How To Spend 1 Perfect Day in Bologna: The Complete Experience
Hi there! It’s Steph from Jet Set Steph and today I’m taking over Miss Adventures Abroad to bring you the perfect itinerary to help you explore Bologna, a lesser known town in northern Italy. Home to one of the oldest universities in the world and delicious cuisine, Bologna is the perfect spot for the travel savvy and foodie looking to escape the crowds. With frequent trains a short ride away from Rome, Florence, Milan and Venice, Bologna is easily accomplished in a day, and I’ve selected my favorite sights, eats and drinks to create the perfect experience!
9:00: Breakfast
From the train station, the walk to the main square of Bologna is only 15 minutes. Walking up via Indipendenza, stop at Impero, an amazing bakery perfect for a coffee and a pastry to start the day.
10:00: Fountain of Neptune + Basilica di San Petronio
Continue walking along via Indipendenza and you will first reach the Fountain of Neptune (currently under renovation until September), which has become a symbol of Bologna. The statue recently gained some notoriety when Facebook accidentally took photos down depicting the statue as too provocative.
Continue on to reach the main square, Piazza Maggiore, and enjoy the rotating acts of street performers. You will see the Piazza Comunale just to the west, featuring the government buildings.
The imposing structure on the piazza is the Basilica of San Petronio, the 5th largest church in the world. The facade has remained unfinished as the funds were diverted to build the university in the city. Inside, admire Cassini’s sundial line, which is the longest in the world. The church is actually free to enter but costs 3 Euros to visit the terrace for some panoramic views.
12:00: Shop ’til you drop
Before heading to lunch, just off the Piazza Maggiore is the Galleria Cavour on Via Farini, which houses the most iconic luxury brands in a Baroque style shopping center with glass ceilings. Your wallet may not agree with the stop, but after all, you are in Italy!
13:00: Lunch at the Mercato di Mezzo
A few steps away is the Mercato di Mezzo, a historical and large food market open every day. In 2014, the market reopened after extensive renovations. Grab a seat at the tables on the ground floor after visiting the various stalls or head upstairs for the pizzeria. In the basement is a pub where you can taste some unique beers in an artisanal setting.
15:00: Climb the Torre degli Asinelli
After a delicious and filling lunch, walk a few minutes towards the Torri degli Asinelli e Garisenda, arguably the most famous landmarks in Bologna just look up and you can’t miss them! Get some exercise with 498 steps to the top of the Torre degli Asinelli where you won’t regret the amazing views of the city and is only 3 Euros to enter.
16:00: Sette Chiese
After returning to the ground, continue along Strada Maggiore for approximately 5-10 minutes until you reach Sette Chiese, which is a connected complex of seven religious buildings. The entrance is free and you will begin at the Church of the Crucifix, which houses a 14th century crucifix that give the church its name.
18:00: Aperitivo time!
The Sette Chiese is located right off Piazza Santo Stefano, a pedestrian square with many restaurants and cafes spilling into the streets. Stop for an aperitivo at any of the outdoor cafes or visit the trendy Camera con Vista.
20:00: Dinner Bolognese style
Walk off the cocktails for approximately 1 km and wind your way to Trattoria Anna Maria for a traditional Bolognese meal. The cozy restaurant perfectly delivers local favorites, such as tortellini in brodo and tagliatelle al ragu, as well as their meat dishes including pork and rabbit.
22:00: Taste test some gelato
After a satisfying meal, why not top it off with dessert? As you head back to our starting point on via Indipendenza, go one more block west to via Galliera and enjoy some of the best gelato at Galliera 49 open until midnight.
Are you full yet? Bologna is called La Grassa (The Fat) for a reason! Enjoy the culinary treats and the wonderfully preserved city in just one day.
This guest post was written by Steph, the blogger behind Jet Set Steph. Steph was bitten by the travel bug at an early age growing up in Singapore and hopes to share her experiences to encourage more people to book their next adventure. Currently working a full-time job in New York City, Steph takes every chance she gets to hop on a plane and touch down somewhere new – and to share it with all of you!
You can follow Steph’s adventures on her blog, Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!
What is on your list of must-dos in Bologna? Have you been before? Would love to hear in the comments!
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- Two Incredible Weeks In Italy: The Complete Itinerary
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- How To Spend 1 Day In Florence: The Complete Itinerary
- 7 Fantastic Day Trips To Take From Florence
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