A day in Bologna.
Bologna has 38 kilometers of porticoes, the world's oldest university, and arguably Italy's best food (locals will fight you on this). A perfect city for a 24–48 hour stop on a longer Italian itinerary.
Hour by hour.
A suggested order, feel free to swap, skip, or take it in reverse.
09:30 · Start at Piazza Maggiore
Begin your day at Piazza Maggiore. Arrive early to avoid crowds and see it in the morning light.
11:00 · Basilica di San Petronio
Walk to Basilica di San Petronio, one of the city's defining landmarks. Take your time, this is the kind of place you can't rush.
13:00 · Lunch at Sfoglia Rina
Long lunch at Sfoglia Rina. Locals eat late, by 1:30pm you'll be at the heart of the lunch service.
15:00 · Due Torri (Two Towers)
Walk off lunch with a visit to Due Torri (Two Towers). Allow at least an hour.
16:30 · Quadrilatero Market
Continue to Quadrilatero Market. By now the harsh midday sun has softened, best time for photos.
18:30 · Drinks at Osteria dell'Orsa
Aperitivo or evening drink at Osteria dell'Orsa. Soak in the local rhythm.
20:30 · Dinner at Trattoria del Tempo Buono
End the day at Trattoria del Tempo Buono. Book ahead if possible.
Picks for the day.
The food stops on the route, plus a couple of alternatives if your timing doesn't match.
Sfoglia Rina
Address: Via Castiglione, 5/b
Osteria dell'Orsa
Address: Via Mentana, 1f
Trattoria del Tempo Buono
Address: Piazza S. Martino, 4a
What to see along the way.
Piazza Maggiore
Address: Piazza Maggiore
Basilica di San Petronio
Address: Piazza Galvani, 5
Due Torri (Two Towers)
Address: Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
Quadrilatero Market
Address: Via Pescherie Vecchie
Archiginnasio
Address: Piazza Galvani, 1
Tips before you go.
- Most restaurants close between lunch (around 3pm) and dinner (around 7:30pm). Plan around it.
- Cash is still useful in smaller places, though cards are increasingly accepted everywhere.
- Walk where you can, the best parts of any old European city aren't accessible by car.
- Museums sell timed-entry tickets online and they save real time, especially in peak season.
- Locals eat dinner late by American or British standards. Don't show up at 6:30pm expecting service.
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