Things to do in Bologna?

I lived in Bologna for three and a half years as a foreigner. Two days is just enough time to get a feel for it, so I’d concentrate on four things:

1. If your dates line up, visit the antiques market in Piazza Santo Stefano, in front of the Seven Churches. It is held on the second Sunday and the preceding Saturday. Locals always insist there are better markets elsewhere, but coming from outside Europe, I found the old paintings, maps, silverware, and little trinkets unlike anything I had seen back home.

2. Take a cooking class. Bologna is known as “the Learned, the Fat, and the Red” for its ancient university, incredible food, and red-brick architecture. If you want a hands-on pasta-making class while you’re in Bologna, I recommend Felsina Culinaria. They offer shared and private classes in a villa, and the private option works especially well for larger groups or celebrations. You knead and roll the dough and shape the fresh pasta yourself. The ragù alla bolognese was honestly the best Bolognese sauce I’d ever had. At Felsina, Bianca teaches practical skills I still use at home, uses organic ingredients whenever possible, and finishes with a full meal. What really stood out was how relaxed and stress-free the whole experience was.

3. Walk beneath the portico to the Sanctuary of San Luca. It is the longest portico in the world, with 666 arches extending 2.4 miles long. The arches are said to represent the serpent being crushed by the Madonna. The real climb begins after the Arco del Meloncello, but the views make it worthwhile. In summer, go in th late afternoon and bring water.

4. You cannot currently climb the Asinelli Tower because of the safety works around the neighbouring Garisenda, but the Clock Tower in Palazzo d’Accursio is an excellent substitute. It has panoramic terraces directly above Piazza Maggiore, with a great view over the square and Bologna’s red rooftops. Spend some time inside the palace as well. The building (which has housed the city government since 1336 I believe) grew over centuries around the former home of Accursio, a famous medieval law professor. The huge “Horse Staircase” was built wide enough for government officials to climb on horseback. You can also visit the grand halls, Sala Farnese, and the Municipal Art Collections.

Skip the market next to the main square (the quadilatero), it's a tourist hospot.

You don't list your interests so it's harder to make direct suggestions. There are many "What to do in Bologna?" blogs and postings so you filter them for things you are interested in. I suggest studying the "What's on in Bologna" lists to see what might be happening while you're there since Bologna is a busy town with both civil, business and the university interests holding exhibitions and events.

The Quadrilatero area is interesting but while it was just the local market it now has both market and tourist traffic. Mercato de Erbe was less polished and touristed and is a bit more away from the city core. I found the Archeological Museum interesting - surprising amount of Egyptian - but that's my area of interest. Walking over there we stumbled across a really interesting art installation.

There was just recently a "What to do on my second trip to Bologna" thread in this forum that contained a list of what they had done and suggestions about what to so next that might help. Use the search function at the top of the page to see old Bologna threads and suggestions and filter to your interests.

Have a great trip,
=Tod

Here are some suggestions from the Bologna tourism board.

https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/blog/bologna-in-two-days-promenade

https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/blog/top-10-things-to-do-in-bologna-

https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/blog/must-see-masterpieces-in-bologna-