BOLOGNA travel guide with sample schedule & budget

“We came here for the food,” I told Vins when we stepped out of the train.

When an Italian friend found out I was bound for her homeland, she relentlessly tried to convince us to squeeze Bologna into our itinerary. “If you love Italian food, you ought to make a stop in the Emilia-Romagna region,” she recommended. “And I’m Sardinian! That’s saying something!”

And she wasn’t alone. numerous of the travel bloggers I idolize, who have roamed all over Italy, shower this region with praises, singling out the cuisine as enough reason to visit. So we did.

We came here for the food. but we got way much more than we bargained for.

WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING BOLOGNA
WHERE TO stay IN BOLOGNABEST area TO stay IN BOLOGNA
TOP APARTMENTS & GUESTHOUSES IN BOLOGNA
TOP BOLOGNA HOSTELS
Search for much more Bologna Hotels!

HOW TO get TO BOLOGNABy PlaneSearch for cheap Flights!
Bologna airport to City Center

By TrainSearch for Train Tickets Here!

HOW TO get around BOLOGNA
THINGS TO do in BOLOGNAFree walking trip (Bologna Old Town)
Bologna Food Trip
Piazza Maggiore & San Petronio Basilica
Two Towers
Santuario di Madonna di San Luca & Portico di San Luca
Archiginnasio of Bologna
Other Bologna Attractions

DAY trips FROM BOLOGNA
SAMPLE BOLOGNA ITINERARY
FREQUENTLY ASKED questions about BOLOGNADo I need a visa to visit Bologna?
Is Bologna safe?
When is the best time to visit Bologna?
How much is Bologna’s traveler tax? Is it included in hotel bookings?
What is the tipping policy in Bologna?
How to decrease food expenses in Bologna?
Is tap water in Bologna safe to drink?
What type of power plug / socket is used in Bologna?

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UNDERSTANDING BOLOGNA

The Emilia-Romagna region is one of the most underrated areas of Italy. It comprises nine provinces, whose maps are peppered with some UNESCO world Heritage sites and several postcard-worthy cities like Modena, Ferrara, Ravenna, and Parma. but the largest of them and the regional capital is the red city of Bologna.

The city of Bologna is known by three nicknames: La Dotta, la Grassa, la Rossa. La Dotta, which implies “the learned,” for it cradles the oldest university in Europe. La Grassa, the Fat, because it is Italy’s epicenter of gastronomy; and La Rossa, the Red, referring to the terra cotta rooftops and tawny walls of its medieval Old Town.

Bologna’s history can be traced back all the way to 6th century BCE, when the Etruscans founded the city of Felsina. In 196 BCE, it fell under the guideline of the Romans, who named it Bononia.

Today, Bologna is one of the most progressive cities in Italy, in terms of economy and overall quality of life. many foreign tourists skip Bologna in favor of Florence, Venice, or Milan. but those who make the effort are rewarded with an enlightening, delicious, and rosy time in this underrated city.

Here are some things to know about Bologna:

Location: Bologna is the capital of Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region.

Time Zone: UTC+1 (Central European Time). Bologna is 7 hours behind the Philippines, Singapore or Malaysia; and 8 hours behind Japan. However, daylight saving time is in effect from the last Sunday of March until the last Sunday of October, which puts it at UTC+2, only 6 hours behind PH, SG, and MY.

Language: Italian. many signs have English translations.

Currency: Euro (EUR, €). €1 is roughly USD 1.18, SGD 1.62, PHP 57.53 (as of September 2020)

Modes of Payment: numerous establishments accept credit report cards, but many still choose cash.

WHERE TO stay IN BOLOGNA

BEST area TO stay IN BOLOGNA

There are two main areas that are ideal places to stay for tourists:

HISTORIC CENTER. If you plan on staying long in Bologna or exploring the city over a few days, stay in the Old Town. The heart of the city is Piazza Maggiore. From here, every traveler attraction in the area is a short walk away. When booking a hotel, check how far it is from the Piazza.

NEAR BOLOGNA CENTRALE. The city’s main train station is located just outside the Old Town. If you intend to visit other Italian cities and use Bologna as a base, it’s better to pick accommodations near the railway station. The main bus station is also close by.

We stayed at residence Railway, a rented house within spitting distance of Bologna Centrale in Quartiere Navile (Navile District), which is also called Bolognina (Little Bologna).

TOP APARTMENTS & GUESTHOUSES IN BOLOGNA

Residence Railway

Residence railway by studio Vita. check rates & Availability! ✅

B&B Casa Faccioli. check rates & Availability! ✅

Casa Isolani, Piazza Maggiore. check rates & Availability! ✅

Le Stanze degli Angeli, room & Breakfast. check rates & Availability! ✅

La finestra sul canale. check rates & Availability! ✅

Attico di through d’Azeglio. check rates & Availability! ✅

TOP BOLOGNA HOSTELS

We_Bologna. image offered by Agoda.

We_Bologna. check rates & Availability! ✅

IL CASTELLO HOSTEL BOUTIQUE. check rates & Availability! ✅

Hostel Il Nosadillo – Bologna. check rates & Availability! ✅

Search for much more Bologna Hotels!

HOW TO get TO BOLOGNA

By Plane

Bologna has its own international airport — the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi airport (BLQ) — which connects the Emilia-Romagna region to mostly European destinations and a few cities in Africa and Western Asia (Middle East). Ryan Air, Neos, and Wizz Air operate the most flights to and from this gateway.

It is also possible to reach Bologna through airports in Parma, Florence, Milan, and Venice, but you will need to take the train after.

Search for cheap Flights!

Bologna airport to City Center

The Bologna Guglielmo Marconi airport is located 6 km northwest of the city center, 15-20 minutes away by car. best now, the easiest ways to get from the airport to the city are by taxi and by bus. A monorail train will also be opening soon, which I will also include below.

BY TRAIN. soon to open, the Marconi express will be the most convenient way to reach the city. This monorail train will cut the travel time to only 7 minutes. It was expected to start operations in March 2020 but was pushed back probably due to COVID-19.
Schedule: When operations commence, you can expect a train every 7 minutes from 5:40 am to 12 midnight every day. For much more info, visit the official website.
Fare: one-way 8.70€; roundtrip 16€.
Travel time: 7 minutes.

BY BUS. While the monorail train is still out of service, the bus is your best bet. The Aerobus is a shuttle service operated by the city’s transport company (TPER). This can take you directly to Bologna Centrale (central railway station).
Schedule: There’s an Aerobus every 11 minutes from 5:30am to 12:15am. particular timetable here.
Fare: 6.00€ one-way. You should have a ticket prior to boarding the bus or you’ll be fined. You can purchase a ticket on the official site or at the ticket vending machines at the airport.
Travel time: 22 minutes.

By Train

Bologna Centrale is the primary railway station, linking the city to the rest of Italy and Europe. It’s located along the northern hem of the city center, between the Bologna Old town (Centro Storico) and the Bolognina or “Little Bologna”, which is a nickname for the Navile neighborhood.

From Bologna Centrale, you can reach the Piazza Maggiore on foot in 20 minutes. While it sounds like a long walk (because it is), it’s pretty flat and straightforward. You’ll also be walking under the canopy of Bologna’s renowned portico (covered colonnaded walkways) for the most part, so the sun and the rain are not that big of a problem.

If you’re coming from another Italian city, you can reach Bologna by train. The country’s railways are ruled by two high-speed agencies: Trenitalia and Italo. similar to airlines, both companies employ a system that makes fares flexible. The price of a ticket changes (usually increases) as the travel date draws near. Booking in advancement is recommended. If your schedule isn’t final yet, you can also book on the spot, but expect to pay more.

On a regular day, the fare is somewhere between €35 and €50. but it’s not unusual to score tickets for as low as €14.90.

Search for Train Tickets Here!

HOW TO get around BOLOGNA

To get from point A to point B within the city center, locals simply either: take the bus or take a stroll.

BY FOOT. typically flat, Bologna is walkable. numerous heritage buildings are also outfitted with a portico (roofed columned walkways). and there are a lot of sights to entertain you as you amble across the city.

BY BUS. Although pedestrian-friendly, Bologna is relatively big. If your destination is not within walking distance or you just can’t or don’t want to walk, the bus is the next best choice. Buses within Bologna (including the AeroBus) are managed by TPER, the city’s local transport company. Ticket machines can be found at main bus stops and inside the bus, but it’s best to purchase before boarding.
Fare: 1.5€ at bus stops (2€ when purchased onboard), valid for the next 75 minutes.

If you anticipate taking the bus multiple times, you might want to take advantage of either of these passes:

24-HOUR TICKET. limitless bus rides for 24 hours. Price: 6€.

CITY PASS. A ticket pack that allows up to 10 rides, each with validity of 75 minutes upon validation. Price: 14€.

You can purchase a 24-hour ticket or city pass at authorized tobacco shops (tabacchi, typically with a capital T sign) and news stands.

Important! Don’t forget to validate your ticket upon boarding! You’ll see the validating device onboard.

THINGS TO do in BOLOGNA

Free walking trip (Bologna Old Town)

The historic core of Bologna is a living outdoor museum. It’s a medieval city stuck in time, and every step takes you back to centuries ago.

If finances are a bit tight, you’ll be happy to know that a totally free walking trip also operates here. The trip we joined was run by this company and will take you to the essential spots around the Old town including the following:

Two Towers

Piazza Maggiore

Basilica di San Petronio

Basilica Santo Stefano

Archiginnasio (Anatomical theater and Library)

Jewish Ghetto

A trip guided will be with you the entire time, discussing the stops and giving insights along the way. Our experience wasn’t the best because it was raining hard, but our guide was very generous with information and travel tips.

Speaking of tips, in case you’re not aware: totally free walking trips aren’t exactly free. It is, in theory, but you are expected to give a suggestion at the end, which is the only way the guides can make some money. It doesn’t have to be a big tip. I notice that if it’s a large group, many participants give 5€. but if the posse is smaller or you the guide is exceptional, feel totally free to add.

Schedule: Saturday/Sunday 11am
Meeting point: Piazza di Porta Ravegnana (at the base of Asinelli, one of the two towers)
Duration: 2 hours

Bologna Food Trip

As the capital of Italy’s foodie region, Bologna is one of the best places to go on a food trip! Its ancient streets are flanked by numerous stores and restaurants! While luxurious establishments exist, you can easily find options that are much more affordable. Don’t forget to walk around the old market in the Quadrilatero for some tasty finds.

Some of the dishes you ought to try include:

Tagliatelle al ragu, flat-ribbon pasta topped with the city’s signature meat sauce

Tortellini en brodo, stuffed navel-shaped pasta in clear, bright broth

Mortadella Bolognese, well-seasoned, finely-hashed luncheon meat / sausage

These are easy dishes that epitomize the heart and soul of the city’s culinary traditions.

Piazza Maggiore & San Petronio Basilica

At the very center of the Old town lies Piazza Maggiore, the central square. It’s surrounded by several centuries-old structures like Palazzo d’Accursio, Palazzo dei Notai, and Palazzo Re Enzo. The square also extends to Piazza del Netunno, where a statue of Neptune stands over a grand fountain.

But the real eye-catcher here is the huge Basilica di San Petronio, the construction of which started in 1390. Its facade remains undone, with only the bottom half with white and red marble finish while the upper part still bare-bricked. but this adds to the charisma of the church.

At the back of the church, you can climb to the San Petronio’s Terrace (La Terrazza Panoramica), perched at over 50 meters, enabling a beautiful view of the city.

San Petronio Basilica
Hours open: daily 7:45am-2pm, 3pm-6pm.
Entrance fee: FREE. but if you’re taking pics inside, a 2€ photography fee will be collected.

San Petronio’s Terrace
Hours open: Monday-Thursday 11am-1pm, 3-6pm; Friday-Sunday 11am-1pm, 2:30pm-6pm
Entrance fee: 3€.

Two Towers

Nope, not talking about the Lord of the Rings! Bologna is known for its imposing medieval skyscrapers. no one knows for sure why the richest family in the city built their own towers. but at its top in the 12th-23th century, the city is estimated to have as numerous as 180 towers.

Two of the tallest are called Asinelli and Garisenda, both named after the families that purchased and funded their construction, both built in the early 1100s, and both are leaning. They are collectively known as Le due torri (the two Towers). They have become the most identifiable symbols that for a time, Bologna is best known as the “City of two Towers”.

Garisenda leans much more on its side. but Asinelli is much taller. In fact, at 97 meters, it is the tallest leaning tower in Italy. (Yep, taller than the one in Pisa!) It is possible to climb to the top and admire the breathtaking view of the city!

Asinelli Tower
Hours open: daily 10am-6pm. entrance is scheduled twice per hour.
Entrance fee: adult 5€; decreased 3€.

Santuario di Madonna di San Luca & Portico di San Luca

Not too far from Bologna is a forested hill called Monte della Guardia. Seated on top of it is Santuario di Madonna di San