Bologna is one of the best historical cities in Italy with the largest ancient medieval city in Europe, here are the places to visit in Bologna.
Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is located in northern Italy between the rivers Reno and Savina. The Italian city is in an excellent location, an hour and a half drive from Florence and Pisa and between two and three hours from Venice or Milan.
Bologna is called the “Red City” because of the color of the buildings and roofs in the city.
5 most visited places in Bologna:
1-Main Square Maggiore:
Piazza Maggiore or Plaza Mayor is the center of the old town and one of the most important tourist places to visit in Bologna.
Most of the buildings in the square have been preserved since the Middle Ages, and among the most important of these are the Basilica, San Petronio, the Commune Palace, the Podesta Palace, the Palace of King Enzo, and the magnificent Neptune Fountain.
2-The Twin Towers:
The “Garisenda” and “Asinelli” twin towers are the only surviving of the more than 200 medieval towers in the city.
They originally had defensive functions, now only the “Asinelli” tower is still in good condition and allows visits, and although climbing to nearly 98 metres is difficult, when you get to the top and see the stunning views of the city you forget what kind of effort it is.
Visiting hours: every day from 9 am to 6 pm.
3-Piazza di Santo Stefano:
One of the other best medieval corners to visit in Bologna is Piazza de Santo Stefano.
The square contains the most important tourist attractions in Bologna, such as the Basilica of Santo Stefano, known as the “Seven Churches.” This church is a medieval religious complex, formed by the union of 4 churches.
You will see a replica of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem from the 5th century.
4-Palace “Archiginnasio”:
The “Archiginnasio” Palace, which was built in the 16th century by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo, is another gem that is considered one of the most beautiful tourist places in Bologna.
The building contains the home of the old university, an inner courtyard, and many of the main features of the palace, such as a small tower with a clock bell and other important carvings on the walls.
The university inside the palace dates back to 1088, making it the oldest university in the western world. Visiting hours are Monday through Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm.
5-Our Lady of San Luca Shrine:
The temple of “Our Lady of San Luca” is located on a hill with a height of 300 meters and is one of the most charming tourist places in the city.
Surrounded by a natural environment, this church is a favorite of many tourists from all over the world. The church is famous for its Baroque style exterior architecture and interior with some beautiful artifacts.
3 best hotels in Bologna:
1-Fly On Hotel:
The hotel is just 1.5 km from Bologna Marconi Airport. The air-conditioned rooms feature a mini-fridge, flat-screen TV and coffee maker.
The hotel enjoys charming views of the surrounding gardens, a fitness center and free parking.
The cost of staying at the Fly on Hotel is about $75 for two people per night.
2-Hotel in Plaza Mayor:
The hotel is located near the most important attractions in Bologna, and offers air-conditioned rooms with all the services a visitor needs during the stay. The hotel offers a concierge service for an additional fee.
The hotel offers 24-hour room service and free Wi-Fi in all accommodations.
Accommodation in a hotel in the Plaza Mayor costs about $60 for two people per night.
3-NH Bologna Hotel:
NH Hotel is located 300 meters from Bologna Centrale Train Station, in the city’s commercial district. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi.
Rooms come with air conditioning, mini fridge, flat screen TV and everything a visitor needs during his stay. The cost of staying at NH Bologna is about $100 for two people per night.
Best time to visit in Bologna:
The best time for tourism in Bologna is in the summer between June and August, during these periods when the sky is sunny and the temperatures are warm, this is an opportunity to wander the historical streets and visit the cafes that line the squares of important cities.
