Season guide · Bologna · Italy
Bologna in summer
June–August: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Lorenzov79, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
Hot, humid days, free outdoor cinema in Piazza Maggiore and quieter August weeks when many locals head to the coast. Expect highs up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 15 rainy days across June–August. June is among the best months of the year to visit.
Key facts
- Months
- June–August
- Temperatures
- 16°C (61°F) to 31°C (88°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 15
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | 28°C (82°F) | 16°C (61°F) | 6 | 15.5 h | 3/5 |
| July | 31°C (88°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 4 | 15.2 h | 3/5 |
| August | 30°C (86°F) | 19°C (66°F) | 5 | 14 h | 2/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 30°C (86°F) against a yearly 19°C (66°F), and 15 of the year's roughly 79 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- June: Il Cinema Ritrovato — restored-film festival with free screenings in Piazza Maggiore (usually late June–early July)
- July: Bologna Estate — summer concerts and events across the city (usually June–September)
- July: Outdoor cinema in Piazza Maggiore (usually through July)
- August: Ferragosto public holiday (15 August)
Make the most of the weather
Religious site · Colle della Guardia
Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca
Walk up and ride the San Luca Express tourist train back down if your knees dislike the steep descent.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Active
- Free
- Outdoors
- Iconic
Park · Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore
Giardini Margherita
Bologna's largest park, laid out in 1879 just outside the old walls by Porta Santo Stefano, has a small lake, shady lawns, playgrounds and kiosks with outdoor seating.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
Day trips in summer
- Modena (About 20–30 minutes by train) — Modena's UNESCO-listed Romanesque cathedral and Ghirlandina tower stand on Piazza Grande, and family acetaie in the surrounding hills offer tastings of traditional balsamic vinegar aged for 12 years or more.
- Parma (About 50–60 minutes by train) — Parma pairs a Romanesque cathedral with Correggio's dome fresco and a pink marble octagonal baptistery with the food that made it famous: Parmigiano Reggiano dairies and Prosciutto di Parma producers in the countryside can be visited with advance booking.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Bologna?
Yes: June is among the best months. Hot, humid days, free outdoor cinema in Piazza Maggiore and quieter August weeks when many locals head to the coast.
+What is the weather like in Bologna in summer?
Highs of up to 31°C (88°F) and lows around 16°C (61°F), with about 15 rainy days over the season.