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Is Palm Sunday to Good Friday a quiet time to visit Bologna?

Posted by (Bay Area SF & Uppsala Sweden) on

Having just braved the crowds from Christmas to NY in Rome, we're looking for somewhere a LOT quieter the week before Easter. One thought is to fly into Bologna from ARN via MUC (no jet lag) and spend Saturday, March 23 through Good Friday, March 29.

What do the N Italian experts and frequent visitors say about this week in particular?

We would alternate between local museums, of which there look to be some fine ones covering ancient history to Renaissance, bus to Sanctuary of San Luca & walk back, a food tour and probably a day trip to Varenna or Ferrara. We tend to go to one museum or destination each morning, have a sit-down lunch, perhaps feet-up for an hour back at the hotel, before venturing out for a passeggiata & to visit local churches.

In addition, any specific recommendations for sights, food & day tours most appreciated!

We've seen the thread on Venice & what to expect the week before Easter, seems like Bologna should be less busy? https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/italy/how-busy-will-venice-be-the-days-leading-up-to-easter-this-year

Posted by
3277 posts

I was in Rome on Easter back in 2005 and everything was open. You never would have known it was Easter Sun.

Posted by
1038 posts

Good reminder about Easter Sunday & Monday, thanks! I'm most interested in whether or not Bologna will be crowded with visitors the week before Easter. We would arrive Saturday, March 23 and return home on Good Friday, March 29 before Easter.

Posted by
732 posts

I’m not an expert, but since Bologna tends to be quieter at any time than Venice or Rome, that week might be as well.

Several forum members have taken the ham, balsamic vinegar and cheese tour with this company:

https://www.italiandays.it/ Long day but worth it. Lots of tastings and lots of food.

Walking in Bologna is easy and the portici change in design and style fairly often so they are sites themselves. Some are in pretty rough shape and others have been taken very good care of. It’s a matter of walking and looking up.

Otherwise any search is going to give you the best museums and things to see and all of them are worthwhile.
I hope you enjoy Bologna as much as we did.

Posted by
7229 posts

Add a day trip to Ravenna to see the fabulous mosaics
Only about an hour train ride

Posted by
1038 posts

Thanks @SJS & @ChristineH, I loved the tip about the day food tour, have added it to my growing Notes about Bologna. I had no idea the porticos were so special, just that there's 20 miles of them! It does sound like the Varenna mosaics are exceptional, I understand it's best to get there first thing in the morning, also noted!

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