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What to see and do in Bologna
The places not to miss, practical tips and the tickets to visit them.
Search by dateBologna at a glance
Bologna is the city of porticoes, the two towers and the table: tortellini, tagliatelle with ragù and mortadella. The centre is compact, easy on foot, with a lively and young university.
Practical tips
- Try tagliatelle with ragù in a trattoria: the dish is called that only here.
- The porticoes shelter you from rain and sun: you walk dry almost everywhere.
- Book the climb of the Asinelli Tower in advance, especially at weekends.
When to go
Spring and autumn are the best seasons; summer is very hot, but the evenings are pleasant under the porticoes.
The places not to miss in Bologna
Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain
The heart of the city, with the Basilica of San Petronio and Palazzo d’Accursio.
The Two Towers
The Garisenda and the Asinelli: climb the second for the view over the roofs.
The Porticoes of San Luca
The longest portico in the world, with 666 arches up to the sanctuary on the hill.
The Basilica of San Petronio
The great Gothic church, with a long sundial drawn on the floor in 1655.
The Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre
The historic seat of the oldest university in the Western world.
Santo Stefano and the Seven Churches
A complex of churches and cloisters in a quiet square.
- Tickets and visits
The Ducati Museum
The story of the red motorbike from Borgo Panigale.
Mercato di Mezzo and the Quadrilatero
Shops, delicatessens and small places to taste Bolognese food.
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