Visiting Bologna in two days

If you are in Bologna for a short time and don't know where to start, read this itinerary because it is perfect for you.

What to see in two days in Bologna on foot

Day One

The first day of the visit can be dedicated to exploring Bologna's historical centre. Starting from via Indipendenza, the main artery of the city that connects Piazza Maggiore to the station, you can discover the university area with its museums and choose to visit one of them according to the field of study that is of most interest to you. Not far away you can admire, from the Window of via Piella, one of the hidden canals of Bologna, and stroll through the streets of the Jewish Ghetto.

© Wildlab

From there you can reach the Two Towers, Garisenda and Asinelli in a few minutes (currently closed for works in the area), the very symbol of the city. The visit can continue reaching the pulsating centre of the city: Piazza Maggiore. Here it could be fun for children to experience the sound game of the vault of the Podestà and explore the space dedicated to children of the Sala Borsa. 

For lovers of breathtaking views, the Clock Tower offers no less than two panoramic terraces from which one can enjoy a magnificent view of the square, the Two Towers and the entire city.

A real must for lunch is to taste the typical Bolognese cuisine among the taverns and the most refined restaurants in via Belle Arti and via Augusto Righi. In the evening you can have an aperitif in the taverns surrounding the Mercato delle Erbe, the largest covered market in the historical centre, or in the Quadrilatero area, adjacent to Piazza Maggiore.

Day Two

Half a day or a couple of hours of the second day of the visit should be dedicated to the Sanctuary of San Luca. On foot, by public transport or with the practical tourist train, the ascent to the sanctuary is an essential stop, suitable for everyone. There is also a restaurant-pizzeria at the top of the hill if you want to stop for lunch.

The rest of the day can continue spending some time surrounded by greenery by visiting the Giardini Margherita, the largest park in the city, where even the little ones can have fun among the many play areas and rides. Or by completing the exploration of the historical centre, admiring Piazza Santo Stefano and the beautiful complex of the “Seven Churches”, the church of San Domenico, the Museum of the History of Bologna (Museo della Storia di Bologna), an interactive museum that tells you about the city's history, and the church of Santa Maria della Vita with the famous Lamentation over the Dead Christ (Compianto sul Cristo Morto) by Niccolò Dall'Arca.