Bologna is full of things to do and places to see. So, how do you narrow down what to do in a city that could easily take weeks to fully explore? The simple answer is, you need to find the best activities to do.

Read on to discover the top 11 activities to do during your trip to Bologna.

Best 11 Activities to Do in

Palazzo Comunale

Put on display in the main square of Bologna is the Palazzo Comunale. Here you will find some of the most breathtaking architecture in the city. While the inside used to contain the Bologna City Hall, it is now a museum and library. Within the museum, you can find the works of famed Italian painter Giorgio Morandi.

The Medieval Museum

The Medieval Museums is exactly what it sounds like it is. Located within a gorgeous building, this museum contains plenty of medieval artefacts worth visiting. Here you can find ancient weapons, necklaces, rings, bracelets, costumes, tombstones, and various household items. It is the perfect window into a time that preceded the streets you have been walking on.

Palazzo della Mercancia

This incredible structure was built in the late 1300s and has played many roles in the Bologna government as it has been used to house various government departments. Built with gothic-style architecture in mind, this building looks as though it was a part of a fortress or outer wall.

Church of the Madonna di San Luca

The Madonna di San Luca Church is in Bologna’s very own Catholic church. Perched atop the great Carausal Hill, getting to this church isn’t easy. If you are someone who is physically fit enough to hike all the way to the top, you will be rewarded with incredible views and a tour of this gorgeous facility. Be sure to respect any of those who may be inside the church at the time.

Certosa Cemetery

Certosa Cemetery is perhaps the most infamous cemetery in all of Europe. Here you will find the burial sites of many important figures like the statesman Marco Minghetti, Polish Officer Giuseppi Grabinski, Giorgio Morandi, Riccardo Bacchelli and Bruno Saetti. A walk through this cemetery will bring a solemn and sincere mood as you gaze your eyes upon the various statues and architecture that represent those who rest there.

Asinelli and Garizenda

These glorious towers are a central attraction to the city of Bologna. Asinelli is the highest leaning tower in all of Italy. With a deviation of around six and a half feet, it certainly is a sight to behold. Its little brother Garizenda is about half the height but has a much stronger tilt. If you wish to climb to the top of either, just keep in mind that you are facing a seemingly endless supply of stairs.

University Palace

The University Palace is among the oldest in Europe. Within its walls, you will find exquisite reading rooms, lecture halls, libraries, and a gorgeous interior to compliment it all. Many who visit Bologna have this place at the very top of their list of sights to see.

Take a Food Tour

If you are travelling to Italy, the odds are that you’re planning on eating a lot of good food. If not, you should plan on it. Bologna is home to some of the best food, and there are plenty of tours to go on if you want to try it all. You can try a traditional guided tour, three-hour secret food tour, or a three-and-a-half-hour food and walking tour. You can’t go wrong with any of these options.

Piazzas Maggiore

The Piazzas Maggiore originally acted as a Central Market Square after being built in the 1200s. Here people would come from all over to conduct trade and participate in city-wide events and festivities. With its rich history and exquisite architecture, it remains the face of Bologna to this day.

Neptune Fountain

The Neptune Fountain, located adjacent to the Piazzas Maggiore, is a classic staple of the city’s history. Atop the fountain stands a large bronze statue of King Neptune, who is holding onto a trident as he shamelessly greets each passerby.

Anatomical Theater

The anatomical theatre can be found within the University. It is a historic room where many patients were operated on, students were taught, and medical research was conducted. Now, it is a historically accurate representation of the architecture and way of life during the medieval era.

Travel Tip – Don’t Carry Your Bags

A travel tip for getting around in Bologna. Whether it’s your luggage or newly acquired shopping bags, don’t carry them around. Simply because you don’t have to. There are facilities for luggage storage in Bologna that make it so you can drop your bags off and enjoy the city without worrying about carrying them or setting them down and forgetting them.

The Bottom Line

Bologna is a beautiful city with a lot to do and see. So, be sure to narrow down the things you want to do and see, collect them all in an itinerary, store your bags, and enjoy your time learning about the history of Italy.