One day in Bologna

If you only have one day in Bologna, here is an itinerary that allows you to visit the most important and characteristic places of the city.

We recommend starting the day with a walk in the historic center of Bologna, to discover its architectural and cultural beauties. In particular, the Piazza Maggiore, the beating heart of the city, with its imposing Palazzo Comunale and the Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest churches in Italy.

Another important and inevitable point of the visit is to climb all the steps of the Asinelli Tower, the highest medieval tower in Bologna, to enjoy a panoramic view of the city and its red roofs. It is advisable to book in advance to avoid queues.

Finally, always before lunch, we recommend visiting the Church of San Domenico, one of the most important in the city, with its beautiful Gothic facade and the interior rich in works of art, including the chapels of San Domenico and San Petronio.

For lunch the proposals are many and all super tasty we suggest you try to queue for Sfoglia Rina, a local that offers Bolognese recipes based on homemade pasta or stop at the Mercato di Mezzo, a covered market in the heart of Bologna where you can taste the typical dishes of Bolognese cuisine, such as fresh pasta, meat sauce and mortadella.

In the afternoon we recommend a visit to the Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna, where you can admire the finds of ancient Bologna, including the painted tombs of Tarquinia and the statue of Augustus.

Also walking in the university district, a lively and characteristic area of the city, where there are many shops, bars and clubs frequented by students is a great option for the afternoon, along with a visit to the Basilica of San Francesco, a 13th century Franciscan church, with a magnificent cloister and a cycle of frescoes representing the life of San Francesco.

As for the evening we suggest a dinner in one of the typical taverns of the historic center, where you can taste the traditional Bolognese dishes, accompanied by a good glass of local wine and an evening walk under the arcades of the historic center, a unique experience that allows you to appreciate the beauty of the city even at night.

This itinerary allows you to discover the beauties and traditions of Bologna in just one day, but obviously the city offers many other attractions and places to visit, so if you have more time, you can deepen your knowledge of the city and its culture.