Most lists of things to do in Bologna still tell you to climb the Asinelli Tower. You can't: it has been closed to climbers since October 2023, and Bologna Welcome, the city's tourism office, still lists it as closed.
That's why we built this list of things to do in Bologna around what's open now. We worked from official ticket pages, museum notices and the questions travelers actually ask Google, and we checked every price and hour on 30 October 2026. We haven't walked these streets for you, so where two sources disagreed we say so, and where we couldn't confirm a number we left it out.
It's written for first-timers, grouped by area so you can follow it as a walking route. For the bigger picture (where to stay, trains, costs) start with our Bologna travel guide. Updated October 2026.
Some links below are affiliate links, so we may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.
Short on Time? Our Bologna Top Picks
- Eat: a walking food tour with Secret Food Tours, rated 5.0 from 1,800+ reviews on Viator.
- Walk: the porticoes up to the San Luca sanctuary (free, about 4 km of arches).
- See: the Anatomical Theatre at the Archiginnasio, booked online (this guided Archiginnasio tour is one way in).
- View: the Clock Tower in Palazzo d'Accursio, now that the Asinelli is closed.
- Stay: Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni for a splurge, or Hotel Porta San Mamolo for value.
What's Changed in Bologna This Year
Several of the "classic" Bologna sights have changed, and plenty of older blog posts haven't caught up.
- The Asinelli Tower is closed to climbers (since 23 October 2023). No reopening date has been announced.
- The panoramic terrace at San Petronio is permanently closed.
- Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande, part of the Pinacoteca complex, is temporarily closed with no reopening date.
- Torre Prendiparte reopened in February 2026, but for private overnight stays only, not as a public visit.
- The Clock Tower runs 10:00 to 18:20 (last entry) from 7 September to 31 December 2026.
- The Certosa switches to winter hours on 3 November.
- The Red Line tram is still being tested, with passenger service expected in 2027, so some bus routes in the centre can be diverted.
Things to Do Around Piazza Maggiore
1. Start at Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain
Every walk in Bologna ends up here.
The square is framed by the Basilica of San Petronio and Palazzo d'Accursio (the city hall). Around the corner in Piazza del Nettuno stands Giambologna's bronze Neptune, made between 1563 and 1566. It's free and always open, and it's the best place in the city to sit and watch people.
Tip: The tourist office sits on the square, at Piazza Maggiore 1/e in Palazzo del Podestà, and is open until 19:00 Monday to Saturday.
2. Step Inside San Petronio (It's Free)
The basilica is free to enter and open daily from 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry at 17:50.
Look down for the 67-metre meridian line set into the floor. A €5 ticket (€3 reduced) covers the side chapels, including the Three Kings chapel.
Two warnings. The rooftop terrace is permanently closed, so don't plan on it. And the dress code is enforced: shoulders and knees covered, hats off, no tank tops. Guided tours are unavailable on some afternoons, so check the basilica's site first.
Cost: Free; €5 for the chapels.
3. Climb the Clock Tower Instead of the Asinelli
This is the view that replaces the Two Towers. The Torre dell'Orologio is part of Palazzo d'Accursio, and a ticket costs €10 (€7 reduced). Entry is by timed slot every 20 minutes, and booking is compulsory through Bologna Welcome.
Allow about 40 minutes for the tower and around an hour if you add the city's art collections in the same palace. The top terrace is reached by a narrow staircase, you sign a waiver on site, and children under 8 aren't allowed up.
It's free with the Bologna Welcome Card, but you still have to reserve a slot.
Hours: 10:00 to 18:20 (last entry) until 31 December 2026; closed 25 December.
4. Look Down at Roman Ruins in Sala Borsa
Walk into the old stock exchange on Piazza del Nettuno and you're in a public library, with the remains of Roman Bologna visible under a glass floor.
It's free, according to the Emilia-Romagna tourism board, it's usually closed on Sundays, and weekday hours run roughly 9:00 to 20:00. Check the library's own hours page before you go, because the listings we found vary by day.
It takes ten minutes and it's an easy rainy-day stop.
5. See the Two Towers (From the Street)
Everyone photographs them, and you still should (just don't plan to go up). The Asinelli stands about 97 metres tall, with 498 steps. Its leaning neighbour, the Garisenda, is around 47 metres and isn't open to visitors.
Here's the honest part: don't buy a "climb the Asinelli" ticket from any site, and ignore blog posts that still describe the climb. The Asinelli has been shut since October 2023 while the city works on the Garisenda, and press reports in 2025 said the restoration would run at least until 2028. City officials have talked about reopening the Asinelli earlier, but no date has been announced.
Photograph them from the surrounding streets, expect some barriers around the base, and pair the stop with the Clock Tower above.
6. Book the Anatomical Theatre at the Archiginnasio
The old university palace is free to walk into, and its carved-wood Anatomical Theatre is the reason to pay.
Visits are by booking only. A guided visit costs €12 (€10 reduced, €7 with the Welcome Card), and the audio guide is €10 (€8 reduced). The building is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 to 19:00 and closed Sundays. English guided tours were listed at 10:20, 14:20, 16:00 and 17:10, and late arrivals aren't admitted.
If you'd rather go with a guide, this Archiginnasio guided group tour has more than 190 reviews on GetYourGuide.
Eating and Drinking in Bologna
7. Graze Through the Quadrilatero
The narrow lanes beside Piazza Maggiore are the oldest part of the city's market district, and stalls here sell fresh pasta, cheese, cured meat and produce. Hours vary by stall, so go in the morning.
Our pick: go hungry and buy small things at several counters instead of sitting down at the first place you see.
The Mercato di Mezzo food hall sits inside the Quadrilatero, on Via Clavature. Maddy's Avenue calls it more a food court than a market, and that's fair: it's fun, not a bargain.
8. Take a Food Tour (Book Ahead)
A food tour is the quickest way to eat well on a short visit, because Bologna's best counters aren't always obvious from the street.
The Secret Food Tours walking food tour is rated 5.0 from more than 1,800 reviews on Viator, which is unusual for a tour this popular. Book it early in your stay so you can come back to the places you liked. For a comparison of operators, see our guide to Bologna food tours.
9. Make Tagliatelle al Ragù in a Cooking Class
If you only take one class, make it the dish Bologna is proudest of.
This tagliatelle al ragù class with wine has a 4.6 rating from 240+ reviews on GetYourGuide. Traveling with kids? A gelato-making workshop is a fun hour and is rated 4.9, though from far fewer reviews (33).
Either one makes a good rainy-day plan, and it's an easy gift to yourself on a short trip.
10. Eat the Classics (Skip the Spaghetti)
Order tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, lasagne verdi and a plate of mortadella. In Bologna, ragù goes with fresh tagliatelle, and the city's own Chamber of Commerce registered an official recipe in 1982 (updated in 2023): beef, pancetta, soffritto, wine and only a little tomato.
Mortadella Bologna is a protected (IGP) product, and yes, it's the ancestor of American baloney. Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma are both protected (PDO) and aged at least 12 months.
Spaghetti bolognese, though? Don't ask for it.
11. Browse Mercato delle Erbe
This indoor market at Via Ugo Bassi 25 mixes produce stalls with places to eat and drink. Listings disagree on the exact opening hours and evening times, so check on the day.
It's a calmer, more local alternative to the Quadrilatero, and a good place for a casual lunch.
Churches, Museums and Art
12. Visit Santo Stefano and Its "Seven Churches"
A cluster of linked churches and cloisters on Via Santo Stefano, built over many centuries and the calmest corner of the old centre. Entry is free, with a donation requested.
Hours run roughly 9:30 to 12:30 and 14:30 to 19:00 from Tuesday to Saturday, and it's closed to visitors on Mondays. Sunday times are listed inconsistently, so check before you go.
13. See the Lamentation at Santa Maria della Vita
This church just off Piazza Maggiore, in the Quadrilatero, holds the Lamentation over the dead Christ (the Compianto), which is what the ticket is for.
The listing gives €8 (€5 reduced) and says it's free with the Welcome Card. It's open daily 10:00 to 18:30, with last admission at 18:00. This is one source (Bologna Welcome), so confirm the price at the door. The oratory upstairs has paintings and a multimedia room.
14. Find Michelangelo's Sculptures at San Domenico
The Basilica di San Domenico is free to enter. The Chapel of San Domenico holds the saint's ark, with sculptures by Michelangelo, Nicola Pisano and Alfonso Lombardi.
The church opens roughly 7:00 to 13:00 and 15:30 to 20:00 on weekdays. One flag: a restoration was due to finish in July 2026, and we couldn't confirm the current status, so check before you detour.
15. Spend an Hour in the Pinacoteca Nazionale
The city's main art gallery, at Via delle Belle Arti 56, is the one museum here worth a full visit if you like Italian painting, and the museum's own page lists works by Raphael.
It's open Tuesday to Sunday from 9:00 to 19:00 and closed Mondays. Tickets cost €12, with €2 for ages 18 to 25 and free entry under 18 and on the first Sunday of each month. It's also free for everyone on 4 November 2026, and the museum closes on Wednesday 9 December 2026 (it opens on Monday 7 December instead).
Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande next door is temporarily closed, with no reopening date.
16. Pick One Smaller Museum
Bologna has a lot of museums and nobody needs all of them. Choose one:
- MAMbo (Via Don Minzoni 14) for modern art. A €6 ticket (€4 reduced) also covers the Museo Morandi, with more than 250 works. It's closed on most Mondays.
- The Jewish Museum (Via Valdonica 1/5) is €7 (€5 reduced) and closed on Saturdays.
- The Palazzo Poggi museum on Via Zamboni has the anatomical wax models. We found two different prices (€5 and €10), so check at the door.
- Museo della Storia di Bologna at Palazzo Pepoli costs around €10, but its English listing says it's closed for a technical fault, so check its status first.
Tip: Is the Bologna Welcome Card Worth It?
Probably not for a weekend, and yes if you'll do the Clock Tower and a couple of museums.
The Easy card is €35 and the Plus is €55, both valid up to 15 days from first use. Easy covers the city museums, the Clock Tower, a Discover Bologna walking tour and bike rental. Plus adds the San Petronio chapels, the City Red Bus and the San Luca Express.
Here's the maths. Four things on this list are free with the card: the Clock Tower (€10), Santa Maria della Vita (€8), MAMbo (€6) and the Museo Civico Medievale (€6). That's €30 before the walking tour. Do three of those and the Easy card roughly pays for itself; do one and it doesn't. You still have to book the tour, the Clock Tower and the bikes in advance.
Walks, Parks and Quiet Corners
17. Walk the Porticoes to San Luca
Do this one first if you only do one.
Bologna's porticoes (about 62 km in total across the city) joined the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021. The longest is the portico to the Sanctuary of San Luca: almost 4 km under 666 arches, starting at Porta Saragozza and climbing the hill. Go early in the morning, because it's a steady climb with steps near the top.
Not up for it? The San Luca Express tourist train leaves from Piazza Maggiore for about an hour round trip. It costs €15 (€8 for ages 6 to 10, free with the Welcome Card Plus), and the timetable is on cityredbus.com. We couldn't confirm that it runs in winter, so check first. Or take bus 20 to Villa Spada and change to bus 58.
Cost: Free on foot.
18. Peek Through the Window on Via Piella
A small window at Via Piella 16/a lets you see the Canale delle Moline running between the houses, which is why Bologna Welcome calls this corner "little Venice".
It takes about two minutes and it's free. It's also on almost every list for a reason. Underground canal tours have run as seasonal events, but we found no confirmed tours for 2026.
19. Take a Break in Giardini Margherita
The largest park in Bologna covers about 26 hectares, and it's the place to sit down when the porticoes and museums add up.
It's a pleasant pause, not a headline sight. Skip it in a rush; add it for a picnic or if you're traveling with kids. We couldn't verify opening hours, so treat it as a daytime stop.
20. Wander the Certosa Cemetery
The monumental cemetery at Via della Certosa 18 is one of the city's most unusual stops, and it's linked to San Luca by a portico.
It's open 7:00 to 18:00 until 2 November and 8:00 to 17:00 from 3 November. Bologna Welcome warns there are no lights or signs at closing time, so you risk being locked in. Leave early. We couldn't confirm an entry price, so check on the day.
Day Trips and Out-of-Town
21. Take a Day Trip to Parma for Parmigiano
Parma is about an hour from Bologna by regional train, and the Parmigiano Reggiano dairies sit in the countryside, which is why most people go with a guide.
This Parmigiano Reggiano factory visit with wine and balsamic tasting is rated 5.0 from 1,300+ reviews. It's one of the most-reviewed day tours from Bologna that we found.
22. Go to Ravenna for the Mosaics
Ravenna's early Christian monuments are on the UNESCO list, and the mosaics in San Vitale and Galla Placidia are the reason to go.
A single combined ticket covers five monuments, and time-slot reservations are required. Winter hours are shorter (listed as 10:00 to 17:00 from November). Trains from Bologna take roughly an hour to an hour and 15 minutes, or you can join a guided Ravenna tour from Bologna (4.5 from 59 reviews).
Full details are in our Ravenna travel guide.
23. Add Modena and the Motor Valley
Modena is the easiest day trip: trains from Bologna to Modena take about 20 to 30 minutes. See our Modena travel guide for balsamic vinegar and the Enzo Ferrari museum.
For cars and bikes, the Ducati Museum at the factory in Borgo Panigale is open daily 9:00 to 18:00, closed Wednesdays except in August, with factory tours on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays that you book in advance. The Lamborghini museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese costs €17 and is closed Mondays, with a few private-event closures in early November and December. We couldn't verify an official adult price for the Ferrari museums.
Without a car, a Ferrari, Lamborghini and Pagani tour (5.0 from 200+ reviews) is the easiest way to see several in one day. Prefer wine? This Colli Bolognesi wine experience visits the hills outside the city.
More options are in day trips from Bologna.
24. Visit Grand Tour Italia (FICO's Replacement)
FICO Eataly World is gone, replaced by Grand Tour Italia, a food theme park on the same site at Via Paolo Canali 8. It opened on 5 September 2024, and entry and parking are free.
It's open Thursday to Sunday (the 2024 launch release listed 11:00 to 23:00). It's very much a "Bologna for families and food fans" stop rather than a must-see, so skip it if your trip is short.
How Many Days Do You Need in Bologna?
Two days is enough for most first-timers, and it's the honest answer to what to do in Bologna on a short stay. Google's AI Overview says two to three, and our route fits the centre, one food experience and the San Luca walk into two days.
- One day: Piazza Maggiore, San Petronio, the Clock Tower, the Quadrilatero and the Archiginnasio.
- Two days: add San Luca, Santo Stefano and a museum or class.
- Three days: add Parma, Ravenna or Modena.
Getting Around Bologna
You'll walk almost everywhere inside the old walls. The historic centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL), so don't drive in.
From the airport, the Marconi Express monorail reaches Bologna Centrale in about 7 minutes, and the operator lists a standard single fare of €12.80. If you're arriving late with bags, you can book an airport transfer with Welcome Pickups.
By train, Florence is about 37 minutes away on the fastest high-speed service, and you can compare times and fares for Florence to Bologna or Rome to Bologna trains. Our guide to trains in Italy explains Trenitalia and Italo. Hire a car only for the countryside, and compare rental cars with DiscoverCars before you go; our driving in Italy guide covers ZTL fines.
Best Time for Things to Do in Bologna
April to June and September to October are the sweet spots, when highs sit around 65°F to 77°F. July is hot, with average highs near 87°F, though the porticoes help.
Winter is cold but works for indoor sights, food and festive markets. Italian listings give 6 November to 27 December for the Fiera di Santa Lucia on Strada Maggiore, but those dates come from a property portal, so confirm locally. Check the BolognaFiere trade-fair calendar before you book, because big fairs push hotel prices up. For month-by-month advice see Italy in November, Italy in December and the best time to visit Italy.
Where to Stay in Bologna
Stay inside the old walls if you can, and near Piazza Maggiore for a first visit. Our full breakdown is in where to stay in Bologna. Ratings are Booking.com guest scores, checked 30 October 2026.
- Splurge, central: Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni on Via Indipendenza (9.4 from 634 reviews).
- Boutique, near the Two Towers: Hotel Corona d'Oro 1890 on Via Oberdan (8.9 from 869 reviews).
- Value, quieter side: Hotel Porta San Mamolo, handy for the San Luca walk (8.7 from 2,032 reviews).
- Budget, university quarter: 051 Room & Breakfast on Via San Vitale (8.9 from 700 reviews).
- Small guesthouse: Casa Bertagni on Via de' Rolandis (9.5 from 194 reviews).
Bologna also charges a tourist tax per person per night in 2026: €4, €5.80, €6.50 or €7 depending on the room price, and €2.80 in hostels. Children under 14 are exempt.
Things to Do in Bologna: FAQ
Is 2 days in Bologna too much?
No. Two days is the right amount for most first-timers. It covers the centre, the porticoes to San Luca, one food experience and a museum. A third day is worth it only if you want a day trip to Parma, Modena or Ravenna.
Can you still climb the Two Towers in Bologna?
No. The Asinelli Tower has been closed to climbers since October 2023, and the Garisenda has never been open. There's no announced reopening date. The Clock Tower in Palazzo d'Accursio is the viewpoint to book instead, at €10.
Is Bologna cheap or expensive?
It's mid-range, not cheap. Churches are free, many museums are €6 to €12, and the Clock Tower is €10. The extra cost most visitors miss is the 2026 tourist tax of €4 to €7 per person per night, charged on top of your room rate.
Is Bologna nicer than Florence?
They suit different trips. Florence has the bigger Renaissance sights, while Bologna has the food, the porticoes and a lived-in feel. They're about 37 minutes apart by fast train, so many people stay in one and visit the other. Our Bologna vs Florence page goes deeper.
What is there to do in Bologna when it rains?
Walk the porticoes, which cover about 62 km, then go indoors: the Pinacoteca, the Archiginnasio, Sala Borsa, a cooking class or a museum such as MAMbo. A food tour also runs in most weather, so check the operator's policy.
Why is Bologna called the red city?
Mostly for its red rooftops and terracotta buildings, according to Italy's national tourism site. Bologna has two other nicknames: la Dotta (the learned, for its university) and la Grassa (the fat, for its food).
Is Bologna worth a day trip from Florence?
Yes, if food is the point. The fast train takes about 37 minutes, so you can see Piazza Maggiore, the Quadrilatero and the Archiginnasio and still be back for dinner. For San Luca, a food tour and a museum, stay a night.
Plan Your Bologna Trip
- Hotel: book central, and avoid trade-fair dates. Start with Hotel Corona d'Oro 1890 or Hotel Porta San Mamolo.
- Tours and tickets: reserve the Anatomical Theatre, the Clock Tower and a food tour (Secret Food Tours) before you arrive. There's also a Bologna city walking tour with 850+ reviews if you want the history.
- Trains: book high-speed tickets early, for example Florence to Bologna.
- eSIM: get a Yesim eSIM before you fly, or read our Italy eSIM guide.
- Insurance: compare plans with Visitors Coverage.
For costs across the whole trip see Italy trip cost; for entry rules, Italy travel requirements. Heading to Tuscany next? Our things to do in Florence list picks up where this one stops, and the northern Italy itinerary shows how Bologna fits between Venice, Verona and Milan.
Frequently asked questions
Is 2 days in Bologna too much?
No. Two days is the right amount for most first-timers. It covers the centre, the porticoes to San Luca, one food experience and a museum. A third day is worth it only if you want a day trip to Parma, Modena or Ravenna.
Can you still climb the Two Towers in Bologna?
No. The Asinelli Tower has been closed to climbers since October 2023, and the Garisenda isn't open to visitors. No reopening date has been announced. The Clock Tower in Palazzo d'Accursio is the viewpoint to book instead, at €10.
Is Bologna cheap or expensive?
It's mid-range, not cheap. Churches are free, many museums cost €6 to €12, and the Clock Tower is €10. The extra cost most visitors miss is the 2026 tourist tax of €4 to €7 per person per night, charged on top of your room rate.
Is Bologna nicer than Florence?
They suit different trips. Florence has the bigger Renaissance sights, while Bologna has the food, the porticoes and a lived-in feel. They're about 37 minutes apart by fast train, so many people stay in one and visit the other.
What is there to do in Bologna when it rains?
Walk the porticoes, which cover about 62 km, then go indoors: the Pinacoteca, the Archiginnasio, Sala Borsa, a cooking class or a museum such as MAMbo. A food tour also runs in most weather, so check the operator's policy.
Why is Bologna called the red city?
Mostly for its red rooftops and terracotta buildings, according to Italy's national tourism site. Bologna has two other nicknames: la Dotta (the learned, for its university) and la Grassa (the fat, for its food).
Is Bologna worth a day trip from Florence?
Yes, if food is the point. The fast train takes about 37 minutes, so you can see Piazza Maggiore, the Quadrilatero and the Archiginnasio and still be back for dinner. For San Luca, a food tour and a museum, stay a night.
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