Bologna Travel Guide
Weather, best time to visit, and the best food, culture, nature and activities.
Typical prices
- Budget meal€13.00≈ $14.85
- Mid-range meal€32.00≈ $36.55
- Cappuccino€1.30≈ $1.48
- Domestic beer€5.00≈ $5.71
- Taxi (per km)€1.50≈ $1.71
- Public transport ticket€1.60≈ $1.83
- Museum entry€8.00≈ $9.14
- Mid-range hotel (night)€130.00≈ $148.49
Food & Drink
- Trattoria di Via SerraBolognese · $$
A beloved neighbourhood trattoria known for its tagliatelle al ragù and traditional Bolognese dishes made from scratch.
- Osteria dell'OrsaBolognese · $
A bustling, affordable spot near the university famous for its tortellini in brodo and generous portions of tagliatelle.
- All'Osteria BottegaEmilian · $$
A small, highly regarded osteria serving classic Emilian dishes like mortadella and lasagna verde in an intimate setting.
- Trattoria Anna MariaBolognese · $$
A cheerful, opera-themed trattoria that has served hand-rolled pasta near the Teatro Comunale for decades.
- Ristorante I PorticiContemporary Italian · $$$$
A Michelin-starred restaurant inside a former 1920s theatre, offering a refined, contemporary Italian tasting menu.
- Cassero LGBT Center
A well-known cultural and nightlife venue in the former Roman gate hosting club nights and events.
- Osteria delle Dame
A wine bar near the university popular with students for aperitivo and late-evening drinks.
Culture & History
- Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
The city's main art gallery, with major works by Emilian masters including Guido Reni and Annibale Carracci.
- MAMbo (Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna)
Bologna's museum of modern and contemporary art, housed in a former bakery building in the Manifattura delle Arti district.
- Museo Civico Archeologico
An archaeology museum with one of Italy's most important Egyptian collections outside Turin, alongside Etruscan and Roman finds.
- Palazzo Poggi Museum
Part of the University of Bologna, displaying historic scientific instruments, anatomical wax models, and naval artifacts.
- Cinema Lumière
An arthouse cinema run by the Cineteca di Bologna in the Manifattura delle Arti district, known for retrospectives and restored classics.
- Il Cinema Ritrovato
A major film festival dedicated to restored classic cinema, with open-air screenings in Piazza Maggiore.
- Bologna Water Design
A spring festival celebrating the city's hidden canals with guided tours normally closed to the public.
Nature & Outdoors
- Colle della Guardia
The hill topped by the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, reached via the world's longest portico, with views over the city.
Active & Fun
- Virgin Active Bologna
A large fitness club chain location with weights, classes, and a pool.
- Piscina Stadio Bologna
A public outdoor pool complex near the Renato Dall'Ara stadium, used for lap swimming and summer leisure.