What to see in Bologna in 2 days: complete itinerary through arcades and towers

Why visit Bologna in 2 days

Bologna is a city that reveals itself as you walk beneath its 40 kilometres of arcades, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021. Two days are the ideal time to explore the historic centre, savour Emilian cuisine and lose yourself in medieval lanes that most tourists overlook. The learned, the fat and the red city will surprise you at every turn.

Day 1: the medieval heart

Morning (3-4 hours)

Start at Piazza Maggiore, Bologna's grand living room. Admire the Basilica di San Petronio, the sixth-largest church in Europe, with its unfinished facade telling centuries of history. Climb to the terrace of Palazzo d'Accursio for a panoramic view over the square (5 euro entry, about 20 minutes).

Continue to the Two Towers, the city's symbol. The Torre degli Asinelli (97 metres, 498 steps) offers the most spectacular panorama in Bologna: on clear days you can see the Pre-Alps. Book online to skip the queue (climb takes about 30 minutes).

• Piazza Maggiore and Basilica di San Petronio: 45 minutes
• Palazzo d'Accursio and terrace: 30 minutes
• Torre degli Asinelli: 45 minutes including wait
• Mercato di Mezzo for a snack: 30 minutes

Afternoon (3 hours)

After lunch at Mercato di Mezzo or a trattoria in the Quadrilatero district, head to the complex of Santo Stefano, the "seven churches" nested one within another. This mystical place is far less crowded than the centre and is one of the city's hidden jewels.

Walk along Via Santo Stefano to Strada Maggiore, admiring the monumental arcades. Stop at Casa Isolani with its 13th-century wooden portico, one of only three remaining in Bologna.

Hidden gem: peer through the small window on Via Piella to discover the Moline Canal, a corner of Venice in the heart of Bologna that will take your breath away.

Evening

Dine in the university quarter, between Via Zamboni and Piazza Verdi. The evening atmosphere with students enlivening the bars is authentic and vibrant. Try tortellini in brodo or tagliatelle al ragu made to the original Bolognese recipe.

Day 2: hills and hidden treasures

Morning (3 hours)

Devote the morning to the Sanctuary of Madonna di San Luca, reachable on foot through the longest portico in the world (3.8 km, about 50 minutes uphill). The path starts from the Arco del Meloncello and is a unique experience. The panorama from the sanctuary terrace stretches from the Po plain to the Apennines.

Alternative: the San Luca Express tourist train departs from Piazza Maggiore if you prefer to save energy.

Afternoon (3 hours)

Back in the centre, explore the university area. The Archiginnasio, the first university seat (1563), houses the Anatomical Theatre in wood, a masterpiece that few people visit. The National Pinacoteca deserves at least an hour for works by Raphael and the Carracci.

Hidden gem: the Museum of the History of Bologna at Palazzo Pepoli tells the city's story through engaging multimedia installations, perfect for families with children too.

• Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre: 45 minutes
• National Pinacoteca: 1 hour
• Walk through the medieval Jewish ghetto: 30 minutes

Evening

End your trip with an aperitivo in Piazza Santo Stefano, Bologna's most elegant square, and dinner featuring crescentine and cured meats at the osterias of Via del Pratello, the most authentic and least touristy street in the city.

Practical tips

Bologna is entirely walkable: the historic centre is compact and the arcades protect you from rain and sun. The Bologna Welcome Card (25 euro) includes transport and museum discounts. For parking, use the Tanari car park outside the walls with a free shuttle.

• Where to stay in Bologna
• Where to eat in Bologna
• How to get to Bologna