Planning a trip to Bologna, Italy? From food and architecture to laid-back vibes and fewer tourists, here’s why this underrated gem in Emilia-Romagna belongs on your itinerary.
We’re brimming with reasons to visit Bologna after our most recent visit to this overlooked Italian gem.
Filled with history, culture, and food like nowhere else in the world, Bologna is a red brick terracotta dreamscape. Characterized by its red and orange medieval buildings adorned with mile upon mile of porticoes, its left-swinging political history, and its graffiti-embossed piazzas, the capital of Emilia Romagna is one of the most culturally intoxicating and best places to visit in Italy.
Let’s get into convincing YOU to visit Bologna too!
Reasons to Visit Bologna
Updated – July 2025
TL;DR – Top Reasons to Visit Bologna
Short on time or just want the highlights? Here are our favorite reasons to visit Bologna:
Most Iconic Architecture: Bologna’s UNESCO porticos stretch over 40 km and lead to the Sanctuary of San Luca.
Best Food Scene: Home of tagliatelle al ragu and tortellini, Bologna is Italy’s (undisputed?) food capital.
️Best Hidden Gem: Fewer tourists than Rome or Florence, giving Bologna an authentic, laid-back local vibe.
Most Historic Campus: Europe’s oldest university adds an intellectual, progressive edge to the city.
Best Viewpoint: Climb (when open) the Asinelli Tower for unforgettable panoramic views of the red-roofed skyline.
Below we’ve listed all the reasons we think you should visit Bologna. We probably missed something that didn’t hit our radar, but we feel this is a pretty good starter list. Let’s get into it, shall we?
And right before we kick off we’re including this handy little hotel booking map for Bologna right below. If you book your hotel using our link we get to buy ourselves a cup of coffee, and keep the lights on here at Just a Pack. Thank you, and happy travels!
1 – The Porticoes of Bologna
One of the truly unique and thrilling (for architecture loving nerds such as us) aspects of Bologna are the city’s many kilometers of porticoes. What is a portico, you ask? As you can see in the picture above a portico is essentially an arched walkway, used to shelter sidewalks from the elements. These connected arches span a whooping 62 kilometers in Bologna, covering most of the central business areas in the city.
The UNESCO World Heritage listed porticoes of Bologna have been around since the 12th century, and at some point in the city’s LONG history it was mandated that every merchant need to build one in front of their establishment. So now, if it rains, you don’t get wet. if the summer sun is blazing down you can seek cooler shade.
Practical and unique to Bologna the porticoes give the city a flair that you literally can not find anywhere else. Did we mention that they look cool and are a photographer’s dream? Cuz that’s true too.
2 – La Rossa
Bologna has a few nicknames. La Dotta (The Learned) because Bologna is home to Europe’s oldest university and attracts many an educated person. La Grassa (The Fat) in a charmingly audacious nod to its unique gastronomy and standing as Italy’s foodie capital. But for us, the next one epitomizes Bologna the way we saw it, and what we appreciated the most about this city. La Rossa. The Red.
That nickname is well earned for Bologna’s warm terracotta-hued buildings which are found all over the center of the city. When the sun hits the bricks just right everything glows. The city even seems to have a windows “dress-code” where all the buildings in the center have red curtains to add to the red vibe. Magical.
3 – Bologna is Italian Food Heaven
No trip to Bologna is complete without sampling the incredible range of regional dishes on offer. Some essential dishes we recommend are tagliatelle al ragu (bolognese), pumpkin tortellini with Parmesan, and tortellini with butter and sage. Flavorful and affordable, don’t be surprised if you add a few inches to your waistline during your visit to Bologna.
Below are three restaurants in Bologna’s center that we ate at and very much enjoyed.
1. La Prosciutteria Bologna – Come here for cutting boards heaped with meats and cheeses, Tuscan schiacciate (sandwiches), or even just a drink. Good vibes, nice decor, and an outdoor eating area as well. Great for a lunch.
2. Sfoglia Rina – Come here for fresh hand-made pasta and delicious local dishes. The decor is immaculate, the lines can be long (no reservations) and the prices are absolutely fantastic. A great way to introduce yourself to the culinary delights of Bologna.
3. Osteria Angolo degli Orefici – Very friendly staff at this extremely central restaurant makes you feel at home and at ease. Great for outdoor dining and drinks, a dinner time recommendation for sure when the weather is accommodating.
4 – The Leaning Towers – Le Due Torri
Le Due Torri are Bologna’s most recognized monuments. These two leaning towers are almost nine hundred years old, having been constructed in the 12th century, and sit on an intersection of streets that lead to the gates of the old walled city. If you brave the 498-step climb to the summit of the Asinelli tower you’ll be greeted by unforgettable views and plenty of photo opportunities.
UPDATE – The Garisenda tower, the shorter of the two Due Torri, is currently closed and will be for an unknown amount of time. The tower was declared in danger of collapsing in late 2023 and has been closed for restoration. It MIGHT be open again in….2034. If we’re lucky. However, both towers remain symbols of Bologna and at least you can still get to look at them…right? You can find more up-to-date info on the towers on their official site.
5 – Bologna is a Great Base for Day Trips
Bologna’s central location makes it a killer base for exploring northern Italy. Want to hit up Florence, Modena, Parma, or even Venice? All of those cities are just a short train ride away. We’re talking 30 to 90 minutes in most cases. You can stuff your face with tagliatelle in Bologna one day, then go slurp balsamic vinegar in Modena the next. Magical.
During our recent stay, we hopped on a train to Florence for the day and were back in Bologna in time for aperitivo. No stress, no overpriced tourist traps—just easy, convenient adventures waiting right outside the city.
So if you’re looking to explore more of Italy without the constant hotel-hopping, Bologna’s got your back. Use it as your launchpad.
6 – Less Tourists
Bologna is often omitted from tourist itineraries, which in our opinion makes it all the more enjoyable! Unlike Florence, Venice, or Rome, when you visit Bologna you’ll be immersed in crowds of locals rather than selfie stick armed tour groups with the infuriating propensity to meander along at a snail’s pace. Less tourist crowds means more immersion in local life which, for us, was a fascinating experience in Bologna.
7 – Laid Back Vibes
With a large student population, Bologna has a hip, youthful, and left-wing vibe that’s uncommon elsewhere in Italy. Tons of outdoor dining and drinking options abound in the city. Our favorite spot for a drink and some people watching was Piazza Santo Stefano, shown in the picture above. Meanwhile, Piazza Maggiore is the epicenter of political and social life in Bologna and provides many an opportunity for observing life while espresso-sipping. Bologna also has fantastic nightlife where you can drink and dance until the sun comes up.
8 – Bologna is Very Walkable
One of the best things about Bologna is how compact it is. You can walk everywhere and there’s plenty to see within its relatively small center. Thanks to the city’s extensive network of porticoes, strolling around is actually enjoyable even in the blazing sun or pouring rain. You stay shaded, dry, and cool while exploring.
We spent hours walking around during our stay and didn’t need public transport at all. From grabbing coffee and a croissant in the morning to finding dinner spots at night, everything felt comfortably close. If you enjoy cities that are easy to navigate Bologna is a dream come true. No need to rely on taxis, buses, or metros. Your step counter will thank you for choosing to visit Bologna.
9 – Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca Church
If you wandered the 60-something kilometers of gorgeous porticoes that wind through Bologna and are feeling a bit more adventurous this walk is for you. Four kilometers of porticoes make up this hike, starting at one of the cities “gates”, Porta Saragozza. 600 arches make up the route, making it the longest uninterrupted portico in the world. Follow the covered route all the way up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca church – where you can gaze at Bologna’s skyline and the sprawling hills of the countryside below.
10 – Bologna Offers Great Value For Your Money
Compared to other major cities beloved by tourists like Venice, Florence, or Rome, Bologna is pretty dang affordable. You’ll eat better for less, find great lodging at lower prices, and enjoy everything Italy does best with fewer crowds and no tourist price-gouging. During our most recent stay in Bologna in July 2025 we paid around 100 euro a night for an apartment with a kitchen, and averaged 16 or so euro per person per dinner. That’s REALLY good for high season in Italy.
So, if you want to stretch that travel budget out a bit longer definitely stop in Bologna as you explore the wonders of la Dolce Vita.
11 – Archiginnasio and the Anatomical Theatre
Bologna is home to the oldest university in the Western world, which is cool enough on its own. But tucked inside one of its historic buildings is the Archiginnasio. Inside that, you’ll find the Anatomical Theatre, a wood-paneled lecture hall where medical students used to observe dissections. There’s even a statue of a flayed man holding his own skin. Bit much? Maybe. But also kind of awesome.
It’s weird, fascinating, and costs just a few euros to visit. If you’re into strange history or academic oddities, this one’s worth a stop.
Getting to Bologna
Bologna’s central location means that it’s well connected to most major Italian cities. Italy’s Frecciarossa super speedy train line connects Bologna to Florence, Rome, and Milan – with trains leaving regularly throughout the day.
And there you have it folks, all the reasons you need to visit Bologna for yourself. We hope our experience in La Rossa inspired you to plan your own travels. As always, happy exploring, stay hydrated, and we’ll see YOU on the road!
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