🇮🇹Bologna

Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno

These two connected squares are the beating heart of Bologna. Piazza Maggiore is lined with stunning medieval and Renaissance palaces, while next door the 16th-century Neptune's Fountain by Giambologna gives kids something spectacular to look at. It is the perfect place to arrive, get your bearings, and soak up the atmosphere before exploring further.

Climbing the Asinelli Tower

Bologna once had over 100 medieval towers, and the Asinelli is the tallest still standing. All 498 steps lead to a breathtaking 360-degree panorama over the city rooftops, the surrounding countryside, and the leaning Garisenda tower right below you. It is a proper adventure for families who do not mind a steep climb.

Basilica di San Petronio and the secret sundial

One of the largest churches in Europe, San Petronio has a fascinatingly unfinished facade that tells a story all by itself. Inside, look down at the floor and you will find Cassini's meridian line, considered the world's longest sundial. Kids love spotting the line of light tracking across the marble floor. The contrast between the ornate lower marble and the bare brick upper section is something your family will keep talking about.

The Seven Churches of Santo Stefano

This complex of ancient churches, known locally as The Seven Churches, originally held seven places of worship linked together. Four remain visitable today, and wandering through the connected courtyards and chapels feels like stepping back more than a thousand years. It is quieter than the main sights and genuinely atmospheric.

The Anatomical Theatre at the Archiginnasio

Bologna is home to one of the world's oldest universities, and the Archiginnasio is its most remarkable building. The Anatomical Theatre inside is carved entirely from wood and was used for early medical dissections. It is genuinely fascinating for older kids with curious minds, and the building itself is covered in thousands of student crests dating back centuries.

Walking the UNESCO porticoes

Bologna's covered arcades stretch for approximately 40 kilometres and were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Walking beneath them is one of those simple pleasures that makes Bologna feel unlike anywhere else in Italy. They keep you cool in summer, dry in rain, and lined with shops, cafes, and hidden doorways to explore. The longest single portico leads all the way up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca on the hill above the city.

Mercato delle Erbe and the food scene

Bologna's food market is one of the best in Italy and a fantastic place to introduce kids to real Italian food culture. Stalls are piled with fresh pasta, aged Parmigiano Reggiano, local salumi, and seasonal produce. Even if you are not cooking, it is a brilliant sensory experience. Stop at Simoni 1938 nearby for a proper mortadella sandwich that will ruin supermarket versions for your family forever.

FICO Eataly World

Just outside the city centre, FICO Eataly World is a large foodie theme park dedicated to Bolognese and Emilian food traditions. It is a fun, hands-on way for kids to learn where their food comes from, with live demonstrations, farm animals, and plenty of things to taste. It is particularly good on a rainy day when you want something interactive indoors.