Things to do in Bologna

​If Bologna is known as "La Grassa, La Dotta, La Rossa" (The Fat, The Learned, The Red), then Piazza Maggiore is the grand stage where all these identities meet. During our 2024 trip, my girlfriend and I found this square to be much more than just a tourist stop—it was our gateway to an authentic and refined Italian experience.​Piazza Maggiore isn't just a square; it’s an open-air theater. It is the exact point where the city’s historical majesty shakes hands with its modern-day energy. Dominating the view is the massive Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest in the world, whose unfinished façade serves as a beautiful reminder of the city’s long and complex history.​Why You Must Linger Here:●​Feel the Pulse: Standing in the center of the square, you truly feel the "heartbeat" of Bologna. Whether it’s locals meeting for a chat or students from the nearby ancient university crossing the cobblestones, the atmosphere is electric.●​The Gaze of Neptune: Just a few steps away, the Fountain of Neptune stands imposing and majestic. It’s the perfect spot to take a moment and admire the architectural ambition that defined the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.●​The Hub of Everything: From here, the city’s soul branches out. You are seconds away from the iconic Two Towers (Le Due Torri) and the hidden, chic boutiques where we discovered that unmistakable Italian style.​A Personal Recommendation: after exploring the intellectual noble halls of the University or hunting for treasures in nearby antique shops, there is nothing quite like returning to the Piazza. As the sun sets, the red hues of the surrounding buildings glow, and the UNESCO-listed porticos invite you to sit down for a glass of local wine.For us, Piazza Maggiore was the perfect starting point for our adventures—not just within Bologna, but as a gateway to nearby gems like Florence and Verona. . If you’re looking for a perfect base, we stayed at the UNAHOTELS Bologna Fiera- find my review here.

The Two Towers, "Le due torri", both of them leaning, are the symbol of Bologna, and probably the most prominent one. Until 1919, there were actually 5 towers in this square. Bologna was always known as the city of towers, “La Turrita”, as over the centuries, particularly between the 12th and the 13th century, the city had possibly over 200 towers.Almost all them were tall (the highest being 97 m), defensive stone towers. There are now 25 towers left without counting the hundreds of bell towers in the city.The taller one of the pair is called the Asinelli while the smaller but more leaning tower is called the Garisenda. Their names derive from the families which are traditionally credited with constructing them between 1109 and 1119.The Asinelli Tower was used by the scientists Giovanni Battista Riccioli (in 1640) and Giovanni BattistaGuglielmini (in the following century) for experiments to study the motion of heavy bodies and the earth rotation. Bologna’s towers were cited several times by Dante in the Divine Comedy and The Rhymes (a confirmation of his stay in Bologna), and by Goethe in his Italian Journey. The Two Towers have also been the subject of an eponymous poem by Giosuè Carducci as part of the Barbarian Odes. Charles Dickens wrote about the towers in his Pictures from Italy.In World War II, between 1943 and 1945, it was used as a sight post: during bombing attacks, four volunteers took post at the top to direct rescue operations to places hit by Allied bombs.Later, a RAI television relay was installed on top.Architect Minor Yamasaki is thought to have been inspired by the Towers when designing the World Trade Center during the 1960s.

This is a decent half-day trip, but definitely come prepared for a serious uphill trek! If you decide to walk from the city, it takes about an hour and includes a surprising number of steep steps along the historic portico. The basilica itself is lovely, and arriving at the top gives you a great dose of exercise and fresh mountain air. Just manage your expectations regarding the scenery: the panorama looks mostly toward the rolling green hills rather than the iconic city center sights of Bologna. It is well worth doing for the workout and the unique architecture, but wear comfortable sneakers or consider taking the shuttle bus up if your knees are sensitive.

If you are interested in motorcycles, especially the Ducati brand. This is heaven. We visited the museum and the production line. Filming was prohibited in the factory. Everything here is great.