What to Do in Bologna: Towers, Porticoes, and Hidden Gems

Bologna doesn't shout for attention like Rome or Florence. It doesn't need to. The city reveals itself slowly—through the rhythm of students on bicycles, the golden light filtering through 40 kilometers of porticoes, and the sudden appearance of a hidden canal where you least expect it.

This is a city built for walking. The center is compact, largely pedestrianized, and layered with nearly a thousand years of history. Every corner holds something worth discovering, whether it's a leaning tower, a secret window onto waterways, or a piazza where locals have gathered since the Middle Ages.

Climb the Torre degli Asinelli

Bologna's most iconic sight is the pair of leaning towers that rise above Piazza di Porta Ravenna. The taller of the two, Torre degli Asinelli, stands 97.2 meters and leans 2.2 degrees—steeper than Pisa's famous tower.

The climb is not for the faint-hearted: 498 narrow wooden steps spiral upward with barely any landings to rest. But the view from the top encompasses the entire city—red rooftops stretching to the horizon, the Apennines visible on clear days, and a perspective that makes the climb worthwhile.

Details:

Address: Piazza di Porta Ragenna, 1
Hours: Daily 9:30 AM-7:30 PM (last entry 6:30 PM)
Price: €5
Tip: Book tickets online in advance, especially on weekends. The tower limits visitors to prevent overcrowding.

The shorter tower, Torre Garisenda (48 meters), leans even more dramatically at 4 degrees and is closed to climbers. Dante mentioned it in the Inferno, comparing its lean to the giant Antaeus.

Walk the Porticoes

Bologna's most distinctive feature is its network of porticoes—covered walkways that extend for over 40 kilometers throughout the city center. Built between the 11th and 20th centuries, they began as extensions of upper floors and evolved into public infrastructure that protects pedestrians from sun and rain.

The porticoes aren't just practical; they're beautiful. Styles range from simple wooden beams to elaborate Renaissance arches with carved columns and painted ceilings. Walking beneath them feels like moving through a continuous outdoor gallery.

Notable porticoes to explore:

Via Zamboni: Near the university, lined with historic palaces
Via dell'Indipendenza: The main shopping street, wide and elegant
San Luca Portico: The longest continuous portico in the world, stretching 3.8 kilometers from the city center to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

The trek to San Luca is a Bologna institution. The 3.8-kilometer portico contains 666 arches (yes, really) and climbs 300 meters to a hilltop sanctuary that dominates the city's skyline.

The sanctuary itself, built between 1723 and 1757, houses a Byzantine icon of the Virgin Mary that supposedly arrived in Bologna miraculously in the 12th century. The interior is lavishly decorated, but the real reward is the panoramic terrace with views across the Po Valley.

Getting there:

Walk: About 1 hour from Piazza Maggiore. The portico provides shade but it's still a workout.
Train: A small tourist train departs from Piazza Maggiore (€10 round trip, operates seasonally)
Bus: Line 58 from Via Saragozza

Hours: Daily 7 AM-12:30 PM, 2-6 PM Admission: Free (donations welcome)

Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno

Bologna's main square has been the city's political and social heart for over 800 years. The vast cobblestone space is framed by some of the most important buildings in Bologna's history.

What to see:

Basilica di San Petronio: The world's fifth-largest church, with a facade that's half marble, half brick (they ran out of money). The interior contains a meridian line designed by Cassini in 1655.
Palazzo d'Accursio: Bologna's city hall, with a clock tower and the Municipal Art Collections
Palazzo del Podestà: The medieval governor's palace with a vaulted ground floor where whispers travel in strange ways—stand in opposite corners and speak softly to hear each other clearly

Piazza del Nettuno, adjacent to Piazza Maggiore, centers on Giambologna's famous fountain of Neptune. The statue's face is said to resemble the pope who commissioned it—a subtle joke by the sculptor.

Discover the Hidden Canals

Bologna was once a city of canals, with waterways powering mills and transporting goods. Most were covered over in the 20th century, but a few remain visible through small windows in the city center.

Where to find them:

Via Piella: The most famous viewpoint, with a small window overlooking the Canale delle Moline
Via Alessandrini: Another window onto the same canal system
Via del Pratello: Look for the "Finestrella di Via Piella" sign

These glimpses of water between buildings create an almost Venetian atmosphere in the heart of Bologna.

Explore the University Quarter

The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is the oldest in Europe. The historic center around Via Zamboni remains dominated by students, creating a youthful energy that contrasts with the medieval architecture.

Highlights:

Archiginnasio: The university's former main building, with an anatomical theater where medical students once watched dissections. The wooden interior is stunning.
Teatro Comunale: Bologna's opera house, with a season running October through June
Street art: The university quarter is covered in murals, stencils, and political posters

Evening energy: Via del Pratello and Via Zamboni come alive after dark with bars, live music, and students spilling onto the streets.

Visit the Archiginnasio Anatomical Theater

This 17th-century anatomical theater is one of Bologna's most unique attractions. Medical students once gathered here to watch dissections performed on the central marble table, surrounded by wooden statues of famous physicians and carved wooden panels.

The ceiling features Apollo and the constellations, while the walls display the coats of arms of students who attended lectures here. It's a remarkable example of how science and art intertwined during the Renaissance.

Address: Piazza Galvani, 1 (inside the Archiginnasio) Hours: Monday-Friday 9 AM-1 PM, 2-6 PM; Saturday 9 AM-1 PM; closed Sunday Price: €3

Day Trips from Bologna

Bologna's location makes it an ideal base for exploring Emilia-Romagna:

Modena (30 minutes by train):

Home of Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini museums
The spectacular Duomo, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Traditional balsamic vinegar producers offering tours

Ferrara (30 minutes by train):

A perfectly preserved Renaissance city
The massive Castello Estense
Excellent cycling infrastructure—rent bikes at the train station

Ravenna (1 hour by train):

Byzantine mosaics that rival anything in Constantinople
Eight UNESCO World Heritage sites
Dante's tomb

Florence (35 minutes by high-speed train):

Close enough for a day trip, though you'll want more time

Practical Information

Getting around: Bologna's center is walkable, but the city also has an efficient bus system. Tickets cost €1.50 and are valid for 75 minutes. Buy them at tabacchi shops or ticket machines.

Best time to visit:

Spring (April-May): Mild weather, fewer crowds
Fall (September-October): Harvest season, food festivals
Summer: Hot and humid, but lively with outdoor events
Winter: Cold but atmospheric, with Christmas markets in December

Tourist information: The main tourist office is at Piazza Maggiore, 6 (inside Palazzo d'Accursio). They offer free maps and can help with reservations.

The Bologna Experience

What makes Bologna special isn't any single attraction—it's the cumulative effect of walking under porticoes, discovering hidden canals, climbing medieval towers, and watching the city go about its daily business. Students rush to class on bicycles. Elderly men debate football at café tables. Butchers in the Quadrilatero have been cutting meat the same way for generations.

Bologna rewards curiosity. Turn down an unmarked alley and you might find a 12th-century church. Follow the porticoes and they'll lead you somewhere unexpected. This is a city that doesn't need to advertise its charms—it simply waits for you to discover them.

Last updated: February 2025. Hours and prices subject to change.