Bologna Traveler Essentials
- Safety rating
- 8.4/10
- Best time to visit
- April to June and September to October for mild weather and the best food experiences.
- Population
- 0.4M
Overview
Home to the world's oldest university, Bologna is a warm, red-hued city of porticoed streets, leaning medieval towers, and exceptional cuisine. As the capital of Emilia-Romagna, it's the heartland of tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini, and mortadella.
Getting around
The arcaded center is highly walkable, with buses covering the wider city.
Local etiquette
Bolognesi take food seriously; never ask for spaghetti bolognese, which isn't a local dish.
Safety
Bologna is very safe; standard precautions against pickpockets in crowded areas suffice.