Top 3 Itineraries in Bologna

No matter how long you plan to stay, there’s a perfect trip to Bologna.

If you only have a few days, Bologna weekend getaways are the perfect option. A 3 to 5-day stay in Bologna offers just enough time to soak in the highlights

For a balanced mix of sightseeing and relaxation, city breaks in Bologna are ideal. With a few extra days, you can dive deeper into Bologna’s most iconic landmarks, stroll through charming neighborhoods, and savor local cuisine at a leisurely pace.

For those who crave freedom and discovery, road trips through Bologna offer the perfect opportunity to explore beyond the city. With the open road ahead, you’ll uncover Italy's most scenic landscapes, visit charming towns, and discover hidden gems along the way.

Explore all the best trips for every travel style below and make your next trip to Bologna truly unforgettable!

If you’re as convinced as we are that Bologna belongs on your bucket list, you're in luck. The best trips to Bologna are just a quick search away.

Enter your dates below to discover the best travel packages in Bologna and start planning your next trip!

Discover the perfect Bologna itinerary with our handpicked list. Whether you're in Bologna for a short stay or a longer visit, there's an itinerary for you.

With detailed routes, top attractions, and insider tips, these 3 itineraries will help you experience the best of Bologna without missing a thing. Dive into our list and learn how to plan the ultimate trip to Bologna!

A scenic 10-day road trip through Firenze, Siena, San Gimignano, Perugia, and Assisi is one of the best ways to experience Italy. With the freedom to travel at your own pace, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to make spontaneous stops between the planned activities on your itinerary.

A 10-day itinerary means that Bologna can easily be combined with other top destinations in Italy without stress. While it’s possible to travel between Firenze, Siena, San Gimignano, Perugia, and Assisi by public transport, renting a car in Italy opens up a whole new level of freedom!

So, with 10 days to spend, all you need is a rental car, some hotel reservations, and this iconic road trip itinerary:

Day 1: Arrive in Bologna

• Arrival city: Bologna
• Accommodation: hotel in Bologna, e.g., We Bologna
• Sightseeing: Portici di Bologna

Begin your road trip adventure by picking up your rental car at the airport upon arrival in Bologna. Drive to your centrally located hotel, which offers convenient access to local attractions. Spend the day exploring nearby sights, and in the evening, enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, sampling regional flavors and soaking up the atmosphere.

Day 2: Explore Bologna

• Destinations: Bologna
• Driving distance: 121.11 km, approx. 1 hour and 41 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Florence, e.g., 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino
• Sightseeing: Piazza Maggiore, Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, and Palazzo d'Accursio
• Recommended tour: Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside

Set out on a day of discovery and visit Piazza Maggiore, Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, and Palazzo d'Accursio. Take time to enjoy the scenery and local highlights of Bologna, with the freedom to stop at whatever sight catches your interest. By the end of the day, check-in at a new hotel, located in central Florence.

Day 3: Discover Firenze

• Destinations: Firenze
• Driving distance: 2.77 km, approx. 36 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Florence, e.g., 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino
• Sightseeing: Palazzo Vecchio, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Gallery, Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, and Piazza della Signoria
• Recommended tour: Walking Tour through Florence: Renaissance and Medici Tales

Spend the day exploring Palazzo Vecchio, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore, Uffizi Gallery, Basilica of Santa Croce in Florence, and Piazza della Signoria. Take scenic drives or walking tours to experience the area’s charm at your own pace.

Day 4: Experience Pisa and Lucca

• Destinations: Pisa and Lucca
• Driving distance: 199.26 km, approx. 3 hours and 21 minutes
• Accommodation: 4-star hotel in Florence, e.g., 25hours Hotel Piazza San Paolino
• Sightseeing: Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, Piazza del Duomo, Mura di Lucca, Cattedrale di Pisa, and Leaning Tower of Pisa
• Recommended tour: Best Tour in Florence, Italy: Renaissance & Medici tales with a storyteller

Continue your journey through Pisa and Lucca, where you can explore Piazza dell'Anfiteatro, Piazza del Duomo, Mura di Lucca, Cattedrale di Pisa, and Leaning Tower of Pisa. Make time for a break at a cozy café or scenic picnic spot.

Day 5: Enjoy Sightseeing in Siena and San Gimignano

• Destinations: Siena and San Gimignano
• Driving distance: 122.19 km, approx. 2 hours and 18 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in San Gimignano, e.g., Leon Bianco
• Sightseeing: Piazza del Campo, Pubblico Palace, Tower of Mangia, Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina, and Duomo di Siena
• Recommended tour: Wine and food tasting in an organic family winery

Drive through Siena and San Gimignano, stopping to visit Piazza del Campo, Pubblico Palace, Tower of Mangia, Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina, and Duomo di Siena. Don't forget to embrace the opportunity to explore smaller towns and hidden gems along the way. Conclude your day by settling into a centrally located hotel in San Gimignano.

Day 6: Embrace the Spirit of San Gimignano and San Regolo

• Destinations: San Gimignano and San Regolo
• Driving distance: 117.5 km, approx. 2 hours and 37 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in San Gimignano, e.g., Leon Bianco
• Sightseeing: Piazza del Duomo, Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, Castello di Brolio, SanGimignano1300, and Palazzo Comunale, Pinacoteca, Torre Grossa
• Recommended tour: Tuscan Cooking Class

Spend time discovering Piazza del Duomo, Chiesa di Sant'Agostino, Castello di Brolio, SanGimignano1300, and Palazzo Comunale, Pinacoteca, Torre Grossa, with plenty of opportunities to engage in outdoor activities or enjoy local culture.

Day 7: Spend Time in Perugia and Assisi

• Destinations: Perugia and Assisi
• Driving distance: 195.01 km, approx. 3 hours and 20 minutes
• Accommodation: 3-star hotel in Perugia, e.g., Etruscan Chocohotel
• Sightseeing: Piazza IV Novembre, Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, The Fontana Maggiore, Rocca Maggiore, and Rocca Paolina
• Recommended tour: Organic cooking class with a sommelier in an Olive and wine farm

Explore Piazza IV Novembre, Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi, The Fontana Maggiore, Rocca Maggiore, and Rocca Paolina at a relaxed pace. Make spontaneous stops for sightseeing, photography, or lunch at a family-run restaurant. Finish the day by checking into another comfortable hotel in the center of Perugia.

Day 8: Explore Roma and Orvieto

• Destinations: Roma and Orvieto
• Driving distance: 205.21 km, approx. 3 hours and 33 minutes
• Accommodation: hotel in Rome, e.g., The RomeHello
• Sightseeing: Trevi Fountain, Duomo di Orvieto, Orvieto Underground, Pozzo della Cava, and Piazza Navona
• Recommended tour: Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, and St Peter’s Basilica Guided Tour from Rome

Continue your road trip through Roma and Orvieto, enjoying the flexibility to explore Trevi Fountain, Duomo di Orvieto, Orvieto Underground, Pozzo della Cava, and Piazza Navona and nearby points of interest. As the day winds down, arrive at a new hotel in central Rome.

Day 9: Wander Through Roma

• Destinations: Roma
• Driving distance: 384.56 km, approx. 4 hours and 38 minutes
• Accommodation: hotel in Bologna, e.g., We Bologna
• Sightseeing: Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, and Colosseum
• Recommended tour: Pasta mama, Home cooking lessons at Grazia's house

Visit Roman Forum, Spanish Steps, and Colosseum as you navigate scenic routes. Take time to enjoy local markets, trails, or viewpoints that catch your eye. At the end of the day, check-in at a comfortable hotel in central Bologna.

Day 10: Bid Farewell to Bologna

• Departure city: Bologna
• Driving distance: 838 metres, approx. 11 minutes
• Sightseeing: Two Towers

Savor an hour or two for souvenir shopping or revisiting a favorite spot before it’s time to say goodbye to Bologna. Drop off your rental car at the airport a couple of hours before departure for a seamless end to your trip.

The estimated cost for a rental car and accommodations for each night along this route is around 907 EUR, providing a value-for-money way to experience what's beyond Bologna.

Looking for something different? Explore more road trips with a stop in Bologna for alternative itineraries, routes, and durations.

Enjoy a 4-day city break in Bologna with the perfect itinerary, designed to showcase the city’s top sights, local flavors, and hidden corners.

With a long list of top-rated attractions in Bologna and Bologna's widest selection of tours and activities at your fingertips, it's easy to plan a travel itinerary filled with unforgettable moments and discoveries.

No need to stress over the details – we’ve curated the perfect 4-day itinerary to give you a seamless outline for your trip. Use this itinerary to capture the best of Bologna without the hassle of planning.

Day 1: Begin Your Journey in Bologna

Arrive in Bologna and start your trip with a relaxing walk through town, discovering highlights like Church of the Holy Savior.

Take in the local charm as you wander the streets, and as evening approaches, indulge in a delicious dinner at a local restaurant. Ristorante Ciacco is a top-rated recommendation. Say 'cheers' and set the tone for an amazing vacation ahead!

Day 2: Discover Bologna's Most Iconic Attractions

Enjoy your first full day in Bologna by heading out for some must-see sightseeing. Explore around town and visit popular attractions like the iconic Pinacoteca Nazionale, Piazza Maggiore, Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, Palazzo Re Enzo, and Fontana del Nettuno.

One of the best ways to quickly learn how to navigate the city is to join one of the many great city sightseeing tours in Bologna. Choose a walking tour to embrace a relaxed exploration. Alternatively, go for a tour by bus or bike to cover a larger part of Bologna in the same amount of time.

In the evening, head out for another lovely dinner and raise a glass to a fantastic day of exploring!

Day 3: Learn More About the Top Sights in Bologna

Use this day to discover more of Bologna’s top sights. We recommend visiting Palazzo Pallavicini, International Museum and Library of Music, Two Towers, Arco Del Meloncello, and Parco Talon.

To make the most of your time, don’t forget to book your attraction tickets and passes in Bologna in advance. Beyond possible savings, booking tickets early ensures availability even for Bologna's most popular attractions.

After a nice dinner, take a walk through the city center and experience Bologna’s attractions in another light.

Day 4: Savor Your Final Moments in Bologna

Spend your last few hours in Bologna soaking up the charm of the city at your own pace. Stroll through favorite spots or revisit local markets before bidding farewell to the city.

We recommend booking your transfers from Bologna in advance.

For more inspiration, explore the complete selection of city breaks in Bologna, all including pre-planned itineraries you can customize to suit your style. Start with a ready-to-go Bologna travel plan and make it your own by selecting tours, accommodations, and more.

A 3-day weekend getaway in Bologna offers the perfect break from the hustle of daily life. But with so many things to see and do in Bologna, fitting it all into a short visit can easily feel overwhelming.

However, with a well-planned Bologna itinerary, you can effortlessly experience the best of the city in just a few days. Picture yourself exploring iconic landmarks, savoring local cuisine, and wandering charming neighborhoods—it's all within reach as long as you know how to plan your trip properly.

With 3 days to spend, this is the perfect Bologna weekend itinerary for your trip:

Day 1 - Arrive in Bologna

Arrive in Bologna around noon and head to your hotel for an early check-in.

• Morning: Take some time to relax and refresh after your journey, or get a head start by visiting a nearby landmark.
• Afternoon: Ease into your trip with some sightseeing, for example, visiting Church of the Holy Savior, and soak in the surroundings.
• Evening: Dine at a popular restaurant and celebrate the start of the vacation with some drinks.

Day 2 - Discover Bologna’s Famous Sights

Maximize your first full day in Bologna with sightseeing, food, and drinks.

• Morning: Visit Two Towers early to avoid crowds and enjoy the views.
• Afternoon: Continue to Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro, stopping by Piazza Maggiore for a break and some photos.
• Evening: Dine at a popular restaurant and cap off the day at a local bar.
• Tip: Use part of the morning to join one of the many city sightseeing tours in Bologna and get a guided journey through the top attractions in the city.

Day 3 - Depart from Bologna

Make the most of your last few hours in Bologna before your departure.

• Morning: Grab a light breakfast at a local bakery or café and take a final stroll nearby.
• Afternoon: If you have time, do some last-minute sightseeing.

For more ideas, explore our complete selection of weekend trips to Bologna. Whether you’re looking for a quick getaway or want to extend the weekend, these trips all come with pre-planned but customizable Bologna itineraries, ensuring an effortless travel experience.

As you explore Bologna, you’ll find countless layers of history, art, and local charm waiting to be uncovered. For those curious about the city’s highlights, our guide to the best things to do in Bologna offers plenty of inspiration.

Finding the right place to stay is essential for a comfortable trip. This is why we've also gathered our top recommendations for the best places to stay in Bologna for you.

Wherever your journey takes you, we’re here to make every step memorable. From expert tips to local insights, count on us to help you experience Bologna in a way that feels truly unforgettable!