If you’re planning a trip to Italy, you’re probably considering a visit to Bologna, especially if you’re a foodie. Known for being one of the most important cities for Italian gastronomy, besides, of course, its impressive monuments of medieval and Renaissance architecture, Bologna is a destination not to be missed. However, you may not be sure where to start organising your trip.
If this is the case, you’ve come to the right place. Read on, because in this post we are going to explain you the best way to plan your trip to Bologna. From what documents you need, to the best places to stay, the best restaurants, the best dates… in Passporter we will answer all your questions. We also show you how to use the Passporter app, the best tool to plan your trip to Bologna.
1. Have at hand the necessary documentation to travel to Bologna in the Passporter App
When planning a trip to Bologna, it is essential to know what documents you need to present at the airport. If you are a citizen of one of the member states of the European Union, you will simply need to present your national identity card. However, if you are travelling from a non-EU country, you will need to present a passport valid for at least six months and a special visa if you plan to stay for more than 90 days.
Don’t forget that with the Passporter app, you can always have your digitised documents at hand, including your visa, boarding passes, accommodation and activity bookings… Just make sure you have the official versions of your documents with you when you need them, for example at the airport.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
2. Choose the date to plan your trip to Bologna
On many occasions, choosing the date of a trip depends entirely on the availability you have. However, if you want to visit Bologna in the best conditions, follow our advice.
The peak tourist season in Bologna runs from June to August. During the summer, the streets of Bologna are crowded with visitors who enjoy this medieval city accompanied by a delicious Italian gelatto. However, in our opinion this is not the best time to visit the city, as temperatures can get quite hot, exceeding 30ºC, and the large influx of tourists can lead to higher prices for accommodation and activities.
For us, the best time to visit Bologna is during spring. During these months temperatures are pleasant, around 20°C, and the weather is conducive to outdoor activities and exploring the city, avoiding the high summer temperatures and crowds.
3. Compare and find accommodation with Passporter
Bologna is one of the many cities worth visiting in Italy for many reasons: its beautiful squares, its impressive medieval and Renaissance architecture, its gastronomy, for having one of the oldest universities in the world… And although it has a lot to offer, it is a rather small city, so if you don’t hurry to look for accommodation, it can be a bit difficult to find your ideal hotel. That said, where are the best areas to stay in Bologna?
The best areas to stay in Bologna include the historic centre, known as the Quadrilatero, where you’ll find a variety of restaurants, shops and tourist attractions such as Piazza Maggiore and the Due Torri. Another option is the Santo Stefano neighbourhood, which offers a quieter and more charming atmosphere, with cobbled streets and medieval architecture. Also worth considering is theSan Donato neighbourhood, ideal for those looking for a more authentic, local experience, with traditional markets and a lively nightlife.
It’s worth remembering that researching and booking in advance is advisable to ensure a comfortable stay that suits your needs and budget. In addition, we suggest that you go to the Passporter App and book the best accommodation in Bologna with Booking. On the App itself you can also save your bookings and keep them organised.
4. How to get to Bologna?
To get to Bologna from abroad, the most common option is to fly to Bologna-Guglielmo Marconi International Airport (BLQ), which receives direct flights from several European cities via airlines such as Ryanair, Lufthansa and British Airways, among others. Once at the airport, to get to the city centre you can take the Aerobus, a direct bus service that connects the airport with the Stazione Centrale.
If you are travelling from other nearby Italian cities, such as Florence, Milan or Venice, you can reach Bologna by high-speed train. Train services are very frequent, with several departures a day, and connect the cities in a short time. Of course, there are other options such as bus and car hire, but the train is the easiest and quickest.
The best way to explore Bologna is on foot, as many of the attractions are located in the historic centre. For longer distances, you can rent bicycles, one of the best ways to get around, especially when the weather is warm, and by bus.
5. Find the best restaurants with Passporter
In this fantastic Italian city, choosing what to eat and where to eat can be a real experience in itself because of the variety of restaurants with the best Italian food. Here are some suggestions, but remember that with the Passporter app, in addition to seeing which places to visit in each city in Italy, you can find the best restaurants, as well as some photos and the opinions that other users have uploaded
The gastronomy of Bologna is a delight for Italian food lovers. Known as one of Italy’s gastronomic capitals, Bologna offers a wide variety of traditional dishes that reflect its rich culinary heritage. Typical dishes not to be missed during your visit include fresh handmade pasta, such as tagliatelle al ragù bolognese, known internationally as spaghetti Bolognese, and tortellini in broth. Food highlights include mortadella, parmigiano reggiano cheese and local sausages, which can be enjoyed in the city’s markets with a glass of Emilia-Romagna wine. Some of the restaurants where you can sample the local cuisine are: Mò Mortadella Lab, Ristorante Antica Trattoria La Grotta Dal 1918, Ristorante Sotto l’Arco and Papeo, among others.
Tagliatelle al ragù bolognese
6. Take out health insurance: cover yourself against unforeseen events
Although we want our trip to go smoothly, it is essential to be prepared for anything that might happen. That is why we believe that one of the most important steps in planning a trip, in this case to Bologna, is to consider taking out insurance.
Health insurance will provide you with peace of mind and protection in case of illness, accident or any medical emergency during your stay. Make sure that the policy covers medical expenses, hospital costs, repatriation, as well as trip cancellation or loss of luggage.
Before taking out an insurance policy, carefully examine the terms and conditions to understand the clauses and make sure you agree with them. We suggest you compare different options and choose the one that best suits your needs and the activities planned during your trip.
7. Choose the activities to do in Bologna
A crucial part of planning a trip, as in this case to Bologna, is the selection of activities and the elaboration of the itinerary of places to visit. To organise your ideas, we recommend looking for inspiration on Passporter, where thousands of travellers share their itineraries and experiences through photos and comments. You can also create your own itinerary using information provided by other users and online resources, with all points of interest geolocated on the map for easy reference. Anyway, here are some of the most important places to visit in Bologna.
Among the most important places to visit in Bologna is the Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city, where the majestic Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest churches in the world and the symbol of Bologna, is located. Another must-see is the Torre degli Asinelli, a medieval leaning tower that offers breathtaking views of the city from the top. The University of Bologna, the second oldest in the world according to UNESCO, is also worth a visit for its rich history and impressive architecture. To immerse yourself in the daily life of the city, the Mercato di Mezzo is the perfect place, with its food stalls and local produce. These are just some of Bologna’s iconic sights, discover them all with the help of the Passporter app
8. How to plan a trip with friends to Bologna?
Travelling with friends is one of the best experiences in life, but planning the trip, whether to Bologna or another destination, can be a big challenge. Coordinating agendas, keeping everyone informed and setting a budget that satisfies all participants can be a more difficult task than you might think at first.
With the Passporter app, organising such trips is much easier, as you can plan your itinerary from start to finish with everyone’s input. Invite your friends, get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and create your ideal itinerary together. You can also share your experience with other app users through the photos you take during your trip. To help you even more, we have prepared an article with useful tips for travelling with friends: Group travel: The best way to travel with your group of friends.
9. How to plan a travel itinerary to Bologna?
Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences, photos and itineraries.
- Organise your trip by the categories that suit you best: dates, number of days or type of trip (beach, mountain, restaurants).
- Add your friends so they can see and modify all the plans and trip information.
- Create your own itinerary of your destination with everything you want to visit each day.
- Add the stops that interest you the most, including your accommodation, restaurants, museums.
- Book your flights, accommodation, transfers and activities through a single app.
- Save all your documents in the app so you always have everything at hand: reservations, boarding passes, important documents.
- Make any changes you need to make and you’re all set for your trip.
- Share your experience with other users. Upload photos of the places you have visited on your trip to the app and inspire other travellers with your experience. You can also share your own tips on planning a trip to Bologna.
- Enjoy your trip to Bologna!
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
10. Frequently asked questions about a trip to Bologna
Bologna’s climate is humid continental, with hot summers and cold winters. During the summer months, temperatures average between 25°C and 30°C, with sunny days and occasional brief showers. Winters are cold, with temperatures that can drop below 0°C and sporadic snowfall. Spring and autumn are mild, with mild and pleasant temperatures. The city experiences precipitation throughout the year, with more frequent rainfall in spring and autumn.
The best time to visit Bologna is in spring. During these months temperatures are pleasant, around 20°C, and the climate is conducive to outdoor activities and exploring the city, avoiding the high summer temperatures and the higher tourist influx from June to August.
To reach Bologna from abroad, the most common option is to fly into Bologna-Guglielmo Marconi International Airport (BLQ), which is served by direct flights from several European cities via airlines such as Ryanair, Lufthansa and British Airways, among others. From nearby cities in Italy, such as Florence, Milan or Venice, Bologna can be reached by high-speed train, with frequent services connecting the cities in a short travel time.
The best way to explore Bologna is on foot, as many of the attractions are located in the historic centre. For longer distances, you can rent bicycles, one of the best ways to get around especially when temperatures are warm, and buses.
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