Bologna is one of the most “people-friendly” cities there is in Italy. Walking around discovering the artistic and historical peculiarities of Europe’s oldest university city is easy and rewarding. The old town center is very well preserved and is a succession of cobblestone streets, atmospheric squares and lively green spaces. You walk in the constant company of the famous porticoes and in the shadow of the many medieval towers that are eternal symbols of Emilia’s capital city.

The route passes through some of the city’s landmarks, from Piazza Maggiore to Piazza Santo Stefano to Giardini Margherita, the city’s green lung. You walk through the shopping streets, the markets of culinary tradition, the small streets of downtown, visiting churches and monuments of national significance.

Technical description:
The walk is within everyone’s reach. From the Central Station square, one goes all the way up Via Indipendenza, the long artery that leads directly to Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain. Moving onto the very central Via Ugo Bassi, under the porticoes you reach the historic Via del Pratello just a few meters from the monumental Church of San Francesco. Stroll back to Piazza Maggiore and walk up the very pedestrian Via d’Azeglio, with its stores and bars. Under the elegant porticoes of Via Farini, we pass some historic squares (Galvani, Cavour, Minghetti and Calderini), going up Via Castiglione toward the gate, stopping at the beautiful Church of San Domenico.
Two steps to the Giardini Margherita, stopping at the pond, and then off again to the street on Via Santo Stefano that ends in the beautiful Seven Churches Square, just a few steps from the Two Towers.
The route now veers toward the university area on Via Zamboni to Piazza Verdi, the student heart of Bologna. Among alleyways and cobblestone streets, we pass through the oldest part of the city, peeping into Piazza San Martino and gazing back at the Reno Canal from the famous “little window” of Via Piella. The return to the starting point passes by a quick walk to Montagnola Park.

Route type: loop
Length: 10 km
Elevation gain: 226 m
Downhill elevation gain: 226 m
Highest point: 79 m
Lowest point: 44 m

Municipality of departure: Bologna
Departure Location: Central Station
Municipality of arrival: Bologna
Arrival Location: Central Station

Recommended period: all year round