During my recent travels in Italy, I took a day trip to Bologna from Florence by high-speed train. The journey starts at Santa Maria Novella train station, the main station in Florence. It costs approximately $90 CA and takes about 40 minutes on the high-speed rail.

When considering which day would be best for this day trip, I checked the weather for the remaining days. It looked like my final two days in Italy would be cloudy and possibly rainy on the last day; it was probably not the best day for Bologna. I wanted to take advantage of the favourable weather to explore Bologna, so I chose the second of the five days I was stationed in Florence, which was a much brighter day to walk around.

Why Bologna?

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy and is renowned for its history. The University of Bologna is considered the oldest university in the Western World, having begun teaching in 1088. Beyond Bologna, you will also find many of the most prestigious automobile manufacturers in the world, including Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Pagani.

Many people come to Bologna as students to attend university. Still, many people come through Bologna as it’s a hub for other major draws in Italy, including Florence, where I was travelling from, Milan, and Venice. But there is no question that Bologna is known for its food, and there are endless places to enjoy the local offerings in the core of Bologna. After all, Bologna is the food capital of Italy. In summary, I’ve read quite a bit about Bologna, and it sounded like a perfect day trip based on my knowledge of the city.

A Day Trip to Bologna

I only had a few hours to take in as much as possible, not enough time to get a total impression of Bologna or give complete recommendations. With limited time, my journeys outside Bologna were not an option. I was limited to the city center, but I would have loved to have more time to explore further outside the center and into Emilia-Romagna. The city center is lively, and the Piazza del Nettuno and Giambologna’s Fountain of Neptune are here.

After arriving by train and leaving Bologna Centrale, the only train station in Bologna, there is a 1.2 km walk to the city center. There are other public transportation options, but I choose to walk. During the walk from the train station, an extensive network of porticoed streets offers shelter on your travels. There are 62 kilometres of porticoes, with 42 in the historic center. In 2021, the Porticoes of Bologna were recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Italy has the most with 58. That includes 53 cultural and five natural sites.

Bologna has a medieval allure with well-preserved towers, such as the iconic Asinelli and Garisenda, built in the Middle Ages. It doesn’t have as many recognizable landmarks as other Italian cities, but there are many narrow streets to explore if you want photographic opportunities.

There are a couple of great markets in Bologna, including Mercato di Mezzo and Quadrilatero Market, the oldest market in the city. It’s an excellent place to explore, even if you don’t plan on buying and bringing any food back.

Conclusion

Exploring a new Italian city was interesting, even for only a few hours. I’d recommend staying at least a night in Bologna to enjoy nightly dining and exploring. It’s also a great spot to start exploring the Emilia-Romagna region. If I had more time, I’d have stayed longer in the area, booked a few nights to enjoy the food and wine, and made the time to visit Ferrari and Lamborghini. I’d be excited to see Pagani as well.

Bologna is worth a visit, even if you are limited to a day trip. If you have extended time in Florence and feel you have explored enough of the city, a quick, high-speed train to Bologna is convenient and worth the cost.