Top 10 Free Things to do in Bologna, Emilia-Romagna

August 6, 2021 Brain Ambrose

While crowds of tourists fill Venice, Florence and Rome, Bologna remains relatively quiet in comparison. This medieval university town is charming, historic and fun to explore… and you'll find Bologna's local cuisine is light-years away from the American deli meat bearing the city's name.
Restaurants in Bologna

1. Basilica - Santuario di Santo Stefano

Via Santo Stefano 24, 40125 Bologna Italy +39 051 223256 https://www.facebook.com/Basilica-Santuario-di-Santo-Stefano-387159228805184/?ref=page_internal
Excellent
80%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 5,097 reviews

Basilica - Santuario di Santo Stefano

Reviewed By Marla7 - Naas, Ireland

The Santo Stefano complex includes 7 interconnected churches, each with its own style and history, with parts dating back to the early Middle Ages. I definitely recommend to take your time to visit the whole complex, the museum and even the gift shop. Great way to escape the heat too, if visiting in the summer!

2. Museo per la Memoria di Ustica

Via di Saliceto 3/22, 40128 Bologna Italy +39 051 377680 [email protected] http://www.museomemoriaustica.it/il-museo/
Excellent
83%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 545 reviews

Museo per la Memoria di Ustica

Reviewed By BosBcnBlq - Bologna, Italy

Learn about the story that rocked Italy and created a political upheaval. See an amazing reconstruction of a crashed plane, a scene right from the movies!

3. Basilica di San Domenico

Piazza San Domenico 13, 40124 Bologna Italy +39 051 640 0411 http://www.conventosandomenico.org/convento_san_domenico/tesori_artistici/00000043_La_basilica.html
Excellent
62%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 873 reviews

Basilica di San Domenico

Reviewed By Jo_and_Tom - Anna, United States

This church is very close to Hotel Touring. Looking at it you wouldn't think much of it until you get inside and have a guide who tells the story of the Church. The Tomb of Saint Dominic (Dominican founder) is located here. One of his relics is his skull entombed in a gold reliquary which is at the back of the altar. Michaelangelo was several years in Bologna as a student. One of his contribution to the tomb was a small "Clothed David" and his student also contributed a statue to same tomb. Outside were some unusual tombs which are elevated versus on the ground. They are two of the Bologna University founders - Doctors of Law. The one interesting point our guide explained that Beethoven played in this church when his father was Music Master. Beethoven in order to play had to pass a test and couldn't because he didn't know music theory on how to compose, even though he was composing at that age. Finally the choir master stated this boy was a genius and his compositions were far superior than other organ players so he was allowed to play.

4. Basilica di San Petronio

Corte De' Galluzzi 12/2, 40124 Bologna Italy +39 051 231415 [email protected] http://www.basilicadisanpetronio.org
Excellent
53%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 4,125 reviews

Basilica di San Petronio

Reviewed By adaniels83 - Leeds, United Kingdom

This is a beautiful elegant and rather large church, entry is free, if you would like to take photos inside then there is a €2 charge with the proceeds going towards restoration of the many elements of the church. I read many times about people not being allowed in wearing shorts... that is a lie there were plenty of people wearing shorts and with legs on show and there was not one bit of animosity towards them!! The workmanship of the church is quite stunning and in my opinion a must see, the torri degli Asinelli was closed for renovations on our trip so as an alternative way of obtaining Ariel views of the city go to the rear of the church where for €3 you can get to the top and a viewing platform where the views are great.

5. Palazzo Comunale

Piazza Maggiore 6, 40124 Bologna Italy http://comune.bologna.it
Excellent
45%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 494 reviews

Palazzo Comunale

Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia

The beautiful atmosphere of the main town square can be attributed to the Palazzo d'Accursio. The beautiful atmosphere was evoked by the famous musician Luccio Dalla in his unforgettable song Piazza Grande. The Palazzo D’Accursio or Comunale, located in the center of Bologna in Piazza Maggiore, is one of the most important buildings in Bologna, which has been the seat of the city since 1336. Now is the city's Town Hall. A significant building for the city of Bologna, rich in history. The earliest structure of the Palazzo d'Accursio originally began as the residence of the jurist Accursius, but over time, it was incorporated and expanded to include adjacent buildings to house civic offices. In 1336 it became the seat of the Anziani ("Elders"), the highest magistrates of the commune, and then the seat of the government. In the 15th century it was refurbished under the designs of architect Fioravante Fioravanti, who added the Clock Tower (Torre d'Accursio). The façade features a portcullis and a Madonna with Child, a terracotta by Niccolò dell'Arca (1478) in the upper section. Over the portal is a large bronze statue of Bolognese Pope Gregory XIII (1580). A bronze statue of Pope Boniface VIII, once here, is now in the Medieval Museum. Inside the complex it is possible to visit, climbing the sixteenth-century cordoned staircase attributed to Bramante, up to the Hall of the Communal Council, on the first floor, where the Bolognese Senate met, and contains a gallery ceiling frescoed with Baroque-style quadrature by Angelo Michele Colonna and Gioacchino Pizzoli (1675–1677). The palace is also home to the Civic Art Collection, with paintings from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, the Museo Morandi, with the works by Giorgio Morandi, and the Biblioteca Salaborsa, the town libraries.

6. Basilica San Francesco

Piazza San Francesco 14, 40122 Bologna Italy +39 051 221762 http://www.sanfrancescobologna.org
Excellent
49%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 346 reviews

Basilica San Francesco

7. Piazza Maggiore

Piazza Maggiore, 40121 Bologna Italy +39 051 6583111 [email protected] https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/home/discover/places/architecture-and-monuments/historical-buildings-and-streets/piazza-maggiore/
Excellent
63%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 9,773 reviews

Piazza Maggiore

Reviewed By nwaf247 - London, United Kingdom

The Centre of Bologna to meet or stroll or sit with drink or visit many of the historic sites surrounding The Piazza. Should be first stop when you arrive for first time.

8. Santuario di Madonna di San Luca

Via di San Luca 36, 40135 Bologna Italy +39 051 614 2339 [email protected] https://www.santuariodisanluca.it/
Excellent
63%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 3,770 reviews

Santuario di Madonna di San Luca

Reviewed By chrisiber - London, United Kingdom

The church itself is worth seeing but I feel that some of the works (particularly the Guido Reni) need restoration as it is very dark and you cannot see much detail. There is a 5 Euro charge to visit the terrace which is up on the cupola. 110 narrow steps I believe and the occasional passing place. The view at the top is well worth it. On a clear day apparently you can see all the way to Modena. Take the train from Piazza Maggiore unless you feel like a fairly strenuous walk under the 3.7km colonnade that leads all the way to the top from the Porta Saragozza. There is a commentary in several languages on the train.

9. Chiesa di San Giacomo Maggiore

Piazza Rossini, 40126 Bologna Italy +39 051 225970 [email protected] http://www.sangiacomofestival.it/visita-la-chiesa/
Excellent
46%
Good
42%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 161 reviews

Chiesa di San Giacomo Maggiore

10. Fontana del Nettuno

Piazza del Nettuno, 40124 Bologna Italy +39 051 246541 http://www.cittadarte.emilia-romagna.it/luoghi/bologna/fontana-del-nettuno
Excellent
52%
Good
32%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 2,605 reviews

Fontana del Nettuno

Reviewed By Sylvain54321 - Lugrin, France

This is a lovely and monumental statue, well located on the main square of the historical center. It has an Italian flavor with the kinky mermaids at the bottom. It is a great start to visit the center, or as a meeting point.

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