It’s just enough for a first trip! Bologna is a fantastic city known for it’s food, culture and it’s so easy to get to many places.
Bologna is an excellent base camp!
Bologna is in northern Italy in the region of Emilia-Romagna.
I added the train times but they can be faster if you get the fast trains – this is just to give you an idea how you can do amazing day trips from Bologna.
The University of Bologna was founded in AD 1088!
Did you know that Michelangelo worked there on many occasions and you can see his sculptures throughout the city?
There are great museums in Bologna and I loved the street art.
Mortadela and other excellent cold cut meats and sausages.
Parmesan cheese.
Pastas! Tagliatelle al Ragu, tortellini in brodo and more.
Bologna has gorgeous buildings and most of the ones in the historical city have porticoes. That means you can walk around the city when it rains and not get wet and you will also be protected from the sun.
Buildings are shades of red, terracotta and yellow. The city is beautiful during the sunset hours!
Food festivals like the Mortadella festival and Tortellino festival.
Film festival and outdoor cinema
Cinema Modernissimo, old and gorgeous movie house
Festa di San Petroni in October
Airport to city center: Take a taxi or an UBER. The train is always breaking down and the buses are challenging.
Stay in the Centro Storico (historical center). Bologna is a walking city and you will love being in the middle of it all.
I stayed at the Hotel Corona D’oro in the old Jewish neighbourhood.
This hotel has an old feel, beautiful interiors, a fantastic restaurant and amazing service.
I stayed in a single room-something I have not seen for years. My room was small, it had a wide single bed, a great bathroom, closets and terrace with a lovely rooftop view of my surroundings.
The people at the desk were extremely helpful and everyone was so nice.
The Hotel Corona D’Oro is 3 or 4 blocks from Pizza Maggiore and all the wonderful places you must visit in Bologna.
I believe that Bologna is a safe city.
I was warned to be aware of my belongings due to pickpockets – I stopped carrying a backpack and carry a crossbody bag. My wallet and documents were hidden under my clothes so that I could walk around without having to think about my things all the time.
Be extra attentive at the train station, bus stations and airport.
Morning arrival, check-in and all that!
Get to know the city!
Join a tour, hire a private guide or research and go on a self tour of Bologna.
I suggest a tour on your first day so that you can understand the city, get tips, and think about where you want to visit again and in depth.
I hired a private guide, Simone, who made my trip to Bologna easy and fun.
Simone took me to all the important buildings, discussed architecture, pointed out the gorgeous ceilings, spoke about art and took me to see a few Michelangelo sculptures. It was such a pleasure to see Bologna with her because she had a great idea of what time to visit places to avoid large crowds- although crowds weren’t that large because I went off season.
Simone took me to a fantastic restaurant for the famous Lambrusco wine, Mortadela and Parmesan cheese at the end of our tour.
Take night photos of this gorgeous city!
Join a morning Foodie Tour.
A foodie tour will teach you about the local cuisine, the famous tortellini, the meats, cheese and the balsamic vinegar. It’s a must!
I joined Gabriele Comida with Secret Food Tours.
Afternoon
Visit Ravenna.
Ravenna: Famous for its Byzantine tiles, Unesco monuments and sites,
My second day in Bologna?
My second day in Bologna was spent at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
I went to Bologna to see the fair-it was my trip with a purpose. I wanted to learn more about the illustration world. I am an illustration hobbyist, I love it- love the fantasy world of colours and shapes and I was thrilled to see the illustrator’s exhibit, the famous wall where artists plastered their work on and to listen to a few panels.
Culture in Bologna! If you love modern art, you must visit the MAMbo, Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna.
Check out Morandi’s art work. I am a big fan so this was an extra special visit.
There is a Morandi Atelier but that was closed when I was in Bologna.
For gorgeous renaissance art go to the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
After your visit to the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna make your way to a fantastic coffee shop for a great espresso and amazing pastries by Chef Sebastiano Caridi, Caffe Letterario.
Lunch: Any restaurant and enjoy all the great pasta! I added a list of restaurants at the end of this article.
Afternoon
Relax and enjoy the city. Do a little shopping, visit the places that interest you and take it all in leisurely.
This is what I did on my leisurely afternoon
This is an amazing paper store- they sell beautiful hand bound note books, all sorts of paper including hand made paper and more.
The store is owned by the print maker, Daniela Collina. You wil find beautiful prints of the city of Bologna and other motifs made by Ms. Collina.
La Coroncina is the oldest store in Bologna and it’s tons of fun. You will find everything there! I bought a lovely pack of Tarot cards.
Giusti has a large collection of balsamic vinegars and their tasting is super! I learned so much about the process of making and ageing vinegar and ordered a few bottles to be delivered in Lisbon. The staff is friendly and so patient. I had to try a few several times to choose the best one for me- it was a fantastic experience!
Ice cream: Gelato in the afternoon is a must! I went twice to this one 🙂
Departure date.
Breakfast at Bottega Portici.
Leisure walk to Piazza Maggiore and surroundings.
Enjoyed the morning city buzz, the porticoes and a quick visit to Eately to buy a few things to take home.
Taxi to airport.
Signorvigno Reserve!
Osteria dell’Orsa I am not sure if it takes reservations, simple and amazing place. Great food!
Trattoria di Via Serra
Cafe Terzi
Caffetteria Lilu
This is a tricky time of the year because you can have a very warm day, a rainy and cold day or an ok type of day in terms of weather. So think of layering. Make all your layers light so that you are not exhausted carrying them at the end of the day!
Marguerite Beaty, Blogger, Photographer & Artist
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