Italy
Day 1: Exploring the Historic City Center
In Bologna, many historical buildings and sights are within walking distance of each other. So the city center is easy to explore on foot, but public transport (the bus) also runs very smoothly and is affordable (€1.5 per ride). 🚶♂️🏛️ However you choose to get around, you'll find it convenient and accessible!
Start your day with a brunch!
Our accommodation is on Via Rialto, close to Fram Bistrio Bio Veg, where we start our day with a delicious vegan brunch. Known for its inclusive atmosphere towards the LGBTQI+ community, this establishment serves a range of delectable coffee, tea and an assortment of both light bites and hearty meals. Whether you fancy a brioche or a fresh salad, they have something for everyone! 🌈 Don't panic if there's no available seating at Fram, as there are numerous patisseries nearby offering an array of delicious brioches, pastries, and sandwiches. Here are our top three recommendations: 1. Forno Brisa Castiglione (Via Castiglione 43B) 2. Bar Pasticceria Santo Stefano (Via Santo Stefano 3A) 3. Il Forni di Calzolari (Via Marchesana, 4B)
Piazza Maggiore & historic buildings
Piazza Maggiore is Bologna's main square. Although sometimes overlooked in favour of other Italian squares, Piazza Maggiore offers spectacular views thanks to its incredible width. The square is surrounded by beautiful historical buildings, such as the majestic Basilica of San Petroni (free to enter), Palazzo d'Accursio (courtyard free to enter), Palazzo dei Notai, Torre dell'Orologio, and Palazzo dei Banchi. Also, be sure to explore the nearby Piazza del Nettuno, where you can take a moment to admire the eponymous fountain, constructed in the 16th century and recently restored. On weekends, Piazza Maggiore becomes a stage for street performers and musicians, some of whom have become a fixture of Bologna's urban folkore!
Due Torri
Stroll along Via Rizzoli towards the iconic Asinelli and Garisenda Towers, affectionately referred to as 'Due Torri', which stand proudly as symbols of Bologna. These towers serve as the meeting point of the city's major thoroughfares. If you happen to lose your bearings amidst the maze of streets, simply head towards these towers for guidance. For a fee of €5, visitors can ascend the towers when they're open, offering a unique perspective of the city from above.
Mercato di Mezzo
Mercato Di Mezzo, a historic gem, offers a sensory journey through its bustling stalls filled with local delicacies and fragrances. It is a cultural hub where tradition and a lively atmosphere come together, inviting everyone to enjoy authentic Italian flavours and experience Bolognese life. Perfect lunch spot!
Parco della Montagnola & Scalinata del Pincio
A hidden monument in Parco della Montagnola is the Scalinata del Pincio at the entrance to the park. While the park itself may not be particularly captivating, this picturesque and monumental staircase is particularly beautifully made. The staircase was inaugurated in 1896 and takes its name from Rome's Pincio, in homage to the fact that Rome became the capital of Italy a few years earlier 🏛️ Opposite is a large tent that acts as a bookstore and diagonally across the park is an artisan market. Here, locals sell their handmade products. Each stall exudes its own unique charm and character, offering a delightful array of treasures waiting to be discovered 🎨🛍️
Bologna's Stunning Porticoes
Bologna is renowned worldwide for its 62 kilometers of porticoes, a series of arched arcades unfolding beneath historic buildings. Over the centuries, these porticoes have taken on various incarnations: medieval wooden porticoes, Gothic and Renaissance porticoes, porticoes with courtyard architecture, and more. In short, they've adopted incredibly diverse forms! The longest portico leads to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca (see day 2!) 🏛️ Porticoes are incredibly convenient! They provide shade on sunny days and keep you dry when it rains, making shopping in Bologna enjoyable at any time ☀️☔ Where have you seen the most beautiful portico? Let us know! 😊
Canali di Reno
Bologna boasts some hidden canals, also known as "Canali di Reno." These are historical waterways that run beneath the city and once played a significant role in transportation and irrigation. They served as transportation routes for goods during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance period. Some parts of the canals are still visible, while others have been covered or transformed into underground tunnels. Along the charming Via Guglielmo Oberdan, near the cheese shop Al Regno della Forma Bologna, you can catch a glimpse of a beautiful piece of "little Venice" in the city 🛶✨
Shop 'till you drop in Bologna
If there’s still some time left, you can go shopping. Bologna, like other major Italian cities, is a top destination for shopping 🛍️ Our favorite shopping spots: - Via Rizzoli: an essential shopping street dating back almost 2000 years. Here you'll find major brands like Max Mara, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, United Colors of Benetton, etc., as well as talented street artists and musicians who make shopping even more enjoyable 🎶 - Via Indipendenza: one of Bologna's most popular shopping streets accessible only to pedestrians, allowing you to leisurely browse luxury stores. Most shops are surrounded by beautiful porticos 🏛️ - L’antico Ghetto Ebraico: a fascinating and creative district founded in the 16th century as the city's Jewish quarter. Here you'll stroll past artists' studios and vintage shops. The architecture and street art are also unique! 🎨
Fill your belly with pizza from Pizzeria Da Michele
Enjoy the best pizzas at Pizzeria Da Michele, with authentic Neapolitan influences, of course! Julia Roberts hit the mark when she visited this pizzeria; of all the pizzas we tasted in Italy, none could match the exquisite flavours of Da Michele's. Their pizzas are royally sized, with the traditional Marinara and Margherita being particularly delicious, all available from just €6 🍕
No day ends well without an Italian gelato!
Gelaterias abound in nearly every street in Bologna 🍦 For the most delectable gelato experience, go to Cremeria Santo Stefano! Their reputation precedes them; crowned the best Gelateria in Italy in 2023, it's no wonder there's always a line outside ⏳ While you may have to wait a bit, the indulgence that awaits makes it utterly worthwhile!
