18 recommended sightseeing spots in Bologna, Italy | Enjoy art, history and fine cuisine

Bologna is known as the city of gourmet food. It is known as a tourist city in Italy where you can enjoy a variety of delicious meals. Bologna has been settled by various ethnic groups since ancient Roman times, and there are plenty of attractions, such as medieval architecture, the oldest university in Europe, and a colonnaded arcade called a portico. There are many tourist spots where you can feel the art, culture, and history.

Here are 18 recommended tourist spots in Bologna! Please refer to them when you visit Bologna:

1. Old University of Bologna (Archiginasio)

Founded in 1088, the Archiginnasio of Bologna is the oldest university in Europe and one of the largest in Italy. It is now used as a reading room for the city library, rather than as a university, and is a popular tourist spot in Bologna.

The Archiginnasio of Bologna is also famous for having the world's first human dissection room. In this dissection room on the second floor, human dissections, which were forbidden by Christianity at the time, were performed for the development of science and learning. The room is covered with wooden decorations, and the twelve zodiac signs are carved on the ceiling.
When you visit this dissection room, you can feel the cutting edge of medicine at that time. The family crests of professors and graduates are densely painted on the walls and ceiling of the university, giving you a sense of the history and charm unique to a university founded in the 11th century. When you visit, be sure to check out these detailed decorations and coats of arms.

2. Piazza Maggiore

Bologna's central spot, Piazza Maggiore, boasts a history of about 800 years, and is a place of relaxation for locals. The square is surrounded by historical buildings such as the Basilica of St. Petronio, the Podesta Palace, the Town Hall, and the Banki Palace, and you can enjoy a magnificent view from the square. It is also convenient to access Bologna's main tourist attractions, and is an ideal base for sightseeing.

The space directly under the Arengo Tower of the Podesta Palace is particularly recommended in this square. The bell of this tower, built in 1259, once served to warn citizens in emergencies. There are statues of four patron saints on the four corners, and in this space, if you stand diagonally and talk to the wall, you can have a mysterious experience where you feel as if you are hearing a voice from inside the wall. If you visit Piazza Maggiore, be sure to try this phenomenon. Piazza Maggiore is also full of attractions such as the fantastic lighting at night, the Fountain of Neptune, the god of the sea, which is famous as a meeting place for Bologna residents, and street performances.

3. Town Hall (Palazzo Comunale)

Located on the west side of Piazza Maggiore, the town hall (Palazzo Comunale) is a popular tourist spot in Bologna. Originally the residence of the wealthy university professor Mr. Accrucio, the building is luxuriously built and exudes a medieval atmosphere. In front of the building, there is a statue of Mary and a bronze statue of Pope Gregory XIII, who was born in Bologna and promulgated the Gregorian calendar in 1582, so be sure to look for them.

The exterior alone is enjoyable, but the interior of the town hall is also worth seeing. On the third floor, there is the Morandi Museum, which exhibits works by 20th century painter Georges Morandi, making it a must-see spot for art lovers.

The town hall faces Piazza Maggiore, making it easy to access, and it is also attractive because you can stop by between sightseeing. Nearby, there is the Municipal Library, where you can view Roman ruins underground for free through a glass floor, so be sure to visit it as well.

4. Basilica of St. Petronio

Construction of St. Petronio Basilica, started in 1390 based on a design by Antonio di Vincenzo, is also famous for remaining unfinished. Nevertheless, it is one of the largest Catholic churches, measuring 66m wide, 132m deep, and 51m high, making it a popular tourist spot in Bologna.

The exterior is Gothic style. Decorated with marble and tiles, the main entrance is decorated with a sculpture of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child by Jacopo della Quercia. Inside, there are many things to see, including a luxurious altar, chapel, and sundial.

Admission to St. Petronio Basilica is free, but please note that there is an additional fee for photography. Also, backpacks are prohibited, so be sure to leave your large luggage at your accommodation. St. Petronio Basilica is located in Piazza Maggiore and is easily accessible.

5. Estense Museum

Located on the top floor of Palazzo Musei in Modena, about an hour's drive northwest of Bologna, is the Estense Museum. This museum is said to be the most beautiful museum in Italy, and is a must-see spot when visiting Bologna. The

Estense Museum displays works collected by the noble Este family, who flourished from the 14th to 15th centuries, including works by Bernini, a master of Baroque, and portraits of Alfonso I and Ercole I.

The museum is not very large, so it is easy to stop by in between sightseeing.

6. Mercati della Terra

Mercati della Terra is an open-air market sponsored by the Slow Food Association. It is held in Bologna once a week throughout the year (twice a week in summer). As the name Earth Market suggests, you can buy very fresh ingredients that are carefully produced. It is a popular gourmet spot in Bologna, selling a wide variety of products, including fresh foods such as meat, vegetables, and fish, as well as processed foods such as ham and cheese, and bread that can be eaten on the spot. It is not a market for tourists, but is used daily by locals as well.

There is also a rest area in one corner of the market. It is also nice to eat the cheese, panini, fried foods, and wine purchased at the market there. We especially recommend the freshly sliced ​​ham and salami. They are not cut into pieces, but are sliced ​​on the spot, so the taste and aroma are different. Please try them. It is absolutely delicious when eaten with wine or sandwiched between bread.

7. Gelato Museum Carpigiani

Gelato is a classic Italian sweet. The Gelato Museum and the laboratory are tourist spots in Bologna where you can learn about its history and even sample it. The museum and the laboratory are attached to Carpigiani, a manufacturer of gelato-making machines. This company is also known as the Gelato University, where experts who want to master gelato gather. At the Gelato Museum, you can learn about the history of gelato while looking at the gelato-making equipment that was used at the time. You can actually touch the machines, so you can enjoy them. After the tour of the museum, it's time for the long-awaited gelato tasting at the laboratory. There is a wide variety of flavors, so you can experience flavors that you can only get here.

Please note that you need to make a reservation for a tour in advance to visit the Gelato Museum. It is located about 30 minutes by car from the center of Bologna. When you visit the gourmet city of Bologna, be sure to enjoy some authentic Italian gelato.

8. Dotza

Dozza is surrounded by walls and retains the appearance of the Middle Ages. It is a small town located about 40 minutes southeast by car from Bologna.

This seemingly ordinary small town has become famous for the countless modern murals painted inside the walls and on the walls of buildings in the old town. The whole town is like a museum, and you can enjoy the murals just by walking around, making it a famous tourist spot in Bologna. The murals, whether they are painted on private homes, stores, or offices, are all colorful. The contrast with the medieval townscape is attractive and attracts many tourists. Some of the murals use the doors and windows of buildings in the murals, and the town's charm is that you can see dynamic works that you cannot see in ordinary museums.

Dozza paints murals every two years by artists not only from Italy but also from overseas, so the number of artworks is expected to increase in the future. So if you visit Dozza again in a few years, you should be able to enjoy different murals than the last time you visited. If you visit Bologna for sightseeing, be sure to visit Dozza and enjoy the many artworks that blend into the townscape.

9. Tower of Bologna

When talking about leaning towers in Italy, the "Leaning Tower of Pisa" is famous, but Bologna also has a leaning tower that is popular as a tourist spot. The two are the Garisenda Tower, about 48 meters high, and the Asinelli Tower, about 97 meters high. These two towers are called the "Leaning Towers of Bologna". Both of these towers were built in the early 12th century.

Of these two towers, the Asinelli Tower can be climbed, so please try it on a sunny day. The view from the top, overlooking the city of Bologna, colored entirely in red brick, is truly spectacular! However, to see this view, you have to climb 498 steps one way. If you are going to climb this tower, we recommend that you come wearing comfortable shoes and clothes that are easy to move in.

The other Garisenda Tower is steeper than the Asinelli Tower, so you cannot climb it. It was originally about 60 meters high, but it was cut down to its current height due to the risk of collapse, so it makes sense that you cannot climb it. It is located about 2 minutes on foot from Piazza Maggiore. Another attractive feature is that you can visit it while touring other tourist spots in Bologna.

As of October 2024, it is closed for maintenance. Please check the official website for the latest information.

10. Margherita Bologna Gardens

Parco Margherita, a place of relaxation in Bologna, is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. Built in the late 1800s, the park is very large and has a playground for children, a dog playground, a pond, an area where you can enjoy nature, and a convenience store.

We recommend buying gelato at the convenience store in the park and spending some time relaxing in nature. There is also a basketball court, so you can enjoy the sight of local children playing. Parco Margherita is a great place to take a break between sightseeing. From late June to late July, there are food stalls where you can enjoy international cuisine and live music, so if you are visiting Bologna during this period, be sure to visit. In the past, there was a lot of land in the old town of Bologna, so most buildings had their own courtyards. Nowadays, due to the increase in population, the number of courtyards has decreased, and this park is a rare spot where you can enjoy nature around the old town, and it is crowded with many people. In between sightseeing in Bologna, why not take a break at Margherita Park and enjoy nature?

11. Portico

Bologna is famous for its covered arcade-like colonnades called "porticos" that lead to the entrance of buildings. The length of the city walls alone is about 38 km, and the "Porticos of Bologna" are registered as a World Heritage Site. In the Middle Ages, porticos were used as places for craftsmen to work and sell goods, and are still useful today as shade and protection from the rain. There are many porticos around Piazza Mercanzia, so be sure to check them out.

There is also a tourist spot called Palazzo Mercanzia in the square, so we recommend visiting it as well. Palazzo Mercanzia, which was used as a customs office in the 14th century, has been built in the same way as it was in the Middle Ages, and is a great tourist spot for taking commemorative photos. However, Palazzo Mercanzia is still used as a chamber of commerce and offices, so please note that you cannot enter the building.

Porticos were required to be made of stone or brick from wood in the 14th century, so there are very few wooden ones left. Among the few precious wooden porticos, the one on Via Maggiore is about 9 meters high so that people on horseback could pass through it, and it is definitely worth seeing. There are arrows from that time stuck in the ceiling, so try to find them.

12. Churches of Santo Stefano

Entering through the main entrance, you can see the bright "San Stefano Church (Church of the Holy Cross)". When you open the small door leading from the Holy Cross Church to the neighboring "Sepolcro Basilica", you can feel the atmosphere of a dimly lit medieval church, in contrast to the Holy Cross Church. From there, you can see the Lombard-style octagonal "San Sepolcro Church" and its courtyard, "Pilato's Courtyard", and the small "Trinita Church". And beyond that, a beautiful cloister appears. The

Santo Stefano Churches also have a museum and a shop, so it's perfect for looking for souvenirs. It is a tourist spot about a 3-minute walk from the Leaning Tower of Bologna, so it is also conveniently accessible.

13. Church of San Luca (Church of Madonna di San Luca)

Located on a hill on the outskirts of Bologna, the Church of San Luca is a popular spot for tourists and locals alike. The portico, an arcade you walk through to reach the church, is also a highlight, with a total of 666 columns. It takes about an hour to walk from the foot of the hill to the Church of San Luca. You can enjoy the view from the portico, which is a great way to avoid the rain and sun. If you find it difficult to walk or want to save time, you can take a bus between the foot of the hill and the church.

The most famous thing inside the Church of San Luca is the painting of the Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus, which is displayed on the altar. It is said that in the spring of 1433, when the rain continued to fall and threatened to affect the harvest, the rain stopped as soon as it was carried to the city of Bologna. If you visit the Church of San Luca, please pay attention to this painting.

Also, from its location on the hill, you can see the many small hills on the south side of the city of Bologna. Why not enjoy the view while visiting the Church of San Luca? The Villa Spada Park is nearby, where you can enjoy nature to the fullest.

14. Bologna National Gallery (National Picture Gallery)

The Bologna National Art Gallery (National Picture Gallery) exhibits paintings and sculptures by Bolognese and Emilia-Romagna painters, known as the Bolognese School, collected from churches and monasteries in Bologna that were abolished by Napoleon at the end of the 18th century.

It is a tourist spot where you can mainly see religious paintings from the 13th to 18th centuries, including masterpieces by Giotto, Raphael, Parmigianino, Guido Reni, Guercino, and others.

The exterior of the National Picture Gallery is indistinguishable from other buildings in the area, so be careful not to miss it if you are visiting for the first time. Inside there are 30 exhibition rooms, which are divided into seven sections: 1200s, Gothic, 1300s and Giotto, 1400s and Humanism, 1500s and Mannerism, 1600s and the Carracci Brothers and Guido Reni, and 1700s. Enjoy the works by era and painter.

The National Picture Gallery also has an art school attached to it, and is famous for producing contemporary artists. If you visit Bologna, be sure to visit the National Picture Gallery, where you can enjoy Bolognese art.

15. Municipal Museum of the Middle Ages

Bologna's Museo Civico Medieval Art Museum is a museum that displays collections from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, including weapons, sheet music, and stone statues. Part of the collection also includes an Asian exhibition space where you can view Chinese foot-binding sandals, 15th-century porcelain, and bas-reliefs on ostrich eggs. European crafts such as Venetian glass, maiolica, and cast iron are also on display, so you can enjoy various genres of art from around the world. The

Museo Civico Medieval Art Museum is not only a must-see for the works on display inside, but also for the beautiful building itself. Palazzo Ghisilardi Fava, which houses the Museo Civico Medieval Art Museum, was built in the 14th century. You can see traces of earlier buildings and demolished castle ruins here and there, so be sure to check them out.

The frescoes painted on the upper part of the walls, called fleeces, also give you a sense of the medieval atmosphere, so they are recommended. When you visit Bologna, visit this museum and experience the medieval atmosphere and works.

16. Civic Archaeological Museum

The Civic Archaeological Museum opened in 1881, occupying the former Hospital di San Maria della Morte, built in the 15th century. Originally, the museum was mainly composed of items collected by the University of Bologna, but later, collections by painters and antique art collectors, as well as items excavated in later periods, were added. The highlights of the Civic Archaeological Museum are the Egyptian and Etruscan collections. The statue of Emperor Nero next to the ticket office is also famous, so don't miss it when purchasing your ticket.

The museum is located just off Piazza Maggiore, so you can easily stop by between sightseeing in Bologna. Photography is not prohibited inside the museum, but flash photography is prohibited. Also, like the National Picture Gallery, this museum is indistinguishable from the surrounding buildings, so please be careful when visiting for the first time.

17. Church of San Giacomo Maggiore

The Church of San Giacomo Maggiore in Bologna is a popular tourist spot where you can appreciate artworks such as sculptures, frescoes, and paintings.

The interior is surrounded by numerous statues, and each arch has a different fresco painted on it. The beautiful decoration is truly overwhelming. There are also many paintings on display, and the Baptism of Christ by Prospero Fontana is famous, so be sure to check it out. The ambulatory also contains the tomb of the son of Giovanni Bentivoglio II, who held power in Bologna in the late 15th century. Opposite this tomb is a chapel owned by the Bentivoglio family, which contains the most beautiful frescoes in the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, so be sure to visit it. This basilica-style building has a total of 35 chapels on the left and right side aisles, so if you have time, it is recommended that you visit each one one by one. The Church of San Giacomo Maggiore can be found on the way from the Leaning Tower of Bologna to the National Picture Gallery. If you like art, be sure to also visit the National Gallery.

18. Via Indipendenza

Via Indipendenza is a road that stretches straight from Piazza Maggiore to the central station. It is a popular tourist spot as the main street of Bologna.

Via Indipendenza has all kinds of products, including fashion, food, and souvenirs. It is a spot that satisfies not only those who want to enjoy serious shopping, but also those who want to buy souvenirs, those who want to enjoy the atmosphere of Bologna while taking a walk, and those who want to eat chocolate and gelato. In particular, famous brand shops are scattered on both sides of the Basilica of St. Petronio in Piazza Maggiore. You can experience stylish Italian fashion, so it is an area where you can enjoy window shopping alone. When you visit Bologna for sightseeing, enjoy shopping on Via Indipendenza while enjoying the authentic Italian fashion and atmosphere.

Summary of recommended sightseeing spots in Bologna, Italy

Bologna, the city of gourmet food, has many tourist attractions that you can enjoy other than food, and is full of charm. There are plenty of attractions that you will want to visit again and again, such as medieval architecture and streetscapes that evoke history, and various art that decorates the city from classical to modern. If you are traveling to Bologna, please use these tourist attractions as a reference and enjoy your trip.