Bologna blends medieval muscle with academic brilliance and culinary legend. Founded by the Etruscans and home to the world’s oldest university (1088), the city grew wealthy under its iconic porticoes—62+ kilometers of covered walkways now listed by UNESCO. Towers still puncture the skyline; climb the Asinelli for a red-roof panorama that stretches toward the Apennines.

Locals call it La Grassa (the fat one) for a reason. This is the land of tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, mortadella, and aged balsamic. Markets spill onto cobbles in the Quadrilatero, while wine bars pour Lambrusco and Pignoletto alongside paper-thin slices of prosciutto. Food is ritual here—slow lunches, aperitivo at sunset, and gelato to finish.

Practical notes: the historic center has a ZTL (limited traffic zone), so park outside or rely on trains and buses. Reserve popular trattorie a few days ahead. Validate regional train tickets before boarding; carry a refillable bottle for public fountains. Summers are hot; shoulder seasons are superb.

Bologna

Italy’s “fat, learned, red” city charms with porticoed lanes, terracotta palazzi, and a laid-back rhythm perfect for lingering. Piazza Maggiore anchors the center with the Basilica di San Petronio and the Neptune Fountain (nicknamed “Il Gigante”). Steps away, the Quadrilatero market hums with cheesemongers, salumerie, and pasta artisans rolling sfoglia by hand.

• Top sights: Piazza Maggiore, Basilica di San Petronio, Archiginnasio & Anatomical Theatre, the Two Towers (Asinelli & Garisenda), Portico di San Luca, MAMbo contemporary art museum, the canal “window” on Via Piella.
• Taste trail: Mercato delle Erbe for casual bites; Salumeria Simoni and Tamburini for boards; gelato at Cremeria Santo Stefano, Cremeria Funivia, or Galliera 49.
• Fun fact: The 3.8-km Portico di San Luca has 666 arches—follow them up to the hilltop sanctuary for city-and-countryside views.

Where to stay (book with our partners):

• Grand Hotel Majestic “Già Baglioni” (landmark elegance steps from Piazza Maggiore): Check availability
• Aemilia Hotel Bologna (modern comfort near the university; great rooftop views): See rooms
• Hotel University (friendly, central, and great value in the scholarly quarter): See rates
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com: Bologna hotels or VRBO: Bologna vacation rentals

Getting in and around:

• Flights to Bologna (BLQ): From Europe, compare on Omio Flights. From outside Europe, use Trip.com or Kiwi.com.
• Trains: Bologna Centrale is a high-speed hub. Milan (1 hr), Florence (40–50 min), Venice (1.5 hr), Rome (2–2.5 hr). Check times and prices on Omio Trains.
• Airport to center: the monorail to Centrale takes ~7 minutes. Taxis and buses are easy; walking is king in the old town.

Day 1: Arrival, Piazza Maggiore, and the Quadrilatero

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Shake off the journey with an espresso at Caffè Terzi (textbook crema) or a sweet stop at Pasticceria Gamberini (since 1907). Stroll to Piazza Maggiore to admire San Petronio’s vast, half-marbled facade and the Neptune Fountain’s muscular Renaissance swagger.

Evening: Thread into the Quadrilatero’s narrow lanes: peek into Salumeria Simoni and Atti & Figli (pasta and tortellini to-go). For dinner, book Trattoria Anna Maria (silky tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo) or Da Cesari (old-school Bolognese recipes, seasonal truffles). Nightcap at Camera a Sud (natural wines, vintage records) or Le Stanze (cocktails in a frescoed former chapel). Gelato: Cremeria Santo Stefano’s pistachio or Cremeria Funivia’s “cremino.”

Day 2: Towers, markets, and a guided food walk

Morning: Cappuccino and a cornetto at Forno Brisa, then climb the Asinelli Tower (498 steps; ~€5) for a skyline of red roofs and distant hills. Wander to the “Finestrella” canal window on Via Piella for Bologna’s hidden Venice moment. Early lunch at Mercato delle Erbe—grab sfoglia from Sfoglia Rina’s counter or try crescentine with squacquerone.

Afternoon: Join a small-group tour that mixes tastings with history—ideal for first-timers learning the difference between true ragù and “bolognese.”

Recommended experience: Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide

Evening: Reserve Oltre (contemporary Emilia flavors; excellent cotoletta alla bolognese) or Trattoria di Via Serra (seasonal, soul-warming pastas). Aperitivo at Osteria del Sole (since 1465; bring your own board from nearby delis; they pour only wine).

Day 3: Portico di San Luca, anatomy theatre, and pasta-making

Morning: Walk the Portico di San Luca from the Arco del Meloncello up to the hilltop sanctuary (3.8 km of arches; shady even in summer). If you prefer wheels, local buses reach the Meloncello arch. Reward yourself with tortellini or gramigna at Ristorante Al Meloncello.

Afternoon: Explore the Archiginnasio, the 16th‑century seat of Europe’s oldest university. Don’t miss the Anatomical Theatre—an evocative wood-paneled room once used for dissections (~€5). Coffee at Aroma Specialty Coffee, then browse Libreria Nanni for Italian cookbooks.

Evening: Roll up your sleeves for a hands-on pasta class—learn sfoglia technique, tagliatelle with ragù, and the aperitivo ritual. It’s festive, filling, and very Bolognese.

Recommended experience: Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class: Ragu, Spritz & Mr. Gelato

Day 4: Day trip to Ravenna’s mosaics (UNESCO)

Morning: Take a Regionale train from Bologna Centrale to Ravenna (~1 hr 10 min; ~€8–12 each way; check Omio Trains). Walk to Basilica di San Vitale and the tiny, jewel-like Mausoleum of Galla Placidia—5th–6th century mosaics that shimmer with lapis blues and golds.

Afternoon: Lunch at Ca’ de Ven (piadina and passatelli in a frescoed hall). Visit Sant’Apollinare Nuovo and Dante’s Tomb, then amble Ravenna’s quiet lanes before your return train.

Evening: Back in Bologna, go casual with Berberè (slow-fermented, light-crust pizza) or Ranzani13 (neo-Neapolitan pies and craft beer). Digest with a passeggiata under the porticoes and a scoop at Galliera 49.

Day 5: Motor Valley immersion (Ferrari, Lamborghini, Pagani)

Gearheads, this is your day. Join a full-day excursion from Bologna into Emilia-Romagna’s Motor Valley to visit the Ferrari Museum (Maranello), the Lamborghini HQ museum (Sant’Agata), and the exquisite Pagani atelier. Expect a deep dive into design, engines, and Italian craftsmanship, often paired with a countryside lunch. Hotel pickup makes logistics easy; it’s a long, rewarding day.

Recommended experience: Ferrari Lamborghini Pagani Factories and Museums - Tour from Bologna

After you’re dropped back in town, opt for a late dinner at Drogheria della Rosa (candlelit, market-driven menu) or La Montanara (Emilian comfort dishes and fried gnocco with cured meats).

Day 6: Parma’s prosciutto, Parmigiano—and an evening tasting tour

Morning: Train to Parma (~50–60 min; ~€9–15; see Omio Trains). Start at the Romanesque Cathedral and the pink Verona-marble Baptistery (sublime frescoes). Wander to the Palazzo della Pilotta to peek at the all-wood Teatro Farnese (baroque wonder rebuilt with period techniques).

Afternoon: Lunch at Trattoria Corrieri (tortelli di erbetta, mixed salumi) or Gallo d’Oro (classics with an elegant touch). Stock up on edible souvenirs at Salumeria Garibaldi—ask for 24- or 36‑month Parmigiano and sweet Parma ham. Return to Bologna by late afternoon.

Evening: Cap your day with a guided stroll that pairs local history with glasses of Pignoletto and Lambrusco, plus small plates and a proper sit-down tasting.

Recommended experience: Bologna: Dinner, Wine & Tastings Walking Tour

Day 7: University quarter, last tastes, and departure

Morning: Coffee at Caffè Rubik (vinyls and great espresso) or a maritozzo at Pasticceria Regina di Quadri. Stroll the University quarter to the Botanical Garden (a quiet green pocket) and the whimsical Oratorio di Santa Cecilia (luminous frescoes).

Afternoon: A final lunch at Vicolo Colombina (near San Petronio; refined Bolognese plates) or Osteria Broccaindosso (hearty portions, convivial vibe). Grab take-home treasures at La Vecchia Malga (cheeses), Paolo Atti & Figli (fresh pasta), and Enoteca Faccioli (bottled Pignoletto). Depart for the airport or your next Italian city—high-speed trains make connections simple; compare on Omio Trains or flights via Omio Flights and, for long-haul, Trip.com/Kiwi.com.

Optional/Alternate: Half-day food factories from Bologna

If you’d like a countryside tasting day without car logistics, swap in this artisanal food experience (Parmigiano Reggiano dairy, balsamic acetaia, and more) for Day 4 or 6.

Recommended experience: Bologna Food & Market Tour with 6 Tastings, Pasta, Wines & More

What to budget (rough, per person): coffee €1.5–3; casual lunch €10–18; trattoria dinner €25–45; tower/monument tickets €5–12; gelato €3–4.5; Bologna–Ravenna train ~€8–12; Bologna–Parma train ~€9–15.

In seven days you’ll taste the heart of Emilia-Romagna, from hand-cut tagliatelle to world-famous prosciutto, with mosaics and motors stitched in. Bologna’s porticoes invite lingering—and they’ll make you want to return, fork in hand, for one more bite.