Bologna Attractions

Milan is Italy's finance and business capital, but Bologna has artistic splendours, architectural marvels and great designer shopping. Its elaborate history contains stories of great Renaissance dynasties and industrial contributions, while its cultural heritage involves such key artists such as Corregio and Carracci. What's more, for tourists, Bologna is an open-air museum with ancient Roman baths, temples and amphitheatres sandwiched between Baroque palaces, churches and squares. Even the most zealous sightseer cannot exhaust Bologna's sights - it is a cultural treasure trove best experienced little and often. Home to one of the world's largest churches, the Basilica San Petronio, the city is also the site of one of the oldest universities, attended by such illustrious figures as Dante and Copernicus. The student population continues to bring a colourful dimension to the city, especially felt in the area of Via Zamboni. Also famous for being the birthplace of balsamic vinegar and home base to Ferrari and Maserati, Bologna is currently an important Italian centre for industry, business and culture.

The city of Bologna is located in the northern part of central Italy and is the capital of the region of Emilia-Romagna. The city is well known for its rich gastronomy and, in particular, is famous for its cheese, pasta, Italian wines, sausage, and gelato ice cream.

Nightlife in Bologna ranges from quiet, elegant Bologna hotel lounges to lively jazz bars. With a large student population, the city has garnered an excellent reputation for its numerous dance clubs. Since alcoholic beverages are served in nightclubs, proof of age is required to enter. The best time to sample the city's nightlife is in summer when open-air clubs spring up all over the city's parks and in the surrounding hills.

Torre Degli Asinelli
Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
Bologna, 40125 Italy

Torre Degli Asinelli is the highest tower in Bologna. An emblematic symbol of the 'towered city', it lofts 97 metres (107 yards) into the sky. Its 498 steps take you to the very top, from where you can enjoy stunning views.

Piazza Maggiore
Piazza Maggiore
Bologna, 40124 Italy

The Piazza Maggiore is a massive pedestrian square in the oldest part of the city centre. The streets are full of artists, university students and families with children. Surrounded by many of Bologna's Renaissance and medieval buildings and landmarks, the Piazza Maggiore is situated next to the Piazza del Nattuno. Nearby many cafés, bars, musicians and street performers, create an exciting and friendly atmosphere in this busy square.

Fontana del Nettuno (Fountain of Neptune)
Piazza Maggiore
Bologna, 40121 Italy

Connecting the Piazza del Nettuno with the Piazza Maggiore, this street contains the large and famous Fontana del Nettuno, a fountain built in 1566 by Tomaso Laureti of Palermo and later embellished by Giambologna. It is an excellent example of the Bolognese renaissance and incarnates the God Neptune, worshipped as the ruler of the seas.

Basilica di San Petronio
Piazza Maggiore
Bologna, Italy
Tel : +39 51 22 5442

The Basilica of San Petronio is one of the finest examples of Gothic buildings in all of Italy. A beautiful rose-and-cream Gothic lower storey, with intricate bass-relief panels by Jacopo della Quercia around the main door, gives way to a dark, vaguely menacing brick upper section. The church was built in 1390 as a symbol of freedom after decades of foreign occupation. Above the central doorway are some exquisite carvings of scenes from the Old and New Testaments together with a beautiful carving of Madonna and Child. The Basilica also has nearly 20 chapels filled with art treasures.

Basilica Santuario di Santo Stefano
Piazza Santo Stefano
Bologna, 40125 Italy

Set in a pretty cobbled piazza, Basilica Santuario di Santo Stefano is one of the most well-known and legendary places of worship in the city. It comprises several holy buildings, built and renovated at various times. The complex consists of The Chiesa del Crocifisso, Chiesa del S Sepolcro, Chiesa dei Santi Vitale e Agricola, Chiesa Della Trinita, Benedictine Cloisters, Chiesetta Della Madonna Del Loreto, Chapel of Santa Giuliana and Chapel of the Cross. Under the arcades that run along the south side of the square, young Bolognese can be seen rollerblading in the evenings.

Porretta
Just outside Bologna is the small resort town of Porretta, in the Apennine Mountains. The town is well known for its hot springs and therapeutic mineral waters. In recent years, the town has become a meeting place for soul music lovers from all over the world with several music festivals being organised throughout the year.

University Quarter
In the heart of the more modern Bologna, the popular University Quarter is full of bars and cafés. The enormous and impressive University of Bologna is actually Europe's oldest university and was founded in 1088. The university is an international centre for academic studies and attracts many students from all over the world.

Le Due Torri (Two Towers)
Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
Bologna, 40125 Italy

A symbol of the Emilian county town, the two towers are among Bologna's most recognisable landmarks. In the 12th century, the noble families of Bologna raised over 100 towers across the city. The towers were regarded as status symbols - the more powerful the family, the taller their tower was.

Museo Morandi
Piazza Maggiore, 6
Bologna, 40121 Italy
Tel : +39 51 20 3332

The Museo Morandi is located in the 14th century Palazzo d'Accursio and is the most important collection of works of the Bolognese maestro Giorgio Morandi (1890-1964). Inside the museum there is even a reconstruction of the studio in which the artist worked.

Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca
Via San Luca, 36
Bologna, 40135 Italy

The sanctuary of the blessed Virgin of San Luca sits on top of a hill to the south west of the city and can be seen for miles around. Built in honour of an image of the Madonna, this edifice is beautiful, both for its architecture and its exclusive view. Each May, the citizens of Bologna carry the Madonna figure around the city in procession up to the sanctuary to worship the Virgin.

Corte Degli Aranci
Via Dozza, 24
Bologna, 40139 Italy
Tel : +39 51 45 1541

This is one of Bologna's most popular and lively outdoor clubs, set in a beautiful old villa, with the dance floor in the open-air courtyard.

Made In Bo
Parco Nord
Bologna, 40128 Italy

Made in Bo is an extremely popular summer festival of music and cabaret performances. Well-known personalities from the world of show-biz, alongside emerging artistes provide live entertainment.

Cantina Bentivoglio
Via Mascarella, 4/b
Bologna, 40126 Italy
Tel : +39 51 26 5416

This trendy Bologna-style cellar is the venue to enjoy excellent Italian wines, fresh home-made pasta dishes and the best Bologna has to offer in live jazz. The rich and famous gather here as well as Bologna's large student population.

Kinky
1 Via Zamboni1, Bologna
Tel : +39 51 26 6028

Kinky is one of the most popular and accessible of Bologna's nightclubs; it pulls in a trendy student and club hopping crowd looking for a night of exciting dance music.