BolognaBites — Your Bite-Sized Guide to Bologna
Discover Bologna’s best food, hidden gems, and travel tips — short, practical guides to help you plan an unforgettable trip.
Start your Bologna journey here!
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Bologna to Florence Day Trip: Train Guide & 1-Day Itinerary (2026)
Bologna is arguably the best “Base Camp” in Italy. Why? Because you can reach Florence in 37 minutes flat. While hotels in Florence have skyrocketed to €250+ per night for 2026, Bologna remains a strategic hub. You can wake up in Bologna, see the David, eat a panino on the Ponte Vecchio, and be back…
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Bologna Trip Cost 2026: Complete Budget Guide & Price Watch
Is Bologna expensive? Compared to the tourist giants like Venice or Milan, Bologna remains surprisingly affordable. However, inflation and the 2026 City Tax updates have changed the math for travelers. While you can still find a world-class plate of Tagliatelle for €14, “Hidden Costs” like the Coperto (cover charge) and late-night taxi surcharges can add…
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Best Cooking Classes in Bologna: The Ultimate Guide to Pasta, Markets & Villas (2026)
You cannot visit Bologna without eating pasta. But if you want to take the magic home with you, you need to learn how to make it. Bologna is the world capital of fresh egg pasta (Sfoglia). Here, making Tortellini is not just cooking; it’s a religion. The “Sfogline” (pasta ladies) are respected figures who roll…
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Shopping in Bologna: The Ultimate Guide to Markets, Outlets & Artisan Goods (2026)
Bologna is not just about eating; it’s about living well. And in Italy, living well means dressing well and filling your home with high-quality goods. Unlike Milan, where shopping can feel like a stressful fashion show, shopping in Bologna is a relaxed stroll under the porticoes. Whether you are looking for a handmade leather bag,…
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Best Day Trips from Bologna by Train: Florence, Venice, San Marino & Food Valley (2026)
One of the smartest travel hacks in Italy is to use Bologna as your “Base Camp.” Why? Because Bologna is the central knot of Italy’s high-speed rail network (Le Frecce). You can stay here—where the food is better and the hotels are cheaper than in Venice or Florence—and reach the country’s most famous cities in…
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Visiting Bologna with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide & Best Things to Do (2026)
If you tell your kids you are going to a “medieval university city famous for architecture,” they might cry. If you tell them you are going to the City of Pasta, Gelato, and Whispering Walls, they will pack their bags themselves. Bologna is surprisingly fantastic for families. The historic center is mostly car-free (safe for…
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Gluten-Free Bologna: Best Restaurants, Bakeries & Survival Guide (2026)
If you have Celiac disease, booking a trip to Bologna—the capital of fresh egg pasta—might sound like a recipe for disaster. You probably imagine sitting sadly with a plain salad while everyone around you devours Tortellini and Lasagna. I have good news: Italy is actually a gluten-free paradise. It sounds contradictory, but because Celiac disease…
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The Ultimate Guide to Bologna Museums: Ferrari, Lamborghini & Ducati (2026)
Bologna has two very different sides. On one side, you have the oldest university in the Western world, filled with medieval art, anatomical waxworks, and dusty libraries. On the other side, you have the “Motor Valley”—the high-octane home of the world’s fastest supercars. Whether you want to stare at a Renaissance painting or sit inside…
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Best Coffee in Bologna: Historic Cafes to Specialty Roasters (2026)
If you try to order a “Venti Vanilla Latte” in Bologna, you might get a confused look. Coffee culture here is serious, fast, and codified. For Italians, an espresso (or caffè) is a quick jolt of energy taken standing at the bar. But Bologna is also a modern university city, which means it’s one of…
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Vegetarian & Vegan Bologna: Survival Guide & Best Restaurants (2026)
Bologna is nicknamed La Grassa (The Fat) because of its love affair with pork. Mortadella, prosciutto, and meat ragù are everywhere. Read here our Ultimate Food Guide for all you need to know about food in Bologna! If you are a vegetarian or vegan, you might be panicking. Will you be stuck eating plain side…
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What to Buy in Bologna: 10 Best Authentic Souvenirs (2026 Guide)
If you leave Bologna with a fridge magnet made in China, you have failed. Bologna is a city of artisans and flavors. The best souvenirs here aren’t things that sit on a shelf gathering dust; they are things you eat, drink, or use. Since you are visiting the culinary capital of Italy, your suitcase should…
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The Ultimate Gelato Guide to Bologna: 7 Shops You Can’t Miss (2026)
In Bologna, gelato is not just a dessert; it is a daily ritual. While Florence claims to have invented it, Bologna has perfected it. The city is home to the Carpigiani Gelato University (yes, a real university), which draws students from all over the world to learn the science of frozen desserts. But with a…
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Is Bologna Safe? Tourist Safety Guide & Areas to Avoid (2026)
One of the most common questions I get from travelers planning a trip to Italy is: “Is Bologna safe?” The short answer is: Yes, absolutely! Compared to major tourist hubs like Rome, Paris, or Barcelona, Bologna feels like a village. It has a low violent crime rate, a relaxed vibe, and a massive student population…
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Bologna on a Budget: Free Things to Do & Cheap Eats (2026 Guide)
They call Bologna La Grassa (The Fat) because of its rich food, but that doesn’t mean your wallet has to get thin. Yes, you can spend €100 on a dinner of truffle pasta and Barolo wine. But Bologna is also home to the oldest university in the western world, which means it is packed with…
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Bologna Transport Guide 2026: Airport to City, Trains & Buses
Bologna is one of the easiest cities in Italy to navigate. The airport is practically in the city, the train station connects you to everywhere, and the historic center is walkable. However, mistakes can still be made (like driving into the ZTL zone!). If you are driving, choosing the right hotel is crucial to avoid…
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The Ultimate Bologna Aperitivo Guide: Best Bars, Spritz & Local Rules (2026)
In Bologna, 6:00 PM is not just a time. It is a religion. This is Aperitivo hour. It’s that magical window between work and dinner when the entire city spills out onto the street to drink wine, eat snacks, and complain about the government or football. But unlike Milan (where aperitivo is often expensive and…
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Christmas in Bologna 2025: Markets, Lights & Tortellini in Brodo
If you think Bologna is beautiful in the summer, wait until you see it in December. The city doesn’t just put up a few lights; it transforms. The porticoes shelter you from the winter chill, the air smells of roasted chestnuts (caldarroste), and the entire city seems to be collectively preparing for one thing: the…
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The UNESCO Porticoes of Bologna: A Photography & Walking Guide (2026)
They say you can cross the entire city of Bologna without ever opening an umbrella. It’s not just a saying—it’s a fact. Bologna is home to 62 kilometers (38 miles) of porticoes—the elegant, roofed arcades that line the streets. In 2021, these porticoes were officially named a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognizing them as a…
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5 Hidden Gems in Bologna (That Most Tourists Miss)
You’ve climbed the towers (or looked at them), walked the porticoes, and eaten your weight in Tortellini. Now what? Bologna is a city of secrets. Beneath the red roofs and bustling markets lies a network of hidden canals, bizarre museums, and quiet viewpoints that 90% of tourists walk right past. If you want to escape…
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The 3 Best Day Trips from Bologna: Modena, Parma & Ferrari Valley (2026 Guide)
One of the best reasons to visit Bologna is that it is the railway hub of Italy. You can hop on a train and be in Florence in 37 minutes or Venice in 90 minutes. Trains run frequently from Bologna Centrale. If you aren’t sure how to buy tickets or validate them, check my Bologna…
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Where to Stay in Bologna: Best Neighborhoods & Hotels (2026 Guide)
Choosing where to stay in Bologna is usually easy, but 2026 is a unique year for the city. Bologna is currently undergoing major construction to complete the new tram line (the “Linea Rossa”). This means some traditionally popular streets—specifically Via dell’Indipendenza, Via Ugo Bassi, and Via Riva di Reno — are facing construction noise and…
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2 Days in Bologna: The Perfect Weekend Itinerary (2026 Guide)
Bologna is often called the “underrated” neighbor of Florence and Venice, but let’s be honest: it is actually the superior choice. It is less crowded, the locals are friendlier, and the food is arguably the best in Italy. Known as La Dotta (The Learned), La Grassa (The Fat), and La Rossa (The Red), Bologna is…
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The Ultimate Bologna Food Guide: What to Eat & Where (2026)
Let’s get one thing clear immediately: Spaghetti Bolognese does not exist. If you see it on a menu in Bologna, you are in a tourist trap. Run away. In this city, we eat Tagliatelle al Ragù. We eat Tortellini the size of a pinky finger. We eat Mortadella sliced so thin it melts on your…
