Italy is a well-known food lover's destination, and Bologna is at the epicenter of the country's culinary heart. This historic city, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, is a place where eating can rightly be called a local pastime—and one of the main reasons people visit. Food tours in and around Bologna include such local delicacies as prosciutto from nearby Parma, nutty Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, and the famous balsamic vinegar from the town of Modena just 28 miles (45 kilometers) away. Walk through the city's colorful food markets with a guide to find out what’s on menus all over town, or learn the secrets of Italian cuisine from expert chefs during a cooking class. When you need a break from all that eating, take a walking tour or guided bike ride through Bologna's historic center to see the Basilica di San Petronio and Fountain of Neptune (Fontana del Nettuno) on Piazza Maggiore, the two medieval leaning towers, and the University of Bologna, founded in 1088 AD by its own students. For farther-afield highlights, take a day trip to the nearby towns of Bazzano and Vignola; the pretty villages of the Reno Valley; or the factories where Lamborghini, Pagani, and Ferrari make their sports cars.
As with most of Italy, spring and fall are the most pleasant times to visit Bologna. When Italian beach season starts in midsummer, Bologna empties out due to scorching temperatures. The city reels in summer with a week of hundreds of outdoor screenings of rare and restored films during the Cinema Ritrovato Festival—a great way to beat the heat.
Known as La Grassa (The Fat Lady), Bologna has long been a foodie mecca, but the city offers more than just unforgettable meals. This university town has a lively center where medieval towers and churches loom above student-packed cafes. Italy’s Motor Valley (home to Ferrari and Lamborghini) sits just outside the city.
...MoreIt’s all about food in Bologna, and dining, tastings, and gourmet strolls draw most visitors. In addition to tucking into heaping plates of tortelloni, you can visit Piazza Maggiore and its San Petronio Basilica, climb the Two Towers for sky-high views, and dive into the historic university district.
...MoreYes. Especially if you want to sample some of the best food in Italy or experience a city bustling with more residents than tourists. By train, Bologna is 40 minutes from Florence and less than 90 minutes from Venice, an easy respite from the hordes at those two destinations.
...MoreYou can see Bologna’s most important sights in a day, though you’ll need more time if you use the city as a base for visiting the automotive museums and factories in Motor Valley or for touring the nearby Food Valley to sample Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar.
...MoreYes. Though locals don’t call it Bolognese, which, in Italian, simply means anything or anyone from Bologna. Instead, order up a plate of tagliatelle al ragù to sample the city’s legendary ribbons of fresh egg pasta tossed in a rich meat sauce that's been simmered for hours.
...MoreWith its endless network of porticoes (recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bologna is a city made for wandering. You can follow the porticoed walkways from the city center all the way up to the hilltop Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca for views over the city.
...MoreNumber of Attractions | 18 |
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Number of Tours | 345 |
Number of Reviews | 4,392 |
Currency | EUR |
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![[Bologna's Food Treasure]: Funny cooking class with Chef Antonino](https://media.tacdn.com/media/attractions-splice-spp-360x240/10/49/74/92.jpg)
