Bologna: 2 Days

May 02, 2026

Bologna: 2 Days

I spent two nights in Bologna at Backpackers House. For the first night, I was the only one staying there, but the second night the place was filled with guests. I didn’t sleep well in the room because someone was snoring for the entire night.

In any case, Bologna is known for its food so I ate the local specialty: tagliatelle al ragù, which is their pasta and meat sauce. I also had a mortadella sandwich. Mortadella is the deli meat that Bologna is famous for. Mortadella is sliced thinner and tastes better than the bologna I get in the US. The only thing I regret not trying is the tortellini in brodo. I will have to try that next time.

I spent the majority of the second day doing all the main activities. First, I walked under the world’s longest portico to San Luca Sanctuary that’s on top of a hill. There were so many visitors and I wish I had woken up earlier to avoid the crowd. I think its status as a UNESCO site attracted many people. On the way down the hill I was able to take the bus.

Then I walked to Piazza Maggiore, the main city square where they were preparing for a free concert. I went there later in the day to hear some modern Italian music.

On the main square is the Basilica di San Petronio, which is one of Europe’s largest churches. I went inside and saw a large sundial on the floor of church, something you don’t see in churches.

I had also wanted to visit the library at the University of Bologna, which is the oldest university in the western hemisphere, established in 1088, but the library was closed on May 1 due to the holiday. I wasn’t able to go the next day because the tickets were sold out at the time I wanted to go in. I’ll have to save this for next time.

The other main attractions in the old town are the Neptune's Fountain and the Two Towers (Le Due Torri). The Two Towers are under renovation because there is a blockade around them.

At the Backpackers House, I met Giacomo from Sardinia. He’s 24 years old and works in a lab in Switzerland. We grabbed dinner together and had breakfast the following day. As it turns out, we are both into the FIRE movement. I really enjoyed chatting with him and he was so nice and bought me coffee.

Today, I took the 12:05 PM regional train from Bologna to Florence. The cost was only €9.70, but it had a layover at Prato. I plan to stay in Florence for three nights, but nothing is set in stone.