Guidebook for Bologna
Sightseeing
Piazza Maggiore is located at the very centre of Bologna and it's one of the most beautiful and lively squares in Italy.
In the past the square underwent many changes and was further enriched with important buildings: Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo dei Notai, Palazzo d'Accursio, Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo dei Bianchi.
When there, do not miss to pay a visit to Fontana del Nettuno and Biblioteca Salaborsa as well!
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Piazza Maggiore
Piazza MaggiorePiazza Maggiore is located at the very centre of Bologna and it's one of the most beautiful and lively squares in Italy.
In the past the square underwent many changes and was further enriched with important buildings: Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo dei Notai, Palazzo d'Accursio, Palazzo del Podestà and Palazzo dei Bianchi.
When there, do not miss to pay a visit to Fontana del Nettuno and Biblioteca Salaborsa as well!
The Fountain of Neptune is a monumental civic fountain located in the eponymous square, Piazza del Nettuno, next to Piazza Maggiore. Fun fact: the logo of the Maserati car company is based on the trident in this Neptune statue.
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Fontanna Neptuna
Piazza del NettunoThe Fountain of Neptune is a monumental civic fountain located in the eponymous square, Piazza del Nettuno, next to Piazza Maggiore. Fun fact: the logo of the Maserati car company is based on the trident in this Neptune statue.
Bologna's most unique religious site is this atmospheric labyrinth of interlocking ecclesiastical structures, whose architecture spans centuries of Bolognese history and incorporates Romanesque, Lombard and even ancient Roman elements. Located on Piazza Santo Stefano, it is locally known as Sette Chiese ("Seven Churches") – but only four remain intact today: Chiesa del Crocefisso, Chiesa della Trinità, Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro and Santi Vitale e Agricola.
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Dwie Wieże
Piazza di Porta RavegnanaBologna's most unique religious site is this atmospheric labyrinth of interlocking ecclesiastical structures, whose architecture spans centuries of Bolognese history and incorporates Romanesque, Lombard and even ancient Roman elements. Located on Piazza Santo Stefano, it is locally known as Sette Chiese ("Seven Churches") – but only four remain intact today: Chiesa del Crocefisso, Chiesa della Trinità, Chiesa del Santo Sepolcro and Santi Vitale e Agricola.
San Petronio Basilica is Italy's 4th largest catholic cathedral and Bologna's most important one.
Did you know that its unfinished façade was not made on purpose? The first plan was to cover it all over with marble, but it was later decided to give those money to university and invest them in education. Indeed, The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest university in continuous operation!
Free entrance, but no photos allowed inside (unless you pay a 2€ fee).
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Bazylika św. Petroniusza w Bolonii
5 Piazza GalvaniSan Petronio Basilica is Italy's 4th largest catholic cathedral and Bologna's most important one.
Did you know that its unfinished façade was not made on purpose? The first plan was to cover it all over with marble, but it was later decided to give those money to university and invest them in education. Indeed, The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest university in continuous operation!
Free entrance, but no photos allowed inside (unless you pay a 2€ fee).
These two leaning towers are the landmark of the city. The taller one is called the Asinelli while the smaller but more leaning tower is called the Garisenda.
While the latter is permanently closed, the Asinelli offers the best viewpoint in Bologna, but you need first to climb 498 steps up to the top to finally be able to enjoy the city's famous red tiles!
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Due Torri station
These two leaning towers are the landmark of the city. The taller one is called the Asinelli while the smaller but more leaning tower is called the Garisenda.
While the latter is permanently closed, the Asinelli offers the best viewpoint in Bologna, but you need first to climb 498 steps up to the top to finally be able to enjoy the city's famous red tiles!
About 3.5km southwest of the city centre, the hilltop Basilica Santuario della Madonna di San Luca occupies a powerful and appropriately celestial position overlooking the teeming red-hued city below. The church houses a black representation of the Virgin Mary, supposedly painted by St Luke and transported from the Middle East to Bologna in the 12th century. The 18th-century sanctuary is connected to the city walls by the world's longest portico, held aloft by 666 arches, beginning at Piazza di Porta Saragozza.
The most direct way to reach the basilica is on the San Luca Express, a tourist 'train' that leaves Piazza Maggiore six times daily, four days a week during peak tourist season.
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Sanktuarium Matki Bożej z San Luca
36 Via di San LucaAbout 3.5km southwest of the city centre, the hilltop Basilica Santuario della Madonna di San Luca occupies a powerful and appropriately celestial position overlooking the teeming red-hued city below. The church houses a black representation of the Virgin Mary, supposedly painted by St Luke and transported from the Middle East to Bologna in the 12th century. The 18th-century sanctuary is connected to the city walls by the world's longest portico, held aloft by 666 arches, beginning at Piazza di Porta Saragozza.
The most direct way to reach the basilica is on the San Luca Express, a tourist 'train' that leaves Piazza Maggiore six times daily, four days a week during peak tourist season.
Finestrella
16/a Via PiellaOne of Bologna's best-kept secrets, with a Venetian vibe.
Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro is the cathedral of Bologna, entitled “Metropolitana” in 1582 by Pope Gregorio XIII. The origins of the building may be traced back to the beginning of the Christian era
Throughout the centuries the cathedral has undergone many changes: first, a fire and then an earthquake destroyed it, in August 1131 and in 1222 respectively.
Its bell tower is the second tallest tower in the town (70 m). Inside of the belfry, there is the biggest bell that can be rung “on the Bologna's way of ringing” (until the complete rotation of the bell). There is a beautiful panoramic view from the top of the tower.
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Katedra Metropolitalna św. Piotra
7 Via dell'IndipendenzaCattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro is the cathedral of Bologna, entitled “Metropolitana” in 1582 by Pope Gregorio XIII. The origins of the building may be traced back to the beginning of the Christian era
Throughout the centuries the cathedral has undergone many changes: first, a fire and then an earthquake destroyed it, in August 1131 and in 1222 respectively.
Its bell tower is the second tallest tower in the town (70 m). Inside of the belfry, there is the biggest bell that can be rung “on the Bologna's way of ringing” (until the complete rotation of the bell). There is a beautiful panoramic view from the top of the tower.
The church was built between 1236 and 1254 by the Franciscan community. The members of the community arrived in Bologna in 1218 when Bernardo di Quintavalle, one of the first disciples of San Francesco, moved here. San Francesco joined his disciples in Bologna some years later. At present, the church is a sort of pastiche of different styles including Romanesque, Gothic and Early Renaissance. The church is home to the church monuments of the jurist Accursius and his son Francesco, Odofredus and Rolandino dei Romanzi.
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Bazylika św. Franciszka
9 Piazza MalpighiThe church was built between 1236 and 1254 by the Franciscan community. The members of the community arrived in Bologna in 1218 when Bernardo di Quintavalle, one of the first disciples of San Francesco, moved here. San Francesco joined his disciples in Bologna some years later. At present, the church is a sort of pastiche of different styles including Romanesque, Gothic and Early Renaissance. The church is home to the church monuments of the jurist Accursius and his son Francesco, Odofredus and Rolandino dei Romanzi.
Shopping
To the east of Piazza Maggiore, the grid of streets around Via Clavature (Street of Locksmiths) sits on what was once Roman Bologna. Known as the Quadrilatero, this compact district is a great place for a wander with its market stalls, happening cafes and lavishly stocked gourmet delis. Bring some Tortellini home!
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Quadrilatero
23 Strada MaggioreTo the east of Piazza Maggiore, the grid of streets around Via Clavature (Street of Locksmiths) sits on what was once Roman Bologna. Known as the Quadrilatero, this compact district is a great place for a wander with its market stalls, happening cafes and lavishly stocked gourmet delis. Bring some Tortellini home!
Via Indipendenza is the main street of Bologna. It starts from Piazza Maggiore and ends at the railway station. It has been completed in 1890 when the city became an important railway junction. Now via Indipendenza is the heart of the shopping area: under its stunning porticoes, protecting pedestrians on both sides of the street, you’ll find many low-cost clothes shops, designer labels, small shops, fast food and sandwiches bar. Via Indipendenza is always very popular among Bologna people of all ages: we suggest to take a walk there!
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Via dell'Indipendenza
Via dell'IndipendenzaVia Indipendenza is the main street of Bologna. It starts from Piazza Maggiore and ends at the railway station. It has been completed in 1890 when the city became an important railway junction. Now via Indipendenza is the heart of the shopping area: under its stunning porticoes, protecting pedestrians on both sides of the street, you’ll find many low-cost clothes shops, designer labels, small shops, fast food and sandwiches bar. Via Indipendenza is always very popular among Bologna people of all ages: we suggest to take a walk there!
Arts & Culture
MAMbo - Muzeum Sztuki Nowoczesnej w Bolonii
14 Via Don Giovanni MinzoniMuseo d'Arte Moderna
This stunning library is located inside Palazzo Accursio, in front of Fontana del Nettuno, and is the city's main public library. Chill with locals and students while having a coffee or consulting books and newspapers from all over the world.
Visitors to the library are able to see an archaeological site through the crystal floor in the centre of the library. The ancient ruins are also accessible from the basement floor, where there is information about them.
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Biblioteca Salaborsa
3 Piazza del NettunoThis stunning library is located inside Palazzo Accursio, in front of Fontana del Nettuno, and is the city's main public library. Chill with locals and students while having a coffee or consulting books and newspapers from all over the world.
Visitors to the library are able to see an archaeological site through the crystal floor in the centre of the library. The ancient ruins are also accessible from the basement floor, where there is information about them.
The National Art Gallery of Bologna (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna) is a museum in Bologna, Italy. It is located in the former Saint Ignatius Jesuit novitiate of the city's University district, and inside the same building that houses the Academy of Fine Arts. The museum offers a wide collection of Emilian paintings from the 13th to the 18th century and other fundamental works by artists who were in some way related to the city.
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Pinakoteka Narodowa
56 Via delle Belle ArtiThe National Art Gallery of Bologna (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna) is a museum in Bologna, Italy. It is located in the former Saint Ignatius Jesuit novitiate of the city's University district, and inside the same building that houses the Academy of Fine Arts. The museum offers a wide collection of Emilian paintings from the 13th to the 18th century and other fundamental works by artists who were in some way related to the city.
The Archaeological Civic Museum of Bologna is located in the fifteenth-century Palazzo Galvani building once known as the Hospital of Death. Founded in September 1881 by the merging of two separate museums: the one belonging to the University of Bologna and that belonging to the City of Bologna.
This museum is among the most important in archaeological finds in Italy and is highly representative of the local history from prehistoric period to Roman Age. Additionally, its ancient Egyptian collection is among the most important in Europe.
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Miejskie Muzeum Archeologiczne
2 Via dell'ArchiginnasioThe Archaeological Civic Museum of Bologna is located in the fifteenth-century Palazzo Galvani building once known as the Hospital of Death. Founded in September 1881 by the merging of two separate museums: the one belonging to the University of Bologna and that belonging to the City of Bologna.
This museum is among the most important in archaeological finds in Italy and is highly representative of the local history from prehistoric period to Roman Age. Additionally, its ancient Egyptian collection is among the most important in Europe.
Food Scene
Mercato di Mezzo is one of the most representative historical places of Bolognese food culture, a few steps from Piazza Maggiore: since the Middle Ages, this has been the place for flavours and meetings, commerce and gastronomical traditions of Bologna. After the unification of Italy, it was transformed into the first indoor market of the city. Today is a three storey pavilion, where you can buy or eat on site excellent food products and dishes. On the first floor, you can find a traditional pizzeria and, on the basement floor, an artisanal beer pub where you can taste unique beers.
Open 7/7!
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Rynek Mercato di Mezzo
12 Via ClavatureMercato di Mezzo is one of the most representative historical places of Bolognese food culture, a few steps from Piazza Maggiore: since the Middle Ages, this has been the place for flavours and meetings, commerce and gastronomical traditions of Bologna. After the unification of Italy, it was transformed into the first indoor market of the city. Today is a three storey pavilion, where you can buy or eat on site excellent food products and dishes. On the first floor, you can find a traditional pizzeria and, on the basement floor, an artisanal beer pub where you can taste unique beers.
Open 7/7!
All'Osteria Bottega
51 Via Santa CaterinaQuanto Basta
103a Via del PratelloRistorante Scacco Matto
63/b Via BroccaindossoOsteria Santa Caterina
43a Via Santa CaterinaBerberè
9c Via Giuseppe PetroniZerocinquantino
3e Via Pescherie VecchieCremeria Santo Stefano
70c Via Santo StefanoIce-cream shop
The new FICO Eataly World in Bologna is a million square feet of food: pasta, porchetta, gelato and more. n addition to all the food, drink, and spectacle, it houses six educational rides — called “carousels” — which chart the humans’ relationship with agriculture by theme: fire, earth, sea, animals, soil to bottle, and “the future of food.” The end goal: For Eataly World to serve as a citadel of food and sustainability.
The bus you take to get there is the FICO bus. It leaves from Bologna Central Station, every 20 or 30 minutes, depending on the day; a round-trip ticket costs 7 euros. Don’t forget a map and a bike, available for rent — you’ll need both to navigate the site!
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FICO World Eataly
8 Via Paolo CanaliThe new FICO Eataly World in Bologna is a million square feet of food: pasta, porchetta, gelato and more. n addition to all the food, drink, and spectacle, it houses six educational rides — called “carousels” — which chart the humans’ relationship with agriculture by theme: fire, earth, sea, animals, soil to bottle, and “the future of food.” The end goal: For Eataly World to serve as a citadel of food and sustainability.
The bus you take to get there is the FICO bus. It leaves from Bologna Central Station, every 20 or 30 minutes, depending on the day; a round-trip ticket costs 7 euros. Don’t forget a map and a bike, available for rent — you’ll need both to navigate the site!
Parks & Nature
It is the largest and certainly the most popular city park. It was designed by the Piedmontese Sambuy to provide Bologna with an ample green and public place as in other Italian and European cities. It was opened in 1879 with the name of “Passeggio Regina Margherita” ( as a tribute to the wife of King Umberto I).
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Giardini Margherita station
It is the largest and certainly the most popular city park. It was designed by the Piedmontese Sambuy to provide Bologna with an ample green and public place as in other Italian and European cities. It was opened in 1879 with the name of “Passeggio Regina Margherita” ( as a tribute to the wife of King Umberto I).
Bologna's main central park and green area: go there on Fridays and Saturdays to mingle with locals at the "La Piazzola" market!
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Park Montagnola
2 Via IrnerioBologna's main central park and green area: go there on Fridays and Saturdays to mingle with locals at the "La Piazzola" market!
Essentials
Nice prices, quite a variety of certain types of products. You'll be able to find lots of gluten-free things, which is a big plus in case you need them.
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iN's Mercato
112 Via SaragozzaNice prices, quite a variety of certain types of products. You'll be able to find lots of gluten-free things, which is a big plus in case you need them.
Ufficio Postale Poste Italiane
30 Via Aurelio SaffiPost Office
BNL Gruppo BNP Paribas
30/A Via Aurelio SaffiATM
Forno Montello Bologna
24f Via Aurelio SaffiBakery
White Cross Pharmacy
63 Via Aurelio SaffiPharmacy - Open on Saturdays
Ospedale Maggiore Carlo Alberto Pizzardi
2 Largo NigrisoliHospital
Drinks & Nightlife
Estragon
83 Via StalingradoLively street packed with bars and breweries. Enjoy your night out :)
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Via del Pratello
Via del PratelloLively street packed with bars and breweries. Enjoy your night out :)