Bologna in 2 Days - Itinerary & Things to Do

🤩 My reflection

Bologna as a city? It’s nice to visit. It's very historic, home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, and it’s lively. Bologna as the capital of food? Absolutely amazing! I feel like we ate our way through the whole world. I probably gained a couple of kilos in that short timeframe, given that so many Italian national dishes consist of carbs. But do I regret it? Not at all! My mind is still on the things I didn’t get to try. The city itself wouldn’t be worth the visit if it weren’t for the food, but together with the food, it's a nice weekend getaway.

✍🏻 Itinerary

Day 0

We arrived in the evening

Dinner: Trattoria da Me

Day 1

Breakfast: Mortadella Lab

City Center Walking Tour

• Neptune Fountain - One of the city’s defining landmarks

• Palazzo d’Accursio - Historic city hall overlooking Piazza Maggiore

• Piazza Maggiore - The heart of Bologna’s social and political life

• Basilica di San Petronio - One of the largest churches in the world

• Quadrilatero Market - Historic market area full of food shops and narrow streets

• Mercato di Mezzo - Located inside the Quadrilatero

• Piazza della Mercanzia - Medieval commercial square

• Asinelli & Garisenda Two Towers - Iconic medieval towers of Bologna

• Piazza Santo Stefano - Beautiful square with the Santo Stefano complex

• Basilica of San Domenico - One of Bologna’s most important religious sites

Lunch: Buy from Sfoglia Rina and eat in Osteria del Sole

• Osteria del Sole is one of Bologna’s oldest taverns, dating back to 1465, where they only serve drinks and you’re welcome to bring your own food to enjoy alongside them.

Archiginnasio Guided Tour

• Archiginnasio Palace - The former main building of the University of Bologna, now home to a historic library

• Anatomical Theater - A wooden room where medical students once watched human dissections

Dinner: La Taverna Di Roberto

Day 2

Breakfast: Caffè Terzi

Walking Food Tour

• La Baita

• Simoni

• Bottega Ranocchi 1972 – Tigella

• Osteria del Sole (eat what you bought from Simoni)

• Le Moline

Lunch: La Prosciutteria

• Quadrilatero Market - Lively historic market area filled with narrow streets, food stalls, and local delicacies

• Finestrella di Via Piella - Small window offering a hidden view of one of Bologna’s canals, often called “Little Venice” (the view wasn’t as nice as it’s shown on social media, but it’s still on the way, so worth a quick stop)

Dinner: Osteria dell'Orsa

What to Eat

Tagliatelle al ragù (pasta)

Tortellini in brodo (pasta)

Lasagne alla Bolognese

Mortadella

Cotoletta alla Bolognese

Crescentine

Balanzoni (pasta)

Gramigna alla salsiccia (pasta)

Friggione

Tenerina Bolognese (dessert)

Pignoletto frizzante (sparkling wine)

Some Other Restaurants

Cremeria Santo Stefano

Trattoria La Montanara

Trattoria Le Corti Galluzzi

Grassilli

📢 Essential tips

When is the best time to visit Bologna?

The best time to visit Bologna is in spring (April to June) and early autumn (September to October). The weather is pleasant, the city is lively, and it’s comfortable for walking around. Summers can get quite hot and humid, while winters are quieter and colder, but still enjoyable if you prefer fewer crowds.

Is it expensive in Bologna?

I mean, we live in Amsterdam. And in comparison to here, it's not expensive and we find it normal.

Do I need bookings for restaurants?

We were able to find space for some of the restaurants, but it would be good to secure your spot and make reservations, especially for dinner.

Do we need visa?

I’m Turkish and a resident of the Netherlands. Because of that, I didn’t need a visa to enter the country. If I didn't reside in European Union, I would have needed a visa.

🔗 All travel links

Accommodation:

Hotel Internazionale - You can book here

Tours:

Bologna City Center Walking Tour - You can book here

Archiginnasio Guided Tour - You can book here

Walking Food Tour - You can book here

Internet:

eSIM / internet for the trip - You can buy here