History · Bologna · Italy
8 historic sites to see in Bologna
The places that tell the story of how the city came to be.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
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Quick answer
Start with Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain, Basilica of San Petronio and Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda). Together the 8 picks below take roughly 7–9 hours across 5 areas; 5 are free.
Key facts
- Places in this guide
- 8
- Free entry
- 5
- Time to see them all
- 7–9 hours
- Areas
- Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero, Piazza di Porta Ravegnana and Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore
Historic sites in Bologna
Landmark · Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
1.Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain
Giambologna's bronze Neptune, made in the 1560s, stands in the adjoining Piazza del Nettuno. Under the Voltone del Podestà archway, a whisper into one corner carries clearly to the diagonally opposite one.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
- After dark
Religious site · Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
2.Basilica of San Petronio
Inside, a meridian line laid out by the astronomer Gian Domenico Cassini in 1655 runs about 67 metres across the floor, and the Bolognini Chapel has early 15th-century frescoes of heaven and hell by Giovanni da Modena.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Rainy day
Landmark · Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
3.Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda)
They stand together at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, where several old roads meet, and are the city's symbol; Dante compared a giant to the leaning Garisenda in the Inferno.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Photo spot
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Religious site · Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore
4.Santo Stefano (Seven Churches)
Visitors pass through the Church of the Crucifix, the octagonal Church of the Holy Sepulchre, the Courtyard of Pilate and a Romanesque cloister, all opening off the triangular Piazza Santo Stefano.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Couples
- Rainy day
Market · Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
5.Quadrilatero market streets
Via Pescherie Vecchie, Via Drapperie and Via Clavature are lined with fishmongers, greengrocers, historic salumerie selling mortadella and Parmigiano, and pasta shops where sfogline roll tortellini by hand, while wine bars set out tables for aperitivo.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Shopping
- Free
- History
- Photo spot
Historic site · Piazza Galvani
6.Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre
Upstairs, the Teatro Anatomico, a wood-panelled dissection theatre from 1637 whose canopy rests on two carved 'skinned men', was rebuilt after Second World War bombing.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
Gallery · University Quarter (Via Zamboni)
7.Pinacoteca Nazionale
Its most famous work is Raphael's Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia, painted for a Bologna church, alongside works by Perugino and Parmigianino.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
- History
Museum · University Quarter (Via Zamboni)
8.Palazzo Poggi Museum
The ceiling frescoes by Pellegrino Tibaldi are worth the visit on their own.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
- Off the beaten path
Grouped by area
| Area | Places | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero | Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain, Basilica of San Petronio and Quadrilatero market streets | 1 hour + 45 minutes + 1–2 hours |
| Piazza di Porta Ravegnana | Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda) | 30 minutes |
| Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore | Santo Stefano (Seven Churches) | 45 minutes |
| Piazza Galvani | Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre | 45 minutes |
| University Quarter (Via Zamboni) | Pinacoteca Nazionale and Palazzo Poggi Museum | 1.5–2 hours + 1–1.5 hours |
Booking and timing
Of these 8, 5 free, 3 low cost. None needs booking far in advance. The longest visit is Quadrilatero market streets; group the rest by area to save travel time.
How to fit them into 2 half-days
Grouped by area and kept to about four hours each, so you walk more than you ride.
- Half-day 1 (Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero, Piazza di Porta Ravegnana and Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore): Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain → Basilica of San Petronio → Quadrilatero market streets → Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda) → Santo Stefano (Seven Churches), at least 4 hours.
- Half-day 2 (Piazza Galvani and University Quarter (Via Zamboni)): Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre → Pinacoteca Nazionale → Palazzo Poggi Museum, at least 3 hours.
The quietest months for queues
- August: highs of 30°C (86°F), about 5 rainy days, quiet crowds. Many locals leave and some restaurants and shops close around Ferragosto, but hotels are cheaper and the city is calm.
- January: highs of 6°C (43°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Cold, damp and often foggy; museums and trattorie are quiet, and the porticoes keep you dry.
- February: highs of 9°C (48°F), about 6 rainy days, quiet crowds. Still chilly but brighter, with Carnival bringing costumed children and parades at weekends.
The neighbourhoods they are in
- Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero — The civic centre and the medieval market lanes of delis, fishmongers and wine bars
- University Quarter (Via Zamboni) — Student life, Piazza Verdi and porticoed Via Zamboni northeast of the Two Towers
- Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore — Elegant palazzi, wide porticoes and the Seven Churches southeast of the towers
More of Bologna
Questions travellers ask
+Where should I start in Bologna?
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.
+Which of these are free in Bologna?
Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain, Basilica of San Petronio, Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda), Santo Stefano (Seven Churches) and Quadrilatero market streets.