Let’s imagine you’ve only got one day in Bologna. Luckily for you, in this historic walled city, you can explore most places on foot, so we’ll let you in on some of our favorite places and things to do in Bologna recommended our local Claudio, making sure you sample all of the Bolognese culinary delights along the way!
Parco Giardini Margherita
Our perfect day in Bologna actually starts outside of the city walls, and although it’s only a short bike ride or a walk away you’ll find that the location on the outskirts of the city means pretty much only frequented by locals, particularly young families.
This beautiful park is the ideal spot to escape the city center, relax on the grass with a book, spot the turtles in the lake or explore the market that takes place on Sundays. On a sunny morning, there’s no place we’d rather be.
La Tua Piadina
We couldn’t let you come to Bologna without trying a piadina. And we think this tiny cafe, tucked away on the same street as Pasolini’s childhood home, serves the best piadine in Bologna.
A bold statement, we know, but the fresh bread is delicious and the list of local meats and cheeses you can choose as fillings for your hand-crafted sandwich is seemingly endless so you’ll be agreeing with us in no time.
The size means the atmosphere is pretty cozy, so lots of customers get their food to go, we recommend you do like the locals and enjoy your piadina whilst wandering the nearby streets.
Explore Quadrilatero
Piadina in hand (although they’re so tasty we wouldn’t be surprised if it’s disappeared already), spend some time meandering through Quadrilatero, an area developed in the Middle Ages and still thriving today.
We think there’s nothing quite like walking around and maybe getting a little lost to really soak up the local atmosphere and get the feel of a new city, and with such beautiful historic streets, Bologna is no exception!
The Quadrilatero area has many small streets to explore, with the goods from bakeries, delis, craft shops, and jewelers spilling out of tiny shops and onto the streets, but make sure you don’t miss via Clavature, via Pescherie Vecchie, and via Degli Orefici.
ONO Arte Contemporanea
Much more than just a gallery, ONO (and if you’re thinking Yoko you’re not wrong) is an event space, lounge bar, and concept store showcasing photography, video art, sculpture, books, and design objects.
Their exhibitions tend to be photographic, based on music and cinematic cultural icons but they also host readings, lectures, and screenings. This is art for everyone, so even if you don’t stay for sunset drinks it’s well worth spending an hour at this gallery.
Gamberini
After all this walking, we think you deserve a little coffee and cake. Luckily for you, our next stop is at the oldest bakery in Bologna which unsurprisingly has become something of an institution.
You’ll find a mouth watering selection of sweet and savory treats; the perfect accompaniment to a cappuccino or glass of prosecco.
Mercato di Mezzo
We think food shopping might just be the best kind of shopping, so if you’re a foodie make sure you don’t miss out on Mercato di Mezzo, the oldest of the city markets here in Bologna.
A beacon of Bolognese culinary culture, you’ll find everything here from freshly baked pastries to munch on as you explore to fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, meat, and fish to take home, or if you fancy spending a little longer there’s a microbrewery pub in the basement and a pizzeria on the first floor.
Aperitivo at Mercato delle Erbe
Although this traditional indoor market is open all day, we recommend going in the evening for an aperitif. You’ll find the market hall just as vibrant and buzzing at this time as it is throughout the day, so explore the stalls and check out the fruit, vegetables, meat, and seafood being bought by the locals and then join them in a drink before you head for dinner.
The market and surrounding streets have an abundance of bars and restaurants to choose from, so take your pick and enjoy a glass of something chilled while you people-watch; the locals come here not only to shop, eat and drink but to see and be seen!
Dinner at Da Bertino
It’s no easy task choosing just one restaurant to recommend for dinner, but we like to think we’ve done pretty well here. Da Bertino has been serving up homemade pasta, Bolognese specialties, and zuppe inglese since 1957, and the family has got it down to a fine art. It’s not fancy and may at first glance look slightly unassuming, but here it’s all about the food; we promise the traditional dishes will not disappoint.
Galleria 49
We couldn’t let you leave without trying the BEST gelato in the world. There might be one or two other places in Italy that claim that this is true about their ice cream, but the only way to find out if we’re telling the truth is to visit and taste for yourself, right?
Galliera 49 serves up unbelievably delicious artisanal gelato, sorbet, and granita from a shop where you can watch the whole process from the starting ingredients to the happy moment when you’re handed your gelato! Perfect any time of day, we like to enjoy ours after dinner strolling around the historic city.
Hey curious traveler, visiting Bologna soon? Hey curious traveler, visiting Bologna soon? At City Unscripted, we create personalized city experiences led by passionate locals who share Bologna’s stories in a way no guidebook can. Whether you’re seeking hidden gems or exploring iconic landmarks, your experience is flexible and designed just for you — without the rigid structure of a tour. Discover the culture, history, and character of Bologna with a host who adapts the journey to your interests, making every moment feel unique and unscripted.
Top private experiences in Bologna
We’ll pair you with the perfect host
There is no better way to see a city than with a friend who lives there. This is why we carefully match guests with their perfect host based on interested, personality and type of experience so they can discover a city beyond the tourist trail.
