Stand on Via Rizzoli where it opens toward Piazza di Porta Ravegnana and the two medieval towers lean into view — one of them visibly off true. That moment, with the porticoes stretching away in both directions, is the simplest way to understand Bologna: a working university city whose historic centre is walked through, not just looked at.
Bologna suits travellers who are happy to spend a day largely on foot, moving between churches, squares and long covered walkways, with a climb or a portico walk for those who want one. The historic centre is compact, and the arcades make it usable in almost any weather.
This guide covers the sights around Piazza Maggiore, the medieval towers, the portico routes out of the city, and a few places slightly beyond the centre. It ends with a one-day plan built only from the places described here.
Top things to do in Bologna
1. Piazza Maggiore
The large pedestrian square in the old part of the city's monumental centre, surrounded by grand buildings. It is the natural starting point for a visit, and most of the sights below sit on or just off it.
Come here first to get your bearings, then work outward. The Tourist Information Centre in the main square gives out a free map with the Due Torri marked at the centre, which is useful for reading the rest of the city.
2. Basilica di San Petronio
On Piazza Maggiore, this basilica was intended to be the largest church in the world and in the shape of a huge Latin cross, but only the long arm was completed and the façade remains unfinished. It is still one of the most beautiful examples of Italian Gothic style and one of the greatest monuments in the city.
Inside are the sundial by Cassini and Guglielmini, which indicates the exact period of the current year at all times, the "S. Rocco" by Parmigianino and the Bolognini Chapel. From the left nave you can reach the Museum, which holds many bas-reliefs. Note the opening times: Mon–Sat 09:30–12:30 and 14:30–17:30, Sun 14:30–17:00.
3. Fontana di Nettuno
The Fountain of Neptune was built in 1563 by Tommaso Laureti of Palermo and later embellished by Jean de Boulogne, called Giambologna. It is considered one of Bologna's symbols and was renovated in 2017.
It stands on Piazza del Nettuno, immediately beside Piazza Maggiore, so it combines naturally with the basilica and the palaces around the main square.
4. Palazzo Re Enzo
Built between 1244 and 1246 as an extension of the nearby Palazzo del Podestà, the palace takes its name from Enzio of Sardinia, Frederick II's son, who was a prisoner here from 1249 until his death in 1272. Its current Gothic appearance dates from the restoration of 1905 by Alfonso Rubbiani.
You will pass it on Piazza del Nettuno while moving between the fountain and the main square, so no separate trip is needed.
5. Scavi Romani di biblioteca salaborsa
A compact basement-level field of ruins from Bologna's past, ranging from 2nd-century BCE Roman roads and buildings to a 16th-century CE cistern. Metal walkways take you on a 100-m course over and around the ruins.
The setting is part of the interest: the ruins sit under a 19th-century stock exchange hall converted into a 21st-century library, and the airy room above is pleasant in its own right. A colourful flyer gives context in English and Italian. Opening times are Mon 14:30–19:00 and Tue–Sat 10:00–19:00; entry is by voluntary contribution. It is an easy excursion right on Piazza Maggiore.
6. Palazzo d'Accursio
Bologna's city hall, a 14th-century palace with a very rich collection of Renaissance paintings, sculptures and antique furniture. Do not miss its enormous main staircase, which was designed to be used by horse-drawn carriages.
It is on Piazza Maggiore and open Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, with children under 14 free. Pair it with the basilica and the fountain on the same square.
7. Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio
Just south of Piazza Maggiore on Piazza Galvani, this was once the main building of the University of Bologna and now houses the Archiginnasio Municipal Library. The major attractions open to visitors are the Teatro Anatomico and the Sala dello Stabat Mater, both well worth visiting.
Opening times for the Teatro Anatomico and Sala dello Stabat Mater are Mon–Fri 10:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–19:00 and Sun 10:00–14:00; admission is €3. Combine it with the Corte de' Galluzzi, reached through a vault from Piazza Galvani across from the Archiginnasio.
8. Corte de' Galluzzi
A tiny square dominated by the medieval Torre Galluzzi. You reach it through a vault from Piazza Galvani, across from the Archiginnasio.
It takes only a few minutes and works best as a short detour while you are already at the Archiginnasio.
9. Via Rizzoli
One of the main streets of Bologna and a meeting point and strolling area. It opens up to Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, where the two towers rise.
Walk it in the direction of the towers so the street delivers you to the Due Torri, and use it as the link between the Piazza Maggiore area and the tower end of the centre.
10. Torre degli Asinelli
The Tower of the Asinelli is one of the iconic symbols of Bologna, built between 1109 and 1119 and standing 97.20 metres tall, with 498 steps and an incline of 1.3 metres. It is closed to the public: it shut in October 2023 for safety reasons, and renovations are expected to take ten years.
You can still see it from Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, paired with the Torre dei Garisenda. Plan your visit around the view from below rather than a climb.
11. Torre dei Garisenda
The Tower of the Garisenda is 47 m tall with a lean of over 3 m, built in the 12th century. It is closed to the public.
It stands with the Asinelli on Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, so the two are seen together at the end of Via Rizzoli.
12. Portico Walk to San Luca
A walk through the historic 666 porticoes, the longest portico passage in the world, leaving from the Porta Saragozza at the end of Via Saragozza. The extended portico runs almost 4 km from the Viali up to the Sanctuary of San Luca.
This is the city's signature walk and the reason the porticoes were recognised by UNESCO in 2021. If you do not want the uphill climb, you can take the San Luca Express tourist train for €13, or the 58 TPER bus, though these are small and run only every 30 minutes.
13. Sanctuary of San Luca
An impressive mountain-topped church with a panoramic view, reachable by the portico walkway starting from Porta Saragozza. It is open daily 07:00–18:00.
The Santuario della Madonna di San Luca, built in the mid-18th century, has a peculiar round layout and holds the widely known icon of the Madonna di San Luca. It offers a panoramic view of the city, though only a glimpse of the old historic centre. Pair it with the portico walk rather than treating it as a separate outing.
14. San Michele in Bosco
An architectural complex comprising the church and the adjacent former convent of the Olivetans, with an amazing panoramic view of the city that is great at sunset. It is open daily 09:00–12:00 and 16:00–18:00.
Take the number 30 bus if you do not like walking up hills. The sunset timing is the reason to choose this over a midday stop.
15. Finestrella di Via Piella
A little window on the Moline Canal, known as the Little Venice of Bologna. It is a small, quick stop rather than a full sight.
Look through it while you are walking the streets between the main square and the tower end of the centre, and treat it as a few minutes rather than a destination.
If you only have one day
Morning. Start on Piazza Maggiore and see the Basilica di San Petronio, checking the opening times so you arrive within them. Move the short distance to the Fontana di Nettuno and Palazzo Re Enzo on Piazza del Nettuno, then go down into the Scavi Romani di biblioteca salaborsa, which opens at 10:00 from Tuesday to Saturday. Finish the morning at Palazzo d'Accursio on the main square.
Afternoon. Walk south to the Palazzo dell'Archiginnasio on Piazza Galvani for the Teatro Anatomico and the Sala dello Stabat Mater, then step through the vault to the Corte de' Galluzzi. Take Via Rizzoli toward Piazza di Porta Ravegnana to see the Torre degli Asinelli and the Torre dei Garisenda from below, both closed to climbing. If time allows, look for the Finestrella di Via Piella on the way.
Evening. Head to Porta Saragozza at the end of Via Saragozza and walk the Portico Walk to San Luca up to the Sanctuary of San Luca, which is open until 18:00, or take the San Luca Express train or the 58 bus if you prefer not to climb. If you would rather end with a view at sunset, go instead to San Michele in Bosco, open 16:00–18:00, taking the number 30 bus if you do not want the uphill walk.
Frequently asked questions
Can you climb the towers in Bologna?
No. The Torre degli Asinelli has been closed to the public since October 2023 for safety reasons, with renovations expected to take ten years, and the Torre dei Garisenda is also closed to the public. You can still see both from Piazza di Porta Ravegnana.
How do you reach the Sanctuary of San Luca?
You can walk the Portico Walk to San Luca, the historic 666 porticoes leaving from Porta Saragozza at the end of Via Saragozza. If you do not want the uphill climb, there is the San Luca Express tourist train for €13, or the 58 TPER bus, which is small and runs only every 30 minutes.
Where can you get a map of the centre?
The Tourist Information Centre in Piazza Maggiore gives out a free map with the Due Torri marked in the centre. The central area around Piazza Maggiore, including the Due Torri and Piazza Santo Stefano, works as the hub, with roads leading out to the old city gates on the Viali.
Is the centre walkable, and what about rain?
The historic centre is compact and the porticoes let you walk much of it under cover. Visitors can walk under the arcades of Bologna for a total of 38 km; they were built by order of the town authorities to house temporary visitors and had to be wide enough that a man could lie down under them to sleep.
Decide which of these you want most — the portico walk, the square, or the view at sunset — and build the rest of your day around it.