What to See in Bologna

A

Giovanni Dall'Orto / attribution

Piazza Maggiore

Historic 115 by 60-meter square featuring a central raised granite pedestrian platform known as the crescentone. It is surrounded by significant medieval and Renaissance buildings, including administrative palaces and a major basilica.
B

Letizia Querci, Alfredo Di Maria / cc-by-sa-4.0

Two Towers

Iconic medieval towers built around 1150 for military signaling, defense, and social prestige. The taller structure reaches 97.2 meters and features a staircase of 498 steps leading to a 360-degree panoramic viewpoint.
C

Ceppicone / cc-by-sa-3.0

Basilica of San Petronio

Historic Gothic church notable for its impressive architecture, significant art collections, and the Cassini meridian line.
D

Barbaradel / cc-by-sa-3.0

Fountain of Neptune

Historic marble and bronze fountain built in the Renaissance period featuring a statue of Neptune and four angels symbolizing major rivers.
E

Gaspa / cc-by-2.0

Basilica of Santo Stefano

Historic complex of interconnected Romanesque religious buildings and chapels dating back to the 4th century. It is known for its symbolic representation of Jerusalem and its unique merger of structures from various eras.
F

jimmyweee / cc-by-2.0

Via dell'Indipendenza

Stroll the street leading to the railway station. It has always been the main street in the city and now it is packed with shops.
G

Mattana / cc-by-sa-3.0

Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

The Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca is a basilica church in Bologna, northern Italy, sited atop a forested hill, Colle or Monte della…
H

Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.ne… / cc-by-sa-4.0

Porta Galliera

Porta Galliera was a gate or portal of the former outer medieval walls of the city of Bologna, Italy.
I

cc-by-2.0

San Colombano

Historic former church featuring Baroque frescoes, a collection of ancient musical instruments, and a library.
J

Carlo Pelagalli / cc-by-sa-3.0

Grassi Palace

Medieval Gothic palace featuring notable interior artworks and serving as the seat of the Officers' Club.
K

Sailko / cc-by-sa-3.0

National Art Gallery of Bologna

Art museum housed in a historic 17th-century building with collections spanning from the 13th to 18th centuries, featuring leading Italian and Emilian painters.
L

Velthur / cc-by-sa-4.0

Bologna Museum of Modern Art

Modern and experimental art museum featuring contemporary collections and innovative exhibitions.
M

Micap / cc-by-sa-3.0

Ducati Museum

The Ducati Museum is a transport museum in Bologna, Italy at the Ducati factory.
N

Michele Ursino / cc-by-sa-2.0

Porta Saragozza, Bologna

The Porta Saragozza of Bologna was one of the gates or portals in the medieval walls of this city.
O

Palickap / cc-by-sa-4.0

The Glossatori Tombs

These 13th-century gravestones are dedicated to the first university teachers. They used to write down "glosses" into their documents.
P

Mattis / cc-by-sa-4.0

Certosa of Bologna

Historic monumental cemetery and former monastery known for its sculpture, architecture, and archaeological significance.
Q

MUSEO DEL PATRIMONIO INDUSTRIALE DI… / cc-by-sa-2.5

Industrial Heritage Museum

Museum dedicated to the industrial heritage of the region with exhibits on local industry, technology, and history.
R

Elitre / cc-by-sa-3.0

PalaDozza

PalaDozza is an indoor sporting arena located at Piazza Azzarita Manfredi 8, in Bologna, Italy.
S

Carlo Pelagalli / cc-by-sa-3.0

San Mattia, Bologna

San Mattia was a former Roman Catholic monastery and church located at 14 via Sant'Isaia in Bologna, region of Emilia Romagna, Italy.
T

Khruner / cc-by-sa-3.0

Ducati Museum

The Ducati Museum is a transport museum in Bologna, Italy at the Ducati factory.

Bologna – Planning a Trip?

Build your day-by-day itinerary in the Tripomatic app.

Start Planning

Tours & Activities

Audio Guides – Bologna

Explore on foot with a self-guided audio tour that narrates each stop as you reach it.

Best of Bologna

105 min2.2 km9 stops

A relaxed walk through the heart of Bologna, the city nicknamed the Learned, the Fat and the Red. Nine stops take you from the cathedral to the great central square, a baroque sanctuary and the old food market, then to the Two Towers, the seven-church complex of Santo Stefano, a Renaissance palace, the university's anatomical theatre and the tomb of Saint Dominic. The walk starts at Bologna Cathedral on Via dell'Indipendenza, about twenty minutes on foot from the central railway station, and ends at the Basilica of San Domenico. Allow about an hour and three quarters on flat streets under the porticoes.

Hear Bologna's audio tours

1 walk in Audio Guides by Tripomatic

Explore the Destination

BolognaSee the full destination guide

ItalySee the full destination guide