Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are unsure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend contacting the embassy or consulate in your country. International (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip in order to enter the Schengen zone. Citizens of Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but must have a valid ID with them during their stay.

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Passport/Visa

In Bologna, you can enjoy favourable weather almost all year round. Between the months of May and August is considered the pick of the season and the climate is predominantly humid. On the other hand the winter season is another great option as you can feel the Christmas spirit in the capital of the Emilia-Romagna Region.

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Best time to Visit

The Bologna Airport is located 9 kilometres from the city centre. You can reach the city by taxi or shuttle. Taxi stand is just outside the arrival hall. Aerobus is a shuttle service run by TPER and it leaves every 11 minutes from the airport from 5:30am to 12.15am and from the central station to the airport from 5am to 11.35pm. The trip takes almost 30 minutes. Tickets can be bought directly online (aerobus.bo.it) or at the automatic machines next to the shuttle stops.

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Bologna Airport

You can also arrive at the Luigi Ridolfi Airport which is located around 80 kilometres from the city.

Luigi Ridolfi Airport

TPER is the company that operates Bologna’s local transport system. You can buy tickets in every newsstand, tobacconist, automatic machines (near to the main bus stops) and in TPER offices. Once you are on the bus remember to stamp your ticket, it will be valid for 75 minutes. For tourists various passes are available: daily passes, carnet with 10 or 20 tickets.For additional information, visit the TPER office, (contacts below are referred to the main TPER office).

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Public Transport

Taxi cabs are white with taxi signs on the roof.Taxi CAT+39 051 4590www.taxibologna.itCotabo:+39 051 372 727www.cotabo.it

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Taxi

You can find the main post office in Piazza Minghetti. Stamps can also be bought at tabaccherias. Drop your post card or letter in one of the big red mailboxes.Main Post Office:

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Post

Country code: +39Area code: 051 (also dialed in Bologna). If you call Italy from abroad, you must always dial zero in the area code (do not omit it as is the general practice when making international telephone calls), e.g. +39 051 + the number.

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Telephone

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Electricity

As the capital of the Emilia Romagna region, Bologna is an art city, a university centre and a place renowned for its excellent cuisine. It hosts important international trade fairs and is one of the world’s greatest motor cities. Ducati, Lamborghini and Maserati were all born in Bologna and Ferrari’s headquarters can be found in nearby Modena.

These two leaning towers, built in the 12th century, are together one of the main symbols of Bologna. The tallest tower is the Torre degli Asinelli, with its 98 metres. It is worth making an effort to climb this tower because of the magnificent views from the top.

Torre Garisenda and Degli Asinelli Tower in Bologna Emilia Romagna Italy

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Torre Degli Asinelli and Torre Della Garisenda

The Palazzo Comunale is Bologna’s town hall. The upper level of the palace is the home of the civic museum Collezioni Comunali d'Arte (Municipal Art Collections) where a large collection of Renaissance paintings and other pieces of art can be enjoyed.

Palazzo d'Accursio or Palazzo Comunale is an palace once formulated to house major administrative offices of city of Bologna

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Bologna’s town hall

Stands on Bologna’s main square, (Piazza Maggiore), Basilica of San Petronio is one of the largest medieval churches in Italy and an important symbol of the city. The inside is full of Gothic archways, stained glass windows and doors from the 15th and 16th centuries.

San Petronio church on the main square in Bologna city. It is the largest church built in bricks in the world.

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Basilica of San Petronio

This extraordinary religious site consists of four medieval churches, originally there were seven churches, and therefore it is known by the name of Sette Chiese (Seven Churches). Beside churches, this peaceful complex contains of cloisters, tombs and courtyards, a great place to browse religious art and artifacts too. The most interesting is the church of the Sepolcro, which preserves a representation of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem.

Santo Stefano square holds a complex of ancient temples Sette Chiese ("Seven Churches") in Bologna, Italy

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Basilica di Santo Stefano

Built in 1238, this is the birthplace of the Dominican order and the resting place of the remains of its founder. It is one of the richest churches in Bologna when it comes to history and art. The small museum houses art and precious relics like the relic of Louis IX of France. Also, come and see the beautiful Romanesque façade and Gothic chapels.

iew of Basilica of San Domenico, Bologna, Italy

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Basilica of San Domenico

The National Gallery, Pinacoteca Nazionale, is the most important art gallery in Bologna and boasts one of the richest collections in Northern Italy. Art from major Italian artists, including local artists are housed here. Here you will find works of art, dating back from the 14th and 15th century (Vitale da Bologna etc.), to the Renaissance period (Raffaello, Perugino, Tintoretto etc. ) and art from the 16th-century.

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National Gallery

Terme San Luca provides baths, hydro-massage, thermal pools and a wellness centre. With more than 25 years of history this is one of the oldest spas in Bologna, even if the spa-culture dates further back in time than that. The first “calidarium” in Bologna was built by Emperor Augustus more than 2000 years ago.

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Terme San Luca - Pluricenter

If you want to learn how to cook a perfect pasta Bolognese you should do it in Bologna, the home of the world’s famous sauce. Agriturismo San Giuliano organizes classes in pasta making and cooking traditional Italian food. The courses can be held in Italian, English, French or Spanish.

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Italian food cooking ingredients on dark background with rustic wooden chopping board in center, top view, copy space

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Italian Cooking Class at Agriturismo San Giuliano

If motorcycles fascinates you, the Ducati Museum in the outskirts of Bologna is a must. At the Ducati Factory you can see the history of this world famous brand from the year of 1926 until today. You can also join the factory tour, just make sure to book in advance.

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Ducati Museum

This cemetery, dated to be one of the oldest in Europe, is known for its unique sculptures, architecture and Etruscan tombs. Just beside the graveyard you can find the area where the non-Catholic persons were buried, a Jewish cemetery, and a crematory area.

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Certosa di Bologna

The city of Bologna is famous for its university, which was the first university in the world. Some of the famous people who have been teaching here include Nicolaus Copernicus and Francesco Petrarca. Today the university has more than 100,000 students and that makes it the largest in Italy.

Young female student dressed casually with colorful books in the inner yard of oldest university in the world in Bologna city in Italy

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Old building in the student city, Bologna in Italy

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University of Bologna

Opposed to all the old history of Bologna, MAMbo shows art from World War II up to the present day combined with well-known Italian and foreign artists. The museum is housed in a former industrial space that was built in 1915 and served as a bakery for many years. Today it is a premier contemporary art gallery where you can easily spend a couple of hours.

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MAMbo - Bologna Modern Art Museum

The Italians see their luxury car brand Ferrari as a religion and their beautiful cars as saints. In the city of Maranello just outside Bologna you can find the factory. In a separate building next to it, a 2,500 square meter museum welcomes guests to discover the history of the brand and to be fascinated by the fast cars.

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The Ferrari Museum

Teatro Comunale di Bologna was designed by the architect Antonio Galli Bibiena and was inaugurated in 1763. Today it is the heart of Bolognas culture life and considered to be one of the most important opera venues in Italy. Opera, ballet, symphonic concerts or contemporary music, regardless you choose, it will be a cultural high point to remember.

Conductor directing symphony orchestra with performers on background.

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Teatro Comunale di Bologna

Since the museum opened in 2001, visitors have had the possibility to see where the world famous and coveted Lamborghini cars are being made. The factory and museum is situated 35 kilometres from Bologna in an area known as “Terra dei Motori” (Motor Valley).

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The Lamborghini Museum

If you want to play a game of golf you can go to the historical 50-year old Golf Club Bologna. This is a good place to go for experiencing the beautiful Bolognese countryside. The last three holes are claimed to be a real challenge. When the hunger kicks in, there is a restaurant and bar in the club house where to relish culinary delicacy in a relaxed ambiance.

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Golf Club Bologna

Park of Montagnola or in Italian Parco della Montagnola, both a gateway and a haven, is a park ideally located in the city centre of Bologna. Even it is a small park, it is perfect for romantic strolls, and also a great place to just stop and breathe for a second.

Scalinata Del Pincio in Parco della Montagnola, Bologna, Italy.

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Park of Montagnola

Also known as, Stadio Littorialeis, Stadio Renato Dall'Ara is a multi-purpose stadium. If you like soccer, this is the main soccer stadium of Bologna. It was established in 1927 and has a capacity of over 38,000 people and even though the stadium is old, the condition and facilities are good. Concerts are also held at this stadium.

Soccer Ball at night in grass with Stadium and lights in background

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Stadio Renato Dall'Ara

The Anatomical Theatre is a former classroom where they used to teach anatomy. The interiors with all the carved wooden sculptures are just magnificent, and it is hard to believe that someone actually used to study here.

Italy, Bologna, Archiginnassio de Bologna

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Anatomical Theatre

In a crowded square in the middle of Bologna you can find the fountain Fontana del Nettuno, a work that was designed by the Palermitan architect Tommaso Laureti and the life-size bronze statue of the god Neptune on the top was done by   sculptor Giambologna. Here you can grab a gelato or coffee, just relax and enjoy people watching by the fountain.

Piazza del Nettuno fountain in Bologna in Emilia Romagna in Italy

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Fontana del Nettuno

The anatomy museum, Museo Delle Cere Anatomiche, is both fascinating and scary. The displays consist of wax models, body parts and diseases. Be prepared to walk into the, probably, most macabre museum you have ever been to.

Four skulls in a raw showing humans evolution. Human evolution is the evolutionary process that led to the emergence of anatomically modern humans.

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University of Bologna

The city of Bologna is famous for its university, which was the first university in the world. Some of the famous people who have been teaching here include Nicolaus Copernicus and Francesco Petrarca. Today the university has more than 100,000 students and that makes it the largest in Italy.

Italian Cooking Class at Agriturismo San Giuliano

If you want to learn how to cook a perfect pasta Bolognese you should do it in Bologna, the home of the world’s famous sauce. Agriturismo San Giuliano organizes classes in pasta making and cooking traditional Italian food. The courses can be held in Italian, English, French or Spanish.

National Gallery

Basilica di Santo Stefano

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