A complete itinerary for a day trip to Bologna from Florence. Includes where to eat, what to see and do, as well as tips for taking the train.

Bologna, Metropolitan City of Bologna, Italy

Florence, Metropolitan City of Florence, Italy

Bologna Day Trip from Florence

If you're planning on grabbing breakfast or a pastry and coffee before your jouney, we recommend stopping at Ditta Artigianale!

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In railroad stations, trains are listed chronologically either on a computerized board or on poster timetables. They are color coded yellow for departure and white for arrival. 

On computerized boards, you will find the train category, destination and platform/track number from which the train departs, as well as the departure time. If you are unsure of the information, ask a rail official at the station.

Your Bologna walking route.

On your way into town from the train station, see if you can find the secret window that looks out over a canal built in the middle ages.

If you're needing something more substancial to eat or just feel like wandering around a historc market, head to Mercato delle Erbe and feast your eyes on the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of Bologna.

Bologna is known as the one of the food capitals of Italy, particularly famous for its meats, cheeses, handmade pastas, and meat sauces. What better of an introduction to the city than its famous market?

It's time to experience Piazza Maggiore, the city's main square lined with Medieval & Renaissance buildings, lines with cafes & street musicians.

Grab a snack and explore the markets in quadrilatero, a district is located in the historic center of known for its vibrant atmosphere, narrow streets, and bustling market. Head down   Via Pescherie Vecchie to begin your journey. 

Not far away lies the Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio is a hall once used for anatomy lectures and displays held at the medical school in Bologna— one of the oldest universities in the Western world.

Just a few minutes away lies another impressive and important part of the history of Bologna, the Basilica of San Domenico.

Piazza Santo Stefano, also known as Piazza delle Sette Chiese, is perhaps our favorite piazza in Bologna, Italy. Seven churches used to stand in the same complex, but now only four remain.

Here, you'll find Bologna's gorgeous porticos and a few outdoor bars which serve as the perfect place for people watching or an aperitivo. 

If you're feeling hungry or need a caffeine fix before climbing the tower, stop by Pappare for a unique selection of pastries, brunch, and fine coffee set in a contemporary cafe. 

The tallest of the two towers, you'll notice that Asinelli is a bit off-center. The tower was originally built between 1109 and 1119 to honor the family it was named after. Throughout the years, the tower has served as a military stronghold and now, you can climb for the very top for incredible views of Bologna and beyond.

Depending on how much time you have after the tower, you can opt for more city exploration or head to a long lunch at Osteria dell'Orsa.

Bologna is known as Italy's culinary capital, and there's no better place to try some regional cuisine, like tagliatelle with ragù sauce. 

If you have time on your way back, walk through the oldest park in Bologna, used for performances, games and sports competitions. 

We recommend getting to the station 5-10 minutes early. As a reminder, here is the train time we have chosen for you, but you may have gone with an alternative.

Thank you so much for your order! We hope you have the most amazing time in Bologna. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Also, don’t forget to spread the word about custom lists to your friends and family! ✨

Bologna is the lively, historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, in northern Italy. Its Piazza Maggiore is a sprawling plaza lined with arched colonnades, cafes and medieval and Renaissance structures such as City Hall, the Fountain of Neptune and the Basilica di San Petronio. Among the city’s many medieval towers are the Two Towers, leaning Asinelli and Garisenda.

We recommend stopping to try a cheese and cold cut platter! 

As someone who has studied, lived, worked, vacationed, and spent more time in Florence than in any other city in Europe, this guide has been a long-time coming.

One of the reasons we love it so much is that it's a perfect blend of art, architecture, history, and fashion— but what many may not know is that it's also quite modern.

We are firm believers that you can't romanticize the city's past, keeping it stuck in time, without also admiring its modern developments as well. 

Why? 

Not only does this make you a more mindful traveler, but it enables you to have a richer experience and understanding of where the city has been, how it has developed, and where it's headed.

In this guide, you'll receive 30 hand-picked recommendations for the modern traveler, including:

☕ 3 places to grab coffee
🍳 3 essential places to brunch
🍝 3 best places to grab lunch
🍴 3 incredible dining recommendations
🍷 3 places to enjoy aperitivo (Italian happy hour)
🥂 3 fun bars to grab a drink
🍦 2 quintessential gelaterias
🎨 3 under-the-radar activities to try
🛍️ 6 best indie shops 
🏠 1 insane hotel recommendation

The best part? Receive instant access to any FUTURE recs we add to this list.

A Modern Guide to Florence, Italy

Jack and I studied abroad in Florence, Italy in the spring of 2019. Since then, I’ve been back twice and to this day, it remains one of my favorite European cities. 

This is a collection of all of our favorite cafés and restaurants in Florence! ☕️🍕🍝

Bologna Day Trip from Florence

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