Things to Do in Bologna (Tried and Loved by Me)

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to purchase something through the links, at no additional cost to you. Read my Affiliate Disclosure.

If You Love Food, Start Here

One of the things to do is to eat—and eat well.

Known as the culinary capital of Italy, Bologna doesn’t need to try too hard to impress you with its food. It just is that good. Whether you’re diving into a plate of handmade pasta, exploring lively markets, or chatting with a local over lunch, Bologna offers something for every food lover—vegetarians included (like me).

Try the Real Tagliatelle al Ragù (Hint: It’s Not Spaghetti)

You can’t come to Bologna and not try the dish it’s famous for—but here’s the thing: it’s not spaghetti Bolognese.

The traditional version is tagliatelle al ragù, made with flat ribbons of fresh pasta and a slow-cooked meat sauce. As a vegetarian, I had a meat-free version, and even then, the richness of the sauce and the texture of the pasta was absolutely delicious.

Wander the Quadrilatero Food Market

One of my favourite mid-morning rituals in Bologna was wandering through the Quadrilatero, the old food market near Piazza Maggiore.

The narrow lanes are packed with colourful produce stands, cured meats, cheeses, and little shops selling handmade pasta. I picked up some grapes one morning and found a quiet spot to lean against a wall and just people-watch. Locals zipping by on their lunch breaks, vendors chatting across stalls—it felt alive in the most everyday way.

Join a Food Tour with a Local

If food is at the heart of Bologna, then getting to know it through a local is one of the best ways to begin your trip.

I recommend you join a small-group food tour and get insider tips on what to eat, how to spot a real trattoria, and which places the locals actually go to.

I’ve had great experiences with Eatwith (especially one unforgettable meal in Paris), and they offer Bologna options too. Do this early in your visit—you’ll learn so much, and it’ll shape where you choose to eat the rest of the time.

Travellers: Explore the food tours and experiences with Eatwith now!

Visit a Traditional Osteria

There’s something timeless about sitting in a traditional osteria in Bologna. The shared tables, the scribbled chalkboard menus, the no-frills atmosphere—it all feels real and unpolished in the best way.

I stumbled into Sfoglia Rina one afternoon after walking around too long looking for “the perfect place.” I ended up staying for hours, chatting with staff, and watching the pasta being made fresh in the back.

If You’re into History and Culture

If you love peeling back the stories of a city and walking where generations have walked before, this part of Italy will quietly sweep you up.

I found that the more I slowed down, the more the city’s history began to speak to me—not through big tourist sites, but through archways, staircases, and former palaces.

Step Inside Palazzo d’Accursio—Bologna’s Historic City Hall

Right beyond Bologna’s main attraction, Piazza Maggiore and the glorious Neptune Fountain, Palazzo d’Accursio (also known as Palazzo Comunale) has been the heart of Bologna’s civic life since 1336. It started as the home of Accursius, a prominent jurist, and over time expanded into a complex of buildings that served as the city’s administrative center.

One of the highlights is the Torre dell’Orologio, the Clock Tower, which was added in the 15th century. It houses one of Italy’s largest clock faces.

Inside, you can explore several of the richly decorated rooms:

• Sala del Consiglio Comunale: This hall features a Baroque ceiling frescoed with allegorical scenes representing Bologna’s virtues.
• Sala Farnese: Rebuilt in the 17th century, it was the site where Charles V was crowned King of Italy in 1530.
• Sala d’Ercole: Named after the statue of Hercules by Alfonso Lombardi, this room also houses the Pozzo dei Desideri, or Wishing Well, located in the courtyard.

The palace hosts the Collezioni Comunali d’Arte, featuring works from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, and the Museo Morandi, dedicated to the Bolognese painter Giorgio Morandi.

If you love art and history, this is the one thing I highly recommend you do. There’s even a quiet courtyard to enjoy a quiet moment away from the busy piazza.

Step Inside the Archiginnasio

The Archiginnasio felt like a doorway into Bologna’s soul. Once the main building of the University of Bologna—Europe’s oldest—it now holds a library and a room I’ll never forget: the anatomical theatre.

As I wandered the long corridors lined with family crests, I thought about how many students had walked here over hundreds of years. There was something deeply grounding about being in a space where learning had been happening for so long. It made me feel like I was part of something bigger just by being there.

Visit a Museum—Or Two

Even though Bologna isn’t famous for its museums, there’s something for every kind of history lover. I visited a mix of popular and lesser-known spots—and some were even free.

If you’re curious about Bologna’s past, Museo della Storia di Bologna (Palazzo Pepoli) is worth a few hours. It walks you through the city’s evolution with a mix of multimedia and artifacts that’s easy to follow, even if you’re not a big museum person.

For something more classic, Museo Civico Archeologico has ancient Roman and Etruscan collections that take you way back in time.

And a couple of smaller, free museums I found are the Museo Davia Bargellini or La Quadreria—both offer art and history collections in quiet, elegant spaces—and I almost had the whole museum to myself, which felt like a treat in itself.

If You Crave a View or a Walk

Sometimes the best way to get to know a city is by walking it—no destination, just hearing the sound of your footsteps on old stones.

In Bologna, that feeling is elevated (literally and figuratively) with panoramic views and portico-covered paths that seem to stretch into forever. If you love slowing down and seeing a city from a different angle—above or on foot—these are a few things to do in Bologna that belong on your list.

Walk to the Sanctuary of San Luca

I have to admit—this is one thing I didn’t do, and I regret it deeply. The walk from the city up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca follows the world’s longest portico—almost 4km long with 666 arches—leading you from Porta Saragozza all the way to the hilltop church.

I imagined the slow incline, the silence between arches, and the reward of seeing the city from above once you arrive. If you’re visiting Bologna and want a bit of exercise with a view, do this. I know I will next time.

Climb the Torre Prendiparte (Bonus if You Find It Open)

While the Asinelli Tower is the famous one, there’s another climb that I did that offers a quieter, more intimate experience—Torre Prendiparte. It’s tucked behind a small courtyard and often missed, but if you find it open, it’s a gem.

This 12th-century tower is now privately owned, and when it’s open for visits or special stays, you can climb to the top and have the view to yourself.

I didn’t stay overnight (though you can!), but being inside a medieval tower, you go up as a small group with a guide. It’s tall, it’s narrow, and it creaks a little, but it’s worth every step. From the top, you get this sweeping view of Bologna’s terracotta rooftops and the soft green hills beyond.

Travellers: The 498 steps straight up the Torre degli Asinelli are temporarily closed for renovations. A tower that’s been standing since the 12th century can at the moment only be viewed from way up.

Walk Beneath the Porticos—Bologna’s Signature

You can’t talk about Bologna things to do without walking under its famous porticos.

These covered walkways are part of the Italy’s UNESCO heritage, stretching for over 60 km. What I loved most was how they shield you from both sun and rain while giving you this sense of quiet continuity—as if you’re walking through centuries of daily life.

Some of my favourites?

The elegant porticos on Via Farini, with their grand arches and polished marble floors, and the lively stretch along Via Zamboni, where students spill out from the university buildings. And then there’s Via dell’Indipendenza, where shopping, street musicians, and everyday errands blend together beneath the arches.

Each portico has its own mood, making them fun to seek out.

If You Love Hidden Gems and Legends

Look Up to Spot Le Tre Frecce

One of my first little discoveries in Bologna was while strolling under the portico on Strada Maggiore, I paused at Casa Isolani—an old building with creaky wooden beams overhead—and a local nearby asked, “Did you find the arrows yet?” I had no idea what he was saying, until I read about its story.

The legend of Le Tre Frecce (the Three Arrows) is one of Bologna’s quirkiest little mysteries. As the story goes, three would-be assassins were hired to kill a nobleman inside the house. But just as they were about to fire, they were distracted by a woman appearing in the window—completely nude, according to the tale. Their arrows missed and flew into the wooden beams above, where they remain “stuck” to this day.

So, I looked up. And, maybe it was my weakening eyesight, but I couldn’t find the three wooden arrows lodged in the ceiling beams high above the walkway.

Travellers: Don’t miss walking through Corte Isolani, a tucked-away passage connecting Piazza Santo Stefano to Strada Maggiore with beautiful architecture and artisan shops.

Find La Testa del Diavolo—The Devil’s Head Hidden in Plain Sight

Just off Piazza Santo Stefano, at the corner of Via De’ Toschi and Corte Isolani, there’s something strange staring back at you from above—a stone carving of a face, with hollow eyes and a twisted grimace. It’s called La Testa del Diavolo—the Devil’s Head—and most people walk right past it without ever noticing.

I only found it because I overheard a tour guide pointing upward. Sure enough, there it was: wedged into the architecture, watching over the street below.

The story behind it?

Like most legends in Bologna, it’s a mix of history and folklore. One tale says it was placed there to ward off evil spirits—a kind of warning sign to the Devil himself not to enter. Another version says the devil got angry when two lovers met in secret here, and in a rage, left his face embedded in the wall.

Whatever the truth is, it’s become one of those fun little secrets Bologna hides in plain sight. And once you’ve found it, you can’t unsee it. I love how the city rewards curiosity—it always gives you something back when you take the time to look a little closer.

Find Bologna’s Little Venice

I found the Finestrella di Via Piella by accident. One minute I was walking along a quiet street, the next I was curious about the large crowd gathered. I eventually saw what all the fuss was about, peeking through a small window in the wall—and there it was, a hidden canal running between colourful buildings.

Bologna’s canals aren’t as famous as Venice’s, but they’re there, tucked away like secrets.

I smiled, thinking how easy it would be to miss it—and how rewarding it is when you don’t.

If You’re Drawn to Piazzas and Peaceful Churches

Some of my favourite moments in Bologna were the quiet ones—sitting in a sunlit piazza with a drink or stepping into a cool, dimly lit church just to pause.

The city is full of these gentle in-between spaces, where you can linger, reflect, or simply take in the beauty of local life. Here are a few that stayed with me.

Soak Up the Atmosphere in Piazza Santo Stefano

This was my favourite piazza in Bologna. It’s not grand like Piazza Maggiore, but that’s exactly why I loved it. Uneven stones underfoot, terracotta buildings all around, and the atmosphere changed throughout the day.

You’ll find locals sitting on the steps, chatting softly, and if you follow the path to the back, you’ll end up at the Seven Churches of Santo Stefano—a layered, almost maze-like religious complex. I wandered through its chapels in near silence, surprised by how peaceful and ancient it felt.

Step into Basilica di San Petronio on Piazza Maggiore

You can’t miss Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s main square. It’s lively, open, and surrounded by beautiful buildings. But the real surprise for me was the Basilica di San Petronio—far less ornate than other Italian churches on the outside, but full of awe-inspiring beauty inside.

There’s a sundial that stretches across the floor and curious frescoes lining the chapels. It’s free to enter, but if you’re up for a view, you can climb to the terrace for a small fee.

Wander into Smaller Churches That Call You In

One of the joys of slow travel is saying yes to detours.

In Bologna, that meant stepping into churches I hadn’t planned to visit—like Santa Maria della Vita, which houses the haunting terracotta sculpture of the Lamentation. Or, the impressive Basilica Collegiata dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano or the quiet tucked out of the way, Chiesa San Giovanni in Monte.

Each church has its own character, and you don’t need to be religious to appreciate the art, architecture, the light, and the stillness. I found myself making little “church stops” popping in and out of them in anticipation of what I might discover on the inside.

If You Want Hidden Gems and Local Life

One of the reasons I fell for Bologna was because it doesn’t put on a show for tourists—it just is.

The beauty of that?

You can slip into local life without trying too hard. These places gave me a glimpse of the everyday—quiet, imperfect, and full of charm.

Visit a Neighbourhood Market

One morning, I wandered over to Mercato delle Erbe, a working market tucked inside a historic building near Via Ugo Bassi. It felt more local than the ones near the touristy Quadrilatero, with fewer crowds and more real-life moments—elderly women comparing tomatoes, butchers chatting behind the counter, a bar tucked in the back with locals sipping espresso.

I bought a few figs, found a stool, and just watched the locals go about their morning rituals. If you’re curious about daily life in Bologna, this is a great place to start.

Relax in Parco San Domenico

If I had to name one drawback of Bologna, it’s that the historic centre doesn’t have much green space. You’ll find the odd bench or courtyard, but true parks are few and far between. That’s why Parco San Domenico felt like a little surprise.

I’d just visited the Basilica of San Domenico when I noticed the small park nearby. I grabbed a gelato and found a bench among the trees.

For a garden just outside the city centre, I recommend a visit to Giardini Margherita.

Final Thoughts

Bologna is a city that rewards curious wanderers—whether you come for the food, the history, or the hidden corners.

If you have more time, it’s also the perfect base for a few easy day trips:

• Parma: famous for Parmigiano Reggiano and prosciutto, plus elegant piazzas and pastel buildings, makes it a city worth visiting.
• Modena: ideal for balsamic vinegar tastings, a visit to the Enzo Ferrari Museum, or a lunch at a Michelin-starred spot, find out more reasons to visit Modena.
• Reggio Emilia: less touristy, more local—great for slow travellers and why I made it my home base for a few nights.
• Ravenna: a mosaic lover’s dream with stunning early Christian and Byzantine art just a short train ride away.

Let your slow travel journey continue from here.