Visiting Bologna with Kids: The Ultimate Family Guide & Best Things to Do (2026)

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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 running around), the locals love children, and the food is basically the “Kids Menu” of the world (who doesn’t love spaghetti and lasagna?).

However, those cobblestones can be a nightmare for strollers, and little legs get tired walking the porticoes.

Here is your survival guide to Visiting Bologna with Kids, including the best playgrounds, magical corners, and the museum dedicated entirely to ice cream.

1. Ride the “San Luca Express”

Walking up to the Sanctuary of San Luca is a rite of passage, but for a 6-year-old, it’s a death march.

  • The Problem: It’s 3.8km uphill.
  • The Solution: The San Luca Express.
  • What is it? A bright red and blue tourist train (on wheels) that chugs through the city center and winds its way up the steep hill. Audio guides are available in English (with kid-friendly channels).
  • Why kids love it: It feels like a ride at a theme park, but with better views.

Book in Advance: It fills up on weekends. Get here tickets for San Luca Express!

2. The Magic of the “Whispering Walls”

This is the best free trick in Bologna.

  • Location: Under the Voltone del Podestà (The arches right under Palazzo del Podestà in Piazza Maggiore).
  • The Trick: Stand your child in one corner of the square archway, facing the wall. You stand in the diagonally opposite corner (about 10 meters away), facing the wall.
  • What happens: Whisper into the wall. Your voice will travel up the arch and sound like you are shouting directly into their ear.
  • Fun Factor: 10/10. Kids will play here for 20 minutes while you sit and drink a coffee.

3. Walk on Glass at Salaborsa Library

Right next to the Fountain of Neptune is the Salaborsa Library.

  • Why go: It is completely Free.
  • The Cool Part: The main hall has a glass floor. Kids can walk over it and look down at the ancient Roman ruins of Bologna (from 189 BC) beneath their feet.
  • The Kids Section: There is a dedicated children’s library downstairs with books in English and soft cushions to rest. It’s the perfect escape if it rains or gets too hot.

4. The Carpigiani Gelato Museum

Yes, this exists. Located about 20 minutes outside the city center (in Anzola dell’Emilia), this is the headquarters of the world’s most famous gelato machine maker.

Interested in more Gelato? Check our Bologna Gelato Guide!

  • The Experience: It’s an interactive museum about the history of ice cream.
  • The Best Part: The “Gelato Lab” workshops. You can book a “Gelato Master Class for Kids” where they put on aprons, mix the ingredients, and make their own batch to eat.

Learn here how to make Gelato in a Bologna City Center Cooking School!

5. Best Parks & Playgrounds (Burn the Energy)

When the kids need to run, head to these green spots.

Giardini Margherita (The Central Park)

This is the biggest park in Bologna, located just outside the city walls (Porta Santo Stefano).

  • Highlights: Huge open lawns for football, a pond with turtles and fish, and a classic Carousel (Merry-go-round).
  • Snacks: There are kiosks selling gelato and Chalets for parents to get a Spritz.

Parco 11 Settembre 2001

  • Location: Via Riva di Reno.
  • Vibe: A smaller, fenced park with a good playground structure. It’s popular with local families after school.

6. Dinosaur Hunting at the Capellini Museum

If your kids love dinosaurs, skip the art galleries and head to the Giovanni Capellini Geological Museum (Via Zamboni 63).

  • What’s inside: Massive Diplodocus skeletons, woolly mammoths, and ancient whales found in the Italian hills.
  • Vibe: It’s an old-school, “Indiana Jones” style museum with dusty wooden cabinets. It feels like a real discovery.

7. Pasta Making (Little Chefs)

Bologna is the best place in the world to teach your kids to cook. Many cooking classes specifically welcome families.

  • Why do it: Rolling out dough is basically like playing with Play-Doh, but tasty. Kids love the tactile experience of squashing the eggs and flour.
  • Diet: If your child is a picky eater, they will eat the pasta they made. Trust me.

Family Activity: Look for a private class so you don’t have to worry about your kids disturbing others. Book here a Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class!

8. Day Trips: Ferraris & Theme Parks

Mirabilandia (The Theme Park)

If you are staying for a week, you might want a break from culture.

  • What is it: Italy’s biggest amusement park, located near Ravenna (1 hour by train).
  • Rides: Massive rollercoasters for teens and “Dinoland” for toddlers.

The Ferrari Museum (For Car Lovers)

If your kid loves “Cars” (the movie) or Hot Wheels, the Ferrari Museum in Maranello is a dream. They have F1 simulators that older kids can actually drive.

Practical Logistics: Surviving Bologna

Strollers vs. Porticoes

  • The Good: The porticoes protect you from rain and sun.
  • The Bad: The ground is often uneven marble or cobblestone.
  • Tip: Bring a lightweight, foldable stroller (like a Yoyo or similar). Huge “off-road” strollers are hard to maneuver in tiny restaurant aisles.

Eating Out with Kids

  • High Chairs: Most trattorias have one or two high chairs (seggiolone), but not ten. Mention it when you book.
  • The “Coperto”: Kids are usually charged the cover charge (€2-3) too, even if they just eat bread.
  • Schedule: Remember, restaurants open at 7:30 PM. If your kids eat at 6:00 PM, stick to Aperitivo spots (like the Mercato delle Erbe) where you can grab pizza slices anytime.

Bathrooms

  • Public Toilets: Rare and often dirty.
  • The Trick: Go into a bar/cafe. Buy a bottle of water (€1) or a coffee, and use their clean toilet. It is the polite way to do it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Bologna safe for families? Yes, extremely. The center is compact and pedestrian-friendly. Just watch out for cyclists under the porticoes! (Read our full Safety Guide).

Can I find baby formula? Yes. Coop and Pam supermarkets (City Center) have baby aisles. Farmacias (Green Cross) sell specific high-end baby formula and pacifiers.

Is the tap water safe? Yes. You will see public fountains (some shaped like dragons). The water is cold, clean, and free to drink. Fill up your bottles there.

Summary: The Family Itinerary

  • Morning: Ride the San Luca Express.
  • Lunch: Pizza slice and play the “Whispering Wall” game.
  • Afternoon: Gelato Workshop or run around Giardini Margherita.
  • Dinner: Early pasta at Osteria dell’Orsa (it’s loud, so nobody cares if kids make noise).

Buon Viaggio, Little Travelers!

Plan Your Trip to Bologna!

Make your trip smoother with our practical guides:

Enjoy La Grassa!

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