09:30

Piazza Maggiore

Start beneath the arcades, taking in Palazzo d’Accursio, Palazzo del Podestà, and the Fountain of Neptune nearby. Visiting the square is free; allow about 45 minutes.

The center is easy to explore on foot.

10:30

Basilica of San Petronio

Set aside about an hour for the unfinished façade, the naves, and the chapels, if accessible. Admission may be free or may require contributions for certain areas: check the rules and fees before visiting.

12:00

Archiginnasio of Bologna

Visit the historic courtyard and, if open to the public, the rooms linked to the old University and the Anatomical Theatre. Allow 45–75 minutes and an indicative cost of about €3–6 for the paid areas.

13:30

Lunch in the Quadrilatero

Stroll through the streets of the historic shops and choose an Emilian lunch: roughly €15–30 per person, depending on the venue and menu. In the afternoon, you can come back at your leisure for tastings or shopping.

17:00

A walk under the porticoes of the city center

End the day with a stroll between Piazza Maggiore and the market streets, stopping for an aperitivo. Allow around €8–15 for a drink with snacks; the total walking distance is manageable.

09:30

Asinelli Tower and Garisenda Tower

Admire the towers from the street and from the square’s panoramic points: Asinelli Tower is closed and Garisenda is not open to visitors, so don’t plan any climbs. The exterior visit is free; check for any access restrictions to the area.

11:00

Walk to Piazza Santo Stefano

Reach the square on foot in about 5–10 minutes and take time to admire the porticoes and the compact layout of the space. The outdoor stop is free.

11:30

Basilica of Santo Stefano

Explore the complex of churches and courtyards, taking in the architectural differences between the various spaces. Plan for 60–90 minutes; any contributions or restrictions depend on the rules in force at the time.

13:00

Lunch between Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore

Choose a trattoria or an osteria in the area and budget roughly €18–35 per person. Booking ahead can be useful on weekends.

16:00

Streets and arcades of the eastern center

Spend the afternoon on a leisurely walk through Strada Maggiore and the nearby streets, with a coffee break for around €2–5. The entire day’s itinerary is on foot.

10:00

MAMbo - Museum of Modern Art of Bologna

Allow around 1.5–2 hours for the collections and temporary exhibitions, checking in advance which areas are accessible. Tickets may cost roughly between €6 and €12; from the city center it is about a 15–20 minute walk.

12:30

Manifattura delle Arti

Stroll through the area of former industrial buildings that have been repurposed, among cultural spaces and contemporary architecture. Visiting the exterior is free; tickets or reservations may be required to enter venues or attend events.

13:30

Lunch at Mercato delle Erbe

Reach the market on foot in about 15 minutes and choose from stalls and eateries: budget roughly €12–25 per person. Opening hours and activities may vary from one place to another.

16:00

Cineteca di Bologna

Head back toward the Manifattura delle Arti, about 15 minutes on foot, and check the schedule of exhibitions, screenings, and events. A screening costs roughly €6–10; availability and prices depend on the event.

19:00

Aperitif in the neighborhood

End with an aperitif or a casual dinner in the area, budgeting €8–15 for an aperitif or €20–35 for dinner. Check the official schedules if you want to pair the stop with a screening.

09:00

Transfer to the Arco del Meloncello

From the city center, reach the Meloncello by city bus, taking about 20–30 minutes, or by taxi; the bus ticket may cost around €1,50–2,50. Check the route, frequency, and fare on the local transport authority’s official channels.

09:45

Arco del Meloncello

Notice where the portico begins and get ready for the climb, bringing water and suitable shoes. The stop is free; from the Meloncello to the sanctuary the route is about 2 km, uphill, with an elevation gain of roughly 200 meters.

10:00

Portico of San Luca

Follow the portico on foot to the sanctuary: from the Meloncello, allow about 45–60 minutes for the climb, with longer stops if you want to take photos or rest. Alternatively, you can reach the sanctuary by bus or shuttle when the service is running, checking the route and cost.

11:15

Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca

Dedicate about an hour to the visit and the view, respecting any services and access rules. Places of worship are generally open to visitors according to schedules to be checked; any paid visits or special access are not guaranteed.

14:00

Return and lunch in the city

Return by the pedestrian route or by the available bus/shuttle and have lunch in the center, budgeting €15–30 per person. In heavy rain or if the service is closed, skip the climb and replace it with a visit to MAMbo or the Cineteca.

09:30

Montagnola Park

Stroll through the park and take in the staircase and gardens, just a few minutes on foot from the station. Admission is free; allow about 30–45 minutes.

10:30

Porta Galliera

Reach the gate in about 10 minutes on foot and admire its historic structure and the remains of the fortifications nearby. The exterior visit is free.

11:15

Transfer to the Ustica Memorial Museum

From the center, you can get there by bus in about 15–25 minutes, depending on the route and traffic, or with a longer walk. Plan on roughly €1.50–2.50 for the bus and check schedules, opening hours, and how to enter the museum.

12:00

Ustica Memorial Museum

Spend 60–90 minutes on the permanent installation and the memorial trail, checking the visit instructions in advance. Admission may be free or subject to specific conditions: verify on the official channels.

15:00

Museum of Industrial Heritage

Continue to the museum by city bus, allowing about 15–25 minutes and possible waiting times, then spend 1.5–2 hours exploring the collections. Admission is roughly €5–8; opening times and prices should be checked before you go.

09:30

Giardini Margherita

Reach the park on foot from the center in about 20–30 minutes, or by bus in about 10–20 minutes. Admission is free; plan on an hour-long stroll among the avenues and green areas.

11:00

Casa Carducci

From the park you can walk there in about 10–15 minutes and visit the house-museum if it is open to visitors. Allow 45–60 minutes and an estimated cost of €4–8, to be confirmed with the museum.

13:00

Lunch in the neighborhood

Stop between the Giardini area and the nearby streets, with an estimated spend of €15–30 per person. Consider a longer break before the uphill walk.

15:00

San Michele in Bosco

Reach the complex on foot uphill or by bus/taxi, allowing about 20–35 minutes from the center depending on the transport. The exterior and viewpoint are free; check whether access to the interior is available and confirm opening hours.

16:30

Villa Ghigi

For the hillside park, consider taking a bus or taxi to the most convenient entrance, then walk along trails with varying slopes and elevation changes. In case of rain, mud, or unsuitable paths, replace the visit with a second stop at Giardini Margherita or a museum in the center.

09:30

Palazzo Fava

Visit the rooms and exhibitions hosted in the palace, checking the schedule and accessibility in advance. Allow 60–90 minutes and an indicative ticket price of €8–15; prices may vary depending on the exhibitions.

11:30

Civic Medieval Museum

Reach the museum on foot in a few minutes and take in sculptures, weapons, and objects linked to the city’s history. Allow about 1–1.5 hours and an indicative admission fee of €5–8, to be checked on official channels.

13:30

Lunch in the historic center

Stop at a trattoria or a casual place nearby, budgeting €15–35 per person. The area is best explored entirely on foot.

15:30

Finestrella di Via Piella

Reach the little window in about 10–15 minutes on foot and admire the stretch of canal visible between the buildings. The stop is free, but the viewpoint can be crowded or temporarily inaccessible.

16:30

Bologna History Museum

Finish on foot in the city center with a route that traces the city’s evolution, allowing about 1–1.5 hours. Admission may be roughly €5–10; check opening hours, prices, and any possible closures before visiting.