Bologna Playbook: Your Unrivalled Experience Watching the Rossoblu

Home to the oldest university in the world, the longest portico on the planet and some of the finest cuisine, Bologna is also the place to enjoy football in one of Italy’s most picturesque grounds.

From how to get tickets to where to eat and drink plus everything in between, this guide has you covered ahead of a trip to watch the Rossoblu.

Where To Stay

The old town is an ideal base from where to explore Bologna. It is a 15-minute walk from the central station and is surrounded by major landmarks, from Piazza Maggiore to the Due Torri. Walk across its narrow alleyways and cobblestones and you will stumble upon bar after bar and incredible restaurants tucked away just out of sight. There is no finer city in Italy to get lost in.

There is a range of accommodation options in centro storico, from reasonable rates offered by apartment rentals and Airbnbs, to more high-end hotels. More to the point, the Stadio Dall’Ara is just 20 minutes away by public transport.

Where To Eat

Restaurants in Bologna are like Martin Scorsese movies – it is difficult to find one that isn’t memorable. To make the most of the outstanding culinary offerings, just embrace the places locals eat.

In no-frills establishments such as Osteria dell’Orsa in the old town and Trattoria di Via Serra just across the road from the main station, a superb bowl of pasta is around €10. If heading to the former, be aware they don’t take bookings. And try to get a seat on the ground floor by the kitchen so you can see the pasta chefs working their magic. If you are stopping at the latter, make sure to order the traditional tagliatelle al ragu.

In the Saragozza area, Antica Osteria Le Mura has a few famous fans. When we spoke to Lewis Ferguson, Bologna’s Scottish midfielder and captain, he revealed it was a popular choice for him and several of his team-mates. Mains start from €10.

All’Osteria Bottega is a 25-minute walk from the Stadio Dall’Ara and is worth a visit to experience the often-changing seasonal menu. Booking is essential and mains start at €14.

For something quick, head to Salumeria Simoni just off Piazza Maggiore. It is one of Bologna’s most famous delis where you can grab the most amazing mortadella sandwiches.

Trattoria Meloncello is excellent for a proper meal by the stadium. First opened in 1918 this storied restaurant specialises in local food, with mains starting at €12.

Where To Drink

Bar Tito tops the list. It’s in the eastern suburbs and off the beaten track but there’s a reason a Bologna fan we spoke to calls it “a beautiful place to hang out.” There’s memorabilia from Italia 90, a Lewis Ferguson signed shirt among the Bologna goodies, and it’s also popular with the local Roma supporters group. Tito, where a pint costs €5-€6, is the place to go before a game and also the first and last stop on an away day.

Close to the stadium, in fact, very close, you will find Bar Maratona. Bologna fans park their scooters on Piazza della Pace then head over to the bar for a drink before the match. Grab a pint in a plastic cup, a coffee and/or a sandwich and take it all in.

Another one by the Stadio Dall’Ara, Enoteca dei Pigri has an extensive selection of bottled beers and wines. Outside the ground there are food stalls selling sandwiches and pizza by the slice, along with beers and spirits.

Osteria del Sole just off Piazza Maggiore is Bologna’s oldest watering hole having first opened its doors in 1465. It serves only wines and beers, no alcohol-free drinks and no food, but you can bring your own snacks from one of the dozens of delicious delis dotted around.

Slightly further south, La Prosciutteria has a great wine selection in an informal setting, with Parma hams hanging off the ceiling and an outstanding cold meat counter.

Visiting an Irish pub while in Italy may seem odd but if you want to watch football on big screens then head to the The Cluricaune and The Celtic Druid, they are 10 minutes from each other in the old town.

Don’t Forget

Tickets – Bologna tickets are available online through the club website or at authorised Vivaticket selling points in the city (you can find a list here). You do not need to be a Bologna member to buy tickets but members are given priority for big fixtures and European games. Hospitality packages are also available via the club website.

When picking up tickets at the stadium or ticket office, remember ID and leave a bit of time as there is only a small collection office.

Kick-off times will be moved for television, so bear that in mind when arranging a trip far in advance.

Merchandise – All merchandise can be bought on the club website or at the Bologna store in the old town on Via D’Azeglio just off Piazza Maggiore. It is open every day from 10am until 8pm. There are two stores at the Stadio Dall’Ara, one by the grandstand which is accessible from Via dello Sport and open Monday to Saturday from 10am until 7:30pm. The second shop is by the Distinti sector and accessible from Via De Coubertin, but only open on matchdays.

Did You Know?

Bologna are the only team to have a won a Scudetto play-off in the history of Serie A, beating newly-crowned European champions Inter Milan in June 1964.

Getting There

Bologna’s Guglielmo Marconi Airport is well connected to the UK. It is a 10-minute train journey from the central station and a single ticket costs €13 while a return is €23. A cab from the airport to the station takes around 20 minutes.

Bologna is an hour from Milan on the fast train and just over two hours from Rome. Florence, meanwhile, is a 40-minute train ride away.

Once in Bologna, the walk to the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara is an experience in itself. Find out more in our stadium guide.

Need Another Football Fix?

Parma is around an hour away by train or you can get across to watch Fiorentina a bit quicker. If you fancy some lower-league action, Serie C strugglers Rimini are around 90 minutes away by train and you get to spend a day by the seaside.