What to visit in Bologna in 3 days: detailed tour 

Bologna is a city rich in history, culture, delicious food and breathtaking architecture. We recommend this tour to visit Bologna in 3 days with which you will discover the most beautiful and interesting places of the capital of Emilia, including its squares, towers, museums and much more.

Day 1: The historic centre

We start our tour from the historic centre of Bologna, where you are staying at our luxurious Gardi Luxury Apartments. We start the day in Piazza Maggiore, one of the largest squares in Italy, surrounded by historic buildings such as the Palazzo del Podestà, the Palazzo Re Enzo and the Basilica of San Petronio. Let’s walk through the alley of the Clerics, a cobbled pedestrian street that leads to the church of Santa Maria della Vita, which houses the famous Lamentation on the Dead Christ by Niccolò dell 'Arca. Let’s continue towards the Torre degli Asinelli, one of the two inclined towers symbol of the city. Climb its 498 steps to enjoy a panoramic view of the city.

After the visit to the tower, let’s visit the Mezzo market, the covered market of the historic centre. Here we can find typical Emilian products, such as Parmesan cheese and Parma ham. The market is also a great place to taste local products such as mortadella, tigelle and the famous tagliatelle alla ragù.

In the afternoon, let's visit the Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, one of the oldest churches in Bologna with a fascinating history of works of art. Then, let’s continue to the Fountain of Neptune, an icon of the city located in Piazza del Nettuno. The fountain was built in 1563 by the sculptor Giambologna and is adorned with mythological figures.

After this first day full of wonders, it will be a treat to return to one of our Gardi Luxury Apartments. You can relax immersed in comfort, relaxation, silence and luxury after a day full of emotions. 

Day 2: The Museums of Bologna

The second day of our tour to visit Bologna in 3 days takes us to discover the most important museums in the city. We start with a visit to the Civic Archaeological Museum, where we can admire the archaeological finds of the Roman city of Bononia and the Etruscan civilisation.

Next, we head to the Tagliavini Collection, a museum dedicated to ancient music and musical instruments. Here, we can admire a vast collection of historical instruments, some of which date back to the 16th century.

In the afternoon, we visit the History Museum of Bologna, where we can discover the history of the city from Roman times to the present day. The museum is located in a medieval building that was once the seat of the Town Hall of Bologna.

Day 3: The hills of Bologna

The last day of our tour takes us to discover the hills of Bologna, an original stopover for those who are about to visit Bologna in 3 days. Our staff will be happy to recommend you a guided tour and give you the best advice for this trip out of the historic centre.

We start the day by visiting the Sanctuary of San Luca, one of the most important churches in Bologna. The church is located on top of a hill to the east of the city. The basilica is one of the most important monuments of Bologna, known above all for its portico with 666 arches, which extends for almost 4 km. The view of the city from the top of the hill is spectacular, and from here you can admire the entire Po Valley and the surrounding landscape.

After the visit to the basilica, the tour continues to the Abbey of Monteveglio, located about 30 kilometres southeast of Bologna. This ancient Benedictine monastery dates back to the 11th century and is nestled in a 330-hectare natural park. The abbey offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and medieval villages in the area. Here, you can take a walk through the woods and vineyards, admire the beauty of the place and taste local products such as pit cheese and Pignoletto wine.

In summary, the tour through the hills of Bologna is an unforgettable experience for those who love nature, history and good food. The visit to the Basilica of San Luca, the Abbey of Monteveglio and the Pignoletto wine tasting offer a panoramic view of the natural and cultural beauties of the area, and will leave you with indelible memories of your stay to visit Bologna in 3 days. 

Book a short or long stay at one of our Gardi Luxury Apartments located in a historic building in the heart of the city centre. Our luxury apartments will give you the best experience of relaxation and comfort to fully enjoy the tour of Bologna in 3 days. Book now!