09:30

Piazza Maggiore and surroundings

Spend about 40 minutes in the square, taking in Palazzo d’Accursio, Palazzo dei Notai, and the façade of San Petronio. The center is best explored on foot; the exterior visit is free.

In the morning, the square is often quieter; check for any events or installations.

10:15

Basilica of San Petronio

Enter the basilica, if accessible, to admire the chapels and the floor sundial; allow about 45–60 minutes. Admission may be free or require contributions for specific areas, roughly €0–5; check the official rules and hours.

It is a place of worship: respectful clothing and possible restrictions during services.

11:30

Archiginnasio of Bologna

Reach the Archiginnasio with a short walk and visit the courtyard and, if open, the Anatomical Theatre and the historic rooms. Allow about an hour; any ticket for the visitable spaces may vary, roughly €3–10.

Access to the rooms may depend on institutional events or ongoing work.

13:00

Lunch at Mercato di Mezzo

Head into the Quadrilatero and stop at Mercato di Mezzo for a casual lunch featuring Emilian specialties and food stalls. Expect around €12–25 per person, depending on the main dish, drink, and chosen formula.

For a sit-down meal in the nearby venues, it may be useful to book ahead.

15:00

The Two Towers, from the outside only

Walk to the intersection of Via Rizzoli and Via Zamboni and admire the towers from street level. The Asinelli Tower is closed and the Garisenda is not visitable: do not plan on climbing and follow any detours or restrictions announced on site.

The scenic stop is free; access to the area may be subject to temporary measures.

16:00

Basilica of Santo Stefano

Continue on foot for about 10 minutes to the Santo Stefano complex, known as the Seven Churches, and visit the accessible areas at a leisurely pace. Allow 45–60 minutes; admission may be free or require a donation, to be checked on site and through official channels.

Respect the posted signs, as the complex is a place of worship.

18:30

Aperitif under the arcades

Head back toward the center with a walk of about 10–15 minutes and choose a venue between Piazza Santo Stefano and the Quadrilatero. For an aperitif with snacks, expect roughly €8–16 per person; dinner in a trattoria can range around €20–40.

Prices depend on the venue and the menu: check the prices before ordering.

09:30

National Art Gallery of Bologna

Spend the morning at the Pinacoteca, focusing on works by the Bolognese school and the available exhibition routes. Allow about 1.5–2 hours; tickets can range roughly from €6 to €15, with possible discounts, to be checked on the official website.

Check in advance for any weekly closures, temporary exhibitions, and reservations.

11:45

Palazzo Poggi Museum

Reach Palazzo Poggi with just a few minutes' walk and visit the collections linked to the history of the University and to science. A visit of about 60–90 minutes is ideal for exploring in detail; expect an approximate cost of €5–12, subject to change.

Actual opening times of the rooms may vary: consult the University of Bologna information.

13:30

Lunch break in the university district

Stop between via Zamboni and the side streets, where you’ll find bars, snack bars, and trattorias. For a simple lunch, budget around €10–20; a more substantial break can cost more.

At lunchtime, some places get busy: eating a little earlier or later helps you find a seat.

15:00

Walk between via Zamboni and Piazza Verdi

Explore the university stretch on foot, taking in the historic buildings and the lively streets around Piazza Verdi. The walk is free and takes about 45–60 minutes, with no need to use public transport.

The area is busy and lively; keep an eye on your belongings in crowded spots.

16:15

Finestrella di Via Piella

Walk to via Piella in about 10–15 minutes and look for the small opening overlooking the Canale delle Moline. The stop is short and free; the view depends on the canal’s visibility and on how crowded it is.

Do not linger if a line forms and respect the passageways.

18:00

Dinner among the streets of the center

Head back toward the historic center with a walk of about 10–15 minutes and choose a trattoria to try tagliatelle, tortellini, or other local specialties. An evening meal typically costs €20–40 per person, excluding any extras.

Menus and prices vary from place to place; check the posted menu and consider booking.

09:00

Transfer to Meloncello

From the city center, head to the Porta Saragozza area and continue to the Arco del Meloncello by city bus, taking about 15–25 minutes depending on the route and traffic, or on foot in about 35–45 minutes. A city ticket may cost around €1,50–2,50; check routes, fares, and validity on the official public transport channels.

For this day, bring water and shoes with suitable soles: the route to the sanctuary is uphill.

09:45

Arco del Meloncello

Take in the arch and the point where the portico begins to rise toward the hill. The stop is free; allow about 15–20 minutes before starting the pedestrian route.

Keep the passageway clear and be mindful of bicycles and traffic in the access areas.

10:15

Walk under the Portico of San Luca

From the Meloncello, follow the portico toward the sanctuary: the stretch is about 2 km and includes an ascent of almost 200 meters in elevation, to be covered at a relaxed pace in about 45–75 minutes. The walk is free; in case of heavy rain or difficulty, consider a bus or shuttle if operating, checking the service and stops first.

Do not attempt the climb in intense heat without water; in case of bad weather, choose an indoor activity in the city center.

11:45

Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca

Once you arrive, visit the accessible areas and enjoy the view over the city, allowing about 60–90 minutes. Entry to the basilica may be free, while any additional areas or services may have indicative costs of €0–10; check opening hours and procedures on the official channels.

The climb to the dome or other areas is not included in the itinerary and must be checked separately.

13:30

Lunch and a break on the hill

Take a break before heading back, choosing from any activities available or bringing a snack with you. Allow around €10–25 for a simple meal; availability and opening hours of venues may vary.

Bring water and a snack: don’t rely on a single food stop.

15:00

Return to Saragozza

Walk back along the portico and then toward Meloncello, allowing around 45–75 minutes for the descent, or use the bus or shuttle if the service is running. From Meloncello, head back to the center by city bus or on foot; in heavy rain or if there are closures, skip the route and spend the afternoon at a museum open in the city.

Check the return service in advance: frequencies and shuttles can vary depending on the day and season.

17:00

Snack and return to the center

End the day with a break in the Saragozza area or head back to the center for a snack under the porticoes. Budget roughly €4–10 for coffee, ice cream, or a snack, depending on what you choose.

If you have walked the entire route, leave some time to rest before dinner.