A Guide to Bologna, Italy by a Local

Indulge

Bologna famously goes by three nicknames: La Dotta, the “Wise” due to the University of Bologna being the oldest in the world, la Rossa, the “Red” thanks to its architecture, and la Grassa, the “Fat.” If you’re a fan of Ragù alla Bolognese, Tortellini or Lasagna — just to name a few — then you’re in the right place. Grab a typical Bolognese lunch or dinner at a local trattoria or osteria, such as Gramigna al Ragù di Salsiccia at Osteria Bottega or Crescentine Fritte at Trattoria Collegio di Spagna. Regardless of where you go, you’ll be in for a treat.

Walk it off

Chances are you will probably be quite full after a traditional Bolognese meal. There’s no better way to walk it off than by getting lost in the historical city center, famous for its Portici. Did you know they have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Piazza Maggiore & the Quadrilatero Market

Piazza Maggiore features some of the city’s most important buildings, including Basilica di S. Petronio — the largest church in Bologna — and the Archiginnasio Municipal Library. Legend has it that the Pope commissioned the construction of the Archiginnasio to prevent the Basilica di S. Petronio from becoming larger than Saint Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican.

Piazza Maggiore is adjacent to the oldest market in Bologna. This is the perfect place to grab lunch or a snack, as you will find many traditional stores with all the specialties of Bolognese cuisine.

Le Due Torri & Piazza Santo Stefano

The tallest tower in Bologna — Torre degli Asinelli — is one of the symbols of the city along with La Garisenda. While Le Due Torri — “The Two Towers” — are currently closed for maintenance, they’re walking distance from Piazza Maggiore as well as Piazza Santo Stefano, also known as Piazza delle Sette Chiese — “Seven Churches."

Feeling hungry from all the walking? Grab a gelato from Cremeria Santo Stefano, which is just a 10-minute walk from Piazza Santo Stefano. While there’s usually a line, trust me, it’s worth it.

Portico di San Luca

In addition to being famous for its Portici, Bologna is also home to the longest Portico in the world — about two and a half miles. Il Portico di San Luca connects the city to the Sanctuary of San Luca, situated in one of the colli — "hills" — surrounding the city. While you can hike your way up and back down, you can also book the San Luca Express, which will take you from Piazza Maggiore to San Luca.

Aperitivo

When in Bologna, do as the Bolognese do. One of our favorite ways to catch up with a friend or relative is to enjoy an Aperitivo with a Tagliere, which is a board filled with regional cured meats and cheeses. Emilia-Romagna — the Italian region where Bologna is — is home to some of the world’s most renowned meats and cheeses, including Prosciutto di Parma, Mortadella and Parmigiano Reggiano. Order your favorite drink, a Tagliere and cin cin!