Bologna Travel Guide
Everything you need to plan your trip to the capital of Emilia-Romagna
Photo: the famous porticoes of Bologna
Latest page update: 9 June 2025
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By: Dion Protani
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Dubbed La Grassa (the fat one), La Dotta (the learned) e La Rossa (the red), Bologna lies at the very heart of life in Emilia Romagna; a beautiful regional capital that packs a heavy punch with its medieval porticoes, piazzas bursting with life and a gastronomic culture the envy of the world.
Occupying an area just to the north of the Apennine Mountains at the edge of the Po Valley, Bologna is flanked to its east and west by the fellow historic cities of Modena and Ravenna while a short distance to its north east is the UNESCO-listed Ferrara. |
Province: Metropolitan City of Bologna
Region: capital of Emilia Romagna Population: 390,518 (in 2024 - source) Size: 141 km² Elevation: 54 metres Top sights: Basilica di San Petronio, Two Towers, Piazza Maggiore Close by: Dozza, Imola, Vignola, Modena, Faenza, Brisighella |
Public transport: Metro, trams, buses
By car: Ravenna - 1 hour (78 km), Florence - 1 hour 25' (105 km) |
Fly to: Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport - 17 mins by car (9 km)
Connected to the Italian High Speed Train Network |