Summer exploring the city.
If you’re planning of visiting Bologna, maybe you could need a guide to explore the City during the summer with some insider’s tips about what you need to know what to see, do and eat!
“The Learned, The Fat, The Red”.
Bologna is nicknamed “La Dotta, La Rossa, La Grassa”.
“Erudited” is for the university, the oldest in Europe and in the whole Western world.
“Red” refers to the red bricks that most of Bologna’s historic buildings are made from.
And “fat” is for Bologna’s culinary history.
The Red City
Bologna, known even as Felsinea (from the old Etruscan name of the city that was Felsina), is the capital of Emilia-Romagna region, one of the most important regions in the world for its products like Parmigiano reggiano, Aceto Balsamico, Mortadella di Bologna and Prosciutto di Parma. But here find even some of the most popular Italian culinary traditions. Here is where you can taste original tortellini and tagliatelle al ragù.
Bologna’s historic centre has been beautifully maintained and its original Roman street plan is still appreciable. And the same is for the Medieval buildings and towers.
I live in Bologna’s downtown from many years and I love its lively atmosphere. That’s why I thought I’d write a post like a city guide.
There are many thing to see like beautiful buildings and squares and porticoes where to walk repaired to sun and rain; many things to visit as church and museums and public park; many things to taste!
What you’ll find in my guide
The best season of the year to visit Bologna is… always! Indeed each season will give you different good vibes. But if you are planning to visit Bologna during Summer, especially August, you have to know a couple of things before.
The first one, you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Bologna, indeed the hottest months are June, July and August. Then you need to know a lot of restaurants and shops shut down during August as the owners take their annual holidays during this time.
But the same, August offers the occasion to know a different Bologna.
In this short guide you will find a selection of tips dedicated to summer.
I suggest some outdoor walks to discover a unique and special church, the complex called the Seven Churches (seven churches in one), the ancient Botanical Garden of the city, a very special farmers market and the medieval streets of the Quadrilatero.
Enjoy reading and enjoy Bologna
Monica
Summer Guide to Bologna
So, here I’m to share in a short guide the best things to do in Bologna during the Summer and available also in the most hottest month of the year.
Things to see
- Take your time to visit all the downtown by foot and don’t miss the beautiful and Medieval piazza Santo Stefano with very unique and mystic complex of Sette Chiese (“Seven Churches”).
- The Secret Window: is a hidden but famous window on the Canale delle Moline, in via Piella, where seems to be in Venice! Look out among the buildings, you can find one little window from where to see one of the old canals that one time crossed all the town.
- Look even for small windows in via Oberdan and via Malcontenti.
Things to Do
- Take a round of shopping on Via Indipendenza and at the Quadrilatero.
- Thank to a 3D-reconstructions, it’s possible an immersive virtual experience in the Bologna medieval. It could be fun but is based on an accurate reconstruction from historical sources. I suggest you this unusual experience. I did it and I LOVED each seconds! Find the Macchina del Tempo on Via Zamboni 7, at few meters from the Two Towers.
Mon. To Fri.: 10am-7pm
Sat.: 10am-10pm
Sun. & Holiday: 10am-8pm
- If you do find yourself in the city in the summer, time your visit to coincide with Il Cinema Ritrovato: a film festival that includes outdoor screenings of both new and classic films in Piazza Maggiore.
- Botanical Garden and Herbarium: if it’s hot nothing better than a visit to the Botanical Garden. Free entrance.
Summer place for eating
- Take a break from shopping and give a break to your foot at Mercato Ritrovato. It’s a local farmer’s market located in a very beautiful location. You can have an aperitivo, or to eat, and to buy local products at their best.
Monday, 5pm-9.30pm, Piazzetta Pasolini e piazzetta Anna Magnani.
Mercato Ritrovato there will be not during Ferragosto week.