Location: Bologna
Top Things to do in Bologna
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10 Budget-friendly Things to do in Bologna That You Shouldn't Miss
While crowds of tourists fill Venice, Florence and Rome, Bologna remains relatively quiet in comparison. This medieval university town is charming, historic and fun to explore… and you'll find Bologna's local cuisine is light-years away from the American deli meat bearing the city's name.
Restaurants in Bologna
1. Basilica - Santuario di Santo Stefano
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5,097 reviews
Reviewed By Marla7 - Naas, Ireland
The Santo Stefano complex includes 7 interconnected churches, each with its own style and history, with parts dating back to the early Middle Ages. I definitely recommend to take your time to visit the whole complex, the museum and even the gift shop. Great way to escape the heat too, if visiting in the summer!
2. Museo per la Memoria di Ustica
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 545 reviews
Reviewed By BosBcnBlq - Bologna, Italy
Learn about the story that rocked Italy and created a political upheaval. See an amazing reconstruction of a crashed plane, a scene right from the movies!
3. Compianto sul Cristo Morto
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By Cartagena2019 - Cartagena, Colombia
Once you enter the church Santa Maria della Vita, you have to go to the box office and purchase the tickets to view this set of remarkable statues: quite rightly so, as Niccolò dell’Arca, allegedly form Dalmatia, created one of the most beautiful sets of sculptures, expressing unbearable pain, almost naturalistic, of those around Christ upon his death, especially Mary magdalene and Madonna. Perhaps the greatest artistic treasures in Bologna an absolute must.
4. Museo Civico Archeologico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 502 reviews
The Civic Archaeological Museum of Bologna is located in the heart of the city, inside Palazzo Galvani, close to Piazza Maggiore and the Church of San Petronio. The first construction of this building dated back to the XV century. Modifications and renovations continued up to 1881, when it was definitively opened to the public as a Museum.You can reach the Museum using any bus that runs through Piazza Maggiore. This museum is among the most important in archeological finds in Italy and is highly representative of the local history from prehistoric period to Roman Age. Additionally, its ancient Egyptian collection is among the most important in Europe. Opening hours Tue-Fri: 9AM-3PM Sat, Sun and holidays: 10AM - 6,30PM Closed on Monday,New Year's day, 1st of May,Christmas Day. Admittance Ordinary ticket: Euro 5 (visitors 19-65 years old); Reduced Euro 3; Children and youngs (0-18): free Access for disabled visitors Bookshop Audioguides and QR code Specialized library with a reading lounge. Historic archive (available for consultation with an appointment) Photographic archive (available for consultation with appointment or by written request) Wardrobe: visitors are not allowed to enter in the Museum with bags, umbrellas and other large objects. It is possible to put personal effects inside appropriate boxes with keys. The wardrobe doesn't accept large cases or packs. Bookings are obligatory only for groups with a guide Standard photos, digital photos, videos and films are allowed but only without flash or other enlightening objects and exclusively for personal use and not for commercial purposes. Inside the Museum smoking, eating or drinking are not allowed.
Reviewed By Brian_de_Kilburn - London, United Kingdom
Because these works require close-up attention to all the fascinating details, we only managed half of the Hokusai show in London. Exhaustion set in, so we were surprised and delighted to have an opportunity to continue. It has all the famous prints, 36 views of Fuji, inc the Great Wave. Half the show is Hiroshige, who was less well-known to us. Not as funny as Hokusai, but equally fascinating. We managed to see the pre-historic collection, some of which was really well presented and explained, including the Palaeolithic and the Etruscan, but some wasn't explained at all. Never got to the Roman stuff.
5. Basilica di San Domenico
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 873 reviews
Reviewed By Jo_and_Tom - Anna, United States
This church is very close to Hotel Touring. Looking at it you wouldn't think much of it until you get inside and have a guide who tells the story of the Church. The Tomb of Saint Dominic (Dominican founder) is located here. One of his relics is his skull entombed in a gold reliquary which is at the back of the altar. Michaelangelo was several years in Bologna as a student. One of his contribution to the tomb was a small "Clothed David" and his student also contributed a statue to same tomb. Outside were some unusual tombs which are elevated versus on the ground. They are two of the Bologna University founders - Doctors of Law. The one interesting point our guide explained that Beethoven played in this church when his father was Music Master. Beethoven in order to play had to pass a test and couldn't because he didn't know music theory on how to compose, even though he was composing at that age. Finally the choir master stated this boy was a genius and his compositions were far superior than other organ players so he was allowed to play.
6. Basilica di San Petronio
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,125 reviews
Reviewed By adaniels83 - Leeds, United Kingdom
This is a beautiful elegant and rather large church, entry is free, if you would like to take photos inside then there is a €2 charge with the proceeds going towards restoration of the many elements of the church. I read many times about people not being allowed in wearing shorts... that is a lie there were plenty of people wearing shorts and with legs on show and there was not one bit of animosity towards them!! The workmanship of the church is quite stunning and in my opinion a must see, the torri degli Asinelli was closed for renovations on our trip so as an alternative way of obtaining Ariel views of the city go to the rear of the church where for €3 you can get to the top and a viewing platform where the views are great.
7. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 575 reviews
Reviewed By Tiggy20 - London, United Kingdom
This wonderful gallery of 13-18th century Italian art was one of the absolute highlights of our visit to Bologna. A whole room is dedicated to Giotto, which we enjoyed mostly by ourselves, as was the case with the Raphael paintings. There is also a stunning room dedicated to the paintings of Leonardo da Vinci's contemporary Guido Reni, where one can see paintings spanning his career, the only painting not by Reni being a portrait of him. Closed on Mondays, for most of the year this Pinacoteca, in the university district, is open throughout the day, unlike most of the city's churches. There is no café, so if - as we did - you want to stay several hours it is best to visit a nearby café beforehand. Well worth the entry charge, credit cards are not accepted, so be prepared for that. There are lockers in the basement (1 euro returnable). In writing this review I am already wishing I could return in the next few months to this haven of wonderful paintings, well captioned in Italian and English (for some exhibits) with virtually no other tourists.
8. Palazzo Comunale
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 494 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
The beautiful atmosphere of the main town square can be attributed to the Palazzo d'Accursio. The beautiful atmosphere was evoked by the famous musician Luccio Dalla in his unforgettable song Piazza Grande. The Palazzo D’Accursio or Comunale, located in the center of Bologna in Piazza Maggiore, is one of the most important buildings in Bologna, which has been the seat of the city since 1336. Now is the city's Town Hall. A significant building for the city of Bologna, rich in history. The earliest structure of the Palazzo d'Accursio originally began as the residence of the jurist Accursius, but over time, it was incorporated and expanded to include adjacent buildings to house civic offices. In 1336 it became the seat of the Anziani ("Elders"), the highest magistrates of the commune, and then the seat of the government. In the 15th century it was refurbished under the designs of architect Fioravante Fioravanti, who added the Clock Tower (Torre d'Accursio). The façade features a portcullis and a Madonna with Child, a terracotta by Niccolò dell'Arca (1478) in the upper section. Over the portal is a large bronze statue of Bolognese Pope Gregory XIII (1580). A bronze statue of Pope Boniface VIII, once here, is now in the Medieval Museum. Inside the complex it is possible to visit, climbing the sixteenth-century cordoned staircase attributed to Bramante, up to the Hall of the Communal Council, on the first floor, where the Bolognese Senate met, and contains a gallery ceiling frescoed with Baroque-style quadrature by Angelo Michele Colonna and Gioacchino Pizzoli (1675–1677). The palace is also home to the Civic Art Collection, with paintings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the Museo Morandi, with the works by Giorgio Morandi, and the Biblioteca Salaborsa, the town libraries.
9. Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinell
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,823 reviews
The colossal towers were built by Bologna's important families in the 12th century.
Reviewed By minkerryc
It is not often you get to climb a medieval tower nearly 1000 years old. There are 500 steps and those with claustrophobia or fear of heights may struggle. The view at the top is worth it though.
10. Piazza Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 9,773 reviews
Reviewed By nwaf247 - London, United Kingdom
The Centre of Bologna to meet or stroll or sit with drink or visit many of the historic sites surrounding The Piazza. Should be first stop when you arrive for first time.
