walkli

One Bologna in a half-day walk: a clean, contiguous loop through the city's medieval centre — ten places arranged in walking order, no zigzagging, no transit needed.

Start near Santo Stefano, climb the university axis north along via Zamboni, end back at the start for dinner.

Stops10
Walk5 km
Time~4.5 h
DifficultyEasy. Mostly flat, shaded by the world's longest porticoes.
Best timeStart 10:00 — finish at sunset. Most places close Mondays.
The route

In walking order

  1. 1
    Basilica di Santo Stefano (Sette Chiese)
    Start at the seven-churched pilasters
    ~30 min on site
  2. 2
    Oratorio di Santa Maria della Vita
    5 min south via Clavature
    ~20 min on site
  3. 3
    Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio
    5 min east, Piazza Galvani
    ~35 min on site
  4. 4
    San Colombano — Collezione Tagliavini
    10 min north, via delle Belle Arti
    ~30 min on site
  5. 5
    Cappella Bentivoglio, San Giacomo Maggiore
    10 min east, Piazza Rossini
    ~25 min on site
  6. 6
    Museo di Palazzo Poggi
    10 min north, via Zamboni 33
    ~40 min on site
  7. 7
    Museo della Specola
    Same building, climb the tower
    ~25 min on site
  8. 8
    Oratorio di Santa Cecilia
    5 min south, via Zamboni 15
    ~20 min on site
  9. 9
    Back to Santo Stefano via Piazza Maggiore
    10 min south-west, via Piazza Cavour and Ravegnana
    ~15 min on site
  10. 10
    Piazza Santo Stefano at sundown
    Aperitivo on the steps — you have arrived
Worth a detour

If you have more time