10 Things You Can’t Miss in Bologna, Italy
(From someone who lived there and went back almost solely to revisit the city’s gelaterias)
1. Outdoor movies in Piazza Maggiore in the summer
It’s hot, like a nice breezy dress still sticking to your sweat drenched thigs, but by dark, the city falls into a nice dully warm night, rumbling with happy people and bikes chattering over cobblestones. That’s when you make your way to Piazza Maggiore from June through August (preferably not by car, like my parents did, resulting in a ticket) for Sotto le stelle del Cinema. I had the pleasure of seeing a silent film accompanied by an orchestra.
2. Cremeria Santo Stefano
Every time I walked into the city center from my apartment, I passed Cremeria Santo Stefano. How I didn’t stop every time, I could not tell you.
3. Cremeria La Vecchia Stalla
Just a bit further down Via Santo Stefano, nestled into the mouth of a triangular plaza was Cremeria La Vecchia Stalla. With many more flavors than Cremeria Santo Stefano, but the same smooth, rich, melty, and delicious result. I can’t decide which one is my favorite.
4. An afternoon at Giardini Margherita and Le Serre
My absolute favorite place in Bologna is Le Serre. They have low lying tables tucked under vines and plants with glowy lighting, aperitivi, sparkling water on tap, and live music. It was the perfect place for studying outdoors while listening to the trickling of the hydroponic garden.
The Bolognese sprawl in the fields lined with trees and walkways of Giardini Margherita. Take a picnic and some wine and lay out in the grass people watching.
5. Wander the streets and markets off of Piazza Maggiore
Check out the pasta, fish, flower, and meat vendors that spill into the narrow streets; Osteria del Sole and other bars tucked away into the orange streets; and people watch as citizens, students, and tourists wend their way past.
6. The Archiginnasio
The University of Bologna is the oldest university in the West. Not only is the main building of the university still standing, but it is beautiful and filled with history. If you look up when you first step into the portico lined courtyard, you can find the coats of arms from the first students that attended the university. This was also where they hosted some celebrations of Carnevale. Where students of law and medicine would part ways into each wing of the building. The Archiginnasio is the anatomical theater medical students attended class in. After World War II, parts of the building had to be reconstructed (you can still find marks of the war on the city if you look closely for weathered paint on columns with arrows tagged with “US” or “Rifugio”). If you look closely in the anatomical theater, you can spot a tiny window sealed with a door, where members of the church would spy and listen in to make sure that teachings abided by the church’s desires.
7. Go to the Piazza VIII Agosto after Caffe Rubik
Spend a Friday taking a coffee at my friends’ favorite cafe and then browsing the weekly market in Piazza VIII Agosto. This market is a favorite for fans of second hand and cheap clothing and accessories. Vendors pack into the piazza and if you’re willing to dig a little, you might find some great clothing pieces— if not, it is still fun to walk around.
8. Try all the food
Bologna is known for its food and you can’t really go wrong at any of the restaurants. Try the tigelle, piadina, tortellini, and anything bolognese. Maybe even take a cooking class.
9. Wander Via del Pratello for aperitivo before a night out
When I first explored this street under Christmas lights in the dim glow of sunset, I knew I had to go back. The streets fill with people overflowing from bars and restaurants, allowing you a peak into the community of Bologna.
10. Visit the Due Torri
Climb Bologna’s famous landmarks. Or for a panoramic view of the city and the Due Torri, visit the Altabella Tower.
