Bologna is a historical city in the region of Emilia Romagna and is also the capital of this province in Italy. It is a well administered and a very progressive city and has some of the best preserved historical monuments and sites in Italy, making tourism in Bologna quite popular. The city is located in the center of Italy, thus making it well connected to the rest of the country.

You can reach this beautiful city by air, rail, road and even by sea and the best time to visit would be spring or autumn. Summers are also a great time, but the climate is very hot. The lively city, its exquisite food, its immense history and intricate architecture of structures are absolutely noteworthy. Browse through our travel guide to Bologna to get an idea of the place, its tourism and general vibe.

By Air:

The Guglielmo Marconi International Airport is the airport that serves the passengers of the city of Bologna as well as tourists coming from outside of the city. The airport is located at a distance of 9.3 km from the city center and after you reach, you can take a bus or a cab to your destination in the city.

By Road:

The roads of Italy are some of the most beautiful ones in the world. Primarily you can use the A1 autostrada to get to Bologna from the northern part of the country. You can also take the A13 and A21 motorway which finally merges into the A1 autostrada to reach Bologna.

By Rail:

Bologna is well connected by rail and the Bologna Centrale is the main railway station of the city, located at a distance of 1.8 km away the main part of the city. The speed trains in this region are world renowned and cut travel time into half, making it very convenient for passengers.

Getting Around:

You can get around Bologna by using the TPER bus service that has several busses in the city. You may also take a cab, which is a little expensive or choose to explore the city with a bicycle or simply on foot.

Spring (March-May):

Spring is one of the best seasons to visit Bologna due to the pleasant climate and moderate temperatures that range from 15°C (59°F) to 22°C (72°F), making it the perfect time to visit. From May onwards, temperatures start to rise.

Summer (June-August):

Summers in Bologna are quite hot with temperatures ranging from of 29°C (84.2°F) to 38°C (100°F). Since the city is not near the sea, the heat is trapped throughout the city, making it very warm and mucky.

Autumn (September-November):

Autumns are also a good time to visit Bologna, but earlier on. After the season progresses, it starts to get cold and rains quite a lot during this time as well. Temperatures in this season range from 18°C (64°F) to 28°C (82°F).

Winter (December-February):

Winters in Bologna are extreme with temperatures ranging from 5°C (41°F) to sub zero levels at night. Some winters are brutal with a drastic drop in temperature, sometimes going down to a whooping low of -15°C (5°F).

Walk up the Leaning Towers:

Bologna has its own version of the leaning towers and it has a pair, one more heighted than the other. Climb up the taller leaning structure and treat yourself with magnificent views of the city.

Visit the Museum:

The Bologna Archeological Museum has a lot of insight to offer on the history of the city. The artifacts exhibited in the museum are marvelous and have a story behind them. Visit this place to gain some knowledge on the city.

Visit a Busy Market:

If you want to experience life the local Italian way, go to the La Piazolla Market and bargain on some vegetables and get a good price. This market having 400 stalls and vendors shouting out prices of the produce and other things gives you a glimpse of local life in the region.

Go Cycling:

Want to explore everything first hand? Grab a bicycle and explore nooks and crannies of Bologna. You can bicycle all the way up to the Maranello hills and get a gorgeous view of the harvesting vineyards.

Explore Porticoes:

Bologna is famed for the famous walkways throughout the city known as Porticoes. People walk through them in order to shade themselves from the sun or get away from traffic. These structures have beautiful architecture which makes the city look even more beautiful than it already is.

Bologna is considered to be the gastronomic center of Italy, thus having some of the best restaurants and the most mouth watering local dishes in the country. The Osteria dell’Orsa has some of the most authentic pasta dishes that you can gorge on; let your taste buds have a treat while you slurp in some of the best pasta in town. Leonida is another great place to open up a bottle of wine and eat pasta; the service here is very fast, so if you’re really hungry, drop by here. Visit the Osteria della Fondazza to find some of the most authentic Italian dishes that you will savor for life. Other mouth watering restaurants include Trattoria Leonida, Enoteca Italiana, Trattoria Del Rosso and so many more eateries spread across the city.

Shopping in Bologna can be compared to Milan and Rome and has four key areas in the city; Via Rizzoli, Via Ugo Bassi, Via dell’Indipendenza and Via D’Azeglio. These shopping streets have some clothes and accessories from some of the best designers and brands. Via Ugo Bassi and Via dell’Indipendenza are closed off to the traffic during the weekends, so that tourists and locals can have a good shopping experience. If you are looking to take back something that is authentic to Bologna, then you may want to consider buying Pignoletto, a local sparkling wine. You can also buy pasta, cheese and leather from different markets. If you want a taste of the city, visit the Piazza Maggiore Market that has numerous stalls selling everything from fresh produce, seafood to cheese and poultry.