Bologna Short Breaks

Bologna at a glance

Delicious cuisine, attractive historic sites, and an undeniably authentic Italian charm makes Bologna hard to resist. Home to the oldest university in the western world, Bologna maintains a lively cultural vibe thanks to its significant student population. Museums and art galleries abound, with exhibits and collections ranging from historical artefacts from antiquity to modern art and everything in between.

Bologna’s history stretches back to the Iron age, with the rule of  many cultures, including the Romans, Goths, and Austrians, all making a mark on the development of the city that stands today. Iconic architectural sights such as the 12^th century leaning Due Torri (Two Towers) and the Boroque Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca blend with the city’s numerous porticoes and burnt orange and yellow tiled roofs, lending a unique personality to the old meets new cityscape.  

Perfect if you’re looking for:

• Historic attractions
• Indulgent cusine
• Art and culture

Getting around

Bologna’s public bus system is operated by TPER. A single ticket will give you as many journeys as you like within a 75-minute period from validation. Other ticket options include a City Pass, which provides eight journeys, and a Day ticket, valid for 24 hours, both of which can be purchased from newsstands, bars and ticket machines found at the airport and railway station.

Bicycles are also a great way to see the sights. Specially designated bike lanes make it easy to get around the city.

Dining in Bologna

The cuisine in Bologna is an experience worthy of its fame. Bolognese food is hearty and satisfying, with leanings toward butter, cheese and creamy dishes rather than the tomato and olive oil based recipes found in other regions of the country. Freshly crafted pasta is a staple here, as the city is home to tortellini, tagliatelle and ragù. Pork is also popular in the form of prosciutto, mortadella, and coppa.

If you plan to dine at a local restaurant, be aware opening hours are usually limited to 12:00 – 3:00pm for lunch and 7:30-11:00pm for dinner, with many restaurants closed on Mondays.

Must-try local dishes:

• Cotoletta alla Bolognese: Veal cutlets breaded and fried in butter then topped with prosciutto and cheese.
• Tortellini in Brodo: beef stuffed egg pasta served in a beef broth.
• Pinza: short crust pastry stuffed with a fruit marmalade made of apples, pears, plums, almonds, raisins and a pinch of mustard.

Shopping in Bologna

Bologna is a shoppers' paradise, especially on the weekends when traffic is banned from the streets east of Piazza Maggiore. For internationally recognised Italian designer brands, seek out the main streets of Via dell’Indipendeza, Via Ugo Bassi, Via Rizzoli and Via D’Azeglio.

Make sure to stop by Bologna’s food market, the Quadrilatero, where you can buy handmade pasta, fish, cured meats and produce, or simply soak up the local atmosphere where vendors share narrow lanes with small cafes, shops selling wine, and gelaterias. 

Get your tailor-made city break itinerary

Osprey Holidays can create a fabulous short break to Bologna designed completely around your needs. We can arrange whatever you need, including:

• All travel and transfers on days of your choice 
• Accommodation from our handpicked range of Bologna hotels, to suit your budget and requirements

Our award-winning team can provide expert advice and recommendations, from general questions to tiny details. Contact us now for your tailor-made itinerary.