Cheap flights from Tirana🇮🇹 Bologna

What to see in Bologna

• Piazza MaggioreThe main square, with the Basilica of San Petronio and the Fountain of Neptune.
• Due TorriThe two leaning medieval towers, the symbol of the city.
• The porticoes and San LucaAbout 40 km of covered porticoes. The longest one climbs all the way up to the Sanctuary of San Luca, with views over the city.
• QuadrilateroThe old market next to the square, packed with shops selling cheese, cured ham and fresh pasta.
• ArchiginnasioThe university's first seat, with the wooden Anatomical Theatre where medical lectures were given.
• Santo StefanoThe complex of the “Seven Churches”, one of the quietest and oldest corners of the city.

Book tickets for museums and sights in Bologna →

A 3-day itinerary

1. Piazza Maggiore, San Petronio and the Fountain of Neptune. Lunch in the Quadrilatero market, then the Archiginnasio and the Two Towers in the afternoon.
2. A walk under the porticoes up to the Sanctuary of San Luca, about an hour uphill. In the afternoon, Santo Stefano and an aperitivo in the university quarter.
3. A day trip by train: Florence, Modena or Parma. Car lovers head for the Ferrari museums in Maranello and Modena.

Where to stay

• Centro StoricoInside the ring of the old walls everything is 10-15 minutes away on foot.
• University quarterAround Via Zamboni, lively and with cheap bars and restaurants, but noisy in the evening.
• Near the stationHandy for the Marconi Express and for day trips by train, 15 minutes on foot from Piazza Maggiore.

What to eat

• Tagliatelle al ragùThe original of what the world calls “bolognese”, made with fresh egg pasta.
• Tortellini in brodoSmall stuffed pasta, served in meat broth.
• MortadellaThe city's famous sausage, in a sandwich or as a nibble with a glass of wine.
• Lasagne verdiLasagne made with green spinach pasta sheets, ragù and béchamel.

From the airport to the centre

Rather have a driver waiting? Book a transfer from the airport →

Getting around the city

Bologna is a city for walkers: almost everything is inside the old walls, and the porticoes shelter you from rain and sun. You only need buses for San Luca and for areas outside the centre. At weekends the central area is closed to cars.

Day trips from Bologna

• FlorenceAbout 40 minutes by high-speed train.
• Modena25 minutes by train: balsamic vinegar, the cathedral and the Enzo Ferrari museum.
• RavennaThe most beautiful Byzantine mosaics in Europe, about 1 hour and 15 minutes by train.

Tips

• Don't ask for “spaghetti bolognese”: here ragù is eaten with tagliatelle.
• From Bologna Centrale, high-speed trains get you to Florence in about 40 minutes and to Milan in about an hour.
• Many restaurants close between lunch and dinner, around 15:00-19:00: plan your meals around Italian hours.

Frequently asked questions