What to Do in Bologna
Experiences, flavors, culture: discover what to do in the city
Bologna is a city that knows how to be lived: slow and convivial under its porticoes, overwhelming in its markets, and thrilling in its sporting and cultural events.
Whether you are looking for an authentic gastronomic experience in the heart of Italy’s most food-loving city, an evening of aperitifs and lively squares, a bike ride along the canals, or the excitement of a major sporting event, Bologna always knows how to surprise.
Our recommendations on what to do in Bologna will guide you through the discovery of everything this extraordinary city has to offer, from dawn until late at night, amidst flavors, culture, movement, and real life.
Taste Tortellini, Ragù, and Mortadella in Historic Trattorias
Bologna is not called “La Grassa” (The Fat) by chance: its cuisine is a true cultural institution..
To immerse yourself in the authentic city atmosphere, there is nothing better than sitting at a table in one of the center’s many historic trattorias, where the art of making pasta dough (sfoglia) is still passed down from generation to generation.
Let yourself be won over by real Bolognese tortellini, handmade and strictly served in meat broth, just as the most rigid tradition dictates.
Don’t miss the chance to taste tagliatelle tossed with a fragrant ragù slow-cooked for hours, or to enjoy a platter piled high with IGP mortadella, the famous “Zola,” accompanied by warm and fragrant crescentine.
A journey through the most genuine flavors of Emilian cuisine that, on its own, is worth the whole trip.
Get Lost Among the Stalls of the Quadrilatero Market
In the beating heart of the historic center, the narrow and picturesque streets of the Quadrilatero host Bologna’s oldest market, a commercial area active since the Middle Ages, where artisan guilds were once concentrated.
Walking today among these historic shops, which preserve their period furnishings, means taking a fascinating step back in time. The stalls overflow with colorful fruit and vegetables, cured meats hanging from the ceilings, aged local cheeses, and fresh fish.
It is the ideal place both to take in the lively and fragrant daily life of Bologna, and to indulge in a delicious break: here, you can have a quick lunch or an informal aperitif sitting at the outdoor tables, surrounded by the timeless beauty of the old city.
Follow the Itineraries of the UNESCO Porticoes
With their total length of nearly 62 kilometers, the porticoes of Bologna are a globally unique architectural feature and, since 2021, they have been listed among the protected sites as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
This immense covered network allows you to explore every corner of the city while remaining sheltered from the sun or rain. You can choose to walk the most famous and monumental itinerary: the one that starts from the center and winds uphill through an impressive 666 arches until it reaches the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca on the Colle della Guardia, offering a breathtaking view.
Alternatively, you can get lost among the alleys of the historic center to admire the evolution of styles, from the medieval wooden porticoes in Via Marsala to the elegant and majestic ones of the Renaissance.
Experience Major Events at the Bologna Exhibition Centre
Bologna is not only a destination for art and good food, but it also represents an incredibly important international hub for business, innovation, and contemporary culture.
This is possible thanks to BolognaFiere, a state-of-the-art exhibition center that ranks among the top in Europe. Throughout the year, the hub attracts millions of professionals and visitors from every corner of the globe by hosting world-renowned events.
Among the most famous are Cosmoprof for the cosmetics sector, Cersaie for architecture and surface design, and the historic Children’s Book Fair, the global benchmark for children’s publishing.
Whether you are an industry professional or simply curious, the trade show calendar always offers great events ready to inspire you.
Attend Sports Events in the City
Bologna lives for sports with an overwhelming passion and confirms itself every year as one of the great Italian capitals of fandom, track and field, and team competitions.
Tennis fans can experience the great international excitement of the Davis Cup, which regularly stops at the Unipol Arena, drawing thousands of spectators from all over the world.
But sporting energy involves the entire city: you can join the enthusiasm of the Bologna Marathon, the major running event that transforms the streets of the historic center into a beautiful community celebration, or mingle with the passionate red-and-blue (rossoblù) fans for a football match in the historic Renato Dall’Ara Stadium.
Not to mention that Bologna is universally known as “Basket City“: attending a derby or a match of the city’s historic basketball franchises, Virtus and Fortitudo, is an adrenaline-fueled experience that has no equal in Europe.
Aperitif in Piazza Verdi or Piazza Santo Stefano
A sacred moment of gathering and conviviality, the aperitif in Bologna is divided into two unique souls: two different ways of experiencing the city, both unmissable.
If you are looking for vibrant energy, a youthful spirit, and a completely informal, multicultural, and dynamic atmosphere, your destination is Piazza Verdi, the beating heart of the oldest university area in the Western world.
If, on the other hand, you prefer a more relaxed, elegant, and romantic atmosphere, the ideal choice is to sit at the outdoor tables in Piazza Santo Stefano.
Also known as the Square of the Seven Churches, it is unanimously considered one of Italy’s most evocative and scenic urban living rooms—perfect for sipping a glass of local wine while admiring the play of light on the medieval cobblestones.
Visit the Carpigiani Gelato Museum
Located a few kilometers from the center, the Carpigiani Gelato Museum is the first and only museum in the world entirely dedicated to the history, culture, and technology of artisanal gelato.
It is a highly interactive and multimedia exhibition space that tells the fascinating evolution of this globally loved sweet treat, starting from ancient ice houses (neviere) all the way to modern high-tech laboratories.
The visit is designed as an all-around sensory experience: in addition to admiring historic machinery and period photographs, you can participate in hands-on workshops led by the masters of the Gelato University, where you will learn the secrets of churning (mantecazione), create your own perfect recipe, and, of course, conclude the tour with delicious tastings of freshly made flavors.