What makes Bologna worth visiting in the summertime

Summertime in Bologna is rich in opportunities for a stay full of culture, tourism and events: the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region is one of Italy’s most well-known and best-loved cities of all, with its immense culinary traditions, its splendid architecture, its famous porticoes and the fact that it is home to the oldest university in the world.

The city of Bologna is also ideal for all types of visitors and all kinds of experiences, perfect for both a full week exploring every corner and for a weekend of classic tourist sights and events. In particular, summertime is ideal for a quick yet full trip to the city. So, if you are looking for an itinerary that combines the essential sights, a few curiosities and the most important festivals of the season, you have come to the right place!

What to see in Bologna in the summertime

As we have already said, Bologna is an ideal destination for a summer weekend, offering a historical centre rich in cultural heritage and organised to let you easily reach the most far-flung areas. Here are a few essential sights to enjoy on your trip to Bologna in the summertime.

Piazza Maggiore

We begin in Piazza Maggiore, the heart of local life and a place that expresses the history of the city. The square is home to the famous statue of Neptune, and is bordered by Palazzo dei Bianchi, the Town Hall (Palazzo Comunale) with the Clock Tower, the Basilica of San Petronio and Palazzo del Podestà.

The Two Towers

Together with the porticoes, the Two Towers are probably the most famous of Bologna’s symbols. The Asinelli and Garisenda Towers, located in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, have always been a popular sight with tourists from all over the world, with their majestic stature and the spectacle that they provide. Unfortunately, the Asinelli Tower is currently closed to visitors due to maintenance works, but it is still worth admiring from the square.

Santo Stefano and the complex of the Seven Churches

The Basilica of Santo Stefano, located in the Piazza of the same name, is a complex of buildings and architecture that also bears the fascinating name of the Seven Churches: the Church of the Crucifix, the Church of San Vitale and Sant’Agricola, the Basilica of the Holy Sepulchre, the Courtyard of Pilate, the Medieval Cloister, the Church of the Martyrium and the Museum of Santo Stefano. The original project dates back to Paul V who, following a visit to the Holy Land, wanted to make a replica of the sacred sites of Jerusalem in Italy.

The Archiginnasio and the Anatomical Theatre

What can you do in Bologna in the summertime? One place that should not be missed is the Archiginnasio, considered to be one of the most beautiful palaces in Italy, commissioned by Cardinal Carlo Borromeo with the aim of providing the University of Bologna with a sole, large site. It no longer hosts lessons, but it has preserved some of its most iconic spaces, and above all its beautiful interiors. An exploration of the palace reveals vaulted ceilings, walls, stairways and loggias covered in coats of arms and inscriptions. 

No tour of the Archiginnasio is complete without a visit to the Anatomical Theatre, the fascinating hall by Antonio Paolucci where anatomy lessons used to be held. Destroyed in 1944 during bombing raids, it was later fully reconstructed with the original materials.

The Theatre is open from Mondays to Fridays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Sundays and public holidays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets cost €3.

The other side of Bologna: interesting things to discover

Now that you know the city’s classic tourist sights, the time has come to explore a few curiosities not commonly seen on the classic routes: if you are planning a weekend in Bologna, you will also have time to explore a few less-well-known corners that are essential to fully understanding the spirit and the beauty of this city in Emilia-Romagna.

The Little Venice and the Finestrella di Via Piella

The first discovery is that beneath the surface of Bologna hides a system of canals that were once used for, among other things, driving mills. The most famous view is from the Finestrella di Via Piella, considered to be one of the top curiosities in Bologna: this little window offers a view of the Moline Canal, a symbol of the ancient essence of the city, in an area also known as Little Venice.

The arrows of Casa Isolani

The porticoes are the most important architectural feature cited whenever Bologna is mentioned, and they can be explored simply by strolling through the city. The 40 kilometres of porticoes hide a number of secrets and curiosities, such as the Portico of Casa Isolani in Strada Maggiore: looking up, one can see three arrows lodged in the ceiling. How they got there remains a mystery to this day.

The acoustic effect of Palazzo del Podestà

We return to Piazza Maggiore, specifically to Palazzo del Podestà. Its Mayor’s Vault conceals a rather curious acoustic phenomenon: if two people stand at opposite corners and whisper, they can clearly hear each other. This is due to the effect of the vaulted ceilings, which create a sort of “wireless telephone” that, despite being well known, continues to amaze both tourists and locals alike.

Summertime in Bologna: festivals, events and open-air cinema

Summertime 2026 in Bologna is full of events, festivals and entertainment. If you decide to come here just for the weekend, after having seen the beautiful sights of the city and having explored the curiosities that we have presented here, there are plenty of other things to do.

Bologna Estate

Bologna Estate is the richest programme of all: more than 400 projects taking place from 15 May to 27 September, involving both the city and the surrounding areas. From BOtanique 2026, with its concerts throughout the city, to Parchi in movimento, bringing sport and nature together, to Corti, Chiese e Cortili, which offers an educational and musical exploration of some of the most interesting part of Bologna.

The programme is truly extensive and offers something for everyone: we recommend visiting the official website to stay up to date!

Open-air cinema at UNA Hotels Bologna San Lazzaro

Open-air cinema is a great classic of summertime in Bologna, and the Cinema under the stars at UNA Hotels Bologna San Lazzaro is one of the most highly anticipated programmes. 

This event takes place in the charming gardens of the hotel. The programme offers four great films spanning just as many genres, to be enjoyed in the large and lush gardens of Parco di Villa Cicogna, at no. 1 Via Fantini, San Lazzaro di Savena:

• Thursday 23 July: Quasi Amici

• Tuesday 28 July: A star is born

• Thursday 30 July: La grande bellezza

• Monday 31 August: Ritorno al futuro

And that is not all, because there will be an opportunity to enjoy an aperitif and DJ set alongside the screenings from 6.30 p.m. at the price of €25 for adults and €12.50 for children aged between 3 and 10. The event is open to everyone, with obligatory booking via the following Google registration form: https://forms.office.com/e/60j3eugj0z.

Where to stay in Bologna: hotels with a pool

UNA Hotels Bologna San Lazzaro is the perfect hotel not only for enjoying some great cinema classics, but also for experiencing a comfortable stay in the city. The property offers over 150 rooms and suites that can accommodate up to 4 people, ensuring all the necessary space for traveling groups and families.

And that’s not all, because the hotel's brand-new infinity pool awaits you to enjoy summer to the fullest: a pristine sheet of water featuring a solarium area equipped with sun loungers and umbrellas. Designed as a relaxing corner for hotel guests, this area provides a unique setting to sip a drink and enjoy an aperitivo. The pool is open from 9:30 AM to 7:30 PM until August, and from 10:00 AM to 6:30 PM in September.

Visiting Bologna in the summer is a wonderful idea if you are looking for a destination that combines culinary tradition, great monuments, classic sightseeing spots, itineraries full of curiosities, and a constantly updated calendar of events. Now all that's left to do is book your room at our hotel with a pool in Bologna and get ready to truly discover the city!