Bologna Holidays

Walk to Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca

Looking down onto Bologna from the wooded Monte della Guardia is the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.

Built in the 18th century, the church is full of marble, statues, and frescoes depicting religious scenes and figures like the nine patron saints of Bologna.

Though there is now a road to the sanctuary, a more scenic route requires walking 3.5 kilometres along the roofs of a series of arches that extend from the city to the church. The hike is worth the view from the top and the chance to admire this beautiful basilica.

Try the Italian Days Food Experience

Tour Bologna’s food factories and get a behind the scenes look at what makes the city a gastronomical paradise.

Learn what goes into making parmesan, witness the maturation process of truly great balsamic vinegar, meet a family of ham-makers, and enjoy lunch at a hilltop winery with a glass of the local harvest.

Italian Days Food Experience offers cooking classes where you can learn to make handmade pasta, providing an intimate and laid-back tour of the best cuisine Italy has to offer.

Visit the Quadrilatero

The oldest part of historic Bologna, the Quadrilatero will seduce your senses as it is packed with shops selling cheeses and meats, pastas, fresh fruit and vegetables, cakes and bread, chocolates, and even cut flowers.

Street names that refer to different trades are a reminder that the area once belonged to Bologna’s artisans and craftsmen.

Get Into the Music Scene

Bologna’s eclectic music scene has something to satisfy all tastes.

Between November and April, catch an opera at the famous Teatro Comunale, a Bologna landmark since 1763.

Jazz lovers should head to the Chet Baker Jazz Club from Thursday to Saturday when this basement venue has live shows.

Experience Bologna’s gay scene at Cassero Gay Lesbian Centre, which is both a club for innovative new music, a documentation centre for the history of the LGBT movement, and a counseling centre for homosexuals.

Asinelli and Garisenda Towers

These two medieval towers have become the symbols of Bologna. Standing at 97 and 48 metres respectively, the Asinelli and Garisenda represent the handful of towers that remain in a city that once housed near 100 of them.

Built and named after noble families in the 12th century, the towers have withstood wars, the elements, and time, often changing functions as outposts of military defense to prisons.

While the Garisenda Tower’s fragile 3-metre lean prevents visitor from entering, those willing to climb the 498 steps of the Asinelli Tower’s inner staircase will be rewarded with breathtaking views of city and its surroundings.

National Picture Gallery

Art buffs will swoon at the impressive collection of Bolognese and Italian masterpieces that range from the 13th to the 18th centuries. The gallery’s first pieces were acquired at the end of the 18th century from the churches and monasteries abolished under the Napoleonic administration.

From early Renaissance and Mannerism to Classic Idealism and Bolognese Baroque, works span many artistic eras. Highlights include Vitale da Bologna’s “St. George and the Dragon”, Raffaello’s “Ecstasy of St. Cecilia”, Reni’s “The Crucificion”, and works by the Carracci cousins known for starting the art school Accademia degli Incamminati.

Located in the former St. Ignazio Monastery, the museum presently shares the building with Bologna’s Academy of Fine Arts.

Basilica San Petronio

Dedicated to Bologna’s patron saint, Saint Petronius, this Gothic church located in the Piazza Maggiore is the fifth largest in the world. Construction began in the early 14th century. But work on the church stalled due to fears it would dwarf St. Peter’s church in Rome, and until this day the main facade remains unfinished.

The colourful stained-class interior of the basilica is home to works like Lorenzo Costa’s “Madonna with the Saints” and Giovanni da Modena’s incendiary fresco depicting Muhammad in hell.

Tip * Booking your Tours, Transfers & Airport Parking before you go will save your money & time and ensure a stress free start to your holiday

Timing

Plan your Bologna trip around the region’s steamy summers. Think about June or July as opposed to August when the heat is on, streets are empty, and many shops close for summer holiday.

Bologna Museum Card

Museum lovers can purchase a Bologna museum card that offers discounted entry to the city’s museums for 1-3 days. Cards can be acquired at tourist information centres.

Transportation

Though Bologna is a very walkable town, there are many public transport options.

With frequent service to and from Piazza Maggiore, the ATC bus system is the cheapest and fastest way to get where you’re going. Bologna Centrale station, located at the Piazza Medaglie d’Oro, is a major connection point for national and international trains. Avoid fines by purchasing and validating your ticket before boarding the train.

Legitimate taxis have a sign on their roofs and many can found off Piazza Maggiore on the streets Via Rizzoli or Via dell-Indipendenza. There is a luggage charge and a charge for late night or Sunday travel.

Consider car hire in Bologna for better mobility. The law requires seatbelts, and headlights must be on at all times.

Airport Transportation

Located six kilometres from town is the Bologna G Marconi Airport. A 15-minute taxi ride or a 20-minute trip on the Aerobus shuttle that operates between the airport and the railway station will take you into the city centre.

A short walk from the historic centre and located close to public transportation, the four-star Grand Hotel Elite offers a comfortable stay in its elegant and refined rooms. The hotel’s Cordon Bleu restaurant serves local and international cuisine, and its American Bar is a swanky nook to have a drink with friends. Amenities also include meeting rooms and the Elite car garage that features car-washing and mechanical assistance.

Boasting 5000 squared metres of green gardens to explore, the Mercure Centro Hotel feels like an outpost from the city despite its superb location near the central train station. The hotel’s Garden Side Bar is great for a midday snack or an evening cocktail, and four available meetings rooms make the Mercure Bologna Centro a smart choice for business travelers.

A short trip from the airport and the railway station, the Novotel Fiera Hotel is situated in the heart of the Exhibition district and close to the Convention Centre. With wireless Internet access, a business corner, a pool, and parking, this hotel leaves little for want. The Novotel Cafe serves healthy and delicious dishes, while the Magnolia terrace bar invites you to enjoy a cocktail and the view.

For a little luxury, choose the Grand Hotel Majestic gia' Baglioni. This five-star hotel is centrally located and offers guests a variety of dining options, including the Carracci Restaurant, which features gourmet local cuisine and is decorated with 16th century frescoes.

If you need more choice consult our selection of Bologna hotels.

Taste the world-class gelato at La Sorbetteria Castiglione (Via Castiglione, 44). This classic shop features inventive and delicious flavours like ricotta and honey with caramelized figs, pistachio and vanilla, or white chocolate with toasted hazelnuts. Known to have the creamiest gelato in town, skip the other shops and head straight to Castiglione Street for the treat of a lifetime.

Feast on lasagne at Al Sangiovese (Via Paglietta, 12), a charming quiet restaurant that sits just steps from Piazza Maggiore. Choice appetizers include the goat cheese with a porcini and leek sauce or a parmesan and mortadella plate, while main courses include zucchini stuffed meatballs and a variety of beef fillets.

Sample classic Bolognese fare at Tamburini (Via Caprarie,1) a traditional lunch shop and delicatessen. With a help-yourself cafeteria-style layout, Tamburini allows you to sample a variety of pasta dishes, salads, vegetables, meats, and fish all at a reasonable price. Well-located in the centre of town, Tamburini is a perfect pit-stop in the middle of a day of sightseeing.

For tender meats and heavenly desserts, dine at Drogheria della Rosa (Via Cartoleria, 10). Start off with some cured ham and fresh mozzarella, followed by tortelli stuffed with zucchini blossoms or eggplant puree. Main courses include a filet mignon in balsamic vinegar or a honeyed guinea fowl. For dessert try the mascarpone with dark chocolate. Like the romantic ambience and friendly service, the inexpensive prices at Drogheria della Rosa are also divine.

Health & Hygiene

Bologna’s health infrastructure is excellent. Before leaving, however, ask your local social security centre for a European Health Insurance Card. There is no medical insurance coverage for U.S. or Canadian visitors. Pharmacies are located throughout the city, and are generally open Monday through Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

In case of an emergency, dial 118 for first aid, 113 for the police, or 115 for the fire department.

For hospital care, you can visit or call Ospedale Maggiore, Via Nigrisoli 2, 051 647 81 11.

For roadside assistance call 803 116 for the Automobile Club d’Italia or 803 803 for the Europe Assistance VAI.

Water is potable though bottled water may be preferable. While there are no required vaccinations, those recommended include tetanus, polio diphtheria, and pertussis.

Safety

With a low crime rate, Bologna is a safe town to walk around in at night. Still, do not wander alone in poorly-lit areas and be careful of the occasional pickpocket looking for tourists. Be particularly cautious of your personal belongings in and around train stations.

Park your vehicle in a guarded parking lot and do not leave valuables inside. Try not to carry large quantities of cash on your person or wear jewellery that may attract attention. Always keep a copy of your travel documents with you at all times, and store the originals in a safe place.