4 nights based out of Florence or Bologna- where to go?

Personally, I'd spend 3 nights in Florence and 1 in Bologna but that's just me. I'd want to be in Bologna the night before the flight, even though it's only 40 minutes away. Can't help you with day trips from Bologna but I'm sure some others can.

Common day trips from Florence:
Lucca - approx. 80 minutes by rail
Pisa - approx. 60 - 75 minutes by rail
Siena - approx. 90 minutes by rail or 75 minutes by Rapida bus
Rome - approx. 90 minutes by rail
Arezzo - approx. 70 - 80 minutes via rail
Fiesole - approx. 20 minute by local bus
Bologna - approx 40 minutes by rail.
Pistoia - approx. 30 minutes by rail
La Spezia, gateway to the Cinque Terre - approx. 1 hr, 45 minutes by 7:54 AM train from Firenze Campo di Marte station. This is a very specific train that only makes that run to La Spezia once a day. The same will apply to a return to Florence (19:48 train from La Spezia). From La Spezia, you'd take local trains to the 5 Lands villages, only a few minutes apart. I don't necessarily recommend this day trip, especially during high season, but people do it. In your case, I wouldn't do it as a day trip with a 3 year-old. Looking at your previous post, you may already have it in your itinerary?

What time of year will you be traveling?

Hello nicolerambke,

My take is you be to spend 3 nights in Florence and 1 night in Bologna. I say this because if you want to experience Florence again and take day trips you will need at least several days to do this. I don't think two nights in Florence with even one day trip really won't give you a chance to leisurely explore the city.

The classic Florence day trip is Siena and is well worth doing even though everyone else is doing it. Arezzo is another hill town if you want to see something new and Lucca and Pisa are good choices all accessible by train. On that list only Pisa has the obvious "must see" sites the others are generally just charming towns with a mix of ancient and modern in different mixes to explore.

Bologna is definitely worth visiting and since you need to go there for the airport going a day in advance will give you a chance to see some of the city before making the very short trip to the airport the next day.

My $.02, I think if you map out the days and what you want to do the answer should become clear.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

I'd have to agree with 3 nights in Florence 1 in Bologna. Take the train over to Bologna in the morning and spend the day wandering around the center. Great market. The library is beautiful.

Day trips from Florence, Siena for sure. But in Florence walk over the Ponte Vecchio visit the Boboli Gardens. I love that side of the city.

Since you’re thinking more relaxed, I’d go to Bologna and stay all 4 nights there with a day trip to Modena or Ravenna. There’s lots to do in Bologna. It doesn’t have the big name museums, etc., like Florence but there’s plenty to keep you busy especially with a 3 year old. Food is far more interesting in Bologna, more diverse, than in Florence (my opinion) and with the Quadrilatero and that market area, easier to find quick options for eating.
The most obvious difference-the crowds.

We love Bologna and have booked our flights out of that airport for our next two visits to Italy. It is only 7 minutes to the airport from the train station, using the Marco Polo Express.

https://www.bologna-airport.it/en/from-and-to-the-airport/transfer-from-and-to-the-airport/train-to-the-city-centre/?idC=62594

Ravenna is a world-class site and an easy daytrip from Bologna. Ferrara looks interesting too. And then you have Parma and Modena nearby as well.

Wow! Thanks everyone. Seems to be a resounding Florence 3 nights/Bologna 1.

I second Ravenna for a tour of the jaw dropping mosaics. But if you really just want to relax why not hang out a few days in Lucca! Bologna is not that bad. You could take the portici walk up the hill - maybe not the best option with a toddler. See their leaning towers and dont miss San Stefano (?) Church.

Resounding for Florence? I count 3 votes for Florence (mostly mentioning possible daytrips) and 2 for Bologna, plus one not saying a preference but praising Ravenna, which is close to Bologna.

The Bologna Porticos make a nice traffic-free place for a 3-year-old to walk on her own.

How about 2 and 2?

I just spent 5 days in Bologna and loved every minute of it. So much to see and do in the city. Easy train access for day trips to Ravenna, Florence & Modena.

My Italian point of view say that both cities and areas deserve several days, so you can pass the whole period based in Florence or Bologna doing daytrips and there is enough for much more than 4 days.
But....
you have just answered yourself: "We’ve been to Florence before and have done museums. This time we just want to return to the city we loved- eat, stroll, enjoy outdoor spaces".
So I'm agree with the ones who suggest you to stay in Florence and go to Bologna only to take the plane. 1 nights in Bologna? Is faster move from Florence central station to Bologna airport than from Milan central station to Malpensa Milan airport.... In any case a night near the airport makes sense.