Bologna in 3 days: a day-by-day itinerary
3 days in Bologna, planned stop by stop: when to arrive, how long to stay, how to get to the next place and roughly what it costs. Highlights include Piazza Maggiore & San Petronio, San Luca Portico Walk & Sanctuary and Regional Train to Modena.
- 3 days
- 16 stops
- About $232 per person
- Italy
Costs cover entry tickets and meals, not hotels or getting there. Some links are affiliate links; see the note at the bottom of the page.
Day 1 of 3
Piazza Maggiore, Medieval Towers & Tagliatelle
6 stops · about $82 per person
- 09:0011:00
Piazza Maggiore & San Petronio
Vast central square, Fountain of Neptune, and world's largest Gothic brick church.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 11:1512:45
Asinelli Tower (Due Torri)
Climb 498 wooden steps inside the leaning 12th-century medieval watchtower.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 13:0014:30
Trattoria di Via Serra
Authentic handmade tagliatelle al ragù bolognese and gramigna with sausage.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 14:4517:00
Quadrilatero Market Alleys
Browse artisan delis packed with wheels of Parmigiano and Prosciutto di Parma.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 17:3019:00
Piazza Santo Stefano
Unique labyrinth of interconnected Romanesque and medieval churches.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 19:3022:00
Day 2 of 3
UNESCO Porticoes, San Luca & University Heritage
5 stops · about $36 per person
- 09:0012:00
San Luca Portico Walk & Sanctuary
Walk under the world’s longest covered portico (666 arches, 3.8 km) up hillside.
Next: bus 20 min to the next stop
- 12:3014:00
Mortadella Lab
Warm focaccia stuffed with artisan mortadella, stracciatella, and pistachio cream.
Next: walk 8 min to the next stop
- 14:1516:30
Archiginnasio & Anatomical Theatre
16th-century carved wood anatomical lecture hall in Europe’s oldest university.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 17:0018:30
Finestrella di Via Piella
Secret small window looking out onto Bologna’s hidden Venice-like Moline canal.
Next: walk 5 min to the next stop
- 19:3022:00
Osteria del Sole (est. 1465)
Bring your own deli charcuterie board to Bologna's oldest communal wine tavern.
Day 3 of 3
Day Trip to Modena (Balsamic & Parmigiano)
5 stops · about $114 per person
- 08:3009:00
Regional Train to Modena
Quick 25-minute train west from Bologna Centrale.
Next: taxi 10 min to the next stop
- 09:3012:00
Acetaia Balsamic Vinegar Tour
Guided tour of attic barrel rooms for 25-year aged Traditional Balsamic of Modena.
Next: taxi 10 min to the next stop
- 12:3014:30
Trattoria Aldina (Modena)
Classic upstairs dining room serving tortelloni with butter & sage and zampone.
Next: walk 10 min to the next stop
- 14:4516:30
Piazza Grande & Modena Cathedral
Pristine Romanesque cathedral and Ghirlandina bell tower.
Next: train 25 min to the next stop
- 19:0021:30
Ristorante Diana (Bologna)
Elevated Bolognese feast featuring cart-carved bollito misto and tortellini.
Before you go: Italy
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Language
- Italian
- Plugs
- Type C, F, L, 230V / 50Hz
- Cars drive on the
- right
- Calling code
- +39
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (CET), UTC+2 in summer (CEST)
Want your phone to work the moment you land? Get an eSIM for Italy
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