I have anywhere from 1-1/2 to 3 days in Bologna in early May, and I'd like recommendations, mostly for sightseeing. I've reserved a room at the Nuovo Hotel del Porto, Via del Porto 6.
My main interests are history, culture, art, architecture and photo ops. The only thing on my list right now is the Michelangelo work in San Domenico - then I will have seen all of his extant works (not counting drawings).
The asinelli's tower, the basilica of Santo Stefano and the Pinacoteca nazionale di bologna.
WHAT TO SEE:
1. Piazza Maggiore. This is the most important Piazza in the city, the center of the civil and religious activity. It contains the most famous monuments, palaces and church in Bologna:
Neptune's fountain, Municipal Palace, Palace of the Whites, Basilica of San Petronio, and the Palace of the Podesta' (Mayor).
2. Torre degli Asinelli (just a short walk from Piazza Maggiore)
3. Basilica of Santo Stefano
4. Pinacoteca Nazionale
5. Bologna's Porticos. The entire city has porticos along the streets (40 km of them) that allows you to walk in the street without the need of an umbrella when it rains.
6. University of Bologna (the oldest in the western world). The Royal Spanish College is the oldest building that was used, since at the time the University lessons were held in various buildings, churches and often the professors' homes.
WHAT TO DO:
1. Eat
2. Eat
3. Eat
Bologna's nick name is "Bologna la dotta" (the learned one, because of the University), Bologna la rossa (the red one, because of the color of the buildings, all in brick), "Bologna la grassa" (Bologna the fatty one, because of the fresh pasta dishes),
If you're an art lover be sure to check out the Vermeer exhibit which includes Girl with a Pearl Earring:
http://www.lineadombra.it/en/ragazza-con-orecchino/la-mostra
I will look up all your suggestions, thank you! After two weeks of cannoli and pizza in Sicily, I'm probably going to be on a diet of tomatoes and cucumbers in Bologna, though with vino, of course.
Sam - thanks for the tip about the Vermeer. She was already touring when I was saw most (?) of the Mauritshuis collection in 2012. Now I'll be able to see the rest. That saves me a trip to Den Hag!
Do NOT limit your diet in Bologna, of all places! Take Roberto's advice and eat, eat, eat! Tagliatelle Bolognese, tortellini, panna cotta ;-). Even the train station has good food. Go down any side street off the main piazza and you will find great little places.
Okay, so which is better - cannoli in Sicily or pasta in Bologna. BTW it's got to be vegetarian.
So forget the Bolognese sauce and have some vegetarian tortelli or tortellini. You have more time in Sicily than in Bologna, skip dessert in Sicily one day (but not the pistachio gelato). The Sicilian granite are also wonderful.
Bologna is one of the best kept secrets in Italy, both for the food and the (underrated) sightseeing ops. I would recommend doing some reading on the various sights as many of them have interesting back stories. The Duomo in particular has an interesting history. For me the best food in Italy is in Bologna (As Roberto said, Italians call it "Bologna la Grassa", Bologna the Fat, for a reason). I have a close frined who lives outside the city and the first time she showed me around she took me to a place called Gelateria Gianni and said it has a repuation as the best gelato in Italy. I've had gelato all over the country and I'm inclined to agree, it was a cut above any I've had anywhere. Everybody I've taken there since has agreed. You have to go to the main one on Via Montegrappa though, not the new one near the Two Towers. Speaking of the Two Towers, try to go up in the one that's open; it's a long climb but the views from up there are nothing short of phenomenal.
Also, check out the Quadrilatero section just off the main piazza, it's a maze of little streets in the center of the historic zone dating back to the Roman times and it's chock full of food shops and stands. I could easily spend all day meandering through there sampling local goodies.
Cripes, you've got me all excited about Bologna now, I may have to head down there this weekend, lol...
Thank you all so much for your thoughtful responses. I am getting really excited about the whole trip, 23 days net, but also about Bologna.
What's the climb up the Tower like? I know it's almost 500 steps (my poor knees). Is it narrow? Are there separate up and down stairs?
Chani, I climbed the tower a few years ago. Amazing views from the top. It is mostly wooden (new) steps up....not terribly narrow, but it's a good climb. Only one set up stairs. The stairs wind around the tower, so you are going in circles up and down...and you can see from the top of the tower to the bottom from the top step...it's a long way down! We went early when the doors first opened and had the place to ourselves. Bologna isn't as touristy as everywhere else...so not a lot of RS people wandering around. Take your time. coming down is almost harder on the knees than climbing...
I think we paid 3E to access the tower...
On our trip a few years ago, I am pretty sure it was in the oratorio of Santa Cecilia that we saw some beautiful frescoes. Also fun to just wander and walk under the arcaded sidewalks. Maybe other readers can help, but on that trip a few years ago we came across a fascinating little complex of several ancient churches around a square with a neat flea market in progress. I THINK it was Bologna, but that's as far as my grey matter takes me. ER calls itself the culinary capital of Italy and many agree. Now, we don't do five star dining but we never had a bad meal anywhere in Italy. We did just spend 8 soggy hours in Bologna last week waiting out a trenitalia strike, but that excursion was under great duress and I shall spare the report. Have a great trip!
Absolutely visit the university campus! I loved the botanical gardens - lots of photo opps :)
Bologna's pretty cool. The food was definitely the highlight for us. We also enjoyed wandering around.
I took some photos when we were there, in case you're interested: Bologna 2008
I have to agree with other posters here. Bologna is very underrated and it does not have the throngs of tourists that Firenze has. There are usually events in the evening on Piazza Maggiore that are fun. San Petronio was not mentioned but the Chapel di Bolognini inside is not to be missed. If you are up for a hike the LONG hike up through what is purported to be the longest covered walkway in the world to San Luca is wonderful. The carved marble altar piece in San Francesco is gorgeous. The food is fantastic, but it is heavy meat, meat, meat.
Have a blast.
Last month I took the two-hour walking tour offered by the city tourist authority. Not a lot of walking but plenty of information and helpful for getting oriented. I went on a Sunday morning but most days it is in the afternoon, starting at the office across the plaza from city hall (currently wrapped up in construction cloth.) http://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/
I was in Bologna for 2 months ago. I had a great time.
No need for more responses.
