Bologna 7-day itinerary

1. Stop 1

   Museo Civico Archeologico

   In the Palazzo Galvani – a 14th-century building. This building, an old hospital, houses a comprehensive collection of antiquities from civilizations and cultures including ancient Egypt (mummies and sarcophagi), Iron Age Villanova culture, artifacts from Etruscan Velzna, funerary art, terracotta urns, ancient vases and items from Roman times. Do not miss the bronze Certosa jar, which is over 1,500 years old.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Collezioni Comunali d'Arte

   A painting collection of works from various historical periods. Features include works by Giuseppe Maria Crespi (Ritratto del cardinale Lambertini- Portrait of Cardinal Lambertini), Ludovico Carracci (S. Caterina in Carcere – St. Catherine in Prison), and Guido Cagnacci (Cleopatra e Lucrezia), Francesco Hayez (Ruth).

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Museo Civico Medievale

   Part of Musei Civici d'Arte Antica.

4. Stop 4 · 12 min walk

   Museo Davia Bargellini

   A most curious collection, including religious art of the 1500s, a marionette theatre, an 18th-century gilded carriage, and antique keys and door hardware. Housed in a 17th-century palazzo.

5. Stop 5 · 23 min walk

   Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna

   A nice collection of modern art, if you want a break from the more classical pieces that abound in Italy.

6. Stop 6 · 13 min walk

   Museo Morandi

   Opened in 1993, the museum houses most of the works by the Bolognese painter Giorgio Morandi.

Eat · Osteria del Sole: If you feel like picnicking on some of the cold cuts (salumi), cheeses and other fresh foods on display in the delicatessens and market stalls off Piazza Maggiore, then Osteria del Sole at a tiny street could be a perfect venue.

1. Stop 1

   Basilica di San Petronio

   It had to be the largest church in the world and in the shape of a huge Latin cross, but was only completed the long arm and with the unfinished façade. The basilica is still one of the most beautiful examples of Italian Gothic style and is one of the greatest monuments in the city. The Basilica houses an invaluable number of treasures such as the sundial by Cassini and Guglielmini, which indicates the exact period of the current year at all times, the "S. Rocco" by Parmigianino and the marvelous Bolognini Chapel.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Palazzo del Podestà

   The first seat of the city government.

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Palazzo Re Enzo

   The palace was built between 1244-1246 as an extension of the nearby Palazzo del Podestà. It takes its name from Enzio of Sardinia, Frederick II's son, who was prisoner here from 1249 until his death in 1272. The current Gothic appearance dates from the restoration of 1905 due to Alfonso Rubbiani.

4. Stop 4 · 4 min walk

   Fontana di Nettuno

   A fountain built in 1563 by Tommaso Laureti of Palermo, later embellished by Jean de Boulogne (called Giambologna). It is considered to be one of Bologna’s symbols, and renovated in 2017.

5. Stop 5 · 4 min walk

   Scavi Romani di biblioteca salaborsa

   A compact basement-level field of ruins from Bologna's past, from 2nd-century BCE Roman roads and buildings, to a 16th-century CE cistern. Metal walkways take you on a 100-m course over and around the ruins. But this thoughtful display is all the more interesting for its location: under a 19th-century stock exchange hall ("salaborsa"), which has been converted to a 21st-century library. Enjoy this airy, pleasant room on your way down to the ruins. A colourful flyer gives context in English and Italian.

6. Stop 6 · 4 min walk

   Palazzo dei Banchi

   The last palace to be built in Piazza Maggiore. Its current Renaissance-style palace façade dates to the 16th century.

Eat · Tigellino: Excellent tigelleria. Good ingredients and excellent bread. Characteristic, all kinds of menus including vegetarian. Each tigellini costs €1.70-1.90.

1. Stop 1

   Via Rizzoli

   One of the main streets of Bologna. It is a meeting point and strolling area. It opens up to Piazza di porta Ravegnana, where the two towers rise.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Palazzo della Mercanzia

   Palazzo della Mercanzia is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

3. Stop 3 · 11 min walk

   Tombe dei Glossatori

   Named for the lawyers who used to add glosses (notes) to documents. The tombs, which date from the end of the 13th century, are home to many of Bologna's famous scholars.

4. Stop 4 · 12 min walk

   Basilica di San Domenico

   Basilica di San Domenico is a listed stop in this neighborhood.

5. Stop 5 · 13 min walk

   Via Santa Caterina

   With small houses built in the 16th century.

6. Stop 6 · 16 min walk

   San Michele in Bosco

   Architectural complex comprising the church and adjacent former convent of the Olivetans, with an amazing panoramic view of the city that's great at sunset. Get the number 30 bus if you don't like walking up hills!

Eat · Nectare: A small vegetarian restaurant, choose between prepared dishes. Good healthy bowls and burgers.

1. Stop 1

   Giardini Margherita

   Bologna's main park created in 1875. The chalet converts to a nightclub in the summer evenings.

2. Stop 2 · 30 min walk

   Giardino della Montagnola

   The oldest park in the city. A public park since the 17th century. Much of the current landscaping dates from the early 19th century. The pond in the center of the park was added in 1888.

3. Stop 3 · 39 min walk

   Villa delle Rose

   Donated to the city in 1916, the gardens had been owned by the Cella family. The 18th-century Villa delle Rose, which was the Cella's residence, hosts art exhibitions throughout the year

4. Stop 4 · 4 min walk

   Villa Spada

   On the grounds of the Palazzo Ravone an 18th-century villa, it was opened to the public in 1970.

5. Stop 5 · 46 min walk

   Villa Guastavillani

   Designed and built by Tomasso Martelli in the 16th century.

6. Stop 6 · 57 min walk

   Parco Cavaioni

   A large park featuring meadows, fields, wooded areas, and a lake.

Eat · Centro Natura: Excellent lunches with the self-service mode, fast and practical, but also beautiful dinners on Friday and Saturday with table service. Vegetarian, organic, good food with large portions, relaxing environment and kind staff.

1. Stop 1

   Torre degli Asinelli

   Closed to the public since October 2023, the tower (built between 1109 and 1119) is 97.20 metres tall (330 feet), with 498 steps and an incline of 1.3 meters (4 feet). Until 2023 you could climb the 498 steps of this tower for spectacular views of the city, but that month it was closed to the public for safety reasons and renovations are expected to take ten years.

2. Stop 2 · 4 min walk

   Torre dei Garisenda

   Torre dei Garisenda is 47 m (162 feet) tall and has a lean of over 3m (10 feet). It was built in the 12th century.

3. Stop 3 · 4 min walk

   Torre Prendiparte

   60-m tower, the second largest in the city. Presumably it used to be higher than its current height. It's a B＆B and room for events, also hosts shows and presentations.

4. Stop 4 · 4 min walk

   Torre Azzoguidi

   47 m, built in the 13th century. It's built into the Palazzo del Podestà.

Eat · Pizzeria Altero - via Caprarie: Historic recipe, for over 40 years the same unmistakable flavor. You can enjoy pizza and aperol spritz with a beautiful view of the tower. The pizza is delicious, great variety, always fresh.

1. Stop 1

   Ferrara

   Listed as a next stop from Bologna. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

2. Stop 2

   Rimini

   Listed as a next stop from Bologna. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

3. Stop 3

   Ravenna

   Listed as a next stop from Bologna. Check the regional train or bus the night before.

Eat · Pack snacks from town. Do not count on a full menu at a small station.

1. Stop 1

   Bologna Fiere

   An Exhibition Centre near Bologna, that among other things has an International Automobile Exhibition every year.

2. Stop 2

   Estragon

   A big ex-industrial hangar, features dj-sets and concerts by international rock bands almost every night.

3. Stop 3

   Livello 57

   Now only seldom open. It mainly features raves and techno gigs in an industrial, darkish atmosphere.

4. Stop 4

   TPO

   Another occupied location that mostly features experimental music festivals and rock concerts.

Eat · Go back to a place that already worked.