brown and white concrete buildings under blue sky

Bologna

Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, is known for its porticoes, medieval towers and food, from tortellini to ragù.

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Bologna is the capital of Emilia-Romagna in northern Italy. Its historic center is lined with porticoes, covered walkways along most streets, so you can walk between old brick palazzi when it rains. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is one of Europe's oldest, and its students give the streets a busy feel. The medieval towers, including the Asinelli and the Garisenda, rise above the old center.

Food is a main reason to visit. Bologna is known for tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù and mortadella, and you can eat them in trattorias across the center. The city is a short train ride from Florence, Modena, Parma and Ferrara, so it works both as a base and as a stop on a wider trip. Two to three days covers the center and one day trip. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for walking the streets.

Bologna in five

Climb the Clock Tower, not the AsinelliThe Asinelli Tower has been closed to visitors since 23 October 2023 while the Garisenda beside it is secured, with no reopening date published. The Clock Tower on Piazza Maggiore is the official viewpoint instead: a booked, timed ticket.Bologna Welcome: Clock Tower
Base near Piazza Maggiore or the stationThe center is walkable end to end. The station area is cheaper and faster for day trips, while the Quadrilatero puts food and the main square at your door.Where to stay in Bologna
Order tagliatelle al ragu, not spaghetti BologneseThe local meat sauce is served with fresh egg pasta, and tortellini in broth is the classic. Look for restaurants that make pasta on site and ask what is fresh that day.Bologna in 2 days
Use Bologna as a rail hubFast trains reach Florence in about 35 minutes and Milan in about an hour, and regional trains cover Modena, Parma and Ferrara. Compare day-trip tickets before you buy a pass.Day trips from Bologna
Walk the portico to San LucaA covered portico of about 4 km with more than 600 arches climbs from Porta Saragozza to the sanctuary, which is free to enter. Plan 2 to 2.5 hours return including the view, or take bus 20 and the San Luca Express shuttle one way.

Things to do in Bologna

See all attractions in Bologna

Square · BolognaPiazza MaggioreGo early if you want a calmer visit before the square gets livelier.

Museum · BolognaCollezioni Comunali d'Arte

Landmark · BolognaThe Two Towers: Garisenda & AsinelliCheck the current access status before you go. The towers are closed for climbing during the restoration and monitoring work.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to BolognaPut the places you like in Bologna on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Bologna Marconi (BLQ); Marconi Express monorail to the station in about 7.5 minutes
Getting there: Fast trains: Florence 35 min, Milan 1 hour, Rome 2 hours
Getting around: On foot; buses and the station for day trips
Best base: Piazza Maggiore, Quadrilatero or near the station
Time needed: 2 days; 3 or 4 with day trips

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh8°Low2°Cold, foggy
FebruaryPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Cold, quiet
MarchPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh15°Low6°Mild, spring
AprilPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Mild, blossoms
MayRain14 rainy daysHigh22°Low13°Warm, green
JuneClear8 rainy daysHigh29°Low18°Hot, long days
JulyClear8 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low20°Hot, humid
AugustClear9 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh32°Low20°Hot, quiet town
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh26°Low16°Warm, clear
OctoberPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Autumn, mild
NovemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh13°Low7°Rain, cool
DecemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh9°Low3°Cold, lights

Average daily high and low in Bologna, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Bologna

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 8°
Humidity: 77%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 13%

Bologna

09:37 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today16°8°13%Monday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 13%.
Tue15°8°5%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 5%.
Wed15°8°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 8°. Chance of rain 5%.
Thu15°7°5%Thursday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 5%.
Fri15°6°17%Friday: Rain. High 15°, Low 6°. Chance of rain 17%.
Sat10°7°17%Saturday: Rain. High 10°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 17%.
Sun14°7°17%Sunday: Rain. High 14°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 17%.

Updated 09:26 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 0.8961 EUR

Amount

Converted to

EUR · Euro

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Bologna

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

Feb–MarCarnival of ViareggioLucca, a day trip
Apr–JunMaggio Musicale FiorentinoFlorence, a day trip
MayPalio of FerraraFerrara, a day trip
May–JulRavenna FestivalRavenna, a day trip
SepFestivaletteraturaMantua, a day trip

Day trips by train

Before you go to Bologna

Trains from BolognaFlorence, Milan and Rome fast linksRead the guide

Food tours and cooking classesPasta, markets and tastingsCompare tours

eSIM for ItalyMaps and booking QR codes on the goRead the guide

Travel insurance for ItalyCancellations around rail strikesRead the guide

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Rules for Bologna, checked

The Asinelli Tower has been closed since 23 October 2023 while the Garisenda is secured, with no reopening date. The Clock Tower is the alternative.Checked Oct 1, 2026 · Source

All Bologna guides

How toDay trips from Bologna: Modena, Parma, Ferrara and Florence by trainChecked Oct 1, 2026

ItineraryBologna in 2 days: towers, porticoes, San Luca and a food routeChecked Oct 1, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Bologna: four bases for food, trains and quietChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Bologna

All of Italy

Regions, cities and the rules every visitor needs

Read the guide Florence

Fast train and a big city 35 minutes south

Read the guide Best time to visit Italy

Seasons, crowds and shoulder months

Read the guide

Bologna FAQ

How many days do you need in Bologna?

Two days cover the center, the towers, San Luca and a food crawl. Add a day for Modena or Parma, or two for Ferrara and Florence.

Is Bologna worth visiting?

Yes, especially for food. It has a lively center, porticoes and a student feel, with fewer crowds than Florence or Venice.

Should I stay in Bologna or Florence?

Bologna is cheaper and better for food, and its rail position makes day trips to Florence, Modena and Parma easy. Florence has more big museums.

Can you climb the Asinelli Tower in Bologna?

Not at the moment. The Asinelli has been closed since October 2023 while the neighboring Garisenda is secured, and no reopening date is published. The Clock Tower on Piazza Maggiore is the official viewpoint instead; book a timed slot on Bologna Welcome.

How do you get from Bologna airport to the center?

The Marconi Express monorail reaches Bologna Centrale in about 7.5 minutes, but its single fare is listed at €12.80 on the Trenitalia page. City buses cost less and take longer; check TPER for current lines and times.