Bologna is in the north of Italy, is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is well known for its large number of churches, cathedrals and museums.
Le Due Torri is the most famous historical monument in Bologna. You must climb to the top for a magnificent view of the city. The higher of the two towers is 98 metres high and has almost 500 steps. The archaeological museum, the Basilica, the Cathedral of San Pietro and the Mediaeval and Renaissance Museum are also certainly worth a visit.
Art-lovers must visit the Pinacoteca. This artistic centre of Bologna is known for its collection of masterpieces from different periods. You can take a break from all this beauty on the magnificent Piazza Maggiore, a fascinating square in the centre of Bologna.
Irnerio
Introduction
In the heart of the centro but away
from the crowds around Piazza
Maggiore, Irnerio makes an ideal
base for exploring.
Hotels
The Zanhotel Tre Vecchi (47 Via
Dell’ Indipendenza, tel. 051 231991,
zanhotel.it, rooms from €70) is central
and has a pleasant old-world air. Street
noise can be a problem, however, so book
a room towards the back.
Cultural
Cool off in the Botanical
Gardens (42 Via Irnerio, closed Sunday)
or The National Picture Gallery (56 Via
Belle Arti, closed Monday) which houses
works by Giotto, Raffaello and Tiziano.
Restaurants
Donatello (8 Via Righi Augusto,
tel. 051 235438) is an old-school
Bologna trattoria, where devoted locals
pitch up for belt-busting bowls of
tortelli filled with walnuts and cream.
The Cantina Bentivoglio (4b Via
Mascarella, tel. 051 265416) is another
classic eatery; take a deep breath, go
for the four courses and don’t miss the
pork fillets with potato pie.
Santo stefano
Introduction
The beating heart of the medieval
city, Santo Stefano is all cobbled
charm and buzzy street life.
Restaurants
La Tua Piadina (17a Via Borgonuovo,
tel. 051 270959) serves up piadine:
pizza-style bread with fillings including
bresaola, Parmesan and rocket. Scacco
Matto (63b Via Brocchindosso, tel. 051
263404), meanwhile, has a seasonal
menu with a Mediterranean bent.
Pubs
Caffé Pasticceria Zanarini (1
Piazza Galvani) is a typically grand café
and cake shop where you can enjoy
a superior caffeine fix, while Rosa Rose
Bistrot (18b Via Clavature) is a chic spot
for an early-evening apéritivo.
Shops
Stock up on chocolates, liquorice
and other treats at Enoteca Gilberto
(5 Via Drapperie) and give your autumn
wardrobe a boost at L’Inde Le Palais
(6 Via dei Musei), offering gladrags by
Lanvin and Valentino.
Marconi
Introduction
This well-heeled enclave of the
centro is named after the inventor
of the first telegraph.
Hotels
The Palace Hotel (9 Via Monte
Grappa, tel. 051 237442, hotelpalace
bologna.com, rooms from €50) is set in
an old palazzo, with period furniture
and chatty staff. Go for a top-floor
room with a view.
Cultural
If you feel the need to get
out of the centro, take a trip to the
Villa Aldrovandi Mazzacorati (19 Via
Toscano), with gardens, a toy soldier
museum and a small theatre.
Shops
For shoes, head to Daniele
Ancarani (8a Via Porta Nova); for wine
and olive oil, I Campetti (2b Via Belvedere).
San vitale
Introduction
Sitting just off the centro, this
quarter is popular with Bologna’s
student population.
Cultural
This quarter takes its name
from the San Vitale e Agricola in
Arena church (50 Via San Vitale),
with its 13th-century bell tower and
11th-century crypt. Palazzo Malvezzi
Campeggi (22 Via Zamboni) has an
open-air gallery and shaded courtyards
with porticoes and Doric columns.
Restaurants
It’s still ice cream weather, and
Il Gelatauro (98b Via San Vitale), is one
of Italy’s best gelaterias; the orange
champagne sorbet is delicious.
Pubs
If you’re in a beer mood, Harry’s
Pub (7 Vicolo Vinazzetti) is a student
favourite, while the Caffè Taverna
Dentro Porta (74a Via Zamboni) is
great for a drink with some lively locals.
Population
Currency
Telephone
Guglielmo Marconi Airport is 6km outside the city
Bus: A shuttle bus
runs from the airport
to the train station
every 15 minutes.
The journey takes
about 20 minutes
and costs €5. Other
buses serve Modena
and Siena.
Taxi: The journey
to the city centre
takes about 20 to
30 minutes and
costs about €18.
Tourist information: The main office is
in Piazza Maggiore
(tel. (0)51 239660).