Bologna – Italy’s Hidden Gourmet Capital

July 9, 2025

Bologna, Italy’s hidden gourmet capital, is more than just a city for pasta lovers. With its medieval silhouette of red brick and endless arcades, the city invites cozy walks with unique architecture in nearly every neighborhood. Here’s all you need to know to make the most of your visit to “La dotta, la grassa, la rossa”, which means “the learned, the fat, the red.”

The learned refers to Bologna being home to Europe’s first university,
the fat to its rich food culture and the claim that Bologna was the first to serve tagliatelle al ragù – now often called Bolognese (and by the way, that’s also what locals are called),
the red to the many red-colored buildings in the city.

Classic sights & activities in Bologna

Bologna is full of attractions, but here are some of our favorites we think should be on your bucket list — and a few that you don’t necessarily need to include.

Piazza Maggiore & Fontana del Nettuno

The heart of the city, surrounded by Palazzo d’Accursio, Basilica di San Petronio and Palazzo del Podestà. Stroll around the square, sit at a café and people-watch. The Neptune Fountain is just next to Maggiore.

Basilica di San Petronio

Gothic church with an impressive façade and inner sun dial made of wall clock markings. Free entry.

The Twin Towers – Asinelli & Garisenda

The Asinelli Tower (97 m) can be climbed (498 steps). The view over the city is amazing, especially at sunrise or sunset.

Quadrilatero District

Narrow alleys full of food stalls, cured meats, cheese, fresh pasta, balsamic vinegar (originally from Modena, not far from Bologna), and fresh vegetables. There are many great (and some less great) places here. But why not stop by the Parmesan shop with a capital P.

University of Bologna

The oldest university in Europe, founded already in the 1000s (exterior from the 1500s). Guided tours available of the anatomical theatre – a wooden amphitheater used for early anatomy studies.

MAMbo (Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna)

Modern art museum. If, like us, you enjoy new influences and art when traveling, we highly recommend MAMbo, which has a permanent exhibition and a hall that changes more frequently.

Child-friendly activities in Bologna

Ice cream in many little scoops

The first and most obvious kid activity in Bologna — or really anywhere in Italy — is a gelato relay (or whatever you want to call it :)). There’s great gelato all over Bologna, so indulge and bring extra wet wipes.

Turtles and playground in Giardini Margherita

In southern Bologna lies one of the city’s largest parks, a beloved oasis for locals and especially kids. In the middle is a large pond with fountains and plenty of real turtles and fish. Grab a seat at the café by the pond and let the kids go turtle spotting while you enjoy some pasta.

Gelato Museum

Teach the kids about the history of gelato — and how to make (and eat!) real Italian ice cream. Bologna is one of the few cities with a gelato museum, so take the chance.

Museo della Storia di Bologna

Interactive historical museum with touch screens, VR experiences and child-friendly exhibits.

FICO Eataly World

Food theme park north of the city where the whole family can taste, cook and learn about Italian ingredients and cuisine. It’s a bit outside town and not the easiest to reach.

Dinosaur Park

On the outskirts of Bologna, you can visit a park with life-size dinosaur models.

What we would skip in Bologna

Time as a tourist is often limited, so here are a few things you might not need to “check off your bucket list.” That said, they’re still some of Bologna’s most popular attractions.

Portico di San Luca – The world’s longest arcade

3.8 km arcade walkway leading up to the sanctuary of Saint Lucia on Monte della Guardia. You can take a small tourist train from Piazza Maggiore – the ride takes about 40 minutes. The view over the city is beautiful, but with limited time, we prefer settling in with an extra espresso on a sunny piazza.

San Michele in Bosco – Another church and viewpoint

We don’t mind churches or viewpoints… And from San Michele, you do get a full view of Bologna. If you take the red tourist bus, it passes by here, but you don’t have to get off — unless you’re building a church-bucket-list, in which case, it’s worth a stop.

Accommodation Tips in Bologna

Centro Storico (Old Town)

Small boutique hotels and apartments in picturesque alleys near Piazza Maggiore.
Recommendation: Hotel Porta San Mamolo – charming with Bolognese-style decor.

Zona Universitaria

Youthful area near the university and nightlife. Affordable B&Bs and hostels.
Recommendation: Aemilia Hotel Bologna – modern with a rooftop bar and great view.

Mahleto & Santo Stefano

Quiet, green areas east of the center. Easy to reach by bus or walking via the arcades.
Recommendation: Relais Villa Valfiore – a villa with garden and pool, perfect for families but on the pricier side.

If you’re arriving by train, it’s smart to pick a hotel on the same side of Piazza Maggiore as the central station. It’s about a 15–20 minute walk from the station to Piazza Maggiore.

Practical Info

Transport

Airport: Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is 6 km west of the center; airport bus goes to Bologna Centrale train station.
Train: Bologna Centrale is a hub for high-speed trains (Frecciarossa) from Milan, Florence, and Venice.
Taxi: You’ll need to order a taxi or find a taxi rank – hailing one on the street is nearly impossible.
Walking: Bologna’s center is compact – most places are walkable or reachable by short bus rides.

Best time to visit?

Spring & early autumn (April–June, September–October): Mild weather and fewer tourists.
Summer can be very hot — especially in July — so best to avoid if traveling with children. That said, there’s a lot happening in Bologna during the summer, so it depends on the purpose of your trip and your company.

Food & Drink

Food for your bucket list:

Tagliatelle al ragù (Bolognese), tortellini in brodo, mortadella, Parmesan, a good balsamic vinegar from Modena. A simple place said to serve one of the city’s best Bolognese dishes is Osteria dell’Orsa. Nothing fancy, but they know exactly how “pasta bollo” should taste.