I think two days in Bologna is the minimum you should carve out for the capital of Emilia-Romagna. Whether you are a foodie, a cultural traveler or a history buff, Bologna has a lot to offer.
Always more often, this beautiful and aristocratic city is included in travelers’ itineraries and this is a good sign since the city is worth it for so many reasons.
Bologna is an exciting stop, whether you are coming from Venice and southbound or the other way around, if you are going north from Rome or Florence.
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Being a large city, Bologna has a wide choice of accommodation options for every style and budget. When I look for a hotel for a client, several factors impact my choice:
- luxury or budget?
- hotel or apartment?
- central or residential?
- private car or public transport?
Below, you can find a few other accommodation options for different budgets and needs worth checking out for your 2-day Bologna trip.
- Apartment
What to do in two days in Bologna
Bologna in 2 days – Day 1
Stroll around the historic center
You can devote the first of your two days in Bologna to its historic center.
Start from the Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city and a must on every trip to Bologna.
Depending on your travel style and priorities, here you can decide to either visit as many landmarks as you can or take your time and also enjoy some window shopping, sipping tea or coffee, or stroll around the stalls of a local market.
Certainly, Bologna’s center doesn’t lack monuments, so if you are curious about the local culture, I would start from the incredibly fascinating old university known as the Arciginnasio, the first university in Europe, and the Basilica of San Petronio.
Both these monuments are strongly entangled with the local history, culture and society. If you want to truly understand how and what role they played in the life of Bologna’s residents throughout the centuries, joining a tour led by a *knowledgeable* local guide will give you precious insights.
Discover the local food
Bologna is most famous for its food, which is also one of the reasons so many travelers visit the city. From cold cuts to cheese to fresh pasta, in Bologna you can tuck into the local specialties as well as other regional treats like Parma ham and Modena’s balsamic vinegar.
From the moment you land in Bologna, you can start sampling the local delicacies right from breakfast through lunch and dinner. The city’s restaurants and trattorias, the local markets, the cafes, and the delis that offer great meals, be it for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even only for an aperitif.
Stroll around the Quadrilatero
The best way to spend your evening is with a relaxing stroll around the alleys of the city center, known as “Quadrilatero” for its square shape.
Most streets are covered by the famous porticoes (similarly to Turin), so you can enjoy your evening even if it’s raining. Admire the local architecture, have a cocktail or sip on a herbal tea, treat yourself to a scrumptious dinner, or attend a concert or a theater play. Or, if you have booked a fancy stay, call it a night and relax with a spa treatment at your hotel!
Bologna in 2 days – Day 2
Delve deeper into Bologna’s culture or take a day trip
On your second day in Bologna, you can decide to either go deeper into the city’s history and art or take a day trip.
Like everything else, this also strictly depends on what type of holiday you are looking for, on your travel pace, and on what you like to do more.
If you wish to discover in depth every city you visit and are captivated by the unique culture of Bologna, there are some pretty great landmarks you can visit on the second day of your 2-day stay. For example, the Complex of the Seven Churches, not far from the historic center, or even climbing the Clock Tower in Piazza Maggiore itself, if you haven’t done so the day before.
However, if you want to explore more of the region and enjoy a day out, with an easy train ride, you can visit lovely destinations such as the gorgeous Ravenna, charming Parma, but also Ferrara, Modena, and Rimini.
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