Bologna still sails slightly below the radar when it comes to travels in Italy, which is hardly surprising when you consider the giants of the country’s tourism industry. Although the city may not have the canals of Venice, the vast ruins of Rome, the loveable chaos of Naples, or the artistic clout of Florence, travellers who overlook Bologna are missing out. There is a surprisingly long list of things to do in Bologna, and the Bologna weather is also particularly agreeable, particularly in the summer months when it’s possible to have up to several hours of sunshine.
Many also consider Bologna’s food to be among the best in Italy, with a range of pastas and gelatos that can rival the best in the country. All that aside, the city is also home to several famous Bologna churches, including the Sanctuary of the Madonna Di San Luca and San Petronio Basilica, the tenth largest in the world, and the centuries-old gathering point of Piazza Maggiore.
Although the question
“Is Bologna worth visiting?”
is a common one, it’s a surprisingly easy one to answer:
“It’s not if the city is worth but when is it worth visiting.”
And the best place to start when planning a trip to Bologna, is to make sure you go at a time that best suits what you’re looking for in a city break.
Warmer Months
Like many Italian cities, Bologna comes to life in the warmer months, and there are ample opportunities to take advantage of the hot and sunny summer weather. What’s more, you’ll likely have several hours of sunshine in which to tick off all the best outdoor things to do in Bologna.
Although accessible throughout the year, some activities like exploring the open markets, getting lost along the cobbled alleyways and uncovering some hidden gems are best left for the warm and dry days. If dining out is a primary goal of yours while in Bologna, as it should be, then many of the restaurants spill out onto the sidewalks at this time of the year, allowing you to soak up some Italian rays while engaging in the ultimate Italian pastime – people watching.
Truffle Season
Autumn is the beginning of truffle season in Bologna, and if you’re on a foodie expedition to Italy it’s a great time to visit the city’s famous restaurants. There’s also a fantastic shift of atmosphere in the city at this time of year, as the aromas of the archetypal winter snack, the chestnut, start wafting down the streets.
Around Piazza Maggiore you’ll find a range of stores in which to indulge in autumn delicacies, from artisanal chocolate right through to pastas and falling off the bone, slow cooked meats. And as you approach the end of autumn there are many food festivals in the city that focus only on seasonal delicacies.
Colder Months
Although many may avoid Bologna in winter, a visit between December and February can deliver some unexpected delights. It’s a fantastic time for foodies to visit the city, and the colder winter visit offers ample opportunity to sample some of the famous Bologna food, much of which is warm and hearty and the perfect antidote to the cold outdoors. If you’re unsure where to start, a Bologna food tour can expose you to the very best of the city’s culinary specialities.
Many of the city’s other attractions are also perfect for winter travellers. There are dozens of notable museums, and Bologna churches, like Sanctuary of the Madonna Di San Luca and San Petronio Basilica, offer perfect respite from the cold.
Hiking Season
One of the main questions that visitors unfamiliar with the city ask, is ‘what is Bologna, Italy known for?’ Well, there’s no better way to find out than to spend a few familiarising yourself with the city during spring. The famous sites like Bologna’s Fountain of Neptune, and the iconic Piazza Maggiore, are at their best at this time of year.
But once you’ve experienced everything you want to do in the city, it’s also possible to soak up the atmosphere in the nearby hills, where you’ll find incredible walks and hikes that help you work up a hunger for all that famous Bologna food you’ll be eating.
Where to Stay
Villa Valfiore
Located in the heart of the Bologna countryside near the town of San Lazzaro, Villa Valfiore is set in a beautifully restored 17th century villa. This luxury boutique hotel is set in a splendid Mediterranean garden, featuring centenary Lebanon cedars, maritime pines, boxwood and pagoda trees, and offers comfortable accommodation in a secluded, tranquil setting.
Villa Valfiore has a fine restaurant, located in the splendid vaulted dining hall, where the chef and his team create delicious menus based on traditional Bologna cuisine and the finest local produce, while the excellent breakfast is served in the light and airy breakfast room. Guests can also take advantage of the hotel’s Wellness centre, featuring a Finnish Sauna and sensory showers. There is also a large outdoor pool, perfect for cooling dips in the splendid surroundings of the garden.
Just a short drive from the centre of Bologna, with its famous Piazza Maggiore, Piazza del Nettuno and the basilica di San Petronio, among many other fantastic sights and landmarks, Villa Valfiore is ideal for relaxing visits to this splendid region. Both the splendid Medieval city of Modena, and Maranello, home of Ferrari, are less than an hour’s drive away.
