Bologna Travel Guide: The Red City in 24 Hours

Welcome to Bologna, Italy’s small and charming red city that captivates with its medieval vibes, exquisite cuisine, and historical charm. Having flown from Porto to Bologna with RyanAir during my time in Portugal, I spent a delightful day exploring this beautiful city.

Bologna Travel Guide: Location and History

Bologna, the capital of the Emilia Romagna region in northern Italy, is renowned for its medieval buildings, rich cuisine, and coastal villas. The nickname “Red Bologna” comes both from the earth-toned buildings and the city’s leftist history. Once governed by the Communist Party, Bologna was among the first European cities to experiment with free transportation.

Home to Bologna University, the world’s oldest continuously operating university, founded in 1088, the city thrives as a vibrant student hub. With over 90,000 students, it stands as Italy’s second-largest university, contributing significantly to the country’s advancements in art and science since the Renaissance.

Bologna Travel Guide: When to Visit

Bologna experiences hot summers and cold winters, making spring and autumn the ideal times to visit. I explored the city in late May, finding pleasant weather perfect for discovering the city on foot. Keep in mind that May coincides with university finals, so students immersed in exam preparations are a common sight.

Bologna Travel Guide: Transportation

Bologna Airport is small and convenient, ensuring quick entry and exit procedures. To reach the city centre, you can take a shuttle for €5 per person. Once in the city centre, you’ll find most places accessible on foot.

Bologna Travel Guide: Accommodation

For accommodation, I had the pleasure of being a guest in an Italian family’s home. The house was located within the Centro Storico, also known as the Old Town district. You can explore accommodation options in this area here. Thanks to this central location, I was able to make the most of my limited time and explore numerous places within the city in just one day.

Bologna Travel Guide: Internet

If you want to avoid any internet inconveniences while exploring, you can purchase an e-sim from Airalo here. When making your first e-sim purchase on Airalo, use the code IAMONT3974 to receive a $3 discount. 🙂

Bologna Travel Guide: Places to Visit

1. Due Torri / Two Towers

Constructed between 1109 and 1119, these leaning twin towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, stand side by side. Asinelli, the taller one, and Garisenda were financed by two prominent families, which are also their namesakes. Once serving as a prison, Asinelli now hosts scientific research. Despite surviving fires throughout history, both towers offer a breathtaking view of the city from the top. Entrance to the towers costs 5 Euros.

2. Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore

A short walk from the two towers leads to the Basilica of San Giacomo Maggiore, dating back to the 14th century. The church reflects Renaissance influences in its exterior and interior architecture, making it a noteworthy stop after visiting the towers.

3. Fontana del Nettuno / Neptune Fountain

This magnificent fountain, built in the 16th century, graces Piazza del Nettuno’s center. The fountain’s central figure is the god Neptune, and many symbols featured here are used as emblems today. For instance, the trident in Neptune’s hand was noticed by the Maserati brothers and became the iconic symbol of their famous car brand. The fountain offers a beautiful sight, with the sculpture’s shadow creating a captivating image on nearby buildings, making it worth visiting both during the day and at night.

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4. Piazza Santo Stefano / Santo Stefano Square

Also known as Piazza delle Sette Chiese or Seven Churches Square, this square hosts seven churches and serves as a cultural hub for various events and markets. The Santo Stefano Basilica is situated in the middle of the square, offering a lively atmosphere with events or cheerful student groups, making it a dynamic place to visit.

5. Finestrella

A narrow water canal tucked between buildings, Finestrella provides a glimpse of a little Venice when you open a small window along the way. The canal, surrounded by colorful buildings and preserved from common view, offers a picturesque setting.

6. Mercato di Mezzo / Middle Market

This large food hall features diverse and delicious local flavors at more affordable prices than surrounding restaurants. Open from 10 am to midnight, Mercato di Mezzo is an excellent option for breakfast or dinner.

7. Archway

The iconic covered walkways, known as “Portico,” were constructed as early as 1041. Initially made of wood, these columns were later built with bricks. Due to the university’s expansion and the city’s growing population, new buildings were constructed with columns, and existing structures had columns added. The historic center’s covered walkways span 38 km, reaching 53 km when considering those outside the city. The longest covered walkway, Via San Luca, is 7.5 km.

8. Porta Saragozza / Saragozza Gate

Bologna boasts 12 historical gates dating back to the Middle Ages, with Porta Saragozza being one of the most well-known. Built in the 13th century, this gate is also called Porto Sacra due to its location along the path to San Luca.

Bologna Travel Guide: Activities

There are dozens of activities you can do in and around Bologna. You can participate in food tasting tours at establishments in the city or outside the city, or visit the Ferrari Lamborghini Museum in Bologna. You can check the details of all these activities here and purchase your tickets online.

Bologna Travel Guide: Notes & Recommendations & Closing

• I pinned the places to visit and restaurants in order on Google Maps. If you save the map below, you can easily access the locations even without internet.
• Bologna holds a special place in my heart, mainly due to the Italian family that hosted me during my stay. They welcomed not only me but also two Germans and a Turk. After a day of exploring the city, we headed to the family’s mountain house in the evening. Here, the grandparents and the entire family prepared a meal in a large kitchen. We enjoyed delicious homemade dishes and engaged in delightful conversations. I believe this joy couldn’t be found in any restaurant in Bologna.
• The night’s surprise was the family’s admiration for one of their favorite poets, Nazım Hikmet. The father even recited the poem “Yaşamaya Dair” by heart. Experiencing the recitation of this poem in Bologna was an incredible moment.

• In summary, I thoroughly enjoyed my 24 hours in Bologna. If your travels lead you to the Emilia Romagna region, Bologna is undoubtedly a city worth visiting. You can find my other articles related to Italy here.