Itineraries for Your Trip to Bologna
3 Days in Bologna for First Timers
Bologna offers seemingly endless delights for both the eyes and palate. The city is home to the oldest university in the world, almost 40 miles (62 kilometers) of porticoes, and a cuisine so rich that it has earned the city the nickname of The Fat Lady (La Grassa).
I often spend long weekends in this dynamic city to visit my son, a student at the city’s storied university, and I unearth a new gem each time I explore its handsome—and refreshingly untouristed—historic center. From hushed medieval churches to lively traditional trattorias, there’s something for every taste in Emilia-Romagna’s largest town. Here’s how to make every minute count with three days in Bologna.
Bologna is a humid city, with sticky heat in the summer and bone-chilling cold in the winter.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a climb to the top of the Asinelli Tower.
Jump right into the action by exploring Bologna’s bustling old town, the heart of the city and the hub of its historic university. Begin at the main Piazza Maggiore, home to the Basilica of San Petronio, and venture out from there to admire the university quarter and its Anatomical Theater of the Archiginnasio, the Basilica of Santo Stefano, and Two Towers. The taller of the two towers, Asinelli Tower, is open to visitors.
This afternoon taste Bologna’s fabulous cuisine. Nibble your way through the gourmet shops, bakeries, delis, and restaurants on a food tour led by a local, in-the-know guide.
Bologna sits at the heart of Emilia-Romagna’s Food Valley, a fertile stretch of farmland and vineyards that produce some of Italy’s most iconic gourmet delicacies. Go on a food tour to the surrounding hills and visit local producers of delights like Parmigiano Reggiano cheese, Prosciutto di Parma ham, Aceto Balsamico di Modena balsamic vinegar, and Lambrusco wine.
Walk off the morning’s feast by exploring Bologna’s network of porticoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Stay in the old town or follow the porticoed route to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca, perched on a hilltop overlooking the city.
Italy’s most famous sports cars are designed and built in Emilia-Romagna’s Motor Valley, close to Bologna. This morning, visit the Ferrari Museum, Enzo Ferrari Museum, Lamborghini Factory, and Ducato Museum, all about an hour’s drive from Bologna. True gearheads can take a turn around the test track at the wheel of a race car.
Before returning to Bologna, spend the afternoon exploring the old town of Modena. A more compact version of Bologna, Modena also is known for its porticoed lanes, local cuisine, and youthful university verve. The town is less than an hour away by car or direct train.
