If you want a foodie adventure in Italy, then Bologna is where you start. Whilst one of the oldest cities in the country, it is really up-and-coming making it a centre for those wanting to experience the world-renowned Italian cuisine. Food isn’t the only reason to come here though. It is filled with historical treasures and is perfectly positioned for those all-important day trips. 48 hours in Bologna gives you a great amount of time to get a feel for the place, and will likely leave you wanting more.
This quick guide is your ticket to getting the most out of 48 hours in Bologna. I’ll give you all of my top tips and personal recommendations, as well as some handy advice to get the most out of your stay. I hope that you enjoy it.
48 Hours in Bologna | Your Quick Guide
How to Get to Bologna
Being one of the most popular and central cities in Italy has its advantages, especially when it comes to accessibility.
If you are travelling by air, then you’ll land at the Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport. It is only around 20 minutes or so from the centre via the Marconi Express, a small train which takes you into the city. If I am honest, I’d probably take a taxi. Whilst slightly more expensive, I’ve heard that the queues for the Marconi Express are sometimes ridiculous. However, check them out first as it could save you a few euros.
Should you be a fan of inter railing (like me) then you will enter Bologna Centrale, one of Italy’s busiest stations. Regular readers of this blog know that I love the Italian rail service; easily one of the most comfortable and stylish in Europe. They also run very regularly and you can get here within one hour from major hubs like Milan and Florence, as well as only 2 hours from Rome.
If though you’ve rented a little Fiat to explore the Emilia-Romagna region, you can easily get here through the motorway network. However, the parking in the city is rather limited and I would honestly say that the rules on the roads in Italy are slightly different. If you’ve never driven here before, I’d stick to train.
Where to Stay
Bologna is an interesting city. When we go, our hotels will always tell us to stay in the Old Town if we are walking about after dark. This is apparently due to safety, but I’ve never personally had any issues here. With this in mind, I’d recommend staying further away from the station and in the Old Town walls. After dark, the areas outside can become sketchy.
I should also say that there aren’t a lot of budget options which are in the area you want. I’ve only included options which are in nice areas so that you get the most out of your stay.
Here are my top recommendations of where to stay.
Budget Options
For those wanting to explore more
- Hotel San Giorgio – very simplistic accommodation, but a central location.
- Zanhotel Tre Vecchi – a more classic-style with more to offer, but slightly pricier than Hotel San Giorgio
Best of Both
For those wanting a little bit extra
- Hotel Internazionale – spacious, modern rooms with a great location.
- Hotel Roma – a classical, beautiful buildings with lovely roof gardens for evening drinks.
Weekend Away
For those wanting the luxurious treatment
- Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni – easily the most luxurious hotel within the city, housed within an 18th Century palace.
Day 1
Morning
In the morning, wake up to a cornetto (or croissant, if you didn’t know) and a cappuccino. There are lots of cafés across the city and you can’t really go wrong.
Your first stop should be Piazza Maggiore. This is the main square in the city and is easily the heart of Bologna. The main attraction here is the Basilica di San Petronio, which is without doubt worth visiting. From the outside, you can see the unfinished façade, apparently done to stop it outclassing St. Peter’s in Rome. Nowadays it is still the 4th largest church in the country and really dominates the Piazza and the surrounding area.
Nearby you have two things which will be of interest. Firstly, is the Fontana del Nettuno. This incredible fountain depicts the god Neptune, a symbol of the city. The second thing of interest are some small trains which act as a make-shift bus service. These take you to San Luca, a beautiful old church which has the best view in the city.
Take the San Luca Express. As part of the €13 fee, you also get a headphone set which will connect to a tour of the city. It is a great way to get a feel for the place on the first morning. When you get to San Luca itself after climbing a rather steep hill, you can go inside the church or explore the gardens. Whatever you do though, make sure that you climb up the turret. Like I said, you’ll get the best views of the city from here. Alternatively, you can walk the porticoes up to the top – the journey is 3.8km!
Lunch
Take the San Luca Express back to the Piazza (you can see the timetable here). From this point, I would head to a traditional Trattoria. These are where you will find local specialities. In Bologna, you have the tagliatelle al ragù, which is supposedly the original Bolognese. We went to a few Trattorias, but I would really recommend Osteria Angolo degli Orefici as it is right by the Piazza.
Afternoon and Evening
One of the most notable sights in Bologna are the Two Towers (or, Due Torri). Before January of 2026, you could climb the 498 steps to the top of the Asinelli Tower to get some good views of the city. However, this is not possible for the foreseeable future due to reconstruction work going on. You can however admire it and its counter-part – the Garisenda Tower – which leans rather dramatically. There used to be far more towers in the city as they were built to symbolise family power, however, now these two are the only ones which remain.
Once you have seen the towers, I would personally then enjoy a glass of local wine and some cicchetti. You are likely in the Quadrilatero area, which is arguably the one you want to go to so that you get the best atmosphere and drink / nibble selection. It is really authentically Italian and you’ll also find shops and food stalls to explore here.
As the sun sets, you can either choose to stay in this area for more drinks and food, or, you could head back towards the Piazza to find another Trattoria. Another great place where we had food was Trattoira Gianni.
Day 2
Morning
Start your morning with another cappucino, but hold off on the breakfast. Today is all about food and culture, so make your way first to Mercato delle Erbe. This is a large indoor market and you can find everything here from fresh fruit, Italian cheeses and meats, as well as other local produce. It is the perfect place to find and enjoy an authentic Italian breakfast made up of lovely things you find here. There are also nearby cafés if you want a coffee to go with it.
Your next stop is the Santo Stefano Complex. It is a short walk from the market and the journey will give you a chance to really take in more of the city. The complex – or the Seven Churches – is actually a unique religious site in the city. It features interconnected chapels to explore. It is a perfect morning destination. This is because it is rather quiet and serene, plus the crowds shouldn’t be there are this point!
Continuing with the History theme, your next stop is Palazzo Pepoli, a 4 minute walk away from the sanctuary. This is a museum dedicated to the story of Bologna and costs €10 for a full-price ticket, or €7 for a reduced rate. It has a series of small exhibits which span over 2500 years of history.
Lunch
For lunch, I’d personally recommend Mercato di Mezzo. This is a food hall which specialises in street food. We went here and enjoyed some delicious arancini and calzones. If you are fussy, not to worry. There is a seriously good selection of dishes here, most of which is made freshly in front of you.
Afternoon and Evening
For your second afternoon during your 48 hours in Bologna, you have a few options. I’ve listed my personal choices below:
Food Tour
What is better than a food tour in the foodie capital of Italy? One which I would recommend is Secret Food Tours. The group will take you through the Old Town of the city where you will try various cold cuts and key dishes from the region. It also includes a few glasses of wine, which is ideal for ending your 48 hours in Bologna. Each ticket does cost €89, so it is rather pricey. However, this includes all the food and drink, as well as the expert knowledge from your guides.
Modern Art at MAMbo
The Museum of Modern Art of Bologna is one of the best attractions in the city. Firstly, the beautiful building is located within an old bakery and houses masterpieces from local artists, as well as a few who are world-famous. The ticket price is also only €6, which is a bit of a steal. If you’re a fan of modern art, this is definitely one to check out. Finish your day with a trip to a nearby Trattoria for your final meal in the city.
Day Trip to Ferrara
Located under an hour away is the historical city of Ferrara. To get here and to make the most out of it, you might need to cut out a bit from the morning in Bologna. I really like Ferrara; it always feels like a quintessential Italian city straight out of a textbook. If you’re interested, check out my blog post on a Day Trip to Ferrara to help you plan.
Final Thoughts | 48 Hours in Bologna
I hope I’ve persuaded you to spend 48 hours in Bologna and / or helped you plan your time. It is one of the most unique cities in Italy and I love visiting here. Whilst some might argue there isn’t a lot to see once you’ve been, there is such a large variety of foodie treats which will keep you coming back. I personally think that Bologna will slight enchant you and will leave you wanting just that little bit more.
