Bologna in 3 Days: travel itinerary

Day 1

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X. Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro

Our adventure begins at the Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, a masterpiece of sacred art that preserves frescoes and works of great value. Don’t miss the opportunity to climb the Campanile della Cattedrale di San Pietro, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the city. Complete the visit with the Museo di San Pietro, which houses important ecclesiastical treasures.

✨ Walking under the immense nave of the Cathedral gives the feeling of being inside one of the most monumental churches in Europe. Look for the meridian line on the floor: it is one of the longest in the world.

📌 the Museo di San Pietro can be visited by reservation. You will find the phone number in the Google Maps card accessible from the link in the table.

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A. Palazzo d’Accursio

We head towards Palazzo d’Accursio, the historic seat of the Municipality, which hosts the Collezioni Comunali d’Arte. A short walk away, we admire the majestic Fontana del Nettuno, the Renaissance Palazzo Re Enzo, and the medieval Palazzo del Podestà. Continuing on, we reach Piazza Maggiore, the beating heart of the city, surrounded by splendid historic buildings including the Torre dell’Orologio and the charming Palazzo dei Notai.

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B. Basilica di San Petronio

Continuing along the itinerary, we enter the magnificent Basilica di San Petronio, one of the largest churches in Europe. Inside, the Museo diocesano di San Petronio tells the history of the basilica and its artworks. Don’t miss the Cappella dei Magi, frescoed by the famous Giovanni da Modena.

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C. Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna

A few steps away we find the Museo Civico Archeologico di Bologna, which preserves valuable Etruscan, Roman and Egyptian artifacts. Before ending the morning, a short stop at the evocative Portico della Morte, a historic corner of Bologna.

Day 2

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D. Archiginnasio

In the afternoon we immerse ourselves in the history of the ancient University of Bologna by visiting the Teatro Anatomico, where the first public dissections were once performed. Next, we enter the magnificent Sala dello Stabat Mater and the Biblioteca comunale dell’Archiginnasio, rich in volumes and extraordinary frescoes.

Leaving the building, we find ourselves in Piazza Galvani, dominated by the Statua di Luigi Galvani. We walk under the evocative Portico del Pavaglione (UNESCO Heritage) until we reach the Portici di Piazza Cavour (UNESCO Heritage) and Via Farini. Here we stop at the Panchina Lucio Dalla, dedicated to the famous Bolognese singer-songwriter, before admiring the luxury shop windows of the Galleria Cavour.

📌 the visit to the Biblioteca comunale dell’Archiginnasio requires reservation. You will find the phone number in the Google Maps card accessible from the link in the table.

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E. Complesso di Santo Stefano

The next stop is the Basilica di Santo Stefano, a fascinating complex of churches known as “The Seven Churches.” We continue with the Museo di Santo Stefano and end the visit in Piazza Santo Stefano (UNESCO Heritage), one of the most charming corners of the city.

✨ A timeless place: silent courtyards and intertwined churches create an almost mystical atmosphere in the heart of Bologna.

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F. Due Torri

It is impossible to visit Bologna without admiring its famous medieval towers: the Torre degli Asinelli, with the possibility of climbing to the top for an incredible view, and the leaning Torre della Garisenda.

📌 Stop F corresponds to the famous 2 towers of Bologna, but the Torre degli Asinelli is currently not visitable due to structural issues with the Garisenda. To see the Bologna skyline, we have included the Torre Prendiparte (stop I).

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G. Collezione di Zoologia di Bologna

A fascinating stop for those who love the animal world: this museum preserves a vast collection of specimens, including rare species and historical models, offering a journey through biodiversity and evolution.

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H. Museo Geologico “G. Capellini”

One of the most important scientific museums in Italy, it displays fossils, minerals and an extraordinary dinosaur skeleton, telling millions of years of Earth’s history in an engaging way.

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I. Torre Prendiparte

We conclude the afternoon with an extraordinary experience: the Torre Prendiparte (Sky Experience), one of the best-preserved medieval towers, from whose top you can enjoy a breathtaking panorama over all of Bologna.

📌 the visit to the Torre Prendiparte (Sky Experience) requires reservation. You will find the phone number in the Google Maps card accessible from the link in the table.

Morning

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I/X. Torre Prendiparte (Sky Experience) is a shared stop 🧩 – See final stop of previous route

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A. Complesso Santa Maria della Vita

The Complesso di Santa Maria della Vita is one of the most fascinating gems of Bologna. Here we visit the Oratorio di Santa Maria della Vita, famous for the celebrated Compianto di Nicolò dell’Arca, a sculptural masterpiece of extraordinary emotional intensity. We continue with the Museo della Sanità e dell’Assistenza, which tells the story of medicine and care for the sick in medieval times.

✨ The Compianto di Nicolò dell’Arca strikes like few works in the world: expressions so intense they seem alive, pure emotion carved in stone.

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B. Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande

We head towards Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande, home to a rich art collection. A short walk away we find the Museo della Storia di Bologna, an immersive experience that retraces the history of the city from its origins to the present day.

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C. Quadrilatero

A walk through the alleys of the Quadrilatero, the gastronomic heart of the city, where you can admire ancient shops, markets, and taste traditional Bolognese products.

Afternoon

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D. Basilica di San Giacomo Maggiore

We resume our walk with a visit to the Basilica di San Giacomo Maggiore, which houses the sumptuous Cappella Bentivoglio, frescoed by Lorenzo Costa. A few steps away, the Oratorio di Santa Cecilia enchants us with its Renaissance fresco cycle. Continuing on, we admire the Portici accademici di Via Zamboni (UNESCO World Heritage), a symbol of Bologna’s university life.

📌 the visit to the Cappella Bentivoglio requires mandatory reservation. You will find the phone number in the Google Maps card accessible from the link in the table.

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E. Museo di Palazzo Poggi

We enter the Museo di Palazzo Poggi, which preserves valuable scientific and natural history collections. The visit continues at the Biblioteca Universitaria di Bologna – BUB, one of the most prestigious study centres in Italy, and the evocative Museo della Specola, dedicated to astronomy.

📌 the Biblioteca Universitaria di Bologna – BUB can be visited upon request. You will find the phone number in the Google Maps card accessible from the link in the table.

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F. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna

For art lovers, the next stop is the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, which houses masterpieces by artists such as Raphael, the Carracci, and Guido Reni.

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G. La Piccola Venezia

We reach the famous Finestra sul Canale, a hidden corner that offers an unexpected view of one of the city’s underground canals, known as “La Piccola Venezia”.

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H. MAMbo – Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna

We continue with a visit to MAMbo, the main contemporary art museum of the city, and the evocative Porticato del MAMbo (UNESCO World Heritage).

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I. Mercato delle Erbe

The final stop of our itinerary is the Mercato delle Erbe, a perfect place to immerse yourself in Bolognese flavours among food stalls and small restaurants.