citytripo

Bologna

Bologna in the rain

Many streets in the centre run under porticoes, so you can walk between some sights under cover. San Petronio, the Archiginnasio, the churches and the museums are indoors, which makes a wet day easy to fill. Save the Giardini Margherita and the climb of the Asinelli Tower for a dry day.

  • Stops under a roof: 9

Data checked on November 3, 2026

A rainy day, stop by stop

A day built only from stops that are under a roof, in an order that keeps the walks short.

Day 1

University quarter · Santo Stefano and San Domenico

4 stops · 6 h 30 of visits · 21 min on foot

Open this day's route in Google Maps
  1. 10:00 am12:30 pm

    National Picture Gallery

    The national picture gallery of Bologna, on Via delle Belle Arti, with paintings from the city and the region. It is a good stop for a wet afternoon.

    2 h 30 visitHours not confirmed. Check the official site.

    Check the official page for the opening days and hours before you go, since they change by season.

    Hours, price and how to get there

    Source: Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna, checked November 3, 2026

  2. 12 min walk
  3. Lunch break
  4. 1:42 pm3:12 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.

    1 h 30 visitHours not confirmed. Check the official site.

    Check the opening hours of the complex before you go, since they can change. Visit it on the same walk as the Two Towers.

    Hours, price and how to get there

    Source: Bologna Welcome (turismo ufficiale), checked November 3, 2026

  5. 7 min walk
  6. 3:19 pm4:19 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.

    1 h visitHours not confirmed. Check the official site.

    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.

    Hours, price and how to get there

    Source: Biblioteca comunale dell'Archiginnasio, checked November 3, 2026

  7. 2 min walk
  8. 4:21 pm5:51 pm

    Basilica of San Petronio

    Free

    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.

    1 h 30 visitOpen 10:00 am–6:00 pm · last entry 5:50 pm

    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.

    Hours, price and how to get there

    Source: Basilica di San Petronio, checked November 3, 2026

  • Running late? Drop Archiginnasio first. Nothing is booked there.

Every stop under a roof

Rainy days by month

  • January5.3
  • February5.8
  • March6.1
  • April7.8
  • May6.9
  • June5.9
  • July3.2
  • August4.1
  • September5.7
  • October6.9
  • November8.2
  • December7.1

Climate averages: Bologna Borgo Panigale (Guglielmo Marconi airport), 1991 to 2020, as tabulated on Wikipedia from I numeri di Bologna Metropolitana and Centro Meteo Bolognese.

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