I spent a week in the region of Emilia Romagna during a month-long trip through northern Italy, but it only took one day to fall in love with Bologna.
After visiting Tuscany, Genoa, Turin, Milan, Lake Como, and Verona—Bologna was distinctively different.
The city felt slower, more lived-in. No towering crowds, no rush. Just terracotta buildings, shaded porticoes, and the lively food markets.
If you’re wondering whether one day in Bologna Italy, is enough, I’d say yes—take it! With the right pace, it’s possible to see the city’s historic heart, taste its signature dishes, and feel like you’ve stepped into a place that still belongs to its people.
I’ll share what to do in Bologna in a day—based on my longer stay. Because sometimes, a single day is all it takes to discover a place that stays with you.
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What to Do in Bologna for a Day
If you’re arriving by train from either Milan or Florence, the good news is that Bologna’s city center is just a short walk away.
In a single day, you can see many of the city’s highlights, even at a relaxed pace. Here’s how I’d spend 1 day in Bologna.
Morning: A Walk Through the Heart of the City
From the Bologna Centrale train station, I started my day by walking straight down Via dell’Indipendenza—a lively, elegant street lined with shops, cafes, and one of the city’s most iconic features: porticoes.
These graceful covered walkways stretch for miles across Bologna, offering both shade and shelter. Underfoot, the stone changes from block to brick. It’s a beautiful way to be introduced to the city.
Just a few minutes in, I recommend you pop into the Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, Bologna’s cathedral. It’s often overshadowed by the more famous basilica nearby, but I found it calm and quietly beautiful inside.
Continuing down Via dell’Indipendenza, the street gently spills you into Piazza Maggiore—the heart of Bologna. I recommend you linger here for a while, just taking in the scene. Locals cross the square and tourists gather near the Fountain of Neptune.
There’s so much to see here without even trying. The immense Basilica di San Petronio anchors one side of the piazza. I was surprised to learn it’s one of the largest churches in the world—even unfinished, its interior is impressive.
Across from it is the elegant Palazzo dei Banchi, and beside it, the Palazzo d’Accursio, home to Bologna’s civic art collection. If you love historic interiors, you can step inside and even climb the Torre dell’Orologio for a lovely view over the rooftops.
Just around the corner is Palazzo Re Enzo, and a short walk behind it will take you to Piazza del Nettuno, where Neptune’s fountain stands, a popular attraction in Bologna.
This part of the city is compact and rich in history—it’s easy to spend the whole morning here, moving slowly and soaking up the atmosphere.
Afternoon: Markets, Medieval Streets, and Quiet Corners
I recommend you visit the infamous Mercato di Mezzo, just off Piazza Maggiore. This covered market is small but lively, filled with the sounds of clinking glasses, the chatter of locals, and the irresistible smells of fresh pasta, cured meats, and baked bread.
Inside, you’ll find a mix of food counters, wine bars, and casual eateries offering everything from mortadella sandwiches to hand-rolled tortellini. I recommend you grab your lunch here or wander into Quadrilatero, Bologna’s medieval market district.
The narrow cobbled streets are a sensory experience—stalls overflowing with seasonal produce, rows of Parmigiano-Reggiano wheels, and the glitter of cured meats hanging in deli windows. It’s an easy place to get lost, but I loved that. There’s a feeling here that nothing has changed for centuries. The entire atmosphere is amazing, and a great place to enjoy a meal and rest your feet.
Not far from the market, you’ll spot Le Due Torri—Bologna’s iconic Two Towers. The taller one, Torre degli Asinelli, can be climbed (when not undergoing renovations). I was only able to admire them from below. They lean slightly, as if quietly reminding you of the centuries they’ve stood watch.
Just a short walk away, tucked along Strada Maggiore, is the peaceful Basilica Collegiata dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano. It’s easy to miss, but I stepped inside and found a cool, quiet space with intricate chapels and barely another visitor in sight.
I continued my walk down Via Santo Stefano, one of my favourite streets in Bologna. It’s lined with elegant porticoes and leads gently to the wide-open space of Piazza Santo Stefano. The air feels different here—quieter than the far busier Piazza Maggiore. Locals sat on the stone steps, chatting or reading, or slowly walking through it.
At one end of the piazza stands the Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano, also known as the Complex of the Seven Churches. It’s a fascinating maze of interconnected chapels and cloisters, with Romanesque columns, dim corridors, and a peaceful convent courtyard. Don’t underestimate the time you might spend here exploring it all.
Before leaving, I treated myself to a gelato from a nearby shop and took a seat right on the piazza. It was one of those moments where everything slowed down—the sound of footsteps under the arches, the soft clink of a coffee cup, the late afternoon light beginning to stretch across the square. If there’s a better way to spend an afternoon in Bologna, I haven’t found it yet.
Evening: Aperitivo, Elegant Streets, and a Farewell Stroll
Wander towards Piazza de’ Francia and the nearby Piazza Minghetti—two quieter, tree-lined squares just a few minutes’ walk from Santo Stefano. This part of Bologna feels refined and local, with just the right amount of activity to make it interesting. People gathered on benches or clustered around café tables, winding down their day the way Italians do best.
I joined them at Casa Minghetti, a cozy spot right on the square that’s perfect for aperitivo—one of my favourite Italian traditions. With the order of a drink, you’re often served a small plate of local snacks—olives, cheese, or a few slices of salumi (or me being a vegetarian, they substituted grilled peppers and eggplant. I sipped a spritz and nibbled on bits of Parmigiano while the golden light filtered through the leaves overhead. It was all about simply enjoying the moment.
If you’re in the mood to stretch your legs before heading out, take a detour through Galleria Cavour, Bologna’s luxury shopping arcade. Even if you’re not buying anything, the walk itself is lovely—the polished floors, the curved glass ceiling, and the elegant porticoes outside feel like an open-air museum of fashion and architecture. It’s also a scenic path if you’re making your way back toward the train station.
If you’re staying in the city for dinner, I can personally recommend Sfoglia Rina, not far from Piazza Maggiore. It’s casual, welcoming, and known for making its own fresh pasta in-house.
What I’d Skip or Save for Another Time
It’s important to be realistic about what you can—and can’t—fit in. While I’ve carved out the perfect 1-day itinerary, there’s no way to experience everything without it feeling rushed.
If museums are your thing, know that you’ll likely have to skip them. Bologna has several places worth visiting, including the Museo Civico Archeologico (perfect for history lovers), the Museo di Palazzo Poggi (with everything from science to art), and the Pinacoteca Nazionale (Bologna’s main fine art gallery). All of these deserve a few quiet hours, not a hurried pass-through.
You’ll also miss some of the city’s more modern neighbourhoods and lesser-known churches, as well as any day trips to places like Modena, Parma, or Reggio Emilia. These are all places I’d suggest saving for a longer visit.
Final Thoughts
Bologna has a way of surprising you with its quiet charm and deep character—it’s the kind of place that stays with you long after you’ve left.
If you’re planning your own visit and want a personalized itinerary tailored to your pace and interests, I offer custom travel planning starting at just $20. You’ll receive an interactive mobile-friendly map with everything curated for you, so you can explore Bologna with ease and convenience.
