Bologna curiosities to see
If you're planning a trip to Bologna or a business trip and are looking for things to see and eat in Bologna, you've come to the right place.
In these pages, we'd like to begin revealing some of this city's secrets, so that once you've booked your stay, you can immerse yourself in its distinctive charm. Bologna is a kaleidoscope of cultures, styles, curiosities, and flavors. Let's explore together what you could do during your visit to the city or a weekend in Bologna, whether you're visiting in the fall or any other time of year.
Bologna, the Learned City, between art and culture
Bologna has always been one of Italy's cultural capitals, thanks to a centuries-old artistic and intellectual heritage that draws tourists from around the world. The beating heart of the city's cultural life is the Salaborsa Library, an iconic landmark and meeting point between past and future, located within Palazzo d'Accursio.
Not far away, the Bologna Civic Archaeological Museum offers a journey back in time, housing priceless Etruscan, Roman, and Egyptian artifacts. The Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, meanwhile, houses masterpieces from the 14th to the 18th centuries, including works by Giotto, Raphael, and Guido Reni.
Finally, one cannot talk about Bolognese culture without mentioning theUniversity of Bologna, the oldest in the Western world, which for over nine centuries has been a symbol of knowledge and innovation, or the Mercato Quadrilatero Bologna: a hub of attraction for both tourists and those who experience the city on a daily basis, thanks to the abundance of commercial activities that teem with its streets.
Bologna La Grassa speaks the language of good food
Food is a universal language in Bologna, where every dish tells family stories and handed-down traditions. The undisputed symbol of Emilian cuisine is the tortellino bolognese, strictly served in broth and prepared by hand according to the original recipe. Another star of Bologna's tables is mortadella bolognese, a PGI cured meat loved the world over, enjoyed on its own or in fragrant focaccia.
But Bologna is also home to other Bolognese traditions appreciated around the world. These include friggione ( fried fish) and boiled meats with salsa verde (green sauce), tagliatelle with ragù, lasagna verde (green lasagna) , and crescentine(a type of flatbread), perfect paired with local cured meats and cheeses. Exploring the city also means letting yourself be guided by the aromas wafting from taverns, markets, and shops, where the authentic flavor of tradition lives on every day.
Bologna La Rossa: history and religion
Walking the streets of Bologna is like immersing yourself in a thousand-year-old tale, where history and religion intertwine in every corner of the city. Underground Bologna reveals a hidden side, made up of canals, tunnels, and ancient passageways that reveal the hydraulic and urban ingenuity of the past. Above ground, Bologna's basilicas offer extraordinary examples of sacred art: from the majesty of San Petronio to the spirituality of Santo Stefano, to the Gothic elegance of San Francesco.
provide a stunning backdrop, historic buildings testifying to the city's political, cultural, and religious importance over the centuries. A true open-air museum, where every stone has a story to tell.
Bologna what to see
If you're confused about what to do in Bologna once you arrive in the city or would like more specific advice on places to visit in Bologna, having a guide by your side who can suggest what to see in Bologna will change the game.
There are so many things to do in Bologna, as we've seen in these few lines: if you were to list the 10 things to see in Bologna, the list probably wouldn't be without the right mix of cultural and historical sites, but also emblems of artisanal and culinary art.
Experience Bologna with us: art, flavor, and history just steps from your hotel
Whether you're an art lover, a foodie, or a curious explorer of history, Bologna will captivate you in every way. Staying at theHotel Maggiorewill make you ideally located for visiting Bologna and discovering the city's wonders, with the comfort and hospitality that make every trip an unforgettable experience.
Contact us for more information or book your stay in Bologna: we are ready to welcome you and let you experience all the charm of an unparalleled city like ours, suggesting cultural places to visit and truly unique places that you will never forget.
