Discovering Bologna
Bologna has three souls, and they’re all worth discovering. It is the Learned, home to the oldest university in the Western world, with its lively atmosphere between Piazza Maggiore, its hidden canals and 62 km of UNESCO-listed porticoes. It is the Fat, capital of Emilian cuisine and home of tortellini, ragù and mortadella. And it is the Towered, recognisable everywhere for its iconic medieval towers.
This is where our guide begins: squares, churches, historic buildings, museums, parks, restaurants and our tips for experiencing the city like a local.
City guide
What to do and where to go in Bologna
Bologna “the Learned” is famous for the oldest university in the Western world. It boasts a lively atmosphere, from Piazza Maggiore to its historic hidden canals, and is distinguished by 62 km of porticoes (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Bologna “the Fat” is the world capital of Emilian cuisine, renowned for its tortellini, ragù and mortadella.
Bologna “the Towered” is known for its two iconic medieval towers.
