B&B Les Chambres de Amelie
This is a hidden bed and breakfast inside the walls of Bologna. All the rooms are decorated with care and luxuory and all in all very tasteful. The prices are normally very reasonable and breakfast is a very simple self-service Italian breakfast.Website
Via Cesare Boldrini 5
Circolo Margot
A surreal experience; this is open until late at night if they feel like it. Knock on the door and probably you'll be let in. To stay you have to become a member of this circolo, but that's just signing a paper. And then it starts; in the tiny tiny space with a couple of tables you feel entrusted a local secret of Bologna. They take their guitars, play and sing songs in a very intimate setting. When the other bars close in Via del Pratello this one is a wonderful conclusion of the night.Via del Pratello 43b
Pizzeria Belle Arti
The staff is very nice, the food is delicious and the atmosphere is cosy. At the entrance there's the (real) pizza oven with pizzaboy.
Website
Via delle Belle Arti 14
Sandwich Café ITIT
This place is inspired by Starbucks Coffee. The amount of coffee you get is double compared to normal Italian dosage and is served in paper cups or mugs depending if it's "to go" or not. There're comfortable chairs and couches and of course there's wifi. Good coffee and also interesting if you're into organic things.Website
Largo Respighi 2
Eataly
This restaurant/shop together with the coop bookshop makes for a nice atmosphere. Eataly is all about slow food and quality products and each floor has a different 'theme' (breakfast, wine bar, restaurant etc). The bookshop is quite big and in some corners you can put yourself in an armchair and read some.Website
Via Degli Orefici 19
Bolpetta
This restaurant is specialized in meatballs and the vegetarian equivalent. It is a quite big restaurant with a very open setting. I'd recommend to try the vegetarian balls as they put more effort in making them taste good whereas the meatballs are not very surprising in taste. Everything is home-made. It's a bit pricey for what you get but worth a try.Website
Via Santo Stefano 6
Palazzo d'Accursio (former Palazzo comunale)
Located on Piazza Maggiore, it was the city's town hall until 2008. If you cross the courtyard there's a path upstairs as seen in the photo with horizontal bars on it. This was for the horses in former times so they could climb the 'stairs' more easily and the nobles didn't have to walk upstairs. Then there's a quite large photograph of Bologna from bird's-eye view on which you can locate individual houses. Then there's a museum inside and the 'red room' (sala rossa) which is beautiful.
Alce Nero Caffè Bio
This 'no waste' restaurant/shop/café is all about organic products and the responsable use of products. It has wooden accents and tiles on the floor creating a natural ambient.Website
Via Petroni 9/b
Weather forecast
Enormous rolls - panini farciti for 2 €
If you're hungry and want a cheap but good lunch, go to this tiny shop. You can have a roll for 2 euros and put on it what you like from the counter (meats, grilled vegetables, stracchino, mozzarella, lettuce, tomatoes etc)Via San Petroni 31 or 33
Cultura Italiana
I would recomend this private school for Italian language courses to anyone. The teachers are all very enthousiastic and make an effort to make lessons as fun and educating as possible. They want you to have a nice time in Bologna and they organise some free after school events as well.Website
Via Castiglione 4
Camera a Sud
It's a bit a hipster place but the atmosphere is good and you can enjoy good wines here with some snacks. There're books everywhere to leaf through if you're bored or interested.Website
Via Valdonica 5
Osteria dell'Orsa
Often it's loaded with people looking for a cheap and good simple meal. That's exactly the reason you should go here and it's a nice experience sitting between other Italians on the wooden benches.Website
Via Mentana 1/F
Bar L'Ortica
This place has a very laid-back atmosphere with people of all ages coming here. For an after-dinner drink it's nice to come here. It has interesting beers and wines on the menu, I believe all or a lot of them are organic and artisanal (and prices are a little higher).Via Mascarella 26
MAMBo aperitivo
This is the restaurant/bar of the museum of modern art in Bologna. It is next to the museum entrance. The aperitivo here is very good as well as the cocktails that have an interesting menu. The price is a bit higher for Bologna (€ 8 euros) but you get your money's worth. Come early or see if you can reserve a table.Website
Via Don Minzoni 14
Kindergarten
An interesting place to go out, located outside the city center. It's also involved in other cultural activities.Website
Via Calzoni 6
La Leonarda; secondhand clothing
You never know what you're going to find in this shop. Sometimes nothing, sometimes a lot of cheap clothes. It's worth the trouble going there at least once a week to have a look.Website
Via San Leonardo 2/2
Millenium
Located in a dark basement this is an alternative club, sometimes with concerts. To enter you need to be a member of the ARCI circle (you can sign up as a member at the entrance, it is useful for other places as well, see their website).
Website
Riva di Reno 77/A
Beautiful artisanal delicious real food
On the east side of Piazza Maggiore these streets are full of shops with the types of food mentioned in the title. Even if you don't like vegetables or fruit or fish or who knows what, have a look here and see if you really don't want to give it a try.
Via Caprarie, Via Pescherie Vecchie
San Luca
It's a bit of a long walk up to San Luca, but to experience it for real you should do it anyway. There's also a bus that goes up there if you want to cheat or just don't feel like walking down again. From this church on the top of a hill you have a nice view over Bologna but also of the nature and hills around it you wouldn't expect when you're in the city centre. Start your walk at Porta Saragozza.
Giardini Margherita
When the weather is nice, especially in spring and autumn the park is a wonderful meeting spot for everyone. Students that are studying, people taking their dog for a walk, old couples just walking around, students that are studying, sunbathing, playing their guitar, practicing acrobatics etc. Just going here to look at all the people is already a very good reason.
Grom gelateria
Even though it's a chain shop the ice cream is always delicious, in every city. Try the ganite as well on a hot summer's day.Website
Via D’Azeglio 13
Gelateria Gianni
Delicious ice cream, all very artisanal with high quality ingredients. They've never heard of chemical colouring or flavouring. One shop is just next to the 'due torri'.Website
Via Montegrappa 11
Via San Vitale 2
Via D.Azeglio 77
Sorbetteria Castiglione
They serve pure happiness here. Pass here on the way to Giardini Margherita or on your way back. It's worth a detour.Website
Via Castiglione 44
Trattoria Tony
For simple and traditional (also Bolognese) meals, go here. It's cozy and always full so it's best to reserve a table.Website
Via Righi 1/B
Cantina Bentivoglio; jazz
In summer there's a jazz 'festival' meaning you can sit outside on a hot summer's night and enjoy live jazz music and feel happy. But also when it's not this restaurant makes you feel indulged, while enjoying a nice dinner, good wine and live jazz artists. Check the website for the program.
(Don't confuse this restaurant with the other one, 'Bravo café', across the street, that one is no good).
Website
Via Mascarella 4/B
Piazza Santo Stefano
At Piazza Santo Stefano the basilica Santo Stefano is located. This is a particular church as it existed of 7 religious buildings, now through restorations there're only 4 but it is still also known as "7 chiese".At the square you'll often find students relaxing, studying or in the evening meeting each other.
Movies on Piazza Maggiore
In summer on some evenings they play old movies on a screen at Piazza Maggiore. The chairs are often fully occupied but you can also bring your own or just go sit at the terrace and enjoy the movie with a good drink.
You can find information on the website of Cineteca di Bologna looking for 'sotto le stelle del cinema'.
Things you have to try
Mortadella - Bologna is THE city of the mortadella; a giant cold cut made of pork.Caffè shakerato (cold shaken coffee)
Aperol Spritz (aperitif)
Tagliatelle al ragù (the original where the western concept of spaghetti bolognese probably comes from)
7 segreti
Bologna also has the so called 7 secrets. There's no consensus about what makes them up exactly (so in the end there're more than 7), but here is a selection:
1) The arches in piazza Maggiore that transport sound (whispers) from one corner to the other.
2) The statue of Neptune that from a position in front of the library Sala borsa appears to have an erection (which is in fact his tumb)
3) The window in Via Piella through which you can see "little venice"
4) From the Porta Saragozza to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca there are 666 arches..
5) At the beginning of Via dell'Indipendenza from Via Rizzoli you can see a couple of paintings on the ceiling. One of them of cannabis with the words; "panis vita, canabis protectio, vinum laetitia". It's also in the mosaic on the floor.
6) On top of the highest tower of the 2 towers there is a broken vase.
7) The legend of the three arrows in a house near Piazza Maggiore..
Miyako; All you can eat sushi
For the sushi lovers this is an idea to go and eat as much as you can (or if you're very sophisticated as much as you feel like). They charge different prices for lunch (around € 15) than for dinner (around € 20) and drinks have a normal, even low, price.Via Marsala 3
August; ghost city
If you go to Bologna in August you will find a deserted city with a few wandering lost tourists. Don't go here in August! (Or anywhere for that matter, the beach is the place to be).
2 torri
You're not supposed to climb the tower before you are graduated because otherwise it is believed that you won't graduate. Once Bologna was full of towers of all families that every time wanted to build the highest tower. These however are 2 of the very few left and have the same problem as the tower in Pisa. The view is great and you can see the hills around Bologna that you forget are there when you're in the city.
Cooking classes; Il Mondo in una Cucina
For cooking courses with traditional Italian dishes from different regions contact Il mondo in una cucina (the world in a kitchen). There are classes for adults as well as children in a professional kitchen in the center or at your home. The cook is very enthusiastic and the results are delicious. Look on the website for more information.Website
Nutteleria; Nutella bar
Nutella is a sort of obsession in Italy. Naturally you can understand it's good stuff but to even open bars specialized in Nutella is only in Italy (to my regret). It's more like a snack bar and not amazing, but it's fun to see and dive in a part of Italian culture.Via dell'Indipendenza 45
Rue des Bustiers
This small shop is mostly stuffed with different kinds of bustiers, beautiful ones. If you're interested in this piece of clothing certainly have a look here.Website
Via Clavature 2/b
Tour on the river
Under the city of Bologna lies a river (which also makes Bologna horribly humid and hot in summer). It's maybe hard to believe but in Via Piela you can see the window that proves there really is one. Better yet is to discover the subterranean Bologna, by boat or on foot. There's a whole maze of tunnels under the city that have lots of history. You can choose between several tracks but you have to call to reserve. Just go to the Tourist Information Office at Piazza Maggiore for more info because they're still working on their English web page.
Colazione da Bianca; pasticceria/lunch/bar/aperitivo
The prices here are quite high but if you want to indulge yourself, go here for a lunch or just some sweets and coffee. It has a girly interior and makes you think of a doll house. The quality is okay and it is also suitable as a place to spend some time in the few armchairs or couches.
Via Santo Stefano 1
Par Tòt Parata
Every 2 years this event takes place in Bologna and it is something to see. It's a parade in which everyone can participate (par tòt parata means 'parade for everyone' in Bolognese dialect). On the facebook page you can see when the next one is.
Sala Borsa
Right on Piazza Maggiore is the library. It opened in 2001 in an old palace with a long history. It's a nice space and in parts of the floor they have glass tiles so you can see the old roman structures. You can become a member if you're staying for over 3 months, but it's also possible to just go there and read books, newspapers, magazines, watch films, listen to music etc.
Website
Decadence...
At least a very interesting theme party held in different locations. On the website you can see where the next one is. Everything is allowed on these parties (if both parties are willing that is). The party sets itself apart by focusing on different subcultures and their expressions; goth and fetish settings, S&M, electro music, dark rooms, bonding workshops etc. Obviously there's a dress code that goes with this; over the top doesn't exist. On the website you can find inspiration.Website
Tips?
Post your own tips for Bologna here..
Fiera
Bologna is quite known for the fairs. Often every B&B in Bologna is full booked because there is one going on. Some are very interesting and worth visiting. Look at the website for the calendar.
THE BLACKLIST
Places I strongly recommend to avoid:
Café Bravo - Pretentious jazz café with high prices, very average food and loads of wannabees; even the artists..
Osteria del Sole
This is the way the old osterias were. Bring your own food, socialize with strangers and drink drink drink. This is one of the few osterias left (since 1465!!) that still follows this concept; so bring your own food and enjoy!
Vicolo Ranocchi 1/D
Agenda of Bologna
Check the events in program on these websites, not all of them are in Bologna itself;
Public transport: ATC
The website is not the best and there's no English version, but here you can insert your route and see which buses to take.
More...
Link
This is a club that requires for you to become a member in order to enter it (AICS). It's also difficult to reach because it's quite far outside the center, but if you've overcome these barriers you can enjoy yourself all night long here. The music is mainly as I call it 'electronic' and the public is quite young. Sometimes they have some great names playing here so check their Facebook.Website
Via Fantoni 21
Gelateria Stefino Bio
This gelateria doesn't only offer great ice cream, but the best granita in town. It doesn't really matter which taste you take, they're all great (just don't take it on a bun).Website
Via Petroni 1/c
Trattoria dal Biassanot
This place has a very traditional Bolognese menu for an honest price and excellent wine. The food is nice, the atmosphere is like eating at someones grandmothers house.Website
Via Piella 16/a
Enoteca Italiana
This wine bar offers a broad selection of wines and some food and is open during the day until 9.30 p.m. Besides just sitting here and enjoying a good glass of wine, it's a great place to find a present. Find their events on Facebook.Website
Via Marsala 2/b
Coccolato
This gelateria doesn't have as many choices as others but that only makes life a little easier. The tastes they have are real though and especially the pistachio ice cream is like heaven. They don't use any colorants/conservatives and use little sugar or fructose. If you really want a taste of heaven you have to ask a day before if they can make 'cannolo di gelato'. It's a tube made of special cookie dough filled with pistachio ice cream and closed with pure chocolate.Via Belle Arti 14/b
Pizzeria Nuova Epoca
Don't expect some high-end pizzeria here, but if you want to sit between the locals then you've found the right pizzeria. It's very pink inside and has it's charme in the no-nonsense setting. It is a place where you can eat good pizza and homemade desserts. Basta.Via Centrotrecento 1/b
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