Glorious Food and Glorious Culture. What to See in Bologna, Bologna, Italy

The aroma of roasted chestnuts mellows autumn evenings under covered walkways, a brisk winter walk around the city centre prepares you for exquisite yet hearty food, the early spring tempts you into sightseeing in earnest, and you may catch a breeze atop a medieval tower on a hot summer day.

Do you need a destination that is a foodie paradise, a historical gem, not overcrowded, and still able to surprise you? Bologna offers something for everyone, and it is great in all seasons.

It is also incredibly easy to reach from virtually everywhere in Italy, as well as from across the Alps.

Italians call Bologna ‘la grassa’ ( ‘the fat one’), and it is actually a compliment. Bolognese food is considered the best in Italy. But there is so much more to Bologna than the delicious aromas of tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini, wafting its trattorias, or the delights of its food markets and food stores.

One of the most important cities of medieval Italy, Bologna is the proud seat of Europe’s oldest university.

It boats remarkable landmarks from the middle ages, such as the iconic Due Torri (‘Two Towers’), the vast Piazza Maggiore flanked by both religious and civic buildings, including the imposing unfinished Basilica of San Petronio. Further afield is the elegant gothic masterpiece of San Francesco. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).