28 Things To Do In Bologna

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Forts & Palaces (4)
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1. Piazza Maggiore

0 km from city center

Landmark

Highlights: Neptune Fountain Bologna, Bologna, Basilica d (Read More)i San Petronio, Bologna, Casa di Lucio Dalla, Santa Maria della Vita, Bologna

Piazza Maggiore, established in the 13th century, is the central square of Bologna and a hub of historical and cultural significance. Located in the heart of the city, it is surrounded by iconic landmarks such as the Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo d'Accursio, and Palazzo del Podestà. The square is known for its vibrant atmosphere, open-air events, and as a starting point for exploring Bologna’s (Read More) medieval architecture and history.

Tours starting from
₹7,109

0 km from city center

Monument

The Neptune Fountain is situated at the center of Bologna. A bronze statue of the Roman God Neptune, exuding masculinity and godliness, stands imposingly in the middle with a trident in hand. Surrounding him are four putti representing the Ganges, the Nile, the Amazon and the Danube rivers.

0 km from city center

Church & Cathedral

The Basilica di San Petronio, established in 1390, is a monumental Gothic church located in Piazza Maggiore, Bologna's central square. Known for its unfinished façade, the basilica houses impressive frescoes, including Giovanni da Modena’s depiction of Dante’s Inferno. It features one of the largest sundials in the world, designed by astronomer Giovanni Cassini in the 17th century.

Tours starting from
₹2,399

4.2 /5

0 km from city center

Historical Site

Highlights: Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio, Bologna

The Towers of Bologna, particularly the iconic Asinelli and Garisenda Towers, are medieval landmarks near Piazza Maggiore. Built in the 12th century, the Asinelli Tower, at 97 meters, offers panoramic city views from its top, accessible via 498 steps, while the shorter, leaning Garisenda Tower showcases distinctive architecture. These towers are remnants of Bologna's 180 towers, of which only 24 r (Read More)emained standing.

Tours starting from
₹2,222

Popular among Locals

0 km from city center

Landmark

Highlights: Santa Maria della Vita, Bologna

The Quadrilatero is an old market area with the best street food in Italy, with Bolognese delicacies like tortellini, Tagliatelle al Ragù, Green Lasagna, and fresh loaves of bread. You will also find fishmongers, cheese stalls, and fresh local meat shops. You can enjoy an aperitivo at one of the wine bars here.

Top Things To Do

0 km from city center

Things To Do

A visit to Bologna is incomplete without enjoying a food tour experience. This city is known as Fat City due to its rich, delectable Italian cuisine. These tours often include tastings of iconic local products like Parmigiano-Reggiano, mortadella, tortellini, and balsamic vinegar. Many tours also visit traditional markets, artisan workshops, and historic eateries, providing insights into Bologna’s (Read More) food culture and preparation techniques.

Tours starting from
₹2,399

7. Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

4 km from city center

Church & Cathedral

The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca is a prominent basilica perched on Colle della Guardia, a hill just outside Bologna's city center, offering sweeping views of the city and surrounding countryside. Known for its 3.8-kilometer-long portico with 666 arches—the longest in the world—it connects the city to the sanctuary, making it a popular pilgrimage route. The church houses the revered icon o (Read More)f the Madonna and Child, a significant symbol of devotion in Bologna. It is accessible by foot, car, or the San Luca Express tourist train.

Tours starting from
₹2,399

0 km from city center

Monument

A portico is like a walkway with a roof-like structure outside a building and is centred at the building's entrance. These are a UNESCO World Heritage site and an iconic feature of the city, stretching over 62 kilometers. Found throughout Bologna’s historic center, they provide sheltered walkways adorned with arches and intricate details. Key sections include the Portico di San Luca, the world's l (Read More)ongest at 3.8 km, leading to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.

Tours starting from
₹2,577

0 km from city center

Forts & Palaces

The Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio, located in the Archiginnasio Palace in central Bologna, is a historic lecture hall built in 1637 for teaching anatomy. This wood-paneled room features a carved ceiling, intricate sculptures, and a central marble dissection table. Highlighted by statues of famous physicians and the striking "Spellati" (skinless) figures, it offers a glimpse into the earl (Read More)y study of medicine. Situated near Piazza Maggiore, it is a key part of Bologna’s rich academic heritage.

Tours starting from
₹1,511

4.5 /5

1 km from city center

Church & Cathedral

The Basilica of Santo Stefano in Bologna, often called the "Seven Churches," is a unique religious complex located in the heart of the city on Piazza Santo Stefano. Dating back to Roman times, it comprises several interconnected churches, cloisters, and chapels, each showcasing distinct architectural styles and historical layers. Known for its serene ambiance and intricate details, highlights incl (Read More)ude the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, inspired by Jerusalem's Holy Sepulchre, and the peaceful Pilate's Courtyard.

Tours starting from
₹2,399

1 km from city center

Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery is located in what was formerly the Jesuit novitiate of Sant'Ignazio. An excellent place for art lovers, the Gallery owns numerous paintings by Emilian and other non-Bolognese artists from the 13th to the 18th century and painting of tempera and gilded wood.

Tours starting from
₹2,222

3.8 /5

0 km from city center

Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Bologna is one of the most important museums in Italy, dedicated to the history and archaeology of the region of Emilia-Romagna. It is located in the Palazzo Galvani and is a must-visit for anyone interested in archaeology, history, and ancient civilizations.

Tours starting from
₹1,422

13. Hidden Canals Bologna

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Viewpoint

The Hidden or Secret Canals of Bologna Is an ancient system of canals that existed centuries ago in the city. They are now hidden by the city infrastructure which has been built over them. On the Via Piella, peer into a tiny window to get a look at the hidden canal, a remnant of the old canal system.

Tours starting from
₹7,998

1 km from city center

Museum

MAMbo - Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna is a museum of modern and contemporary art in Bologna. It features art created after the end of WWⅡ and is frequently updated by the art of the present times. It also houses the Morandi Museum.

1 km from city center

Garden & Park

The Giardini Margherita is one of the most extensive city parks in Bologna. These green landscapes cover an area of 26 hectares with lush tree-lined avenues, ponds, kiosks, cafes, a wifi connection, and a basketball court. There’s also a vegan restaurant (Vetro) in the park.

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Forts & Palaces

The Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio is home to the Historical Museum of Bologna on Via Castiglione. This museum of Bolognese history is sectioned into different phases, from the Etruscan Felsina to the present Bologna. The museum has a beautiful blue wireframed room with a simulated river.

Tours starting from
₹1,244

0 km from city center

Museum

The Museum of San Colombano is a church museum in Bologna. It houses the exquisite Tagliavini Collection of Musical Instruments, which consists of over 80 instruments, such as clavichords, spinets, oboes, etc. It is located on Via Parigi.

Tours starting from
₹1,422

0 km from city center

Forts & Palaces

The Palazzo Fava is a palace museum located on the Via Manzoni in Bologna. This mansion regularly hosts temporary art exhibits such as Girl with a Pearl Earring (La Ragazza con l’orecchino di Perla) and From Cimabue to Morandi-Felsina Painter (Da Cimabue a Morandi-Felsina Pittrice).

Tours starting from
₹1,244

1 km from city center

Forts & Palaces

The Palazzo Poggi is a palace housing different scientific museum chambers in Bologna. The museum of ships and ancient geographical maps includes naval models and geographical maps from the 17th and 18th centuries from the Institute of Sciences. The views from Its tower are amazing.

Tours starting from
₹1,244

0 km from city center

Landmark

The Casa di Lucio Dalla was the house of the famous Bolognese singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla near Piazza Maggiore in Bologna. The tour is a sensory walk through the various artifacts, the musician collected, including many splendid 18th-century Neapolitan nativity scenes and other artworks.

Tours starting from
₹4,443

0 km from city center

Church & Cathedral

The Church of Santa Maria Della Vita is in Quadrilatero, Bologna's heart. This baroque church flaunts the famous Compianto del Cristo Morto sculpture by Niccolò dell'Arca. In Oratorio dei Battuta, you will see another fantastic terracotta scuplture by Alfonso Lombardi—Il Transito della Vergine.

1 km from city center

Shopping Market

With the majestic medieval architecture and an endless selection of typical Italian food, La Piazzola Market is located at the Piazza VIII Agosto, Bologna and no wonder it's the gastronomical heart of Bologna. It has more than 400 stalls selling clothing, crafts and food in the marketplace

Tours starting from
₹2,399

12 km from city center

Museum

The Gelato Museum Carpigiani in Anzola dell’Emilia is a one-of-a-kind museum dedicated to the history and making of gelato. It takes you through the evolution of gelato over time. You can try artisanal gelato machines and explore how gelato-making technology has advanced.

Tours starting from
₹1,600

1 km from city center

Museum

The International Museum and Library of Music sit inside the magnificent Palazzo Sanguinetti in Bologna. It proclaims more than 80 musical instruments from the Medieval and post-Medieval periods. It was previously known as the Musicale.

Tours starting from
₹1,422

3 km from city center

Cemetery

The Certosa di Bologna is a large cemetery museum spread across 30 hectares of land in Bologna. Here lie the graves of some prominent Italian and Bolognese persons like Lucio Dalla, a famous musician, founders of Maserati and Ducati, Giorgio Morandi, a talented painter, and others.

Tours starting from
₹4,443

6 km from city center

Restaurant

FICO Eataly World is a food centre and theme park for food lovers in Bologna. There are 45 small restaurants here. Here, there is a space apportioned to grow vegetables, cereals and herbs, fruits, olives, truffles, and stables to rear farm animals for meat and dairy.

Tours starting from
₹1,066

Museum

With the carefully reconstructed debris of the aircraft, a somber environment and thousands of memories, the Museum of Memory of Ustica lies in the Italian city of Bologna. A shrine to the victims of the Ustica Massacre, was set up by the Association of Relatives of the victims of the tragic event.

Tours starting from
₹1,422

0 km from city center

Sightseeing

Prendiparte Tower is famous because it is one of the 20 towers that have survived out of 100 and is second highest in the city after Asinelli Tower. Climbing the internal staircase culminates your tour with a panoramic view of Bologna with red roofs, medieval buildings, towers and green cliffs .

Tours starting from
₹2,222

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FAQs on Bologna

What are the top hotels in Bologna?

There are 1861 Hotels in Bologna which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Bologna are Casa Maria Orri, The Frog's Hideaway, Appartamento Dossetti 21, Cavour Apartment, B&B Griffoni 7, Villa BÃ nel centro. You can see all the hotels in Bologna here

How can I commute within Bologna?

Bike is the most famous and convenient form of transport and most tourists rent a bike - with many places in Bologna renting out bikes. Walking is also much recommended, as there are easy to undertsand road signs everywhere in Bologna. All you have to get is a map from the tourist information centre and orient yourself to major landmarks.
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Things To Do In Bologna

Top Hotel Collections

28 Things To Do In Bologna

1. Piazza Maggiore

2. Neptune Fountain Bologna

3. Basilica di San Petronio

4. Towers of Bologna

5. Quadrilatero

6. Food Tours Bologna

Top Hotels In Bologna

7. Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

8. Porticos Bologna

9. Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio

10. Basilica of Santo Stefano

11. National Art Gallery Bologna

12. Archaeological Museum of Bologna

Discover More About Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Bologna

13. Hidden Canals Bologna

14. MAMbo

15. Giardini Giardini Margherita

16. Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio

17. Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection

18. Palazzo Fava

19. Palazzo Poggi

20. Casa di Lucio Dalla

21. Santa Maria della Vita

22. La Piazzola Market

23. Gelato Museum

24. International Museum and Library of Music

25. Certosa di Bologna

26. FICO Eataly World

27. Museum of Memory of Ustica

28. Prendiparte Tower

Things To Do In Nearby Places

FAQs on Bologna

What are the top hotels in Bologna?

How can I commute within Bologna?

Browse Package Collections

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Things To Do In Bologna

Top Hotel Collections

28 Things To Do In Bologna

1. Piazza Maggiore

2. Neptune Fountain Bologna

3. Basilica di San Petronio

4. Towers of Bologna

5. Quadrilatero

6. Food Tours Bologna

Top Hotels In Bologna

7. Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

8. Porticos Bologna

9. Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio

10. Basilica of Santo Stefano

11. National Art Gallery Bologna

12. Archaeological Museum of Bologna

Discover More About Sightseeing & Tourist Attractions in Bologna

13. Hidden Canals Bologna

14. MAMbo

15. Giardini Giardini Margherita

16. Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio

17. Museum of San Colombano - Tagliavini Collection

18. Palazzo Fava

19. Palazzo Poggi

20. Casa di Lucio Dalla

21. Santa Maria della Vita

22. La Piazzola Market

23. Gelato Museum

24. International Museum and Library of Music

25. Certosa di Bologna

26. FICO Eataly World

27. Museum of Memory of Ustica

28. Prendiparte Tower

Things To Do In Nearby Places

FAQs on Bologna

What are the top hotels in Bologna?

How can I commute within Bologna?

Browse Package Collections

Nearby Destinations for Packages

Similar Places