Cities
Bologna

Bologna

Italy

Bologna is one of Italy’s most captivating cities, a place where medieval towers, elegant porticos, and the aroma of fresh pasta come together in a uniquely welcoming atmosphere. Known as La Dotta, La Grassa, e La Rossa — “the learned, the fat, and the red” — Bologna earned its nicknames from its ancient university, rich cuisine, and rows of terracotta-colored buildings. At the heart of the city lies Piazza Maggiore, a grand square framed by historic palaces and the impressive Basilica di San Petronio. Nearby, the Neptune Fountain stands as a Renaissance masterpiece and one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks. Walking through Bologna often means walking under its iconic porticos, which stretch for kilometers and offer shade in summer and shelter in winter, guiding visitors through streets filled with shops, cafés, and lively markets. Bologna once rivaled medieval cities with its forest of towers, built by wealthy families as symbols of power. Today, the Asinelli Tower remains climbable, rewarding those who take on its steps with sweeping views across red rooftops and the distant Apennines. Yet Bologna is just as famous for its cuisine. This is the birthplace of tagliatelle al ragù, mortadella, and tortellini, dishes crafted with patience and pride rather than speed. Traditional trattorias and bustling food markets such as the Quadrilatero preserve centuries-old culinary traditions and make dining here an experience in itself. Culture thrives in Bologna thanks to the University of Bologna, founded in 1088 and considered the oldest in continuous operation. Students fill the streets, keeping the city energetic, artistic, and curious, with theaters, music venues, and bookshops woven into daily life. Bologna may not shout as loudly as some Italian destinations, but its charm runs deep: warm people, authentic flavors, historical layers, and a rhythm that invites visitors to slow down, wander, and savor every moment. It is a city that reveals itself gradually — and leaves a lasting impression.

What to see in Bologna

Basilica di San Petronio Basilica di San Petronio Basilica Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano Basilica Basilica of San Domenico Basilica of San Domenico Basilica Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore Basilica Basilica di San Martino Basilica di San Martino Basilica Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi Basilica Orto Botanico ed Erbario dell’Università di Bologna Orto Botanico ed Erbario dell’Università di Bologna Botanical Garden Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Peter Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Peter Cathedral Parrocchia dei Santi Vitale e Agricola in Arena Parrocchia dei Santi Vitale e Agricola in Arena Church Basilica Collegiata dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano Basilica Collegiata dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano Church Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita Church Chiesa San Giovanni in Monte Chiesa San Giovanni in Monte Church Basilica di San Paolo Maggiore Bologna Basilica di San Paolo Maggiore Bologna Church Galleria B4 Galleria B4 Gallery ArteBo - Contemporary Art gallery ArteBo - Contemporary Art gallery Gallery Maggiore g.a.m. art gallery Maggiore g.a.m. art gallery Gallery Contemporary Art Gallery P420 Contemporary Art Gallery P420 Gallery Otto Gallery Otto Gallery Gallery Labs Gallery Labs Gallery Gallery Galleria Wikiarte Galleria Wikiarte Gallery Fontana del Nettuno Fontana del Nettuno Historical Landmark Palazzo Bolognini Palazzo Bolognini Historical Landmark Palazzo Bonasoni Palazzo Bonasoni Historical Landmark Palazzo del Podestà Bologna Palazzo del Podestà Bologna Historical Landmark Palazzo Re Enzo Palazzo Re Enzo Historical Landmark Portici di Bologna Portici di Bologna Historical Landmark Porta Galliera Porta Galliera Historical Landmark Archiginnasio Courtyard Archiginnasio Courtyard Library Mercato di Mezzo Mercato di Mezzo Market Palazzo Pallavicini Palazzo Pallavicini Museum Villa delle Rose Villa delle Rose Museum Museo Civico Archeologico Museo Civico Archeologico Museum Museo della Specola Museo della Specola Museum Museo Davia Bargellini Museo Davia Bargellini Museum Museo Civico Medievale Museo Civico Medievale Museum Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna Museum MAMbo - Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna MAMbo - Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna Museum Museo internazionale e biblioteca della musica Museo internazionale e biblioteca della musica Museum Palazzo Pepoli - Museo della Storia di Bologna Palazzo Pepoli - Museo della Storia di Bologna Museum Collezioni Comunali d'Arte Collezioni Comunali d'Arte Museum Palazzo Fava Palazzo Fava Museum Museo del Patrimonio Industriale Museo del Patrimonio Industriale Museum Museo Civico del Risorgimento di Bologna Museo Civico del Risorgimento di Bologna Museum Collezione delle Cere Anatomiche Luigi Cattaneo Collezione delle Cere Anatomiche Luigi Cattaneo Museum Museum of Zoology Bologna Museum of Zoology Bologna Museum Museum of San Colombano Museum of San Colombano Museum Museo della Comunicazione e del Multimediale Gianni Pelagalli Museo della Comunicazione e del Multimediale Gianni Pelagalli Museum Museo Ducati Museo Ducati Museum Museo Ebraico di Bologna Museo Ebraico di Bologna Museum Palazzo Aldrovandi Palazzo Aldrovandi Palace Parco di Villa Ghigi Parco di Villa Ghigi Park Giardini Margherita Giardini Margherita Park La Montagnola La Montagnola Park Piazza Santo Stefano Piazza Santo Stefano Square Piazza Maggiore Piazza Maggiore Square Teatro EuropAuditorium Teatro EuropAuditorium Theatre Il Celebrazioni Theatre Il Celebrazioni Theatre Theatre Teatro Auditorium Manzoni Teatro Auditorium Manzoni Theatre Teatro Testoni Ragazzi Teatro Testoni Ragazzi Theatre Teatro Duse Teatro Duse Theatre Bologna Municipal Theater Bologna Municipal Theater Theatre Teatri di Vita Teatri di Vita Theatre Teatro Arena del Sole Teatro Arena del Sole Theatre Ateliersi Ateliersi Theatre Teatro del Baraccano Teatro del Baraccano Theatre Finestrella di Via Piella Finestrella di Via Piella Tourist attractions Scalinata del Pincio Scalinata del Pincio Tourist attractions Le Due Torri Le Due Torri Tower