Italy
2 days in Bologna
A 2-day route through Bologna built from the stop base: 10 stops, timed with the walk between them. Change the pace or your arrival day and the plan is rebuilt.
- 10 stops
- 15 h 15 of visits
- 31 min on foot
- tickets from €5
Data checked on November 3, 2026
No arrival day set. Times below work on any day each stop is open. Watch the “closed” tags, or pick your arrival day above.
Day 1
Quadrilatero and the Two Towers · Santo Stefano and San Domenico
7 stops · 8 h of visits · 24 min on foot
Open this day's route in Google Maps-
10:00 am11:30 am
Asinelli Tower
The taller of the two medieval leaning towers that mark the city, with a climb of 498 steps to the top. A reservation is compulsory.
Do the climb in the morning, before the heat, and keep the rest of the day for the squares.
Reservation is compulsory, and the official page does not offer online booking. Check it for how to reserve and for any closure, since the page can mark the tower as closed for maintenance.
Source: Bologna Welcome (Due Torri), checked November 3, 2026
- 5 min walk
-
11:35 am1:05 pm
Santo Stefano (Seven Churches)
A group of linked churches around Piazza Santo Stefano, known as the Seven Churches. The visit is quiet and centred on the interiors.
Check the opening hours of the complex before you go, since they can change. Visit it on the same walk as the Two Towers.
Source: Bologna Welcome (turismo ufficiale), checked November 3, 2026
- 7 min walk
- Lunch break
-
2:12 pm3:12 pm
Archiginnasio
The palace that housed the University of Bologna and is now the city library, with an Anatomical Theatre designed in 1637. The visit is short and indoors.
The library's own page does not list fixed visiting times for the Anatomical Theatre, so check there or ask the library before you plan the visit.
Source: Biblioteca comunale dell'Archiginnasio, checked November 3, 2026
- 4 min walk
-
3:16 pm4:01 pm
Palazzo Re Enzo
A historic palace beside the Palazzo del Podestà, on the Piazza del Nettuno side of Piazza Maggiore. It is seen as part of the walk around the squares.
Use it as a landmark on the walk between the two squares, and check the official calendar if you want to go inside.
Source: Bologna Welcome (turismo ufficiale), checked November 3, 2026
- 3 min walk
-
4:04 pm5:34 pm
Basilica of San Petronio
The largest church in Bologna, on Piazza Maggiore, with an unfinished facade and a free nave. A paid tour covers three chapels, and a free museum is part of the site.
Dress rules apply: shoulders and knees covered, hats off, no large luggage. Go in the morning, before the groups from 11:40.
The basilica is open every day from 10:00 to 18:00, with the last entry at 17:50. The museum and the chapels tour are open every day from 10:00 to 17:30, with the last entry at 17:15. The panoramic terrace is permanently closed.
Source: Basilica di San Petronio, checked November 3, 2026
- 3 min walk
-
5:37 pm6:22 pm
Fountain of Neptune
The bronze statue of Neptune and its fountain, on the small square next to Piazza Maggiore. It is a short stop on any walk through the centre.
Combine it with Piazza Maggiore, since the two squares are next to each other.
Source: Bologna Welcome (turismo ufficiale), checked November 3, 2026
- 2 min walk
-
6:24 pm7:24 pm
Piazza Maggiore
The main square of Bologna, with the Basilica of San Petronio and the Palazzo d'Accursio on its sides. It is the usual starting point of a walk through the centre.
Come back in the evening, when the square fills with people.
Source: Bologna Welcome (turismo ufficiale), checked November 3, 2026
- Running late? Drop Palazzo Re Enzo first. Nothing is booked there.
- If it rains, swap Palazzo Re Enzo for Palazzo d'Accursio, which is indoors and close by.
Day 2
Hills outside the centre · Santo Stefano and San Domenico
3 stops · 7 h 15 of visits · 7 min on foot
Open this day's route in Google Maps-
9:30 am1:30 pm
Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca
The hilltop sanctuary reached by the longest portico in the world, with more than 600 arches. The walk up is part of the visit.
Start early and wear shoes for a long walk: the portico runs for four kilometres from Porta Saragozza. Count on a half day with the return.
The church is open every day from 7:00 to 18:00 and the piazzale from 6:30 to 18:00. The climb to the icon of the Madonna is closed to the public from Monday to Friday between 12:30 and 14:30.
Source: Santuario della Beata Vergine di San Luca, checked November 3, 2026
- Too far to walk in comfort (about 63 min on foot). Take public transport.
- Lunch break
-
2:55 pm4:10 pm
Basilica of San Domenico
A basilica on the square of the same name, south of the centre, and one of the main churches of Bologna. The visit is indoors and short.
Check the opening hours of the basilica before you go, since they can change. Pair it with Santo Stefano on one walk.
Source: Bologna Welcome (turismo ufficiale), checked November 3, 2026
- 7 min walk
-
4:17 pm6:17 pm
Quadrilatero market
The oldest part of the city, a few lanes next to Piazza Maggiore with food shops, stalls and taverns. It is the place to see local food.
Go in the morning with an empty stomach and try a few things from different shops rather than one sit-down meal.
Source: Bologna Welcome (turismo ufficiale), checked November 3, 2026
- Running late? Drop Quadrilatero market first. Nothing is booked there.
- If it rains, swap Quadrilatero market for Civic Archaeological Museum, which is indoors and close by.
What did not fit
- National Picture Gallery: no room left in 2 days at this pace.