We are visiting Bologna (as well as other locations) to see our daughter who will be studying at the University of Bologna. We've booked a hotel near her flat...but I was surprised that Rick's book doesn't mention Bologna at all! Does that mean there's nothing going on, or just...one has to make choices? In any case, if you have been to Bologna, what are some of your recommendations while we're there (which is mid-October).
Posted by
Massachusetts
1478 posts
Hi, Just because Rick Steves does not cover a city in his guidebooks, does not mean it’s not worth seeing.
Bologna is a great, lively university town. The Bologna tourism website (see link below) has suggestions on what to do. Visit the Quadrilatero area, Anatomical Theater, visit the seven churches, Piazza Maggiore, see the Two Towers (sadly climbing up for the views is no longer possible), visit the covered markets, do a food tour.
Posted by
Penzance
22 posts
You could see the oldest university in Europe.
Posted by
Phoenix, Arizona
73 posts
In addition to the Bologna Welcome website mentioned by Mary, I also took a lot of advice from the Taste Bologna blog for our 2 trips in which Bologna was our home base.. In addition to sites and things to do, it also has several posts on food in Bologna. And keep in mind that you're not far from Modeno, Parma, Ravenna, Padua and other places if you're looking for some day trips. https://www.tastebologna.net/blog
Posted by
Washington, DC USA
664 posts
I spent a week in Bologna last October. Lots do see, do, and eat. For guide books, I used the Bradt guide to Emilio Romagna and the mini Rough Guide to Bologna. The Tourist Information Center was very helpful. I did their walking tour. There are a couple dozen museums and churches to choose among depending on your interests. I especially recommend the San Petronio Basilica and the Santo Stefano seven churches complex. For museums, I especially liked the archeological museum for its extensive Tuscan ceramics collection and the Pinaacoteca Nazionale for a Giotto and other famous painters. Popular day trips include nearby towns of Parma, Modena, Ferrara, Ravenna (famous mosaices), Faenza.(ceramics). In October, there were sometimes crowds in Piazza Maggiore and other outdoor spots, but very few people in the museums and churches. My biggest mistake was not making advanced restaurant reservations but I did have lots of good food even though I couldn't get into a number of places I had read about.
Posted by
Los Angeles
5257 posts
Two words. Fodors. Frommers.
Posted by
86 posts
More words: Michelin Green Guide. DK Eyewitness Guides.
Posted by
Western Canada
3880 posts
I’ve been there twice and really liked it.
One thing you can do is walk…uphill all the way...under the porticos to the Sanctuary of San Luca.
Or take the little “train” up, it leaves from Piazza Maggiore, and walk back down.
Posted by
Denver, CO USA
632 posts
We have spent 2x5 days there.
Will spend another 5 days there this November.
We love Bologna.
More than enough museums.
Day trip to Modena and the Ferrari museum.
Botanical garden.
Ducati museum.
Music museum.
Museo del Patrimonio Industriale
Museo per la Memoria di Ustica
Certosa di Bologna
Eat at Trattoria Osteria Buca Manzoni and have the best stinco di maiale. Make reservations.
Posted by
Southeast of Seattle
752 posts
A buondi!
Ah-Bologna. Seems to be a like /dislike kind of city. We happen to really enjoy it. We will also be there mid October for our 5th visit. Now, we aren’t continuing to visit because we like it so much and have nowhere else we want to go, as that we do some school there each time. Yet, we still find new things to do and it’s fun finding restaurants we haven’t experienced and be able to return to some we enjoy.
Everyone has given you great sites to see and things to do. Taking a city walking tour, especially if it includes the Anatomical Theater, is a great choice. Wandering through the Quadrilatero is great fun-some good restaurants there, some not so good. You might enjoy a stop at the chocolate shop Roccati on Via Clavature for chocolates. Majani is the favored brand or at least better known.
If you are interested in piano history the Museo San Colombano has a fascinating collection and the museum is not huge.
Unexpectedly, it is reasonably easy to get lost in Bologna and remember-look up! Not only in the portici, but at the buildings. Beautiful architecture and decorative arts are essentially everywhere in the ‘old city’.
Really, do the expected tourist sites as they are well worth seeing. If you have a sunny day try to be in San Petronio at noon to see the spot on the meridian from the very small opening in the ceiling. Please check on timing as it may be at a different time depending on that time of year.
Enjoy.