Travel to Bologna

Travel to Bologna

Bologna has a lively atmosphere and is a gorgeous city surrounded by mountains. Equally important as Venice or Florence in terms of the Renaissance movement, Bologna is far less touristy, making it somewhat more appealing for those looking to get away.

Transportation to Bologna

Bolognas international airport, Guglielmo Marconi, lies northwest of the city and receives flights from many European cities. Those coming from farther afield will arrive at Milans Malpensa Airport; from here, a train to Bologna takes three hours. By car, you can get to Bologna via the A1 Autostrada del Sole, which also links Milan, Florence and Rome.

Alternatively, Bologna is a major railway junction for northern Italy, with frequent services from Rome and Milan. Bus services from regional centres such as Ravenna, Ferrara and Modena arrive at the depot opposite Piazza XX Settembre.

What to see

At the centre of the old town of Bologna, youll find the expansive Piazza Maggiore and adjoining Piazza del Nettuno, home to some of the citys best medieval and Renaissance buildings. Its easy to get lost in the crowd here, and a popular meeting point is the stunning Fontana del Nettuno, dating from the 1500s.

The art-laden Palazzo Comunale (town hall) is also worth seeing, as are the Basilica di San Petronio, an enormous cathedral dating from 1392, and the Basilica di Santo Stefano, which is actually a collection of chapels. Bologna also has many leaning towers, including: the Torres degli Asinelli (Tower of the Asinelli) and the Torres degli Garisenda (Tower of the Garisenda).

Day trips

The fascinating and crowded cities of Florence and Venice are only a few hours drive from Bologna. Closer to Bologna is the elevated Basilica Santuario della Madonna di San Luca, dating from the 18th century.

Also of interest, the small resort town of Porretta (Terme) is famous for its hot springs and, oddly, its increasingly popular annual soul music festival. Situated among the Apennine Mountains, it is about 50kms south of Bologna.

Modena is another nearby historic city. It has, in recent times, become wealthy from its motor industry, host to famous names such Ferrari, Maserati, and Lamborghini. Modena is also home to the Biblioteca Estense custodian of many of the countrys most important books and manuscripts.

Activities and leisure

Bologna is home to the worlds oldest university, and students here give it a youthful essence. The university quarter has become the entertainment precinct of the city, with many bars and restaurants along via Zamboni.

Safety issues

be alert for pickpockets when visiting Bologna, especially at night around the busy bar areas. Tourists are always more susceptible when in an unfamiliar environment. Driving is also a potential hazard and travellers should remain vigilant. We strongly recommend you take out travel insurance for you and your family.