With its iconic red-hued medieval buildings, bustling porticos, and foodie scene, Bologna offers visitors an authentic taste of Italian culture. As the lively capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, this university city blends historical charm with modern energy. From strolling medieval towers to feasting on Bolognese cuisine, there are so many ways to experience Bologna’s one-of-a-kind flair.
| No. | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tour the Museo Civico Medievale | Explore medieval artifacts in a newly renovated museum. |
| 2 | Ride the Funicular to San Luca | Enjoy an aerial view of the city from a new funicular. |
| 3 | See Caravaggio’s Painting | View a rediscovered Caravaggio work at the Pinacoteca Nazionale. |
| 4 | Visit MAST Gallery | Experience art and technology exhibitions. |
| 5 | Dine on Via Drapperie | Enjoy cocktails and dining in a trendy nightlife area. |
| 6 | Street Art Tour in University District | Explore street art and local culture in guided tours. |
| 7 | Attend Teatro Arena del Sole Performance | Watch performances in a renovated historic theater. |
| 8 | Try Milk Punch Cocktails | Sample unique cocktails in speakeasy-style bars. |
| 9 | Go to Teatro Comunale di Bologna | Experience opera in a large, ornate opera house. |
| 10 | Dine at New Trattorias | Taste local cuisine in the historic center’s new eateries. |
| 11 | Explore Linear Park Pathways | Walk, cycle, or jog on new green urban pathways. |
| 12 | Visit Metropolitana Museum | See rarely exhibited Roman and Etruscan relics. |
| 13 | Opera at Arena Parco Nord | Enjoy open-air opera and concerts in summer. |
| 14 | Day Trip to Modena for Food Tastings | Experience balsamic vinegar and food tastings in Modena. |
| 15 | Pasta Making Class | Learn to make traditional pasta in a hands-on class. |
In 2024, new infrastructure projects, reopened cultural sites, conferences, and exhibits promise to make this northern Italian destination even more appealing. Here are 15 of the top things to do when visiting Bologna, Italy in 2024:
Tour the Renovated Museo Civico Medievale
Name and Location: Museo Civico Medievale, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: The Museo Civico Medievale is located in the historic Palazzo Ghisilardi building in Bologna. First opened in 1973, the museum underwent an extensive renovation and expansion completed in 2022. It houses an important collection of medieval art, artifacts and architecture from Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region. Key highlights include Gothic sculptures, paintings, ceramics, textiles and architectural elements. The museum provides insight into medieval life, art and culture in Bologna.
What to Expect: The renovated museum spans four floors with multimedia exhibits, interactive displays and restored architectural spaces. Key highlights include the 15th century courtyards, frescoed chapel, sculptures by Jacopo della Quercia and paintings by Vitale da Bologna. Exhibits are well-curated and described in Italian and English.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Friday 10am-6:30pm, weekends 10am-7:30pm. Closed Mondays. Tickets €6, discounts available. Audio guides can be rented. The museum is wheelchair accessible. There’s a cafe and gift shop on site.
After over a decade of extensive restorations, the Museo Civico Medievale will finally reopen in 2024 with even more medieval artifacts from Bologna and surrounding areas on display. Wander through the palazzo complex to see frescoed interiors and exhibits highlighting medieval art, textiles, weapons and music. Learn how life in Bologna flourished 1000 years ago.
Ride the New Funicular up to San Luca
Name and Location: Funicular to Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: The Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca is a basilica located on top of Colle della Guardia hill overlooking Bologna. Pilgrims have walked up the hill’s 666 arches to reach the sanctuary since the 12th century. In 2023, a new funicular opened to transport visitors up the steep hillside in just 3 minutes.
What to Expect: The funicular provides an easy way to reach the sanctuary and admire panoramic views over Bologna. The ride up affords sweeping vistas of the city and surrounding countryside. At the top, the sanctuary contains a revered Byzantine icon of the Madonna as well as pleasant gardens and walks.
Visitor Information: The funicular runs daily 7:00am-midnight, departing every 15 minutes. Tickets are €2 each way. The sanctuary is open 6:30am-12:30pm and 2:30-6:30pm daily. Modest dress is required.
For an amazing aerial view, soar above the city in a newly built funicular up to the Sanctuary of San Luca. This iconic 18th century church sits on a forested hilltop over the city and is connected to Bologna’s center by the world’s longest portico dotted with 655 arches. Glide up the steep ascent in air-conditioned cars for sweeping vistas over red-roofed Bologna below.
See Caravaggio’s Long Lost Painting
Name and Location: Caravaggio’s ‘The Conversion of Saul’ at the Santa Maria della Vita Chapel, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: ‘The Conversion of Saul’ is a newly authenticated Caravaggio painting from 1601 depicting the biblical conversion of Saul on the road to Damascus. Long thought lost, the painting recently underwent cleaning and analysis confirming it as an original Caravaggio. It is now on display at the Baroque Santa Maria della Vita chapel, known for its macabre ‘Compianto sul Cristo morto’ sculptures.
What to Expect: Viewing the Caravaggio painting in the dramatic setting of the chapel is a highlight. The 17 foot painting is strikingly luminous. Nearby sculptures depict Christ’s graphic entombment, contrasting with the divine light of Caravaggio’s work. Audio guides provide background.
Visitor Information: The chapel is open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm. Tickets are €10. Guided tours available by appointment. Located just north of Piazza Maggiore in central Bologna.
In 2024, Bologna’s Pinacoteca Nazionale gallery will host a temporary exhibition of Caravaggio’s recently rediscovered work, “Conversion on the Way to Damascus”. Believed lost for centuries, this pivotal early painting was acquired by a private collector in 2019. View the Baroque master’semotional lighting and movement that would influence generations to come.
Check Out Exhibitions at the MAST Gallery
Name and Location: MAST Gallery, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: The MAST Foundation is a cultural center and gallery in Bologna presenting rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, photography, design and culture. Opened in 2013 in a former industrial space, MAST has become an important fixture in Bologna’s arts scene. Exhibits range from architecture and street photography to multimedia installations.
What to Expect: MAST’s industrial architecture provides a striking backdrop for cutting-edge exhibits. Recent highlights include a showcase of Moroccan photographers and an interactive exhibit on urban beekeeping. Well-curated shows change every few months, focusing on contemporary artists and issues. A cafe and bookshop are on site.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Sunday 12pm-7pm. Closed Mondays. Admission is free. Located northeast of city center, on Via Speranza 42. Tours available in English and Italian.
Bologna’s MAST Gallery located in a converted industrial complex focuses on art and technology intersections. Catch cutting-edge digital media shows featuring 3D printing, virtual reality, robotics and more in 2024. See futuristic works and interact with visionary installations unlike anything else in Bologna’s traditional galleries and museums.
Sample Creative Cocktails and Dining on Via Drapperie
Name and Location: Via Drapperie, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: Via Drapperie is a pedestrian street in central Bologna lined with bustling bars and restaurants. The narrow medieval lane was once home to textile workshops and merchants. Today, Via Drapperie has become a lively nightlife hub, especially popular for its innovative cocktail bars hidden down small alleyways.
What to Expect: Trendy cocktail bars like ‘The Spirit’ and ‘Cremcaffè’ mix up creative concoctions using local ingredients. Look out for spots like the whimsical Ginger bar hidden behind an unassuming door. The street also has classic trattorias and wine bars perfect to sample Emilia-Romagna’s cuisine. The area buzzes with university students and young professionals.
Visitor Information: Bars open approximately 6pm-2am daily. Street is located parallel to Via Rizzoli connecting Piazza Maggiore and Piazza Santo Stefano in the historic city center. Can get quite crowded on weekends.
The pedestrian street Via Drapperie is becoming Bologna’s hottest new nightlife zone with chic cocktail bars and eateries moving in. Bar hop while grazing on small plates featuring local Emilian dishes and produce with contemporary twists. Sip neon-hued craft concoctions blended with Italian bitters and spices for a lively taste of Bologna’s flourishing food and drink creativity.
Take a Street Art Tour in the University District
Name and Location: University District, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: As the oldest university in the Western world, the University of Bologna and its surrounding neighborhood have a long history dating to 1088. The lively student district is known for its affordable food, bars, shops and culture. In recent years, the university area has also become renowned for its vibrant street art and murals from local and international artists.
What to Expect: Vibrant street art can be spotted on building facades throughout the university area. Top works include a massive mural on visual perception at Piazza Verdi and geometrical graphics along Via Zamboni. Free walking tours are offered to view highlights and learn about the evolution of Bologna’s street art scene.
Visitor Information: The university district is centered northwest of Bologna’s historic center. Street art can be viewed independently or on 2-hour guided tours offered Saturdays and Sundays. Tours €10, book online in advance. Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Away from Bologna’s historical center, the university district is filled with bold and provocative street art that speaks to local student culture. New guided walking tours in 2024 will explain the meaning behind the colorful works with insight into the city’s subversive side. Discover an edgier Bologna you can only find on its graffiti-coated walls.
Attend a Performance at the Teatro Arena del Sole
Name and Location: Teatro Arena del Sole, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: The Teatro Arena del Sole is a historic theater in Bologna, founded in 1680. Located on Via Indipendenza, it is one of the oldest continuously operating public theaters in Europe. The 500-seat theater presents a range of classical and contemporary theater, dance and music performances from Italian and international companies.
What to Expect: The intimate, horseshoe-shaped auditorium with four levels of boxes provides an exceptional place to see live performances. The 2022-2023 season includes productions of classics like Chekov as well as new Italian plays. Most shows have multiple performance nights and may be in Italian or other languages with subtitles.
Visitor Information: Shows typically start at 8:30pm, with matinees on Sundays. Tickets €20-40. Book seats online in advance. The theater has a buzzing cafe and lounge area open even for non-show days.
Bologna’s historic theater, the Teatro Arena del Sole, will complete renovations in 2024, updating its 18th century architecture with new seating, acoustics and backstage areas. The improved facilities allow the theater to stage more ambitious operas, plays and dance productions. Experience the soaring arias of Puccini or experimental works by local students brought to life in this newly enhanced space.
Try Milk Punch Cocktails at New Speakeasies
Name and Location: Speakeasies and Milk Punch Cocktails, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: Inspired by 1920s American speakeasies, several hidden cocktail bars and lounges have opened in Bologna serving inventive spins on classic cocktails like milk punch. Often unlabeled and located down alleyways, these trendy speakeasies provide a unique nightlife experience.
What to Expect: Hard-to-find bars like Paradiso offer eccentric decor and live music alongside boozy milk punch cocktails. Other spots like Milk provide a more intimate vibe for creative mixology using local spirits and ingredients. Most speakeasies open in the evenings, requiring reservations.
Visitor Information: Locations are intentionally discreet but can be found in the historic center area. Check local listings for the latest spots. Reservations are recommended as seating is limited. Keep an eye out for unmarked black doors and stairs leading down.
Inspired by an old Bolognese morning drink of milk, coffee liquor and spirits, a new trend is bringing ‘milk punch’ cocktails to speakeasy-style bars in 2024. Find these new hidden hangouts serving inventive milk-based drinks with artisanal bitters and intriguing ingredients to give a creamy twist to classic Italian aperitifs and digestifs.
Attend a Performance at Teatro Comunale di Bologna
Name and Location: Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: The Teatro Comunale di Bologna is the city’s historic opera house and main performing arts center, opened in 1763. The prestigious venue presents opera, ballet and classical music performances from top Italian and global talents in an ornate, 18th-century setting.
What to Expect: The 2023 season running from October through July features productions like Tosca and Swan Lake with world-class performers. The interior has elaborate frescoes, chandeliers and five levels of boxes surrounding the stage. Tickets range from orchestra seats to more affordable options.
Visitor Information: Performances usually start at 8pm. Tickets from €15, can be purchased online. Located on Largo Respighi in central Bologna, a short walk from Piazza Maggiore. Evening dress is recommended.
Northern Italy’s largest opera house, the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, completed renovations in 2022 after updating its architecture and acoustics. Catch a soaring performance of Verdi or Puccini in 2024 surrounded by ornate old world gilt boxes and chandeliers. For an unforgettable evening, dress up and take in the grandeur along with the music.
Try New Trattorias in the Historic Center
Name and Location: New Trattorias, Historic Center of Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: Bologna’s iconic traditional trattorias have long served hearty local fare like tortellini and tagliatelle bolognese. In recent years, several new trattorias have opened in the historic city center, putting modern twists on these classics using local ingredients.
What to Expect: Innovative trattorias like Drogheria della Rosa prepare dishes like handmade tortellini in parmesan broth with black truffle. Other spots offer creative lasagna and tagliatelle renditions alongside Sangiovese wines. The intimate setting of these new trattorias allows you to sample Bologna’s culinary traditions with a contemporary flair.
Visitor Information: Many new trattorias are found winding along the medieval streets near Piazza Santo Stefano. Open for lunch and dinner, reservations recommended. Expect dishes from €10-25.
Bologna’s labyrinthine historic core hiding beneath its porticos is seeing a new crop of trattorias open up focusing on locally sourced Emilian cuisine. Sample melt-in-your-mouth tortellini, rich ragus, and decadent cheese at these trendy yet cozy new spots to taste Bologna’s traditions with a youthful energy.
Explore the New Linear Park Pathways
Name and Location: Linear Park Pathways, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: As part of recent sustainability efforts, Bologna has developed new pedestrian and cycling paths through linear parks built on former railway lines within the city. Two paths now connect Bologna’s suburbs and surrounding countryside through green, car-free routes.
What to Expect: The Parks of the Riversides route follows the River Reno for 8 miles. The Garden of the People connects the city’s western edge to Villa Spada. The paths have water features, artwork and greenery, providing pleasant car-free access across Bologna and its environs. Bike rentals are available.
Visitor Information: The parks are open daily and free to access. Bike rentals around €10/hour. Pedestrian access points are located across Bologna. Maps and suggested routes are available online.
A new urban greenway project will turn unused railway lines circling Bologna into park pathways for walking, cycling and jogging. Explore these green courses in 2024 to traverse neighborhoods in a car-free way and appreciate a different perspective on Bologna beyond the main tourist sights. Stop along the way for picnic provisions at markets you’ll pass.
See Rarely Exhibited Relics at the Metropolitana Museum
Name and Location: Metropolitana di Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: This small museum connected to Bologna’s cathedral contains rare religious artifacts significant to the city’s Christian history. Highlights include a 1530 Templo di Salomone depicting a medieval vision of the Jewish Temple, precious metalwork relics, illuminated manuscripts and 15th century Flemish paintings rarely exhibited elsewhere.
What to Expect: The compact museum can be seen in under an hour but houses unique early Christian relics and artwork. Signage is in Italian, but audio guides and tours provide context on the rare collection. Time your visit to also see the elaborate marble Cathedral of San Pietro next door.
Visitor Information: Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am-1pm and 2pm-6pm. €5 tickets includes museum and cathedral access. Located on Via dell’Archiginnasio, steps from Piazza Maggiore in central Bologna.
The small Metropolitana Museum contains the original foundations of a Roman temple and other relics documenting Bologna’s ancient history. Closed for renovations in 2023, it will reopen with a new layout showcasing archaeological artifacts that have never been on public display before. Get up close to Bologna’s hidden ancient Roman and Etruscan roots.
Attend a Summer Opera Performance at the Arena Parco Nord
Name and Location: Arena Parco Nord, Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: The open-air Arena Parco Nord is a venue in a natural park just outside Bologna hosting arts and music events, especially over the summer months. The arena can accommodate 10,000 spectators for an intimate outdoor performance experience surrounded by lovely gardens.
What to Expect: From June through August, the Arena Parco Nord presents an opera festival with classic Italian works like Carmen and Aida. Attendees bring picnic dinners to enjoy the shows under the stars. The covered stone stage provides acoustics comparable to indoor theaters.
Visitor Information: Located north of Bologna’s center, accessible by car, taxi or shuttle bus. Tickets €15-45 purchased in advance online. Well-rated food vendors onsite.
Summertime brings open-air opera and concert performances under the stars at Arena Parco Nord. Recently upgraded with improved acoustics and staging, this outdoor amphitheater surrounded by Bolognese parkland creates an atmospheric setting for arias soaring into the night. Pack a picnic dinner or pre-order a meal to enjoy an unforgettable musical experience.
Take a Day Trip to Modena for Food Tastings
Name and Location: Day Trip to Modena, Italy from Bologna
History and Significance: The small city of Modena, just 30 minutes south of Bologna by train, is renowned for its balsamic vinegar and modern cuisine. Foodies can easily visit Modena for a day trip from Bologna to partake in tasting experiences unique to this region.
What to Expect: Must-see food spots in Modena include the 160-year old Giusti balsamic vinegar maker, the Silvestri chocolate studio, and Osteria Francescana, a 3-Michelin star restaurant named World’s Best Restaurant in 2018. Many sites offer behind-the-scenes tours and tastings. The historic center also contains stunning architecture.
Visitor Information: Trains from Bologna to Modena take 30-40 minutes and run hourly, costing €5-10 each way. Book food tours/tastings in advance. Consider the Modena Pass for discounts on transportation, attractions and dining.
Take a short train ride to visit Modena, famous for balsamic vinegar and race cars. New tasting tours at traditional acetaia vinegar cellars will teach you about the artisanal aging process and let you sample the nuanced flavor profiles of this coveted nectar. Round out the day with a visit to the Enzo Ferrari motor museum.
Sign Up for a Pasta Making Class
Name and Location: Pasta Making Classes in Bologna, Italy
History and Significance: As the home of traditional pasta dishes like tortellini and tagliatelle, Bologna offers many opportunities to learn the art of handmade pasta. Classes are available at cooking schools, restaurants and specialty workshops across the city for making classic Bolognese pasta shapes and sauces from scratch.
What to Expect: 3-4 hour classes teach how to mix and knead dough, use a pasta roller, and stuff pastas like tortellini. Participants can enjoy their creations for lunch or dinner. Classes range from private lessons to group sessions with 10-20 people. Rates usually start around €50-75 per person.
Emilia-Romagna is famous for egg-rich pasta styles like tortellini and lasagna. Learn to make them yourself by hand from a master pastaio (pasta maker) in a Bolognese kitchen. Study the techniques for rolling out tender dough and shaping pillowy parcels stuffed with savory fillings. Then dine on the fruits of your labor paired with a fine local wine.
With new festivals, restaurants, renovated sites and exhibitions planned, Bologna in 2024 promises dynamic opportunities to experience this historic but forward-thinking Italian city. Come for the food, history and culture but stay for Bologna’s infectious enthusiasm that keeps visitors returning year after year. There’s never been a better time to visit.