8 Reasons to Add Bologna to Your Next Italy Itinerary
Later in this post I share a few affiliate links. I may earn a commission if you click on them and make a purchase, at no cost to you. I really appreciate your support!
I visited Bologna after spending a couple days in Florence and was genuinely surprised that more folks don’t include Bologna on their Italian itineraries.
This smaller regional capital has a different kind of energy than its Tuscan neighbor.
BOLOGNA BUZZES WITH THE YOUTH OF A UNIVERSITY TOWN AND SPARKLES WITH A LAID-BACK, CASUAL ELEGANCE.
The food and wine is abundant, the architecture is distinctive, and the mood is always upbeat.
But don’t just take my word for it.
I want to properly convince you that Bologna is a must-visit destination.
8 Reasons to Add Bologna to Your Next Italy Itinerary
1. Bologna has Awesome Food Markets and Tours
I’ve often read food writers praise the produce stands and food markets of bologna.
“You’re just buying a tomato,” the story goes, “But the proprietor asks what you will do with this tomato.”
The point of such stories is to illustrate how well the market owners, fishmongers and countless other food sellers of Bologna know their product.
They understand the importance of using the proper variety of onion in the ragù, and they take a genuine interest in their customers and what they’re cooking.
Bologna’s food sellers have plenty to be proud of when it comes to their products.
Pescheria Brunelli in Bologna, offering fresh fish and seafood daily.
The city is home to pasta workshops turning out handmade pastas like tagliatelle and tortellini.
Thin slices of pistachio-specked mortadella are featured in sandwiches, atop pizzas, and on tagliere misto boards.
And chilled glasses of Lambrusco and Pignoletto fizz in glasses as dusk turns into evening.
HUNGRY YET?
Naturally, this high concentration of food sellers and the world-class caliber of the region’s food products lends itself well to market and food tours.
One of the first things I did in Bologna was take a food tour. We visited a pasta workshop, sampled Prosciutto di Parma, and tasted various ages of Aceto Balsamico di Modena.
Beyond just these fresh ingredients, we learned about the local food traditions of Bologna, especially the very serious rules around naming rights and provenance.
It was fascinating to learn how many traditional techniques are required in order for a product to be officially deemed “of a region,” like Prosciutto di Parma or Aceto Balsamico di Modena, and the lengths to which local trade guilds go to enforce their marks of authenticity.
2. Emilia-Romagna is Home to World-Class Food Factories and Workshops
And speaking of all those regionally produced products, the delicious food experiences don’t end at the Bologna city limits.
Zoom out from Bologna and consider the wider Emilia-Romagna region, Italy’s “Food Valley,” which offers gourmands the chance to go even deeper by exploring various food production facilities, wine regions, and small hidden gem towns.
BOLOGNA IS THE PERFECT BASE FOR DAY TRIPS.
Zip off to Parma to discover how prosciutto di Parma and Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese are made. Or take a train to Modena to taste their local balsamic and tour its famed Mercato Albinelli.
La Prosciutteria in Bologna, Italy
Even if a day trip isn’t in the cards, there are countless Emilia-Romagna specialties that can be found in Bologna.
Head to La Prosciutteria for a tagliere misto board with Squacquerone di Romagna, a soft, sweet and sour cow’s milk cheese, or fill a piadina flatbread with the cheese at Piadineria la Piadeina.
Visit Mò Mortadella Lab for the best mortadella sandwich in town.
And be sure to snag a reservation for Ristorante da Cesarina, to try their crescentina, or small flatbreads from Modena.
3. Bologna offers Top-Notch Cooking Classes
I always recommend taking a cooking class whenever a friend tells me they’re visiting Italy.
A cooking class is a memorable experience that lets you meet locals as well as other travelers over food and wine. It’s a form of cultural immersion that brings you up close to fresh ingredients and local food traditions.
THE BEST PART COMES WHEN YOU GET HOME AND USE THE ITALIAN TECHNIQUES AND RECIPES YOU LEARNED ON VACATION, IN YOUR OWN HOME KITCHEN.
There are fantastic options in Rome and Tuscany and Venice, of course, but there is something so special about cooking with the bounty of the Emilia-Romagna region.
Classes are available to teach you how to make your own pasta, usually tagliatelle or tortellini, as well as lasagne Bolognese, and desserts like tiramisu.
While I love a cooking class in a professional cooking school, with spacious work stations and state of the art appliances, there is something so charming about a cooking class in a local’s home.
I did this small group pasta and tiramisu cooking class with a host who was warm, incredibly knowledgeable, and eager to share food insights throughout the afternoon.
I highly recommend it!
For a full list of the top experiences in Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region, including where to eat and drink, see the map below.
4. Bologna has a Great Natural Wine Scene
Natural wine has become a hit.
It's made with minimal chemicals and often skips added sulfites.
Natural wine is environmentally friendly, too, typically coming from organic or biodynamic farming.
There's a degree of craftsmanship in natural wine, and their unique, unfiltered flavors are often more intriguing to discover than their mass-produced counterparts.
IN BOLOGNA, INFLUENTIAL SOMMELIERS AND MODERN WINE BARS HAVE HELPED TO POPULARIZE NATURAL WINES.
Enoteca Storica Faccioli serves an amazing array of natural wines and tagliere misto. This quaint little wine bar is unpretentious, and its staff is incredibly knowledgeable. Try their selection of orange wines 😉.
A glass of orange wine from Enoteca Storica Faccioli in Bologna.
Enoteca al Risanamento is revered for its extensive wine list that’s able to surprise even the most advanced palate. It’s in the student district, in the northeast of the city, a lively, vibrant district known for its cafés and bars.
If you’re looking for a wine landmark, visit Bologna’s oldest wine bar, Osteria del Sole.
This ancient, bohemian wine bar has been serving wines from the Romagna region since the 15th century.
Though they don’t serve food, they do allow patrons to bring their own bites. (Grab a sandwich from Murtadela a few blocks away.)
And if you’re looking for a wine tour in Bologna, check out this option that winds its way through the city center over two hours and immerses you in the wines of the Colli Bolognesi region.
5. Bologna’s Gelato is Among Italy’s Best
So we already know that Bologna is home to fresh, high quality ingredients.
We’ve heard that the local artisans use traditional techniques and seasonal produce to avoid artificial additives.
BUT STILL, HOW DO THEY GET THE GELATO IN BOLOGNA TO TASTE SO GOOD?
I’m not exaggerating here, I truly believe that I ate the best gelato of my life in Bologna, at Cremeria la Vecchia Stalla.
I ordered a scoop of peach flavored gelato and it tasted like biting into the actual fruit.
The flavors were so rich and bold! This is a testament to the local ingredients, I’m sure.
The ice cream at Cremeria La Vecchia Stalla was the best I’ve ever had.
But even the texture was heavenly!
In Bologna, one of those traditional techniques in gelato production is using a higher milk-to-cream ratio and a slower churn process.
If you’re on the fence about visiting Bologna and happen to like gelato, I’m serious, go solely for this. It really is unbelievable.
My favorite spot was Cremeria la Vecchia Stalla, as it was recommended to me by several folks.
I went back twice each day. That’s how good it was.
6. Bologna has Underrated, Fascinating Art
While I’m a sucker for a good museum, there’s a charm to cities that house their most treasured artworks in public spaces.
This is common throughout Italy, with the high caliber of altar pieces and religious statues that are often found in churches.
Don’t get me wrong. The National Art Gallery of Bologna (Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna) is a must visit for its masterpieces by Raphael, Parmigianino, and the Carracci family.
But there is so much underrated art in churches and chapels, and hidden in plain sight, that makes Bologna a fascinating destination for art enthusiasts.
Consider the intricate frescos of San Petronio Basilica, especially the Chapel of the Magi.
Even the Fountain of Neptune, in the Piazza del Nettuno in the heart of Bologna, is considered a masterpiece. (Nevermind those mermaids 😱.)
Though the railing obscures the figure of Christ on the floor, Niccolò dell’Arca’s “Compianto sul Cristo morto” makes an impact with the raw grief etched into the terracotta faces of its subjects.
My favorite artwork, though, was the dramatic "Compianto sul Cristo morto" (“Lamentation over the Dead Christ”) by Niccolò dell'Arca. Housed in Santa Maria della Vita, this multi-piece statue presents a tableau of Christ’s supporters after the crucifixion. It’s famous, or maybe notorious, for the intense emotion displayed by its subjects.
There is a raw grief and anguish etched into the terracotta faces of the subjects.
Unfortunately, this display of emotion went against contemporary norms around how religious subjects should be depicted. That, and the statues’ terracotta material, rather than marble, relegated the artwork to a lesser stature both in its time and in the annals of history.
HONESTLY, THOUGH, THIS IS WHY WE TRAVEL!
To discover the things that aren’t famous, or printed on postcards, or turned into parodies of themselves.
dell’Arca’s artwork was really something to sit with, to experience. But I never would have learned about it if I hadn’t spent time wondering through the streets of Bologna.
Even now, I can’t really find a proper Wikipedia page dedicated solely to the artwork.
7. Bologna's Architecture is a Feast for the Eyes
Among its many nicknames, Bologna is also called La Rosa on account of the red hue of its buildings, the terra-cotta tiles of its roofs.
The city is most famous for its porticos that cover sidewalks and protect pedestrians from inclement weather. They stretch across more than 38 km of the city, adding a bit of formality to any simple walk through town.
My personal favorite architectural detail were the rock stud-like motifs that adorned arches and doorways throughout town. (Any fan of Valentino will know what I’m talking about.) They give a rebellious, fun, slightly medieval vibe to any structure they adorn.
A doorway arch adorned with rockstuds.
BOLOGNA IS ALSO FAMOUS FOR ITS TOWERS.
Italy’s most famous leaning tower may be in Pisa, but the Two Towers of Bologna are a modern counterpart and a symbol of Bologna. The leaning of the Asinelli and Garisenda has gotten so bad in recent years that the area around the towers has actually been fenced off to pedestrians.
Local authorities are trying to reinforce the structures to ensure their stability in years to come.
An interesting bit of history is that in medieval Bologna, rich families built towers the way that today’s billionaires build “supertall” skyscrapers in Manhattan.
Bologna’s Two Towers
At the peak of Bologna's tower building boom, between the 12th century and the early 13th century, the city is said to have had up to 180 towers. They were built for several reasons, obviously defense and protection, but also as symbols of status and wealth.
Among Bologna's powerful families, competition drove the construction of towers, with each family aiming to outdo the others by building a taller and more impressive tower.
Unfortunately, few towers remain standing today. If you’re curious, head to Trattoria Da Me Nelle Torre, a sister restaurant to the world-famous Trattoria Da Me which is located in the medieval Torre dei Galluzzi.
8. Emilia-Romagna is a Car Lover’s Dream
The Emilia-Romagna region and its twisting, winding roads are where a young Enzo Ferrari began his eponymous car company in the 1920s.
Today the sports car company's headquarters sits up the road from Bologna in Maranello.
Also in Maranello: the Ferrari Museum. It's next to the Ferrari factory and the Fiorano Circuit. The museum's exhibits focus on Ferrari's racing heritage and its modern car models. Fans of Formula One should definitely check it out.
In nearby Modena sits the Museum Enzo Ferrari. This museum is a little bit different than the one in Maranello. It focuses on the life and achievements of Enzo Ferrari, the company's founder.
A lot of folks often wonder what the difference is between these two Ferrari museums.
The museum in Modena highlights Enzo Ferrari's life. It's vibe is more historical and personal than the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. Maranello’s museum, on the other hand, is centered around the Ferrari of today: the Formula One race team and cutting-edge technology. It's contemporary and exciting.
BUT IT’S NOT JUST FERRARI THAT HAS A FOOTHOLD IN THE EMILIA-ROMAGNA REGION.
Just north of Modena sits the Lamborghini Museum.
Its exhibits focus on the history and innovation of the Lamborghini brand, and include a collection of iconic classic cars from the brand as well as more recent models. They also have unique concept cars on display to showcase their cutting edge design engineering skill. This museum has a modern, sleek vibe with lots of multimedia displays.
IN CLOSING…
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I love when a smaller city absolutely over-delivers.
I was charmed by the energy and atmosphere of Bologna, as well as the food and wine, the architecture, and the art.
Sitting at a wine bar an hour before it was time to catch my train, I was already daydreaming about a return visit.
And if that’s not a sign of a good destination, then I don’t know what is.
Cheers to building your next Italy itinerary, and adding a stop in Bologna!
xx,
Angela 🍷
YOU’LL ALSO LOVE…