One Day in Bologna – A First Timer’s Guide

If you are planning a trip to Italy then I highly recommend you spend at least one day in Bologna. After spending two months in Italy, it remains one of our favorite cities in “the boot”! Moreover, Bologna is also one of the best places to visit in Europe. You might think how could you possibly see everything in a single day, but Bologna is not a huge city that needs to be conquered over a few days. One day in Bologna is truly all you need to see everything. From piazzas to basilicas, palaces and foodie experiences such as eating a classic Bologna meal – there is plenty to enjoy with only one day in Bologna.

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How to Get to Bologna for One Day

Bologna is an easy and accessible day trip from a few major cities such as Florence, Milan, and Venice. By train, it takes anywhere between 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes to go from any of those cities to Bologna. Therefore, you can easily arrive in Bologna before 10 am ready to start exploring the city and leave shortly after dinner. This would provide a full ten hours in the city, which is more than enough time to see everything in one day.

6 Things you Must See in One Day in Bologna

There are quite a few things to do in Bologna, but these sights are some of the very best to see for one day in Bologna. From stunning views at the top of a tower to finding a secret spot to hear whispers, enjoying a delicious traditional Bologna dinner, and more. As we have stated earlier, Bologna is a small city, thus all of these sites are within a five–minute walking distance from each other.

Morning Climb to the Asinelli and Garisenda Towers

It is said that during the 12th and 13th century, Bologna had built over 100 towers, but only 24 survived. Among those, the Asinelli and Garsenda towers are two of the most popular towers that remained in the city. The Asinelli and Garsenda towers (also referred to as the two towers) are a magnificent sight to see. Moreover, an early morning climb to the top of the towers is truly the best way to begin your one day in Bologna. After 498 steps up the tower stairs, visitors will enjoy stunning views of the city.

An Afternoon at the Piazza Maggiore

The central square in Bologna is called, Piazza Maggiore. It is the heart of city and the perfect area to explore or relax during your one day in Bologna. The piazza is surrounded by a basilica, palace, and former administrative buildings that each have a unique structure and architecture.

In addition to spending the afternoon at Piazza Maggiore, if you have the opportunity, Piazza Maggiore is quite stunning during sunset. I recommend grabbing an Aperol spritz and watching the sunlight go down casting shadows over the top of the piazza buildings.

San Petronio Basilica

The San Petronio Basilica is one of the more unique basilicas we have seen in Italy because of its brick architecture and unfinished facade. It is the largest church built by bricks and the tenth-largest church in the world by volume. In our opinion, the unfinished facade really brings more character to the basilica than if it was finished, which is why we find it so unique.

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Palazzo Re Enzo

The Palazzo Re Enzo is Bologna’s heart and prestigious symbol of the city. Visitors can explore the palace and learn about its rich history. Or visit the palace’s whispering gallery and have a little giggle. Go to a corner of the whispering gallery while another person goes to a corner across the room. Then whisper a secret, like “I love you” and only they will be able to hear it!

Sanctuary of San Luca

In my opinion, the most beautiful architectural building in Bologna is the Sanctuary of San Luca. The sanctuary is located outside the heart of the city on Colle della Guardia, a forested hill. It is truly a sight not to be missed during your one day in Bologna. Though it is a place of worship, the Sanctuary of San Luca could easily be recognized as a castle – it is that magnificent. In addition, the views from Sanctuary of San Luca provide a gorgeous panoramic view of Bologna.

To visit the Sanctuary of San Luca, you can take a taxi or the San Luca Express. However, if time and physical condition permits, the walk to Sanctuary of San Luca is one of the most rewarding and peaceful walks of your life.

The Basilica of San Domenico

If you are an art enthusiast, then a visit to the Basilica of San Domenico is a must during your one day in Bologna. Though the basilica is not in the heart of the city, it is one of the richest churches in Bologna for art history. The Basilica of San Domenico is both beautiful inside and out. However, its the inside that is truly enriching. Inside the Basilica of San Domenico are priceless works of art by famous artists such as Michelangelo.

Enjoy a Classic Bologna Dinner

Bologna is a food lover’s dream! There are simply so many foodie things to enjoy in Bologna – one being the famous bolognese sauce. Honestly, what better way to spend a layover in Bologna than enjoying a classic Bologna dinner with drinks!?

There are several restaurants to dine outside in the Piazza Maggiore. We highly recommend everyone enjoy Bologna’s famous bolognese sauce with everything! Two popular dishes are the tagliatelle pasta with bolognese ragu and Emilia Romagna’s traditional lasagna verdi alla bolognese.

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Lasagna verdi alla bolognese is Bologna’s classic lasagna made with spinach pasta, hence the verdi “green”. It is also made with their classic bolognese ragu and béchamel sauce layered between the spinach sheets. This lasagna was hands down the best we have ever had. Make sure you get your lasagna verdi alla bolognese during your layover in Bologna – we promise you will not regret it!

Cinema Ritrovato Festival

If you are lucky, you can enjoy Bologna’s annual Cinema Ritrovato Festival during your one day in Bologna. This festival is dedicated to restoring and rediscovering iconic movies, as well as little-known films during the silent movie period. The festival has a selection of at least four hundred films from all around the world.

The silent movies are accompanied by live music composers and musicians. The festival is always held in late June and you can find tickets here. After the film, you can travel back to your original destination or stay the night and depart the following morning.

More than One Day in Bologna? Take Day Trips!

Though Bologna is a great city to explore in one day, I also recommend staying here for a few days as a central hub. You can easily take day trips Modena, Padova, Ravenna, Verona, Brescia, and even Florence and Venice. Bologna is also a great hub for foodies – a lot of fantastic food tours begin in Bologna. One foodie tour can take you to see three production facilities such as Parmigiano Reggiano, balsamic vinegar facility, and Parma Ham. Furthermore, if you are on a budget, staying in Bologna rather than Venice and Florence is a great alternative.

I hope you have enjoyed my one day in Bologna guide. It is truly one of Italy’s best cities, especially for foodies and a destination you cannot miss!