Top 10 BEST Day Trips from Bologna (Italy)

Are you looking for a perfect day trip from Bologna? Look no further!

This beautiful city in the heart of Italy offers something special for everyone, whether you’re an adventurous traveler wanting to explore all of the best nature and culture that Italy has to offer or looking for a relaxing day away.

From its vibrant art galleries, delicious local cuisine, and centuries-old architecture, Bologna offers a unique experience like no other. And with its close proximity to other major cities in the region, such as Florence and Milan, it is easy to plan a fun-filled day away.

Whether it be soaking up the sun while lounging on the terrace of a vineyard, exploring some of Italy’s most iconic monuments, or simply enjoying the beauty of nature with a beach excursion along the Adriatic sea coastline, there are endless possibilities when it comes to planning your next day trip from Bologna. Its location within Emilia Romagna makes it easy to take advantage of its coastal views and mountain peaks, allowing travelers to experience both natural beauty and cultural heritage within one day.

From historical sites like Castello di Dozza and Modena Cathedral to more active activities such as wine-tasting tours through nearby vineyards or paragliding over Lake Como – taking a day trip out of Bologna will allow you to discover something new every time.

Not only this, but these types of trips provide an excellent opportunity for travelers wanting to disconnect from their regular lives back home and indulge in another culture without having to commit too much time away from home. What better way than spend your day exploring one of Italy’s most luxurious regions?

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Top Day Trips from Bologna, Italy

Venice

Venice, Italy
Image by David Mark from Pixabay

The city of Venice has never lost its charm even after 600 years, which is why it is so much loved for a romantic getaway. Venice welcomes more than 20 million tourists and 56000 residents per year.

At first, the city may not look large because it is a cluster of several boroughs. There is an area with 118 islands in the major districts known as Sestieri. Castello, Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, Santa Croce, San Polo, and San Marco are major sights and monuments. Some prominent islands are San Francesco del Deserto, Torcello, Murano, and Burano.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Read also: The 15 Culinary Destinations in Europe That Will Make You Hungry! (Foodie Vacations)

Florence

Florence Cathedral, Florence, Italy
Florence Cathedral, Florence, Italy

The capital of Tuscany, Florence, is Italy’s artistic, architectural, and cultural marvel, with a population of more than 366,500 residents. Florence attracts tourists all year round. Many tourists flock to the landmarks like Duomo di Firenze, even in extreme weather. Experience the warm weather in Florence in April before it turns humid and hot in the city.

When warm weather starts, outdoor seating becomes available in cafes and restaurants. Don’t like the crowd? Get here in January and February when it is calm and serene with day trips from Bologna by train. It gets scorching heat in August, and most shops are closed this month.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Read also: Top 15 Beautiful Castles in Italy

Parma

Next on your day trips from Bologna is Parma, known for the famous ham, Prosciutto di Parma, and manufacturing of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. You will find the living epitomes of Romanesque architecture in its historic center, including the cathedral built in the 12th century, which is full of impressive frescoes.

Palazzo del Governatore is the Governor’s Palace built in the 18th century. It has an exotic façade and a bell tower where you can witness the marvelous astronomical clock. It falls on the same rail route as Modena, only 50 to 70 minutes from Bologna.

You can stroll at Ducal Park and visit Ducal Palace, which was built in the 16th century and is decorated with exotic frescoes. Parma is known for cool wine bars, food markets, and restaurants to enjoy local food and visit a top opera house and museums.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Read also: Christmas in Italy: 8 Best Christmas Markets in Italy

Are you planning your travels? Here’re my top travel resources!

I’m a serial planner both in life and in travel – I have bucket lists, things to do, see, and everything. So, I always love when my life is sorted easily using tools and resources that would make my general planning a little smoother and easier. Therefore, in my many years of traveling the world, I’ve seen myself returning to these travel resources repeatedly. And here I am, sharing my tips to make your life easy and breezy so you can stress less, travel heaps, and focus on the fun part of travel!

  • Booking.com – I book all my hotels through this website and don’t honestly use anything else. They always have the best prices, in my opinion.
  • Airbnb – If I’m traveling long-term to one destination, I book my flats through Airbnb.
  • Skyscanner – The best place to find cheap flights on flexible dates. I use this a lot to score cheap flights within Europe!
  • SafetyWing – Always travel insured! Never leave your home country without one. It is worth the extra money, I promise you!
  • GetYourGuide – Hands-down, the best place to find cool and unique tours if you don’t feel like winging it, and go straight to a local expert. I use this a lot in new destinations to get acquainted with the area!
  • My Pretty Wild World Travel Diary (coming soon) – A book you can write down your travel plans, create itineraries, track down your budget, and dot down memories along the way! A handy book you can keep and read later to revisit memory lane.
  • Pretty Wild World Travel Planning Printables (coming soon) – Are you a nut like me when it comes to planning? Yes? Good. My travel planning resource in one zip file is an easy-to-use printable planner that comes with tips that helps you plan your travels during the planning stage, a pre-flight checklist, an itinerary planner, and so on.

Rome

Trevi Fountain, Rome Italy

The Eternal City, Rome, is the largest city and capital of Italy and the Lazio region. It is a well-known place for the Seven Hills, the Roman Empire, the Vatican City, La Dolce Vita, and the Three Coins in the Fountain. It has been the center of culture (being one of the greatest civilizations ever in the world), power, and religion for a millennium, and it had a significant influence across the world in its existence, which lasted roughly 2800 years.

UNESCO has declared its historic center a World Heritage Site. It has millennium-old churches, exotic palaces, substantial romantic leftovers, ornate statues, lavish monuments, and grace-worthy fountains. Rome has a vibrant cosmopolitan environment and historical heritage. So, it is one of the most visited, influential, popular, and exotic capitals in Europe and the world.

It is also a haven for shoppers and has ever-growing nightlife for tourists, making it a fascinating Bologna day trip. It is well known as the world’s fashion capital, as you can spot some of the oldest clothing and jewelry shops in Italy.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Read also: Best Road Trips in Europe: Top 15 European Road Trip Ideas

Modena

Modena is officially known for balsamic vinegar. Well, there is another reason to visit: it was the location of Master of None Season 2, where the first couple of episodes were shot. After a quick train ride for 30 minutes, you can stop by Acetaia di Giorgio, one of the closest vinegar manufacturers to the city center. You can take a taxi, or it is a 30-minute walk from the station.

It is much like a family-run undertaking. Here, families have been making vinegar for generations, passing on the tradition to the next generation. The vinegar is aged at the Acetaia in wooden barrels for 12 to 25 years. Some of the vinegar moves between different barrels, and it is a time-consuming process as it evaporates year by year.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Read also: Summer in Europe: Top 14 Best Summer Destinations in Europe

Ferrara

Located north of Bologna, Ferrara is a Renaissance town covered by walls that you may like to walk around or ride a bike. This picture-perfect castle dates back to the 14th century, and it rules the historic landmark. A cathedral was built in the 12th century, which is a blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles.

Stunning 13th to 14th-century frescoes at the Church of Sant’Antonio in Polesine. The Este family ruled the city from 1208 to 1598. It became a hub for the arts under them. It is also the best place to bike, walk, or sit in a café. It is located only 20 to 45 minutes from Bologna by train.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Read also: Secret Destinations: Top 13 Natural Wonders of Europe You Must Visit

Hold up! Have you thought about the importance of travel insurance?

Remember this: anything can happen. Travel is fun, but your health is more important; thus, I always, always, always recommend getting insured during the duration of your trip. I have benefitted from having one multiple times, and it has been covered for thousands of euros!

The latest one is not necessarily “health” related – it was during the peak of the unspeakable terrible C that consumed the world. I was living in Vietnam when I received an email from SafetyWing (my travel insurance) that if I want they’ll fly be back home to Finland as the world goes through a global emergency alert. I flew back fully covered, and dealing with SafetyWing was a breeze despite the roar of people in contact with them trying to get back home.

I can’t highly recommend them enough. Otherwise, I rarely get sick; hence I don’t always need to head to a hospital, but knowing that I have travel insurance makes me feel safe at the very least.

Read my post about why you should get travel insurance for more information. Otherwise, you can get a free quote from SafetyWing – they’re the best, in my opinion.

Cinque Terre

Riomaggiore Italy
via Wikimedia Commons| Raul Taciu raultaciu

Also known as Five Lands, Cinque Terre combines five coastal and small villages of Manarola, Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Corniglia, and Monterosso, located in the Liguria region of Italy. All of these villages are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.

Its serene landscape is the major attraction of the town. Mediterranean trees and herbs grow atop the hills spontaneously to the water level. You will love the human activity of the ancestors on the wine terraces and the magnificent scenery of nature.

You can explore the crazy and endless work of transportation in the past, where all the massive stones were carried on women’s heads and men’s shoulders. The whole stone-wall network was estimated to be built in around 200 years.

The total length of this wall has been calculated to be similar to the Great Wall of China. As a tourist, you will love the scenery, hike on the paths, walk through the towns, and enjoy the serene and local environment.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Read also: Europe Holidays: Top 10 Awesome Destinations for Holidays in Europe

Verona

Verona is where the famous playset play set by William Shakespeare, “Romeo and Juliet,” took place. It is located an hour from Venice but is still admired as the most pleasant, relaxed destination to explore. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000 due to its urban architecture and structure.

The Roman Empire has taken over Verona in the First Century AD. It preserves the ruins of the Roman era, especially the Arena, in the same way as the Colosseum of Rome. However, many of its medieval landmarks date back over 800 years.

If you are a history lover, Verona has an excellent opportunity to explore the transformation of Western European art from Medieval to Renaissance styles, with its opulent art museums and churches built in the 12th century.

The city also has fortifications and a magnificent castle, thanks to the military importance of Verona under the Austrians. Here, you can explore the architectural landmarks of Scaligeri, who ruled this city from the 12th to 14th centuries.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Read also: Islands in Europe: Top 10 Best Island Holidays in Europe to Visit

Pisa

Top 10 BEST Day Trips from Bologna (Italy)

The Leaning Tower is what Pisa is known for. However, visitors who get here already expect to see only the Tower and miss other artistic and architectural gems of this exotic city.

Several interesting shops, sights, and restaurants await you from a half-hour walk from the train station to the Campo Dei Miracoli or the Field of Miracles. Walk the streets to explore Pisa as it is very small, and you can cover the whole atmosphere on your day trip.

Pisa wouldn’t be such a magnificent city without the University. The city is flocked by the students who hold shows, parties, and events, and the central street is decorated at night. There are 60000 students at the University of Pisa, and the city has a population of over 100,000 residents.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Where to stay: Best hotels in Pisa

Read also: Top 5 Tips on How to Save Money for Travel

What are my favorite travel must-haves?

As a frequent traveler, I’ve learned a lot throughout my years of travel, and there are five items that I always carry with me regardless of where I go and how long the trip is. Here are my five travel must-haves!

  • Warm packable jacket – I always carry a light jacket, even when heading to warm countries. There hasn’t been a time I never used it, especially in airports and planes.
  • Transparent toiletry bag – I often bring a carry-on if I’m only traveling within Europe for a few days. Life is so much easier to go through security checks with a transparent toiletry bag.
  • Kindle Paperwhite – I love a good read and always take my Kindle everywhere. It keeps me entertained during long flights and waiting times.
  • Powerbank – I don’t know how I could travel without one! Having a power bank saved me a ton since I carry a lot of electronic devices with me.
  • Travel Adapter – I never leave my luggage without a travel adapter! I carry one with me all the time. It is just one of that travel-must haves that doesn’t hurt to have in your bag at all times.

San Marino

10 Less Visited Travel Destinations in Europe That You Must Visit San Marino

Officially known as the Republic of San Marino, the city of San Marino is one of the oldest republics in the world and the third smallest state in Europe, followed by Monaco and Holy See City. Marinus, a Christian stonemason, founded it in 301.

You can witness two of the three towers by buying Red Card that costs just €4.5. You can see one of these towers with the yellow card, which costs only €3. On the third tower, there is no entrance. The narrow streets have no lack of surprises when you walk along with the city. The walkways wind down and up the hills in a beautiful way.

Where to stay in Bologna? Book your hotel and find great deals from this link!

Frequently asked questions

How many days should you spend in Bologna?

Bologna is not a big place, so spending between three to a week should be a good amount of time. Of course, if you spend a week, you must consider checking out the surrounding areas.

Is Bologna safe for tourists?

Bologna is a safe place for tourists, but we always advise that you travel with caution and always be alert because you never know what might happen. Otherwise, Bologna is a safe place in general.

Is Bologna worth visiting?

Absolutely! Bologna has many amazing attractions, culture, and, best of all – food. It is definitely worth a visit!

Where can I go by train from Bologna?

Bologna has a good train connection from and to many places, such as Florence, Venice, and Rome. You can also check schedules for trains that can take you to neighboring towns and villages!

Planning to visit Italy? Check out these posts!

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About me

About Me

Evan Kristine a.k.a Pretty Wild World is a professional travel blogger with over 10 years of experience in content creation. Originally from the Philippines, she's been living in Finland for 15+ years working as a chef and entrepreneur in Tampere, Finland.

She's an expert in Finland travel and explores the country often sharing her insights and tips in this blog and social medias. She also splits her free time either going for weekend getaways in Europe or galavanting to different European destinations on her holidays. All her useful Europe travel guides are also in this blog!

Evan Kristine is also the food blogger behind at The Kitchen Abroad and on her free time, she enjoys decorating her 75m2 apartment and shares her experience over at Solía Avenue.

A true master of her own life and despite her busy schedule juggling life as a chef, blogger, and entrepreneur, she still finds time to read 50+ books a year and indulge in several hobbies like hiking, working out, yoga, and painting.

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