Bologna walking tour & city guide

Piazza Maggiore and the porticoes

Piazza Maggiore is the city's grand central square, surrounded by medieval palaces and the huge, unfinished Basilica of San Petronio. Next to it, the Fountain of Neptune is one of Bologna's symbols.

Bologna has around 40 kilometers of porticoes, covered walkways that line the streets of the center and protect walkers from sun and rain. They are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The longest, almost 4 kilometers, climbs a hill to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, with views over the city and countryside.

Towers and the old university

In the Middle Ages, Bologna's wealthy families built dozens of tall towers. The two most famous, the Asinelli and the leaning Garisenda, stand side by side at the heart of the city. The Archiginnasio, the first permanent seat of the university, has an anatomical theater carved in wood and walls covered with coats of arms.

Wander the university district for lively student life, and look for the 'little window' on Via Piella, which opens onto a hidden canal.

Eating in Bologna

The Quadrilatero, a maze of medieval streets east of Piazza Maggiore, has been the city's market for centuries, with delis selling mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano and fresh pasta. Bologna is the home of tagliatelle al ragù, the original of what the world calls 'spaghetti bolognese'. The city is an excellent base for food trips to Modena and Parma.