Bologna is a gem of Emilia-Romagna and is known as the capital of Italian food. Famous for mortadella, tortellini, tagliatelle, bolognese ragù, friggione, cotoletta alla bolognese, crescentine and tigelle.
It is a city famous for its 60 km of porticoes, including the longest one, that of San Luca. Bologna is also known as a medieval city, with many towers.
Bologna boasts the oldest university in the Western world, still in operation today. Inside the Basilica di San Petronio is the longest sundial in the world. Bologna is welcoming, free and avant-garde: it had an industrial water system that produced velvet, silk and linen, a true industrial revolution already in the Middle Ages, even before the modern one.
Unmissable things to do in Bologna
1. Piazza Maggiore
Visit the heart of Bologna, Piazza Maggiore.
2. The Basilica di San Petronio
Enter the Basilica di San Petronio, which houses the longest sundial in the world.
3. Palazzo d'Accursio
Go up to the second floor of Palazzo d'Accursio, where you can see the historical hall and the view over Piazza Maggiore.
4. Palazzo Re Enzo and the Torre dell'Arengo
Visit Palazzo Re Enzo, where priests confessed the sick by whispering in private under the Torre dell'Arengo.
5. The Fountain of Neptune
See the Nettuno, symbol of the city.
6. Sala Borsa
Go to Sala Borsa to see the remains of the original city founded by the Romans.
7. Via Rizzoli and the secrets on the porticoes
Pass through Via Rizzoli and read the secrets written on the porticoes.
8. Santo Stefano and the seven churches
Visit the complex of Santo Stefano, known as "the seven churches".
9. Via Altabella and the towers
Pass through Via Altabella and see the bell tower and the other towers remaining in this district.
10. The Quadrilatero
Visit the Quadrilatero, where there are markets and places to taste Bolognese specialties.
11. The Archiginnasio
Go visit the Archiginnasio, seat of the original university.
12. The Anatomical Theatre
See the Teatro Anatomico, inside the Archiginnasio.
Where to eat and drink
In some places you can drink the Bolognese-style spritz with the cherry syrup by Fabbri, and taste typical Bolognese dishes and local cremerie.
Where to stay
Some recommended hotels: Hotel Brun, Hotel Orologio, Hotel I Portici, Hotel Excelsior and Starhotels.
Good to know before you go
You can arrive from the airport by taking the tram to the station. The station is located on the north side of the city. Alternatively, there are taxis, and soon also the tram.
