Bologna

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Why visit Bologna?

Bologna serves as the gastronomic heart of Bologna, defined by its miles of terracotta porticoes that shield pedestrians from the sun while leading toward the medieval skyline of the Two Towers. Start your morning beneath the frescoed ceilings of the Archiginnasio, once the main building of the University of Bologna, before navigating the bustling stalls of the Quadrilatero market. Here, the scent of aged Parmigiano Reggiano and freshly cured mortadella fills the air, providing a sensory introduction to the Emilia-Romagna region. Whether you are climbing the narrow stairs of the Torre degli Asinelli or admiring the sheer scale of the Basilica di San Petronio, the city rewards those who walk its colonnaded grid.

Dining is the primary occupation here, where tradition remains unshakable. Seek out a bowl of steaming tagliatelle al ragù at a local osteria, ensuring the pasta is hand-rolled and the sauce is simmered for hours, devoid of any cream. Conclude your evening in the student-heavy university quarter near Via Zamboni, where the aperitivo hour flows into the night. Visit the sanctuary of Santuario della Madonna di San Luca, accessible via the world's longest continuous portico, for an unrivaled panoramic view of the red-tiled roofs stretching toward the Apennine Mountains.

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More options: Kiwi.com · Oojo · seats.aero · Arangrant · eSky · lastminute.com · Megabon · QEEQ · AutoEurope · Hertz · GetTransfer · Suntransfers · Saily · Yesim · GigSky · Klook · EF Ultimate Break · EF Adventures · AirHelp Plus · CruiseDirect · Travelpro

Local partners in Italy: Club del Sole · UNA Italian Hospitality

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Popular experiences in Bologna

The things travellers book most here. You pay the same price as booking direct.

Top tours & activities in Bologna

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When to go to Bologna

The best months for Bologna are April, May, June, September and October. Highs then range from 17°C to 29°C, crowds are medium at peak, and a week here is mid-priced.

Jan
8°
low 1°
8 wet days
Feb
11°
low 3°
4 wet days
Mar
14°
low 4°
5 wet days
Apr
17°
low 7°
10 wet days
May
22°
low 13°
11 wet days
Jun
29°
low 18°
7 wet days
Jul
32°
low 21°
5 wet days
Aug
31°
low 19°
7 wet days
Sep
26°
low 16°
8 wet days
Oct
22°
low 12°
4 wet days
Nov
13°
low 6°
11 wet days
Dec
9°
low 2°
9 wet days
Highlighted = best monthsNumber = average daytime highBar = how wet the month is

Temperatures and wet days are measured, not estimated: ERA5 reanalysis for 2021-2023, at Bologna, Emilia-Romagna. Source: Open-Meteo.

Planning Bologna

Best time to visit BolognaMonth by month, measuredWhere to stay in BolognaWhich area suits youHow many days you needWhat fits in a short or long stay

Bologna — common questions

When is the best time to visit Bologna?

The best months for Bologna are April, May, June, September and October. Highs then range from 17°C to 29°C, crowds are medium at peak, and a week here is mid-priced.

What is the weather like in Bologna?

July is the warmest month, with daytime highs around 32°C. January is the coolest, around 8°C by day and 1°C at night. May is the wettest, with about 11 wet days. Figures are measured averages, not estimates.

What is Bologna known for?

Bologna is best known for food, history, architecture, culture and nightlife. The things people come for: Two Towers, Piazza Maggiore, Basilica di San Petronio, Archiginnasio.

Who is Bologna best suited to?

Bologna works particularly well for first-time visitors, groups of friends and solo travellers. That is based on what there is to do there, not on who books it most.

What can you book in advance in Bologna?

The experiences that sell out first are food tours, cooking classes, day trips, skip-the-line tickets, walking tours and night tours. You can check availability and prices on our booking partners below — you pay the same as booking direct.

Do I need a visa for Italy?

That depends on your passport and how long you are staying, so there is no single answer. TonyPlan has a visa and entry checker — put in your nationality and it tells you what applies to you.

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Why to go, the best months with real measured temperatures, which area to stay in, and what flights cost right now — in one file you can read on the plane. Free.

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Getting to nearby places

To Florence (train)To Lake Garda (train)To Siena (train)To Venice (train)To Verona (train)
Arriving by plane? Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) to the centre →
Best option: monorail · about 6–8 km