How to Spend 15 Hours in Bologna… a City Worth Getting Lost In

If you only have a day to spare, you could do a lot worse than losing yourself in the terracotta-hued streets of Bologna. Known affectionately as La Grass (The Fat One), this city is a masterclass in Italian excellence.

Here is how to squeeze every drop of magic out of 15 hours in the Emilia-Romagna capital.

First thing: Canals and Coffee

8am – The wake-up call

Start your day at Hotel Internazionale. It’s a classic, elegant, and perfectly positioned to ensure you’re not wasting precious minutes travelling into the centre.

9am – Room with a view

Before heading out, crack open the window and take in the sight of the Canale delle Moline. While Bologna is known for its towers, it also hides a secret network of canals, giving it a Venetian, medieval feel.

10am – Caffeine hit

Get a coffee fix at Pasticceria Gamberini, one of the oldest bakeries in the city. Stand at the bar like a local, or sit down with a cappuccino and a fresh pastry, all while soaking in the glamour of the mahogany and chandeliers.

11am – The heart of the city

Walk off the pastry and wander over to Piazza Maggiore. One of the most impressive squares in Italy, it is flanked by the Basilica di San Petronio and the Fountain of Neptune. It’s the perfect spot for people watching and to take in the sheer scale of the architecture.

Midday: The Rossoblù

12pm – Football fever

Bologna is a city that lives and breathes its football. Pop into the Bologna FC official store to check out the Rossoblu kits. Even if you’re not a sports fanatic, the club is a massive part of the local identity.

1pm – Lunch with a view

Stop at Le Sette Chiese. Positioned near the sprawling Seven Churches, it offers a fantastic vantage point to refuel while staying right in the thick of the historic atmosphere. Order gramigna alla salsiccia, pasta tossed in a light but flavourful sauce with sausage meat, sautéed with onion in olive oil and a touch of saffron.

Afternoon: A Spot of History

2pm – Cathedral grandeur

Pay a visit to the Cattedrale di San Pietro. While San Petronio gets most of the tourist limelight, the interior of this cathedral is breathtakingly ornate and surprisingly peaceful.

3pm – Portico stroll

You can’t visit Bologna without walking the porticoes. These UNESCO-protected covered walkways stretch for nearly 40 miles. They provide shade, shelter and a beautiful architectural highlight to your afternoon stroll.

4pm – The academic legacy

Bologna is home to the oldest university in the western world, founded in 1088. Wander around the exterior and make a note to book a self-guided tour if you want to see inside this historic building.

5pm – The anatomical theatre

Inside the Archiginnasio, don’t miss the Teatro Anatomico. Built in 1637, this wood-carved room was where medical students once watched human dissections. It is eerie, beautiful and utterly fascinating.

Evening: Ragù and memorabilia

8pm – A Traditional dinner

The birthplace of Ragù alla Bolognese, so don’t even think about ordering anything else. Dine at Trattoria Da Me, a family-owned restaurant that first opened its doors in 1937.

10pm – The nightcap

When the sun has set and your appetite has been quenched, head to Bar Tito for a drink in a gloriously nostalgic calcio time capsule. If you want to see where the soul of the city’s football culture lives away from the bright lights of the pitch, Bar Tito is the only place to end your night.

11pm – Lights out

Head back to the Hotel Internazionale for a well-earned rest with tired feet, a full stomach and a plan to return to this beautiful city.