Month guide · Bologna · Italy
Bologna in February
What February is really like in Bologna: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Palickap, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
February is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 9°C (48°F), lows of 1°C (34°F), about 6 rainy days and roughly 10.4 hours of daylight. Still chilly but brighter, with Carnival bringing costumed children and parades at weekends.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 9°C (48°F) / 1°C (34°F)
- Rainy days
- About 6
- Daylight
- About 10.4 hours
- Crowds
- Quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in February
February is the 10th-warmest month in Bologna: days average 9°C (48°F) against a yearly average high of 19°C (66°F), and nights fall to about 1°C (34°F). Rain falls on roughly 6 of its 28 days. Compared with January (6°C (43°F)), February is warmer; by March highs climb to around 14°C (57°F).
- Sunrise (15 February)
- About 07:15
- Sunset (15 February)
- About 17:43
- Daylight
- About 10.4 hours
Winter (December–February). Cold and misty, but the porticoes keep you dry; Christmas stalls, tortellini in brodo and low prices outside fair dates.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, February rates 2 for crowds (the peak is April at 4) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in March). That makes February one of the better-value months to book.
Events in February
- Carnevale — children's parades in the centre (February or early March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in February
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Religious site · San Domenico
Basilica of San Domenico
The church holds the tomb of Saint Dominic, founder of the Dominican order, who died in Bologna in 1221.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Art
- History
- Free
- Rainy day
Religious site · Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
Santa Maria della Vita
It is a short detour from the market lanes; allow a quiet 20 minutes in front of the terracotta mourners.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
- History
Architecture · Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
Biblioteca Salaborsa
Inside Palazzo d'Accursio on Piazza del Nettuno, the city's public library fills a glass-roofed former exchange hall whose glass floor reveals excavated Roman and medieval remains below.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Rainy day
- Kids
- History
- Architecture
Market · Via Ugo Bassi
Mercato delle Erbe
Shop for picnic food in the morning, then come back in the evening when the food stalls and bars fill with locals.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 9°C, lows near 1°C and 6 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; comfortable walking shoes.
Is February a good time to visit Bologna?
A quieter month with trade-offs, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, April–June and September–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Bologna in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is February a good time to visit Bologna?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Still chilly but brighter, with Carnival bringing costumed children and parades at weekends.
+How warm is Bologna in February?
Average highs are around 9°C (48°F) and lows around 1°C (34°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Bologna in February?
Expect rain on about 6 days of the month.