Things to do in  Bologna

Known as La Grassa (The Fat Lady), Bologna has long been a foodie mecca, but the city offers more than just unforgettable meals. This university town has a lively center where medieval towers and churches loom above student-packed cafes. Italy’s Motor Valley (home to Ferrari and Lamborghini) sits just outside the city.

It’s all about food in Bologna, and dining, tastings, and gourmet strolls draw most visitors. In addition to tucking into heaping plates of tortelloni, you can visit Piazza Maggiore and its San Petronio Basilica, climb the Two Towers for sky-high views, and dive into the historic university district.

Yes. Especially if you want to sample some of the best food in Italy or experience a city bustling with more residents than tourists. By train, Bologna is 40 minutes from Florence and less than 90 minutes from Venice, an easy respite from the hordes at those two destinations.

You can see Bologna’s most important sights in a day, though you’ll need more time if you use the city as a base for visiting the automotive museums and factories in Motor Valley or for touring the nearby Food Valley to sample Parmigiano-Reggiano, prosciutto di Parma, and balsamic vinegar.

Yes. Though locals don’t call it Bolognese, which, in Italian, simply means anything or anyone from Bologna. Instead, order up a plate of tagliatelle al ragù to sample the city’s legendary ribbons of fresh egg pasta tossed in a rich meat sauce that's been simmered for hours.

With its endless network of porticoes (recently listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site), Bologna is a city made for wandering. You can follow the porticoed walkways from the city center all the way up to the hilltop Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca for views over the city.