# Things to see in Bologna (Italy): 79 places and when to go

> Bologna is a city in Italy with around 488,000 inhabitants, and this site lists 79 places in and around it, mainly History (30), Temples (20), Museums and art (14). The best known are San Petronio, Bologna, Porticoes of Bologna and Madonna di San Luca, Bologna. The best time to come is March to June and September to October; also possible: November to February and July to August. In June there are 15 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 39. Here is what there is, when to go, how to get there and what else is nearby.

- Address: https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/bolonia/
- Reviewed on: 2026-10-02
- Language: en

## In a nutshell

- **Where:** Italy · 44.5004, 11.34
- **Population:** About 488,000
- **Places:** 79 places on this site, in the town and around it.
- **What people come for:** [History](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/historia/) (30) · [Temples](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/espiritual/) (20) · [Museums and art](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museos/) (14) · [Nature](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/naturaleza/) (11) · [Wildlife](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/fauna/) (8) · [Hiking](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/senderismo/) (6)
- **Best time:** March to June and September to October.
- **Also possible:** November to February and July to August.
- **Nearest airport:** BLQ Bologna, 5.6 km as the crow flies
- **Highest point:** Monte Vignola, at 816 m.

## What to see in Bologna

The places in and around Bologna, best known first, each with its own page: what it is, when to go and what is next to it. Distances are from the centre, as the crow flies.

- [San Petronio, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/basilica-di-san-petronio/): Minor basilica · 887 m
- [Porticoes of Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/the-porticoes-of-bologna/): Architectural heritage site in Bologna, Italy · 1.6 km
- [Madonna di San Luca, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/sanctuary-of-the-madonna-of-san-luca/): Church building in Bologna, Italy · 4.1 km
- [San Domenico, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/basilica-di-san-domenico/): Major church in Bologna, Italy · 1.3 km
- [Bologna Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/cattedrale-di-san-pietro/): Cathedral · 587 m
- [Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/pinacoteca-nazionale-di-bologna/): Museum of arts in Bologna · 1.1 km
- [Palazzo d'Accursio](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/palazzo-d-accursio/): Historic palace in Bologna, Italy · 735 m
- [Santo Stefano, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/basilica-di-santo-stefano/): Minor basilica in Bologna · 1.2 km
- [Archaeological Civic Museum of Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museo-civico-archeologico/): Archaeological museum in Bologna, Italy · 909 m
- [San Giacomo Maggiore, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/chiesa-di-san-giacomo-maggiore/): Historic church and monastery in Bologna, Italy · 919 m
- [Palazzo dei Notai](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/palazzo-dei-notai/): Building in Bologna, Italy · 800 m
- [Asinelli tower](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/asinelli-tower/): Tower in Bologna · 875 m
- [Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/chiesa-dei-santi-bartolomeo-e-gaetano/): Church building in Bologna, Italy · 901 m
- [San Martino, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/chiesa-di-san-martino/): Church building in Bologna, Italy · 657 m
- [Palazzo Fava, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/palazzo-fava/): Palace in Bologna, Italy · 491 m
- [Palazzo Magnani, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/palazzo-magnani/): Renaissance palace in central Bologna · 858 m
- [Porta Saragozza, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-saragozza/): Building in Bologna, Italy · 1.4 km
- [San Paolo Maggiore, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/san-paolo-maggiore/): Church building in Bologna, Italy · 1.1 km
- [Santa Maria della Vita](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/santa-maria-della-vita/): Church building in Bologna, Italy · 858 m
- [Garisenda tower](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/garisenda-tower/): Tower in Bologne, Italy · 861 m
- [Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/mambo/): Museum in Bologna, Italy · 349 m
- [Palazzo Pepoli Vecchio](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museo-della-storia-di-bologna/): Palace in Bologna, Italy · 1.0 km
- [Museo internazionale e biblioteca della musica](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museo-internazionale-e-biblioteca-della-musica/): Music library and museum in Bologna, Italy · 1.2 km
- [San Giovanni in Monte](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/san-giovanni-in-monte/): Church building in Bologna, Italy · 1.3 km

And the other 55, by what you come to do:

- **History**: [Santa Maria dei Servi, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/santa-maria-dei-servi/), [Oratorio di Santa Cecilia, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/oratorio-di-santa-cecilia/), [Porta Castiglione, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-castiglione/), [Porta Galliera, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-galliera/), [Porta San Donato, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-san-donato/), [Porta delle Lame, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-lame/), [Porta Maggiore, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-maggiore/), [Porta Mascarella, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-mascarella/), [Porta San Felice, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-san-felice/), [Porta San Vitale, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/porta-san-vitale/), [Palazzo Pallavicini at Via San Felice](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/palazzo-pallavicini/), [Castello dei Manzoli](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/castello-dei-manzoli/), [Rocca Isolani](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/rocca-isolani/), [Villa Smeraldi, Bentivoglio](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/villa-smeraldi/)
- **Temples**: [Synagogue of Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/sinagoga-di-bologna/), [San Procolo, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/san-procolo/), [Madonna del Baraccano, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/chiesa-del-baraccano/), [Eremo di Tizzano](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/eremo-di-tizzano/), [San Lorenzo, Budrio](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/chiesa-di-san-lorenzo-dei-servi/), [Sant'Andrea Apostolo di Quarto Superiore](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/sant-andrea-di-quarto-superiore/), [Santi Gervasio e Protasio, Budrio](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/santi-gervasio-e-protasio/)
- **Museums and art**: [Palazzo Pepoli Campogrande, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/palazzo-pepoli-campogrande/), [Villa Spada](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/villa-spada/), [Casa Carducci](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museo-carducci/), [Medieval Civic Museum](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museo-civico-medievale/), [Archaeological Environmental Museum (San Giovanni in Persiceto)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museo-archeoambientale/), [Museo della civiltà contadina](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museo-della-civilta-contadina/), [Luigi Donini prehistoric museum](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/museo-della-preistoria-luigi-donini/)
- **Architecture**: [Torre degli Azzoguidi](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/torre-degli-azzoguidi/), [torre dei Prendiparte](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/torre-dei-prendiparte/)
- **Nature**: [Biotopi e Ripristini ambientali di Medicina e Molinella](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/biotopi-e-ripristini-ambientali-di-medicina-e-molinella/), [parco regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/gessi-bolognesi-calanchi-dell-abbadessa/), [Biotopi e Ripristini ambientali di Budrio e Minerbio](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/it4050023-sic-zps-biotopi-e-ripristini-ambientali-di-budrio/), [Monte Pero](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/monte-pero/), [Monte Samorrè](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/monte-samorre/), [Monte Vignola](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/monte-vignola/), [IT4050018 - SIC - ZPS - Golena San Vitale e Golena del Lippo](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/it4050018-sic-zps-golena-san-vitale-e-golena-del-lippo/), [Gessi di Monte Rocca, Monte Capra e Tizzano](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/it4050027-sic-gessi-di-monte-rocca-monte-capra-e-tizzano/), [Boschi di San Luca e Destra Reno](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/it4050029-sic-zps-boschi-di-san-luca-e-destra-reno/), [Area di riequilibrio ecologico Torrente Idice](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/area-di-riequilibrio-ecologico-torrente-idice/)
- **Hot springs**: [Terme Felsinee](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/terme-felsinee/), [Terme San Luca](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/terme-san-luca-pluricenter/)
- **With kids**: [Balloon Park](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/balloon-park/), [Piscina Tolè](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/piscina-tole/)
- **Food and drink**: [Ca' del Brado](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/ca-del-brado/), [Cantina Diamanti](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/cantina-diamanti/), [Enoteca di Saint'Apollinaire](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/enoteca-di-saint-apollinaire/), [Grand Tour Italia](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/grand-tour-italia/)
- **Hiking**: [Il Cammino di Sant'Antonio: Tappa 7](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/il-cammino-di-sant-antonio-tappa-7/), [Il Cammino di Sant'Antonio: Tappa 8](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/il-cammino-di-sant-antonio-tappa-8/), [Il Cammino di Sant'Antonio: Tappa 9 (versione con guado)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/il-cammino-di-sant-antonio-tappa-9-versione-con-guado/), [Il Cammino di Sant'Antonio: Tappa 9 (versione senza guado)](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/il-cammino-di-sant-antonio-tappa-9-versione-senza-guado/), [Via degli Dei: Tappa 1](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/via-degli-dei-tappa-1/), [Via della Lana e della Seta: Tappa 1](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/via-della-lana-e-della-seta-tappa-1/)
- **Stargazing**: [Osservatorio Astronomico "Giorgio Abetti"](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/osservatorio-astronomico-giorgio-abetti/)

## When to go to Bologna

The best time to visit Bologna is **March to June and September to October**; also possible: November to February and July to August. This comes from its own places: a month counts as the town's best time when it is the best time for half of what there is to see.

| Mes | Época | Hours of daylight |
| --- | --- | --- |
| January | Possible | 9 h |
| February | Possible | 10 h 13 |
| March | Best time | 11 h 38 |
| April | Best time | 13 h 15 |
| May | Best time | 14 h 36 |
| June | Best time | 15 h 20 |
| July | Possible | 15 h 02 |
| August | Possible | 13 h 52 |
| September | Best time | 12 h 17 |
| October | Best time | 10 h 43 |
| November | Possible | 9 h 20 |
| December | Possible | 8 h 39 |

In June there are 15 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 39. In April, 78 of the 79 places are at their best.

When to go to Italy in general, with its festivals and peak seasons, is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/#cuando-ir).

## Getting to Bologna

The nearest main airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ, Bologna), 5.6 km as the crow flies. How to get around Italy (train, car, bus) is in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/#moverse), and what to sort out before you leave is in [its checklist](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/#antes-de-salir).

- [Where it is](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=44.5004%2C11.34)
- [Directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.5004%2C11.34)

## Other towns nearby

- [Bazzano](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/bazzano/): 19 places · 20 km
- [Castel San Pietro Terme](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/castel-san-pietro-terme/): 30 places · 24 km
- [Cento](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/cento/): 16 places · 26 km
- [Loiano](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/loiano/): 38 places · 27 km
- [Modena](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/modena/): 61 places · 37 km
- [Ferrara](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/ferrara/): 54 places · 44 km

And all of Italy, in [its country guide](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/).

## Frequently asked questions

### What is there to see in Bologna?

The best known: [San Petronio, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/basilica-di-san-petronio/), [Porticoes of Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/the-porticoes-of-bologna/), [Madonna di San Luca, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/sanctuary-of-the-madonna-of-san-luca/), [San Domenico, Bologna](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/basilica-di-san-domenico/), [Bologna Cathedral](https://kokai.app/en/paises/europa/italia/cattedrale-di-san-pietro/). In all, 79 places in the town and around it, all on your trip map from day one.

### When is the best time to visit Bologna?

March to June and September to October; also possible: November to February and July to August. In June there are 15 h 20 of daylight, and in December, 8 h 39.

### How do you get to Bologna?

The nearest main airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), 5.6 km away. From there, [directions](https://www.google.com/maps/dir/?api=1&destination=44.5004%2C11.34) opens the route on the map.

### How do I add it to my trip?

Create a trip with Bologna as the destination and these 79 places are on your map, each with its category. The ones you like go into a day's plan with one tap, and Kokai reminds you when you pass nearby.

Data from [OpenStreetMap](https://www.openstreetmap.org/copyright), licensed under the ODbL, from [Wikidata](https://www.wikidata.org/), CC0, cities from [Natural Earth](https://www.naturalearthdata.com/) and airports from [OurAirports](https://ourairports.com/data/). Daylight hours are calculated from the latitude. More in [credits](https://kokai.app/en/aviso/#creditos).