Book a weekend in Bologna: here's what to see in two days

The city is not a metropolis, but the best way to fully savor its chameleon-like spirit is to lose yourself under the porticoes, with your head turned upward, following the friezes, the decorations, the scents, the music, and the unexpected surprises.

Thanks to its long university tradition, Bologna has a thousand identities and just as many secrets that make it fascinating even to those who have always known it: this is why it attracts so many loyal tourists who often return as soon as they can.

We've tried to compile a short list of unconventional must-sees, hoping they'll help you discover the charm of this ancient, ever-evolving medieval city. Here's what to see in Bologna in just two days.

DAY ONE

Start with a visit to the Two Towers: it will help you understand Bologna's identity during the medieval period and the great beauty of this unusual city. The Garisenda Tower (48.16 m) and the Asinelli Tower (97.2 m) are the most popular and daring of the 20 medieval towers still standing.

Right behind these two symbols of the city, a series of streets branches off, lined with splendid medieval buildings, all naturally with porticos. Entering Strada Maggiore at number 19, your attention will surely be caught by the splendid wooden portico of Casa Isolani, one of the few magnificently preserved buildings in the 13th-century city. You'll have to keep your eyes peeled for the three arrows lodged in the portico's wooden ceiling; the story that led the clumsy archer into error is shrouded in legend.

From Strada Maggiore, you can take a short detour through Corte Isolani to reach the most evocative square in the city: Piazza Santo Stefano. Built in imitation of the Temple of Jerusalem, it is today a small treasure trove of ancient buildings, with the splendid Facade of Santo Stefano, more easily identified by locals as "The Seven Churches."

In this square, you get the feeling that everything is precious, and that time has stood still for centuries. After the obligatory visit to the Seven Churches, take a moment to sit and contemplate the asymmetrical square nestled between the palaces of the oldest senatorial families. Once you're satisfied with the spectacle, with the Basilica behind you, follow the outline of the square, skirting the portico on the left. Don't let the slightly difficult pavement distract you, and keep your eyes fixed on Palazzo Bolognini Amorini Salina.

Don't let the demon's face alone capture your attention, but pause to appreciate the rich friezes on the capitals and the delightful care taken in defining the terracotta faces that seem to be watching you. After leaving the square, you'll want to delve into the "Quadrilatero," the name the Bolognese use to refer to the area between Piazza Maggiore, Via Castiglione, Via Farini, and Piazza Galvani.

The ancient commercial district will keep you busy long enough to find the right place to eat among the ancient cured meat shops and the colorful market. Right inside the Quadrilatero, on Via Clavature, is the entrance to the church of Santa Maria della Vita. The chapel to the right of the altar houses one of Niccolò dell'Arca's masterpieces: the Lamentation over the Dead Christ.

This expressive and moving collection of terracotta figures is perhaps one of the city's most precious treasures. Continue your visit to Piazza Maggiore, where the sixth-largest church in the Christian world, San Petronio, with its unfinished façade adorned with sculptures by Jacopo della Quercia, beckons you to enter.

Inside, you'll find the famous sundial and works of great artistic value, including the cycle of 15th-century frescoes by Giovanni da Modena depicting the Journey of the Magi, scenes from the life of Saint Petronius, Paradise, and Hell. Upon exiting, we recommend walking through the Pavaglione, a long portico that once enclosed the university classrooms, to the Archaeological Museum and the Archiginnasio, a must-see because it is so significant for the city's university tradition.

It will be the perfect time to take the elevator behind the apse of San Petronio, climb up to the Terrace of San Petronio and enjoy the panoramic view of the entire city. In the rosy light of the sunset that begins to color the hills blue, sighing at the spectacle of everything and the terracotta buildings made to shine by the setting sun, you will conclude your excursion into the most pleasant world.

DAY TWO

Visiting Bologna in two days is a daunting but not impossible undertaking! Once you've filled your stomach with the rich breakfast buffet at the Hotel Maggiore Bologna, your second day could be spent exploring the hills surrounding the city. If you have a car, we recommend a trip along the splendid roads of our Apennines to the Rocchetta Mattei (be careful, it's best to book ahead). The bizarre towers of this eccentric architecture stand out among the hills of Grizzana Morandi and Riola.

The volunteers' guided tour will keep you captivated until you leave. Less than a kilometer from the Rocchetta, a must-see is the splendid Church of Santa Maria Assunta, designed by renowned Finnish architect Alvar Aalto in 1966. If you don't want to leave the city center, you can enjoy another quintessential Bolognese: walking up the portico from the Meloncello, near the Stadium, to the Basilica of San Luca.

No matter what the weather is like or what time you go, you will be sheltered by the arcades lit up at night and in the company of many locals who climb up to keep fit and by tradition up to the Madonna di San Luca, one of the rare black Madonnas.

Book your weekend in the city now

As you can see, there are several things to see in the city: contact us now to find out what's available at our Hotel Maggiore for the weekend you've chosen for your visit.

We can't wait to suggest all the things to eat in Bologna and the things to see in Bologna: we are an international hotel with an enviable location, perfect for those looking for a hotel near the center or for those in the city to attend a fair or a concert.

In addition to rooms and residences for a more than comfortable overnight stay, we can offer a range of services tailored to each guest.