Bologna Travel Guide

Begin your time in Bologna at Piazza Maggiore, the city’s historic heart, where the vast Basilica of San Petronio anchors a lively square framed by medieval buildings. Step inside to admire its soaring interior, then look up—climbing the nearby Torre degli Asinelli rewards you with sweeping views over terracotta rooftops and the endless grid of porticoes stretching across the city.

Bologna is made for wandering beneath its arcades. Follow shaded walkways through busy shopping streets and quieter residential lanes, passing churches, courtyards, and hidden piazzas. Art and history lovers should not miss the Archiginnasio, once the city’s main university building, or the Pinacoteca Nazionale for works by masters of the Bolognese school. For a calmer pause, stroll through Giardini Margherita or explore the canals tucked discreetly behind city streets.

Food is inseparable from Bologna’s identity. Tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini, mortadella, and local wines define daily life here, best enjoyed slowly at a trattoria or market counter. Bologna offers a rich, walkable experience where culture, cuisine, and everyday life unfold naturally together.