Quick Summary:

  • Italy’s history is rich and well-preserved.
  • Between the Etruscans and Romans, beautiful architecture and culture have been passed down for centuries.
  • Though the landscape of old buildings, basilicas, and towers are awe-inspiring, a trip outside the city for some winetasting or hiking gives you an old-world perspective of Italy.
  • The city of Bologna has a famous sauce named after it (Bolognese), so do not be surprised to find this delicious dish and many other kinds of pasta in restaurants dotting the city.


  • Updated with new information since originally published.
  • Please support our journalism through affiliate links. Affiliate Disclosure
  • Our editors recommend these diverse local experiences.

1. Asinelli Tower ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Asinelli Tower | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© bbsferrari/stock.adobe.com

2. Piazza Maggiore ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Piazza Maggiore | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© Roman Babakin/stock.adobe.com

3. Saint Petronius Church

Saint Petronius Church | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© ekaterina_belova/stock.adobe.com

4. Neptune Fountain

Category: Attractions
Neptune Fountain | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© bbsferrari/stock.adobe.com

5. Santo Stefano Church

Santo Stefano Church | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© cge2010/stock.adobe.com

6. Archaeological Museum

Category: Museums & Culture
Archaeological Museum | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© alex_bendea/stock.adobe.com

7. I Portici Hotel

Category: Accommodations
I Portici Hotel | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© I Portici Hotel

8. National Gallery

Category: Museums & Culture
National Gallery | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© JackF/stock.adobe.com

9. La Piazzola

La Piazzola | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© Pavel/stock.adobe.com

10. Archiginnasio

Archiginnasio | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© picture10/stock.adobe.com

11. San Luca Sanctuary

San Luca Sanctuary | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© GiorgioMorara/stock.adobe.com

12. Palazzo Comunale

Palazzo Comunale | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© LErmo/stock.adobe.com

13. Galleria Cavour

Category: Museums & Culture
Galleria Cavour | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© vitylia7/stock.adobe.com

14. Museum of History

Category: Museums & Culture
Museum of History | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© Roza_Sean/stock.adobe.com

15. Saint Dominic Church

Saint Dominic Church | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© ironstuffy/stock.adobe.com

16. Palazzo Fava

Palazzo Fava | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© uva51/stock.adobe.com

17. MAMbo

MAMbo | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© Africa Studio/stock.adobe.com

18. The Hills Around Bologna

The Hills Around Bologna | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© Max/stock.adobe.com

19. Osteria dell’Orsa

Osteria dell’Orsa | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© FPWing/stock.adobe.com

20. Trattoria Leonida

Trattoria Leonida | Vacation Ideas in Bologna
© Trattoria Leonida

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