Guidebook for Bologna
Shopping
It sells only books authored by women. It has a wide range of books related to Italian and international feminist history, which you won't find anywhere else. All books are in Italian.
16 locals recommend
Via San Felice
Via San FeliceIt sells only books authored by women. It has a wide range of books related to Italian and international feminist history, which you won't find anywhere else. All books are in Italian.
Built in an ancient church, this 3-storey bookstore offers a wide range of books on any topic - plus the possibility of eating in its restaurant, buying organic products, or having a drink in its bar.
21 locals recommend
Librerie.coop Ambasciatori
19 Via degli OreficiBuilt in an ancient church, this 3-storey bookstore offers a wide range of books on any topic - plus the possibility of eating in its restaurant, buying organic products, or having a drink in its bar.
Via D'Azeglio
Via d'AzeglioHave a tour of the trendiest and classiest boutiques in the city!
Arts & Culture
The Museum of Modern Art features a permanent collection and a number of temporary exhibition of contemporary artists. A must see!
273 locals recommend
MAMbo - Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna
14 Via Don Giovanni MinzoniThe Museum of Modern Art features a permanent collection and a number of temporary exhibition of contemporary artists. A must see!
Museum with one of Europe's oldest and most interesting anatomy and obstetrics collections - creepy!
Via Zamboni, 33
33 Via ZamboniMuseum with one of Europe's oldest and most interesting anatomy and obstetrics collections - creepy!
Museum of anatomical wax models. An amazingly rich collection with sculptres dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Via Irnerio, 48
48 Via IrnerioMuseum of anatomical wax models. An amazingly rich collection with sculptres dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Via Stalingrado, 83
83 Via StalingradoOne of Bologna's historical places for concerts and music festivals.
Bologna's notorious LGBT centre: book presentations, conferences, exhibitions... and legendary disco parties!
39 locals recommend
Cassero LGBT center
18 Via Don Giovanni MinzoniBologna's notorious LGBT centre: book presentations, conferences, exhibitions... and legendary disco parties!
Via Azzo Gardino, 63
63 Via Azzo GardinoCinema d'essai + library.
www.cinetecadibologna.it
A tiny, beautiful theatre, built inside an old monastry. www.teatrosanmartino.it for the program.
Piazza San Martino
Piazza San MartinoA tiny, beautiful theatre, built inside an old monastry. www.teatrosanmartino.it for the program.
Drinks & Nightlife
Via del Pratello is a very lively street, where people gather on warm spring and summer nights for a drink or to have dinner in one of the several restaurants. Relaxed atmosphere, reasonable prices!
182 locals recommend
Via del Pratello
Via del PratelloVia del Pratello is a very lively street, where people gather on warm spring and summer nights for a drink or to have dinner in one of the several restaurants. Relaxed atmosphere, reasonable prices!
Right in the heart of the former ghetto, a hipster-looking, tiny bar. Stop by for a drink!
Via Valdonica, 5
Right in the heart of the former ghetto, a hipster-looking, tiny bar. Stop by for a drink!
Built in an old basement, Arterìa is a trendy bar hosting a number of indie music live concerts, dj sets, exhibitions and performances.
Vicolo Broglio, 1/E
Built in an old basement, Arterìa is a trendy bar hosting a number of indie music live concerts, dj sets, exhibitions and performances.
Everything Else
Try out Cremeria San Francesco for the best ice cream in town! ;)
35 locals recommend
Piazza San Francesco
Piazza San FrancescoTry out Cremeria San Francesco for the best ice cream in town! ;)
A lively and colourful farmers' market. On Saturday mornings, 25 farmers sell organic veggies, fruit, organic meat, dairy products, flowers, and snacks. www.mercatidellaterra.it
Via Azzo Gardino, 65
A lively and colourful farmers' market. On Saturday mornings, 25 farmers sell organic veggies, fruit, organic meat, dairy products, flowers, and snacks. www.mercatidellaterra.it
Piazza Maggiore
Piazza MaggioreThe main tourist office. Drop by for infos and maps.
On Fridays and Saturdays, the park hosts the city's biggest flea market. Come here to rummage through second-hand garments and vintage bags,and enjoy the view of the colourful characters around you!
110 locals recommend
Montagnola Park
2 Via IrnerioOn Fridays and Saturdays, the park hosts the city's biggest flea market. Come here to rummage through second-hand garments and vintage bags,and enjoy the view of the colourful characters around you!
Sightseeing
One of the nicest squares in Bologna, where to hang out, have a coffee, and visit the beautiful church complex, made of seven churches of different styles and epochs.
27 locals recommend
Via Santo Stefano
Via Santo StefanoOne of the nicest squares in Bologna, where to hang out, have a coffee, and visit the beautiful church complex, made of seven churches of different styles and epochs.
Have a walk through the tiny alleys of what used to be the city's Jewish ghetto, visit the Synagogue, enjoy the peace of this small portion of the city, only steps away from the two towers.
Via De' Giudei
Via De' GiudeiHave a walk through the tiny alleys of what used to be the city's Jewish ghetto, visit the Synagogue, enjoy the peace of this small portion of the city, only steps away from the two towers.
Walk down via Zamboni - where most departments of Europe's oldest University are - to piazza Verdi. On week days students gather there, sit on the ground, drink and chat till late at night.
64 locals recommend
Via Zamboni
Walk down via Zamboni - where most departments of Europe's oldest University are - to piazza Verdi. On week days students gather there, sit on the ground, drink and chat till late at night.
Between via dell'Archiginnasio and via Drapperie is the 'Quadrilatero', the city's oldest part. Wander through the tiny streets, and have a look at its pictoresque shops selling food and flowers!
Via Drapperie
Via DrapperieBetween via dell'Archiginnasio and via Drapperie is the 'Quadrilatero', the city's oldest part. Wander through the tiny streets, and have a look at its pictoresque shops selling food and flowers!
Museum on one of the obscure events of Italian history. On June 27, 1980, a plane crashed near by the island of Ustica (Sicily). The Museum features an artistic/historical exhibition. Very touching.
Via di Saliceto, 3/22
Museum on one of the obscure events of Italian history. On June 27, 1980, a plane crashed near by the island of Ustica (Sicily). The Museum features an artistic/historical exhibition. Very touching.
Feeling like walking? Go up to the sanctuary of San Luca, built on a hill from which you'll see the entire city. It's a nice 50-mins walk that pilgrims used to do on their knees to expiate their sins.
366 locals recommend
Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca
36 Via di San LucaFeeling like walking? Go up to the sanctuary of San Luca, built on a hill from which you'll see the entire city. It's a nice 50-mins walk that pilgrims used to do on their knees to expiate their sins.
The symbol of Bologna: Garisenda and Asinelli towers, straight from th 12th century. Climb the 498 steps to the Asinelli top, and enjoy the view! :)
15 locals recommend
Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
Piazza di Porta RavegnanaThe symbol of Bologna: Garisenda and Asinelli towers, straight from th 12th century. Climb the 498 steps to the Asinelli top, and enjoy the view! :)
Several nice streets depart from this square: Via Zamboni (see the 'University Area' entry), Via San Vitale, Strada Maggiore, Via Castiglione. Nice shops, bars and buildings.. worth a walk.
Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, 1
Several nice streets depart from this square: Via Zamboni (see the 'University Area' entry), Via San Vitale, Strada Maggiore, Via Castiglione. Nice shops, bars and buildings.. worth a walk.
Enter one of the street's drains, get on the boat, and start the tour of Bologna underground city, sailing along the Aposa river. Infos on guided tours: www.amicidelleacque.org
Via Riva di Reno, 65
Enter one of the street's drains, get on the boat, and start the tour of Bologna underground city, sailing along the Aposa river. Infos on guided tours: www.amicidelleacque.org
On Aug 2, 1980, at 10:25 am, a bomb exploded inside the railway station, killing 85 people. Notice the main clock, which stopped at 10:25, and the big crack in the station's waiting room.
10 locals recommend
Piazza delle Medaglie d'Oro
Piazza delle Medaglie d'OroOn Aug 2, 1980, at 10:25 am, a bomb exploded inside the railway station, killing 85 people. Notice the main clock, which stopped at 10:25, and the big crack in the station's waiting room.
Public library with free wifi zone, a bar on the ground floor, and exhibitions upstairs.
12 locals recommend
Piazza del Nettuno
Public library with free wifi zone, a bar on the ground floor, and exhibitions upstairs.
The city's main square. Have a look at the half-finished Basilica of San Petronio, and go up its terrace.
499 locals recommend
Piazza Maggiore
Piazza MaggioreThe city's main square. Have a look at the half-finished Basilica of San Petronio, and go up its terrace.
Food Scene
Tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, and many other typical Bolognese dishes!
Via Saragozza, 240/A
Tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo, and many other typical Bolognese dishes!
Bring your own food, and buy wine or beer here. A highly folklorist place, shabby, old and rude! Do not ask for water before having drunk at least a couple of glasses - they won't give it to you!
6 locals recommend
Vicolo Ranocchi
Vicolo RanocchiBring your own food, and buy wine or beer here. A highly folklorist place, shabby, old and rude! Do not ask for water before having drunk at least a couple of glasses - they won't give it to you!
Via San Valentino, 2
Best pizza in the city! :P
Good Bolognese food, 5 minutes from our flat.
(Via Augusto Righi, 1/B)
11 locals recommend
Via Augusto Righi
Via Augusto RighiGood Bolognese food, 5 minutes from our flat.
(Via Augusto Righi, 1/B)
A simple, off-the-beaten-track restaurant, serving great food and boasting a wonderful 1950s look!
;)
Via della Secchia, 3
3 Via della SecchiaA simple, off-the-beaten-track restaurant, serving great food and boasting a wonderful 1950s look!
;)
A family-owned restaurant in the hills serving amazing tigelle and crescentine. Reachable only by car.
Via di Casaglia, 62
62 Via di CasagliaA family-owned restaurant in the hills serving amazing tigelle and crescentine. Reachable only by car.