Paolo Canali, 8, 40127 Bologna

7. Visit Parma

Only a little over an hour away from Bologna is an area that scored the jackpot regarding authentic Italian produce.  In and around the city of Parma, three undeniably Italian products are made according to the strictest of standards.  It is here that you can learn, once and for all, that parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar and prosciutto are not made equally. 

So many people are unknowingly ignorant of the secrets of eating “the real deal”, buying lookalikes and representations that taste ok but never come close to the true product.  It is only when you watch and learn the process and then taste the authentic products that you can truly understand the difference.  

More reading on the activities and food tours available in Parma 

These are our articles written with our first-hand experience of the Balsamic Vinegar, Parma ham and Parmigiano Reggiano food tours we took in Parma. We highly recommend doing them all if you have the time.

• Take a Parmigiano Reggiano food tour in Parma
• Parma ham food tours in Parma
• Modena Balamic Vinegar food tour in Modena
• Best three food tours in Parma Italy

See the Bologna Tours below for one of the best food tours from Bologna that cover all three of the famous foods in Parma and Modena.

8. Catch the train to Ferrara

I can’t believe that so few people know about Ferrara.  Only a short train ride from Bologna, it’s perfect for a day trip.  Rich in history, beautiful buildings and great food, it’s one of the best cities in the Emilia Romagna region to visit.

More reading >> Take a day trip to Ferrara from Bologna

9. Stay at the seaside in Cesenatico

If you are visiting San Marino or Rimini, why not stop in Cesenatico too? An old fishing town, it’s one of Italy’s most popular seaside towns.  If you visit in late October or early November, check out the annual fish festival, il Pesce fa Festa.  It’s awesome.

In 2024, Rimini is on the Tour de France route, so you could combine trips to these areas.

More reading >> Things to see and do in Cesenatico

Food

Visiting Bologna is all about the food.  It’s a rite of passage and it’s one of the major reasons for coming here.  The food is regional, delicious and made with so many traditional processes that you know you are getting the very best on offer.  So what should you try here?  First, let’s discuss some of Bologna’s food facts, as there are many misconceptions about what it is and isn’t.

One of the most common comments I hear about food in general in Italy is that it’s either not what the traveller expected (because they are usually used to their own country’s version of Italian food) or that it lacks flavour. Food from all over Italy is regional, locally sourced and fresh. They use few ingredients and don’t fill their dishes with salt, sugar and other preservatives and flavourings. So, if your diet, or what you are used to at home, contains these things, then you can expect to feel as though Italia food is bland.

Personally, we think it’s anything but, as we savour the fresh local ingredients, but everyone comes from a different base level when eating.

Bologna is known for its cured meats like parma ham (prosciutto) and mortadella. It’s also known for parmigiano reggiano cheese, modena balsamic vinegar and dishes like tortellini en brodo, pasta alla ragu and lasagne verde. It’s most important wines of the region are lambrusco and pignoletto and you’ll almost certainly see locals drinking aperol spritz’ come aperitivo hour.

Do-it-yourself food

Whilst there is no shortage of places to eat in Bologna, it is also very easy to self-cater.  Whether you are trying to save money or downsize the amount you are eating, there is so much wonderful food on offer.  Prosciutto, salami, Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, bread and fresh fruit and vegetables are abundant.  See above for some of the best places to buy fresh food.

Gelato

It’s simple.  You must do this.  You must eat as much as you can.  There is no gelato anywhere else like it in the world.  Be sure, though, to eat artisanal gelato if you can.  You can identify it very simply.  There will be no brightly coloured, artificial-looking mounds of products on display.  Instead, you will see stainless steel cylinders with lids on and a menu board.  You buy by choosing from the flavours, not by looking with your eyes.  Artisanal gelato is also more natural-looking, given its lack of artificial colours and flavours.

• Sorbetteria Castiglione – Via Castiglione, 44 d/e, 40124 Bologna BO, Italy
• Venchi – Via degli Orefici, 23, 40124 Bologna BO, Italy
• Cremeria Funiva – Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour, 1/d/e

Bakeries

One of the best is the small shop run by four young men at Forno Brisa.  Be sure to check it out.

Where: via Galliera 34d, Bologna, Italy

For one of the oldest bakeries in Bologna, head to Paolo Atti Bakery, known simply as Atti. founded by a man of the same name in 1880.

Where: Two Atti stores can be found at via Drapperie, 6 and via Caprarie, 7 in the Quadrilatero district.

Planning your logistics

Welcome Bologna Card

If you are planning to stay in Bologna for only one or two days, the Welcome Bologna card might be perfect for you.  You can choose from a €25 or €40 card.  They provide entry to the most-visited museums in Bologna, a walking tour of the city, tours of the Asinelli Tower, and the City Red Bus, maps and entry to current exhibitions.  For more information, check out the Welcome Bologna website.

How to get here

By air

Bologna is serviced by Guglielmo Marconi Airport, which is approximately six kilometres from the city.  Many airlines fly here, including low-cost European airlines.  We flew from London Gatwick to Bologna in two hours via Easyjet and at a similar time from Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport on KLM Airlines.  There are regular flights from European destinations and also from within Italy.

In November 2020, the Marconi Express commenced operations from the airport to Bologna Centrale, replacing the Aerobus, and making the trip into the city quicker and more efficient.

The Marconi Express is a monorail, which means you’ll never get caught in an Italian traffic jam to and from the airport again. Taking only seven minutes to reach the central train station, the monorail runs every seven minutes at peak and 15 minutes during non-peak travel times. It operates 365 days a year between 5.40 am and midnight.

Tickets cost €12.80 one way. If you return within 30 days, a return ticket can be purchased at a discounted rate of €23.30. Tickets can be purchased from automatic vending machines and at Welcome Bologna information points. You can also use a contactless credit card at the Pay&Go gates of the stations. Only Mastercard, VISA, VPay or Maestro credit cards are currently accepted. You can also use your smartphone or device with valid cards set up.

Our tip: If you use a contactless card, always remember to use the same card to tap in and out.

The Marconi Express can be found on the first floor (departures) at the airport and at the Bologna Central station at Via de Carracci. The Marconi Express also stops at Lazzaretto station in both directions.

By train

Bologna Centrale is the main train station in the city,  providing access to regional and fast trains.  The train station is located in the city and makes access to hotels and other parts of Bologna easy.  

One of the busiest train stations in Italy, it is extremely well-connected to all parts of Italy and beyond.  On the fast train service, you can reach Milan in one hour, Florence in 30 minutes and Venice in 90 minutes.  Rome is approximately 2.5 hours on the fast train.

Train tickets can be bought online at Omio.   Remember to validate your tickets before getting onto the trains.   Bologna Centrale Train Station is one of the largest in Bologna and can be a crazy place to navigate.  For a good guide to how the station works, read this guide.

Note: Whenever you are planning on travelling on a train in Italy, it pays to check if there are any strikes.  Strikes are common in the Italian train network and when they occur, they wreak havoc on the schedules of many trains, as many of them are inter-connected.

By bus

Bologna can be reached by bus from many European cities, including Rome, Venice and Milan.  The main bus station in Bologna is known as Piazza XX Septembre, which is a bit unusual.  It’s not what you might imagine a major bus station to be.  Essentially it is just an area in the street, around a small park with many bus stops.  It is a short walk from the Bologna Centrale train station.

Flixbus, Ouibus and Eurolines are the main regional bus lines and may be booked on Omio.

By car

Bologna is well connected with a network of major autoroutes and regional roads, making driving to Italy extremely accessible.

• From Rome: Bologna is 374 kilometres (4 hours) north of the capital city of Rome.  The A1 and A14 connect the north and south of Italy, making driving to Bologna from anywhere in the country possible.
• From Florence: Bologna is 106 kilometres (1 hour 20 minutes) north of Florence.
• From Venice: Bologna is 154 kilometres ( 1 hour 40 minutes) south-south-west of Venice.
• From Milan: Bologna is 215 kilometres (2 hours 15 minutes) south-south-east of Milan.

Note: All travel times above are subject to current traffic conditions.

Getting around

Bologna is a very easy city to walk around.  It’s mostly flat, although cobblestoned streets can make it hard going on your feet.  We recommend wearing flat, comfortable shoes.   The best place for finding Bologna maps is at the tourism office or you can download them here.

By bus

The bus service runs all over Bologna and out to the major surrounding cities.  Tickets can be bought from the local tabaccheria, which can be found on most corners of the city, or on the bus.  Bus tickets must be validated when you get on for the first time.  

Tickets cost €1.30 if bought in advance or €1.50 on the bus.  They are valid for 75 minutes from the time of validation and may be used on other connecting public transport.  Daily bus tickets may be purchased for €5 in advance and are valid for 24 hours from the time of validation.

If you are planning to stay in Bologna for some time, a reloadable TPER card may be purchased and reloaded at tabaccherias or supermarkets.

By train

As mentioned above, the Bologna Centrale Train Station is well connected and you can travel to many different areas within Italy from here.

We always book directly at the station but if you are needing to plan ahead, we suggest you book on the Trenitalia website, the main provider of the train network in this region. It’s easy enough to use. Just make sure you get your dates. and times right and know the correct Italian names of the cities you need to travel to.

Our tip: The train system in Italy is constantly being delayed for any number of reasons including the weather but often industrial strikes. Always have a contingency plan for your travel, or be prepared to have to wait out any delay or change your tickets. Changing tickets can be an absolute nightmare. Above all, have your sense of humour with you as you will definitely need it.

By car

If you are only staying in Bologna, a car is not necessary and in actual fact, will cause you more headaches than are necessary.    During the day, from 7 am until 8 pm, the city is controlled by the ZTL (Limited traffic zone).  To enter the city walls, you must have an approved pass, usually given to residents and local businesses who reside in the city area.  

For visitors, vehicle passes can be purchased at a TPER location.  If you are travelling outside of Bologna and have a hire car, note that you will need to buy a vehicle pass as this will not be included in the hire rate.

There is no free public car parking in Bologna.  Parking within the city is also difficult.  It’s another reason why not having a car in Bologna is the easiest option.  If you are parking on the street in Bologna, pay very close attention to the zone you are in or you will run the risk of both a fine and your car being towed.

The only fail-safe way of parking your car in Bologna is to park at a dedicated parking lot and pay the associated fee.

Bologna also has a car-sharing system whereby owners of cars “share” their vehicles during times when they aren’t using it.  You can find out more here.

If you do want to rent a car in Bologna for day trips, we use and recommend Rentalcars.com

By vespa

Looking to be a little more adventurous?  Do what the locals do and zip around Bologna on a Vespa.  As experienced travellers and road trippers in Italy, riding a Vespa is something we love to do.  However, it’s not for everyone so think carefully about whether you want to get in amongst the local traffic before you decide to hire one. If you do want to hire a Vespa, we use and recommend Travelhoo in Bologna city. 

Read about our Vespa experience in Bologna

Useful travel resources

This article is dedicated to our much-loved friend Silvia Gagliardi, who worked tirelessly for the Emilia Romagna Tourism Board.  We shall forever remember the last time we saw you when you were full of life, and so happy to have tasted the Australian Tim Tams, Caramello Koalas and ANZAC biscuits we brought over for you.  The world lost some of its sparkle the day you left Silvia, and we are all the better for having been able to spend time with you in your beloved Italy.