Bologna
Bologna, First Impressions & Why It Stole Our Hearts Bologna, Italy — a city of terracotta rooftops, endless porticos, and unapologetic culinary pride — is one of Italy’s most authentic and soul-rich destinations. Nicknamed La Dotta, La Grassa, e La Rossa (The Learned, The Fat, and The Red), Bologna is home to the world's oldest university, birthplace of iconic Italian cuisine, and famed for its warm-hued medieval architecture. Unlike the more tourist-heavy cities, Bologna feels lived-in, deeply local, and effortlessly vibrant — the kind of place where daily life unfolds in markets, osterias, and lively piazzas late into the night. This is the kind of Italian city where you don’t just observe culture — you live inside it.
10/28/20256 min read
Walking Under Bologna’s Iconic Porticos (I Portici di Bologna — UNESCO Treasure)
Walking beneath Bologna’s endless covered walkways (Porticos) feels like stepping into a living museum — nearly 40 kilometers of porticos weave through the historic center. These UNESCO-listed arcades aren’t just practical for shade and rain cover — they are the veins of the city, guiding you through elegant palazzi, wine bars tucked behind arches, and golden light filtering across terracotta tones.
From here, we dive into the beating heart of Bologna — its food, traditions, and landmarks.
Our Bologna Food Tour Experience (Secret Food Tour — Worth Every Euro)
We joined the Secret Food Tour of Bologna — and it was easily one of the best decisions we made. The experience lasted approximately three and a half hours with around six stops, and group sizes were limited to twelve participants, making it intimate and incredibly enjoyable.
The tour began in Bologna’s historic center — the Quadrilatero. Our guide, Caterina, selected regional delicacies such as mortadella di Bologna, pink salame, culatello di Zibello, and Parmigiano Reggiano from Salumeria Simoni, a renowned deli and cheese shop. We savored these exquisite cold cuts accompanied by a glass of local wine at Osteria del Sole — the oldest tavern in Bologna, operating since 1465. We even tasted Torta di Riso, Bologna’s traditional rice pudding dessert.
We continued to a specialty shop for a balsamic vinegar tasting — aged 8, 12, and 25 years from Modena. Then, we visited a small pasta laboratorio to watch fresh pasta being made by hand right in front of us — unforgettable. Our final stop was artisanal gelato — the perfect ending.
Secret Food Tour
Historic Heart of Bologna — Piazza Maggiore & Basilica di San Petronio
Standing at the very center of Bologna’s identity, Piazza Maggiore is the city’s grand living room. Surrounded by medieval palazzi, arcaded porticos, and the monumental Basilica di San Petronio — one of the largest churches in the world. Step inside not just for its vast scale, but for its unfinished marble facade and the breathtaking fresco of the Last Judgment.
Exploring the Quadrilatero Market (Mercato del Quadrilatero)
Just steps from Piazza Maggiore, this medieval food district is the heartbeat of Bologna’s culinary soul — overflowing with fresh tortellini, Parmigiano Reggiano, mortadella, balsamic vinegar, and local wines. We loved wandering these tiny alleys mid-morning before lunch crowds arrived
Aperitivo Culture in Bologna (Aperitivo Bolognese — Golden Hour Magic)
As the sun dips behind the terracotta rooftops, Bologna slows down — and the ritual of aperitivo begins. Locals gather at timeless spots like Osteria del Sole (where you bring your own food, just order wine) or buzzy modern bars in Via Pratello to sip spritz, nibble on cured meats, and socialize before dinner.
The Two Towers (Le Due Torri: Asinelli & Garisenda)
These medieval giants are Bologna’s most iconic skyline markers. You can normally climb Torre degli Asinelli for sweeping views — it’s 498 steps — but as of 2025, both towers are closed to visitors due to major restoration work. Both Asinelli Tower (the taller one) and Garisenda Tower, made of masonry, were constructed between AD 1109 and AD 1119. They remain viewable from Piazza di Porta Ravegnana — but no climbing is allowed.
Fun fact: The Garisenda Tower is leaning at an angle of 4º; slightly more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa (3.9º degree slant).
Best Alternative Viewpoints: • Clock Tower at Palazzo d’Accursio — stunning view over Piazza Maggiore. • Sanctuary of San Luca — reached by portico walk or tourist train. • Torre Prendiparte — private 12th-century tower, bookable by reservation. • Rooftop of Biblioteca Salaborsa Café — free / casual panoramic view.
Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca (Santuario della Madonna di San Luca)
Perched on a hill overlooking Bologna, this sanctuary offers one of the most rewarding views in the city. The walk takes you through 3.8 km and 666 arches — the world’s longest portico — from Porta Saragozza all the way to San Luca. Peaceful, scenic, and spiritually rich. Getting There: • Walk from Arco del Meloncello — about 20 min from city center. • Take the San Luca Express tourist train directly from Piazza Maggiore. • Taxi / car — best if short on time. This is a must, whether for faith, scenery, or photography.
Where to Stay in Bologna (Best Areas & Personal Picks)
Bologna is compact and walkable — staying within a 10-minute radius of Piazza Maggiore lets you explore everything easily on foot. Ideal areas: Centro Storico, Via dell’Indipendenza, and near Quadrilatero for food lovers. Boutique luxury / mid-range charm / budget-friendly option.)
How Many Days to Spend in Bologna?
Bologna rewards slow travel — if you love food, culture, and daily life energy, 3 full days minimum, 4 ideal, 5+ perfect if adding day trips to Modena or Parma. We personally spent 8 full days — and it was heaven.
Practical Travel Tips & Essentials
• Getting Around — Bologna is best explored on foot; trains connect quickly to Florence, Modena, Parma.
• San Luca Tip — not in the mood to walk? San Luca Express tourist train leaves from Piazza Maggiore.
• Bologna Welcome Card — ideal if you plan museums + towers + transport. (Affiliate slot.)
• Luggage Storage — available at Bologna Centrale + near Piazza Maggiore.
Final Thoughts — Why Bologna Absolutely Belongs on Your Italy Itinerary
Bologna isn’t a city you simply visit — it’s a city you feel. It’s generous, deeply authentic, and gloriously unapologetic about what it does best: food, culture, and slow pleasure. No manufactured spectacle — just real Italy, lived out loud.
Whether you came for the tortellini, the porticos, the wine-soaked aperitivo sunsets, or the sacred walk to San Luca — Bologna rewards those who linger. If you’re building an Italy itinerary, I genuinely believe Bologna deserves more than a day trip — it deserves to be experienced.
If you’re planning your stay now, I highly recommend booking your food tour, San Luca train tickets, and central hotel early — everything in Bologna fills fast, especially weekends.
