24 Hours in Bologna

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Bologna isn't on many people's radars when it comes to booking their Italian trips - it doesn't always fall into company with the likes of Rome, Florence and Venice - but I'm here to tell you that is absolutely should be.

Something about Bologna, its terracotta-toned porticoes lining every street in the city, is endearing. You come to Bologna to slow down and stay for a while. There aren't as many heavy-hitting tourist attractions that cause visitors to line up for hours, but instead there is a slow vibe, good food (Bologna is one of the food capitals of Italy), gorgeous architecture and a sense of feeling local even if you've only been there for a few minutes.

I had just one night in Bologna - although I wish I had many more - and in that time I squeezed in as much as I could of this gorgeous Italian city. Here is my guide to 24 hours in Bologna:

How to Get to Bologna

By train: The main train station in Bologna is on the northern side of the city. Bologna Centrale is huge, with a whopping 19 platforms, so do make sure you get there in plenty of time to find your platform and not miss your train!

By flight: If you're traveling from further away, the international airport in Bologna is located just 8km outside the city. From the airport, you can take the Marconi Express in just seven minutes to Bologna Centrale.

By bus: The Flixbus also arrives in Bologna with direct connections to more than 260 destinations across Italy and Europe.

By car: If you are exploring Italy with your own wheels, you can arrive in Bologna by car, as I did. We drove from Venice, an easy drive under two hours on the A13. As a university city, there is plenty of parking available. I suggest this indoor parking garage.

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Bologna Centrale

How to Get Around Bologna

Bologna is the perfect city for walking. The UNESCO World Heritage porticoes that line every street provide cool shade and a safe space to walk separated from the main roads which are popular with bikes. There are more than 62km of porticoes throughout Bologna which are a true icon of the city.

If you're looking to get up the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca, you can either hike along the 4.9km of porticoes up the hill or you can also take the San Luca Express, a regularly-running train that ferries tourists from central Bologna up to the sanctuary on the hill.

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The San Luca Express to the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca

Where to Stay in Bologna

Bologna is a super progressive, liberal and hip town so if you're here for a bit longer, I can highly recommend booking an artsy apartment as your base for a while and using it as a place to chill out, cook, read and enjoy the city vibes.

However, I was just here for a night. For the backpackers out there, look no further than the Dopa Hostel. It's the best hostel in Bologna and has been perfectly designed with backpackers in mind. Originally a big apartment in a quiet building, it's been converted into a hostel and is in the perfect location: about 15 minutes on foot from Bologna Centrale and ten minutes into the centre of the city. Breakfast is included too, and I think it's the comfiest bedding I've ever slept on in a hostel.

Image via HostelWorld

Where to Eat in Bologna

Bologna is one of the most important food capitals of Italy. It is the home of the world famous bolognese (or tagliatelle al ragù in Italian). One of the priorities of your time spent in Bologna simply has to be to eat!

I'm vegetarian (mostly vegan, but gelato...) so instead of a traditional bolognese, I found a sublime vegan alternative. Other traditional foods originating from Bologna include tortellini, mortadella and lasagne. Below, you'll spot the vegetarian lasagne that I ate inside a library, which might just be one of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever dined in.

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Majori Gelati - vegan, gluten-free gelato and cone

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ZEM Vegan Bistro - vegan bolognese

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Cremeria Cavour

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Va Mo Là - vegetarian lasagne in a library

Best Things to Do in Bologna

I only had 24 hours in Bologna but could easily have stayed a whole week, just wandering the gorgeous orange tones of the porticoes and popping in and out of the many food spots and boutiques.


Head up to the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca

If you do just one thing in Bologna, make it a visit to the Santuario. Located up on a hill southwest of central Bologna, this gorgeous sanctuary is an icon of the city.

Check out my complete guide to visiting the Santuario della Madonna di San Luca!

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jana meerman santuario di madonna di san luca bologna italy-24

Explore the UNESCO porticoes

Honestly, I spent a few hours just wandering through the city in search of the most gorgeous porticoes. Bologna is the perfect city for walking. The more than 62km of UNESCO World Heritage porticoes line every street, providing cool shade and a safe space to walk separated from the main roads which are popular with bikes.

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Visit the world's oldest university

Founded in 1088, the University in Bologna is the oldest in the entire world. That makes this a very special city, holding a title of profound importance: of education and knowledge. You can almost feel it in every street and crevice.

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Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna


Step into the Teatro Anatomico

Part of the university, this absolutely exquisite wooden-panelled lecture hall was built in the 16th century. While bombed in the Second World War, it was immediately reconstructed using original materials. It is simply awe-inspiring, feature highly detailed anatomical wooden statues for learning.

You can buy tickets on site for €3, which also includes a visit to the fairytale-like library.

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Climb the Two Towers

Closed during my time in Bologna, normally a climb up these towers, built in the 12th century, offers one of the best views in all of Bologna.

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Explore the Piazza Santo Stefano and Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano

On your wanders along the porticoes, it's worth stopping in at the pretty Piazza Santo Stefano, perhaps for an espresso in the leafy shade, and stepping inside the beautifully designed Basilica Santuario Santo Stefano.

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Spot the Fontana del Nettuno

This famous statue is a meeting point in the heart of Bologna, where most of the walking tours seem to begin. Mermaids surround a bronze figure of Neptune, God of the Sea, built in the 16th century.

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Step inside the Basilica di San Petronio

This gorgeous basilica is free to visit. You must cover your shoulders and knees; if you aren't, you can buy disposable paper clothing for €2. Unfortunately I couldn't return the clothing which was a bummer so I gave mine to another woman in the line when I had finished wearing it on my shoulders for the few minutes I stepped inside.

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Go shopping at the Quadrilatero

This is the main market in Bologna, dating back to the Middle Ages. It's worth wandering around a bit and checking out all the different food spots, market halls, cafes and boutique shops.

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Get gelato in Piazza Cavour

This was worth mentioning simply because (a) it was home to my favourite porticoes in the entire city and (b) the best gelato in the entire city.

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jana meerman bologna-07

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Jana Meerman

Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.

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