What to see in Bologna: 10 unmissable places
The top 3 according to 0 votes from people: Piazza Maggiore and San Petronio · The Two Towers · Porticoes of Bologna. (Updated Aug 19, 2026.)
Towers, porticoes and osterias: the stops not to miss in Bologna according to Bologna Welcome and travel guides.
Automatically translated (original in Italiano). See the original
Top 10
-
1
Piazza Maggiore and San Petronio
The heart of the city, with one of the largest churches in the world.
-
2
The Two Towers
The Asinelli (97 m) and Garisenda towers, symbols of medieval Bologna.
-
3
Porticoes of Bologna
Almost 40 km of porticoes, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.
-
4
Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca
Hilltop sanctuary reached by a portico of 666 arches.
-
5
Quadrilatero
The medieval market of delis selling cured meats, cheese and tortellini.
-
6
Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theatre
Former seat of the University with the 17th-century wooden anatomical theatre.
-
7
Fountain of Neptune
Giambologna's 16th-century fountain on Piazza del Nettuno.
-
8
Santo Stefano (Seven Churches)
Complex of interlinked churches on a triangular square.
-
9
Via Piella window
Little window revealing a hidden canal, Bologna's 'little Venice'.
-
10
National Picture Gallery
Emilian painting with works by Raphael, Guido Reni and the Carracci.
Candidates
They don't make it into the top 10… yet. Vote for them to move them up.
-
11
Mercato di Mezzo
The city's first covered market, now a food hall.
-
12
FICO Eataly World
Italian food theme park on the outskirts of the city.
-
13
TakeParte Tower
Medieval tower from the 12th century, the second tallest in Bologna, where you can even sleep.
-
14
Palazzo Pepoli – Museum of the History of Bologna
Museum in the fourteenth-century Palazzo dei Pepoli which tells 2,500 years of the city's history.
-
15
Basilica of San Domenico
Thirteenth-century basilica with the Ark of San Domenico, on which the young Michelangelo also worked.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
Is something missing?
Comments (5)
I portici sono patrimonio UNESCO, si può camminare per chilometri al coperto.
Mancano la Torre Prendiparte, Palazzo Pepoli e San Domenico.
La finestrella di via Piella, la piccola Venezia nascosta.
Tagliatelle al ragù nel Quadrilatero, e non chiamatelo bolognese 😂
Salire sulla Torre degli Asinelli: 498 gradini, ma che vista!