Bologna

Bologna is often overlooked in favor of its better-known neighbors, but that's precisely what makes it so charming. There are no stifling crowds here, just a lively, student-focused, gourmet city where everything can be discovered on foot, between arcades, markets and little squares.

The historic center is one of the best preserved in Italy. Here, you can walk in the shade of the porticos, covered galleries stretching for over 40 kilometers, useful in summer and winter alike. They take you to Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city, bordered by the Basilica of San Petronio and the Palazzo d'Accursio. Right next door, the Fontana del Nettuno is a good landmark and meeting place for locals.

Bologna is also a vertical city. To see this, look up at the two medieval towers: Asinelli (open to visitors, with a 360° view) and Garisenda (leaning, closed but emblematic). Another pleasant vantage point is the San Luca hill, which can be reached on foot by following the 3.8 km of porticoes up to the sanctuary, or by shuttle bus for the less motivated.

For markets, head for the Quadrilatero, the old shopping district behind Piazza Maggiore. Here you'll find stalls selling pork butchers, cheesemongers and fishmongers, as well as small restaurants where you can stop and sample local specialties.

🍽️ Bologna, nicknamed "La Grassa", is a culinary capital.
Tagliatelle al ragù (not to be confused with "spaghetti bolognese", which only exists abroad), tortellini in brodo, green lasagne with spinach, or cotoletta alla bolognese with ham and cheese.
To enjoy them in an authentic setting, several addresses stand out for their local approach and commitment to quality. Trattoria di Via Serra serves homemade dishes made with fresh market produce. At All'Osteria Bottega, classic recipes are carefully revisited without betraying tradition. And at Osteria dell'Orsa, popular with students and locals alike, the atmosphere is more relaxed, but the dishes remain generous and faithful to local flavours. All share the same approach: home cooking, based on regional products, respectful of taste and terroir.

Bologna is also a university town, lively but not noisy. The University of Bologna, founded in 1088, is Europe's oldest university still in operation. You can feel it in the bookshops, the independent cinemas, the little cafés a stone's throw from the faculties and the temporary exhibitions in unexpected places.

🌿 For a nature break, the Giardini Margherita, a 15-minute walk from the center, offer large lawns, a pond, greenhouses, and cafés where you can settle down in peace and quiet. And for a day trip, Modena, Ferrara or even Parma can be reached by train in less than an hour.

🚆 Bologna is well connected by rail: you can get there easily from Brig or Zurich with a connection in Milan. A perfect city for a long weekend, between heritage, good food and good living.