Arcaded streets, the original Bolognese recipe, and Italy's oldest university.
Bologna is Italy's food capital — tortellini, ragù alla bolognese, mortadella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano all originate from this region. La Grassa (Fat), La Rossa (Red), and La Dotta (Learned) are Bologna's three nicknames: outstanding food, red-brick arcaded streets, and Europe's oldest university founded in 1088. Few tourists, but plenty of life.
2M
visitors/year
Best time to visit
April–June or September–October — pleasant, no tourist crowds; winters are mild
Top sights & experiences
- 🍝 Food tour
- 🏛️ Piazza Maggiore
- 🗼 Two Towers
- 🎓 Oldest university
- 🍷 Aperitivo culture
- 🥩 Parmigiano & Prosciutto tour
Perfect for
GastronomyHistoryCultureCity breaks
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