3 days in Bologna

Day by day

1. Day 1: Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain and Basilica of San Petronio

   Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain, Basilica of San Petronio and Quadrilatero market streets, then Piazza Verdi and Via Zamboni in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain

      Bologna's main square is surrounded by the unfinished facade of San Petronio, the town hall in Palazzo d'Accursio and the Palazzo del Podestà.

   2. Late morning

      Basilica of San Petronio

      Look for the small hole high in the vault that projects a disc of sunlight onto Cassini's meridian around midday, and cover shoulders and knees.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tagliatelle al ragù

      Traditional trattorie and osterie across the centre; Sunday lunch is when locals eat it most.

   4. Afternoon

      Quadrilatero market streets

      The grid of medieval lanes east of Piazza Maggiore has been Bologna's market district since the Middle Ages.

   5. Evening

      Piazza Verdi and Via Zamboni

      The student heart of the city, with low-cost bars, crowds spilling into the square and late nights on weekdays as well as weekends.

2. Day 2: Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda) and Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

   Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda), Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca and Santo Stefano (Seven Churches), then Via del Pratello in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda)

      Check whether Asinelli climbs are running before you plan around one; for views over the red roofs, the San Luca hill is a reliable alternative.

   2. Late morning

      Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

      The 18th-century sanctuary on the Colle della Guardia, high above the southwest of the city, is reached by a continuous portico of 666 arches that runs 3.8 km from Porta Saragozza, first on the flat and then climbing steeply from the Arco del Meloncello.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Tortellini in brodo

      Every trattoria; pasta shops in the Quadrilatero sell them fresh by weight to cook at home.

   4. Afternoon

      Santo Stefano (Seven Churches)

      Visit early in the morning when it is at its quietest, then have coffee under the porticoes of the piazza.

   5. Evening

      Via del Pratello

      A street of osterie and bars with an alternative local crowd and lower prices than the centre.

3. Day 3: Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre and Pinacoteca Nazionale

   Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre, Pinacoteca Nazionale and Palazzo Poggi Museum, then The Quadrilatero in the evening.

   1. Morning

      Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre

      Built in the 1560s as the first unified seat of the university, the Archiginnasio has courtyard and staircase walls covered in thousands of painted coats of arms of former students.

   2. Late morning

      Pinacoteca Nazionale

      Combine it with Palazzo Poggi further along Via Zamboni for a half-day in the university quarter.

   3. Lunch

      Lunch: Mortadella Bologna

      Salumerie in the Quadrilatero slice it to order; most wine bars serve it with crescentine or bread at aperitivo.

   4. Afternoon

      Palazzo Poggi Museum

      The university museum in a frescoed 16th-century palace displays the collections of the 18th-century Institute of Sciences: anatomical wax models, obstetric teaching models, ship models, maps and natural-history specimens arranged as they were for students.

   5. Evening

      The Quadrilatero

      Wine bars along Via Pescherie Vecchie and Via Clavature for aperitivo and early-evening drinks at outdoor tables.

Before you go

If it rains

• Swap in Basilica of San Domenico (San Domenico): Look closely at the two kneeling, candle-bearing angels at the base of the Arca: one of them is by Michelangelo, carved when he was about 20.
• Swap in Santa Maria della Vita (Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero): It is a short detour from the market lanes; allow a quiet 20 minutes in front of the terracotta mourners.
• Swap in Biblioteca Salaborsa (Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero): It is free, central and has free Wi-Fi, which makes it a useful rainy-day stop between sights.

Where to stay for this itinerary

With 3 nights, Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero keeps most of this route within easy reach. For a calmer or cheaper base, University Quarter (Via Zamboni) ($$) suits budget, nightlife, solo travellers and culture. Compare every area.

Pace and daylight

The sights in this plan add up to roughly 10–13 hours of visiting over 3 days, before meals and getting between them. Daylight runs from about 8.8 hours in December to 15.5 hours in June, so in winter start early and keep museums for the afternoon.

More or fewer days

• One day in Bologna
• 2 days in Bologna

Questions travellers ask