Spending one day in Bologna can be an excellent idea for those looking to get a bit off the beaten path in Italy. As the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, planning a Bologna day trip from Florence is never a bad idea, especially for travellers who are interested in seeing another mid-sized Italian city.
Bologna is a beautiful city in Northern Italy that also happens to be conveniently located between Venice and Florence, meaning that it makes a logical stop on a classic Italy itinerary or an excellent day trip option. Bologna also has plenty of historic sites, beautiful scenery and one of the best food scenes in Europe to offer potential visitors.
So whether you only have time to see Bologna in a day or if you have a few days to spare in this beautiful city, you certainly won’t regret planning a visit to this historic place.
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Getting to Bologna from Florence
Whether you’re spending the night in the city or if you are planning a day trip, you’re going to need to get to Bologna somehow.
Bologna has its own international airport but it is also well connected by train to other Italian cities. If you’re planning a day trip to Bologna from Florence, it’s best to book point-to-point tickets in advance as train fares increase in price the closer you get to the day of travel. You can browse schedules here.
There are several trains between Bologna and Florence each day and the journey takes roughly 1.5 hours. You can also reach Bologna from Venice in about 1.5 hours (if travelling by high-speed train), so it is also possible to take a day trip from that city.
If you would prefer to have a guide and not fuss with transport to and from Bologna, then consider booking a private day tour to the city.
The Bologna train station (Bologna Centrale) is centrally located and within easy walking distance (under 20 minutes) to Piazza Maggiore – Bologna’s main square.
Once in Bologna, the city is fairly walkable and you should be able to get around on foot to most of the city’s attractions. There is also an extensive public transit network that is easy to navigate should you need to.
If you have a bit more time than just Bologna in one day, there are plenty of regional trains that are easy to catch from the main station that easily connect Bologna to other cities in the region – such as to Modena or to Parma – for affordable prices.
One Day in Bologna Itinerary
Morning coffee and pastry
One of the best ways to set the tone for your day trip is to grab an Italian colazione (breakfast) at a local pasticceria (pastry shop).
Many of these shops are standing room only meaning you choose your pastry from the display, order a coffee and then find a standing spot at a bar to enjoy your breakfast.
A pastry and a cappuccino shouldn’t cost more than €2-3 and there’s simply no better way to start your day!
Piazza Maggiore
In Italy, all roads may lead to Rome, however, in Bologna, all roads lead to Piazza Maggiore. This bustling main square is at the heart of the city’s historical centre and the Quadrilatero neighbourhood and it is an excellent place to begin sightseeing.
There are also some interesting sites to explore around the piazza. The most popular attraction is the Fountain of Neptune – an impressive fountain that has a statue of the Roman god Neptune at the top and is surrounded by angels, dolphins and naked women.
While exploring Piazza Maggiore, if you stumble across people facing an arch and yelling at it – don’t fear, you haven’t stumbled across crazy people!
Rather, you’ve come across Voltone del Podesta, a place where the architectural design allows you and a friend can stand in opposite arches, speak into the walls and be able to hear each other from several metres away!
If you want to see some of the main sites in the city with some historic context, one of the best ways to do this is to join a free walking tour in Bologna. Free Walking Tour Bologna runs every day and starts at 11 am.
If you’re not able to make the free tour then another good option is to take a paid walking tour. This Bologna City Walking Tour runs daily.
Basilica di San Petronio
Dominating the Piazza Maggiore is the beautiful and imposing Basilica di San Petronio. This beautiful church, though not the main cathedral in Bologna, is certainly one of the most impressive in the entire city and it is the perfect place to visit if you only have time for a one-day Bologna itinerary.
Dedicated to St Petronius, the patron saint of Bologna, construction originally began on this church in the late 14th Century, however, it wasn’t officially consecrated until the 1950s. Even though it is dedicated to the patron saint of the city, it has only been home to his remains since the year 2000.
The building itself is incredibly impressive and it is very much worth visiting. There is so much history comprising this building alone that makes it an unmissable stop on any time spent in this Emilia-Romagna city.
Two Towers of Bologna
You don’t need to travel to Pisa to see a leaning tower in Italy!
The Two Towers in Bologna, arguably Bologna’s most famous landmark are only a short walk from Piazza Maggiore and offer you the opportunity to see a leaning tower and a slightly less leaning version of another nearby tower.
The two towers – Torre Asinelli and Torre Garisenda – are the most prominent remains of a group of around 180 towers (known as the towers of Bologna) that existed in the 12th and 13th centuries in Bologna.
Over the years some of these towers collapsed, while others were demolished and today there are still a handful of smaller towers around the two main towers of Bologna as a reminder of what once existed in this city.
While you used to be able to climb the Asinelli Tower, it is currently closed for renovations due to safety issue — namely, the fact that it is tilting!
Via Rizzoli
Bologna is no stranger to beautiful, grand thoroughfares, however, if you were to wander down only one of them make it Via Rizzoli. This avenue is the main drag in central Bologna and makes for a wonderful stroll complete with excellent people-watching.
Home to countless shops and cafes, the sidewalks on Via Rizzoli is also covered by Bologna’s iconic porticos. In fact, these porticos make wandering in this city wonderful even if it happens to be pouring rain!
You also could get lost simply wandering the grand avenues and taking in the lovely piazzas. For instance, instead of heading down Via Rizzoli (or along with!), walk the other way on Strada Maggiore and visit the Piazza Santo Stefano.
Explore Bologna’s gastronomy
In case I haven’t made it abundantly clear yet in this article, Bologna has amazing food. In fact, one of the nicknames for the city – La Grassa – translates to ‘the fat’, highlighting the unfortunate consequences of indulging too much in arguably Italy’s gastronomic capital! And one of the best things to do in Bologna is to indulge in the city’s incredible gastronomy.
If Bologna is your only stop in Emilia Romagna then you should also consider doing a food or wine tour to enjoy local specialities like Proscuitto di Parma, Parmigiano Reggiano and Lambrusco wine.
I suggest checking out this classic food tour which includes several stops where you sample a variety of Bologna’s most famous foods and get to learn a lot about the history of Bolognese cuisine. You can also do a self-guided food tour if you’d like, where you can sample plenty of the region’s specialities without splashing out the cash!
Visit Bologna’s university area
The University of Bologna, opened in 1088, is considered the oldest university in the Western world and today continues to draw students in from around the world making Bologna a lively student city.
To understand more about the daily lives of many Bolognese students it’s worth venturing into the student area, both to explore some of the university’s buildings, pop into a student cafe or bar or hang out in one of the popular student meeting points.
One such place is Piazza Verdi which is considered the main meeting point for local students and is filled with street art, particularly political pieces that serve as a reminder of Bologna’s strong anti-fascist history.
Aperitivo on Via del Pratello
If students aren’t hanging out in the university area, then chances are you’ll find them on Via del Pratello particularly in the evening for aperitivo!
If it’s your first time in Italy, you’ll quickly warm to the ritual of aperitivo – an evening tradition where bars and cafes serve complimentary food when you order a drink. It’s not a huge surprise that a city full of students embraces aperitivo vigorously!
Via del Pratello is a trendy street in the western part of the city, with plenty of cool street art and a number of great options for a glass of wine or Aperol Spritz in the evening.
It’s also a great place for lunch or dinner as there are a number of cheaper options here compared to the central part of the city.
Eat an amazing dinner
Speaking of eating, somehow I haven’t yet mentioned in this article of the most important reasons to visit Bologna – the amazing food!
If there’s one thing you have to make sure you do during your 24 hours in Bologna, it is to eat as much food as you can! The best way to ensure you end your day on a positive note is to splurge on a nice meal at one of Bologna’s many great restaurants.
If you’re already having aperitivo on Via del Pratello, then one place we can highly recommend is nearby Casa Monica. The restaurant is homely, cosy and serves fine-dining quality food at reasonable prices.
Bolognese people love to eat out so if you’re only in Bologna for a day, be sure to make a reservation as many popular restaurants book out!
Another great restaurant option is Va Mo Là – a restaurant and library in one!
Have More Time?
If you have more than a day trip to spend in Bologna, there are numerous different things to do and see in the city that are sure to keep you occupied.
Bologna is a city that lends itself to aimless wandering. As we walked around each day, we were always pleasantly surprised by some of the great monuments and sites that we would discover by accident.
Some of our favourites included La Piccola Venezia — a lovely canal that brings a slice of Venice to Bologna — and Pozzo dei desideri, a small square located not far from Piazza Maggiore with an old well in the middle and a lovely park to relax in.
Bologna has a number of these hidden gems that you will undoubtedly discover if you spend long enough in the city which is why I recommend spending more than one day! You also could opt to venture slightly outside of the city to the Basilica di San Luca – there is a shuttle train that leaves from Piazza Maggiore that will take you thre.
If you have only two days then I recommend spending them in the city itself, however, if you have three days or more then you can also easily use Bologna to explore other great cities in Emilia Romagna like Modena, Parma and Ravenna.
One of the other reasons why Bologna is a great base to explore this region is that there a number of accommodation options for different levels of budget.
Where to Stay in Bologna
B&B Chez Moi Lame 57 – This is a lovely bed and breakfast, perfect for a great getaway in Bologna. They have a range of clean and comfortable rooms available and offer a breakfast voucher for a local cafe each morning.
Hotel Metropolitan – For those looking for a luxury option in Bologna, then this plush hotel is a fantastic choice. Located in the centre of the city within a stone’s throw of everything Bologna has to offer, they have a number of luxe rooms on offer and plenty of amenities to ensure that your stay is a great one.
Dopa Hostel – If you’re travelling solo or on a tight budget, this hostel is a great option located in the heart of Bologna. They offer dorms and private rooms, free breakfast and their bunk beds even have curtains for that extra bit of privacy.
Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to find the best hotels in Bologna!
Even if you’re only visiting Bologna as a day trip from Florence, you can still get an excellent feel for this historic and delicious city. Bologna has a lot to offer visitors and you certainly won’t be bored spending a day in the Emilia-Romagna capital.
Are you planning to visit Bologna? Have any questions about the city? Let us know in the comments!
Our family of six including four kids 23, 21,17 and 14, are traveling to Italy after Christmas. We are spending a couple of days in Venice before heading to Rome. We would like to spend a day somewhere on route. Bologna was recommended by one of my daughter’s friends. Not sure if you would recommend Bologna over Florence or a small town such as Verona. We welcome any suggestions.
I haven’t been to Verona but both Bologna & Florence are certainly worth visiting. If you only have one day, Bologna might be a better choice as it’s easier to manage in a short time period compared to Florence which might be better saved for when you have more time.
Thank you for this fabulous information. I was trying to decide on one or two nights in Bologna. Definitely spending two and wish we had longer!
Margot
New Zealand
Thanks, Margot – you won’t get regret it! Bologna is fantastic! 🙂
Michael,
I will be in Impruneta for a week with my family(14)
We are planning a day in Bologna and thought Ferrari Museum also( 6 teenagers with us). Am rethinking as I may have tried to do too much in one day. Two hour drive to Ferrari and then 1 hour to Bologna. We have drivers but plan on leaving for the villa around 5 or 6.
Would appreciate your input.
Hi Flo, If you want to visit the Ferrari Museum I suggest combining it with a visit to Modena rather than Bologna. There’s a lot to do in Bologna so I recommend spending the day there if you only have one day in Bologna!
Thank you for the tips! I am travelling to Bologna next week, super excited to explore the city!
Hope you have a great trip – it’s an amazing city! 🙂