Cities / Europe / Italy / Bologna

Best walking routes in Bologna

17 routes ranked on sights, efficiency, hills & length — real foot distance and elevation.

4.3 scoreHills 1/105.9 kmBest Apr–Jun
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Ranked routes

Same score for every walk. Click a card to expand details on the map.

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#1
Viewpoint

Bologna in One Day: Walking Itinerary

One day

24 stops10.7 km4 h 55 min~116 m stairs

Inside visits push a full day to ~5 h 55 min.

Inside: San Petronio Basilica (~20 min) + porticoes of Bologna (~40 min). Estimates only.

10.7 kmdistance4 h 55 minwith stops24stops~5 h 55 minfull day+248 mgain~116 mstairs
4.2 sights7.9 efficiency4.1 hills9.3 length
Open in Google Maps 1/3 ↗Open in Google Maps 2/3 ↗Open in Google Maps 3/3 ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 25 min+ up to 9 h 15 min insides+248 m climb along route
  1. giardini Margherita
  2. Basilica of San Domenico
  3. Piazza Santo Stefano
  4. Santo Stefano Church
  5. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
  6. Palazzo Poggi
  7. Towers of Bologna
  8. Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita
  9. Palazzo dei Banchi
  10. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  11. Piazza Galvani
  12. San Petronio Basilica (inside ~20 min)
  13. palazzo dei Notai
  14. Palazzo d'Accursio
  15. Piazza Maggiore
  16. Palazzo Re Enzo
  17. palazzo del Podestà
  18. Fountain of Neptune, Bologna
  19. Bologna Cathedral
  20. Mercato delle Erbe
  21. porticoes of BolognaUNESCO (inside ~40 min)
  22. Porta Saragozza
  23. arco del Meloncello
  24. Sanctuary of the Madonna di San LucaUNESCO
56–279 m

Photo: ViewpointGodslaveCC BY-SA 3.0

5.9/10
#2
Viewpoint

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Bologna

Walking tour

11 stops3.6 km1 h 55 min

3.6 kmdistance1 h 55 minwith stops11stops+18 mgain
5.2 sights7.7 efficiency0.3 hills7.9 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 45 min+ up to 4 h 55 min insides+18 m climb along route
  1. porticoes of BolognaUNESCO
  2. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  3. San Petronio Basilica
  4. Palazzo d'Accursio
  5. Fountain of Neptune, Bologna
  6. Piazza Maggiore
  7. Palazzo Re Enzo
  8. Bologna Cathedral
  9. Piazza Santo Stefano
  10. Santo Stefano Church
  11. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
56–76 m

Photo: ViewpointDidier DescouensCC BY-SA 4.0

5.8/10
#3
Viewpoint

One Hour in Bologna: A Short Walk

1 hour

6 stops1.2 km55 min

1.2 kmdistance55 minwith stops6stops+16 mgain
5.3 sights7.4 efficiency0.3 hills5.9 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 15 min+ up to 2 h 10 min insides+16 m climb along route
  1. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  2. San Petronio Basilica
  3. Palazzo d'Accursio
  4. Piazza Maggiore
  5. Towers of Bologna
  6. Santo Stefano Church
64–73 m

Photo: ViewpointAngelo FinelliPublic domain

5.4/10
#4
Viewpoint

Bologna Old Town Walking Tour

Old town

11 stops2.0 km1 h 40 min

2.0 kmdistance1 h 40 minwith stops11stops+11 mgain
4.5 sights7.1 efficiency0.2 hills5.8 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 25 min+ up to 4 h 15 min insides+11 m climb along route
  1. Bologna Cathedral
  2. Palazzo Re Enzo
  3. Piazza Maggiore
  4. Palazzo d'Accursio
  5. San Petronio Basilica
  6. Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita
  7. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  8. Piazza Galvani
  9. Basilica of San Domenico
  10. Piazza Santo Stefano
  11. Santo Stefano Church
63–74 m

Photo: ViewpointMaretta AngeliniCC BY-SA 4.0

4.9/10
#5
Viewpoint

Old Town of Bologna in 2 Hours

Old town

8 stops1.3 km1 h 15 min

1.3 kmdistance1 h 15 minwith stops8stops+0 mgain
5.0 sights7.2 efficiency0.0 hills3.8 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 20 min+ up to 3 h 15 min insides+0 m climb along route
  1. Bologna Cathedral
  2. Palazzo Re Enzo
  3. Piazza Maggiore
  4. Palazzo d'Accursio
  5. San Petronio Basilica
  6. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  7. Piazza Santo Stefano
  8. Santo Stefano Church
63–72 m

Photo: ViewpointJean HousenCC BY-SA 3.0

4.8/10
#6
Viewpoint

Churches of Bologna in 2 Hours

Churches

8 stops3.8 km2 h

3.8 kmdistance2 hwith stops8stops+21 mgain
3.1 sights7.1 efficiency0.3 hills9.2 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 50 min+ up to 2 h 40 min insides+21 m climb along route
  1. Basilica of Saint Francis
  2. Bologna Cathedral
  3. San Petronio Basilica
  4. Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita
  5. Santo Stefano Church
  6. basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi
  7. Basilica of San Domenico
  8. Corpus Domini, Bologna
64–78 m

Photo: ViewpointNo machine-readable author provided. Rnt20 assumed (based on copyright claims).Public domain

4.7/10
#7
Viewpoint

Squares of Bologna Walk

Squares

5 stops2.6 km1 h

2.6 kmdistance1 hwith stops5stops+0 mgain
2.8 sights8.1 efficiency0.0 hills7.4 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 35 min+0 m climb along route
  1. Piazza Malpighi
  2. Piazza Maggiore
  3. Piazza Galvani
  4. Piazza Santo Stefano
  5. Piazza VIII Agosto (Bologna)
51–73 m

Photo: ViewpointGaspaCC BY 2.0

4.6/10
#8
Viewpoint

Palaces of Bologna Walk

Palaces

11 stops3.0 km1 h 35 min

3.0 kmdistance1 h 35 minwith stops11stops+13 mgain
2.6 sights7.5 efficiency0.2 hills8.7 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 40 min+ up to 8 h 15 min insides+13 m climb along route
  1. Palazzo Hercolani
  2. Palazzo Pepoli
  3. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  4. Palazzo dei Banchi
  5. palazzo dei Notai
  6. Palazzo d'Accursio
  7. palazzo del Podestà
  8. Palazzo Re Enzo
  9. Palazzo Fava
  10. Palazzo Bentivoglio
  11. Palazzo Poggi
56–72 m

Photo: ViewpointWwikiwalterCC BY-SA 4.0

4.5/10
#9
Viewpoint

Bologna Photo Walk: Most Instagrammable Spots

Photo spots

13 stops5.9 km2 h 30 min

5.9 kmdistance2 h 30 minwith stops13stops+11 mgain
4.3 sights6.3 efficiency0.2 hills3.2 length
Open in Google Maps 1/2 ↗Open in Google Maps 2/2 ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 20 min+ up to 4 h 35 min insides+11 m climb along route
  1. Villa Aldini
  2. porticoes of BolognaUNESCO
  3. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  4. San Petronio Basilica
  5. Palazzo d'Accursio
  6. Fountain of Neptune, Bologna
  7. Piazza Maggiore
  8. Palazzo Re Enzo
  9. Torre Azzoguidi
  10. Towers of Bologna
  11. Top of Asinelli Tower
  12. Santo Stefano Church
  13. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
56–189 m

Photo: ViewpointMatteo SantoriCC BY-SA 4.0

4.2/10
#10
Viewpoint

Churches & Cathedrals of Bologna Walk

Churches

11 stops4.3 km2 h 25 min

4.3 kmdistance2 h 25 minwith stops11stops+19 mgain
2.5 sights7.1 efficiency0.3 hills7.6 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h+ up to 2 h 40 min insides+19 m climb along route
  1. Corpus Domini, Bologna
  2. Basilica of San Domenico
  3. San Giovanni in Monte
  4. Santo Stefano Church
  5. basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi
  6. San Giacomo Maggiore
  7. Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano
  8. Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita
  9. San Petronio Basilica
  10. Bologna Cathedral
  11. Basilica of Saint Francis
59–77 m

Photo: ViewpointPaolobon140CC BY-SA 4.0

4.2/10
#11
Viewpoint

Bologna Loop Walk from Museo Morandi

Loop

27 stops5.7 km3 h 30 min

5.7 kmdistance3 h 30 minwith stops27stops+49 mgain
2.2 sights7.1 efficiency0.8 hills7.4 length
Open in Google Maps 1/4 ↗Open in Google Maps 2/4 ↗Open in Google Maps 3/4 ↗Open in Google Maps 4/4 ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 15 min+ up to 8 h 20 min insides+49 m climb along route
  1. Museo Morandi
  2. Fountain of Neptune, Bologna
  3. palazzo del Podestà
  4. Piazza Maggiore
  5. Palazzo Re Enzo
  6. Scavi Romani di biblioteca salaborsa
  7. Via Rizzoli
  8. San Martino
  9. Towers of Bologna
  10. Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano
  11. palazzo della Mercanzia
  12. Palazzo Isolani
  13. Palazzo Pepoli
  14. Casa Saraceni
  15. San Giovanni in Monte
  16. chiesa di Santa Lucia
  17. Basilica of San Domenico
  18. Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita
  19. Palazzo dei Banchi
  20. Archeological Civic Museum of Bologna
  21. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  22. Piazza Galvani
  23. Corpus Domini, Bologna
  24. Corte de' Galluzzi
  25. palazzo dei Notai
  26. Monument to Fallen Partisans
  27. Collezioni Comunali d'Arte
61–79 m

Photo: ViewpointPaul HermansCC BY-SA 3.0

4.0/10
#12
Viewpoint

Museums of Bologna in 2 Hours

Museums

8 stops4.0 km1 h 35 min

4.0 kmdistance1 h 35 minwith stops8stops+29 mgain
1.7 sights7.3 efficiency0.5 hills8.6 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 55 min+ up to 5 h 40 min insides+29 m climb along route
  1. Bologna Museum of Modern Art
  2. Museo Civico Medievale
  3. Museo Morandi
  4. Archeological Civic Museum of Bologna
  5. International museum and library of music
  6. Museo Davia Bargellini
  7. Museo Di Fisica
  8. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
42–74 m

Photo: ViewpointsailkoCC BY-SA 3.0

4.0/10
#13
Viewpoint

Porto-Saragozza, Bologna: Walking Route

DistrictPorto-Saragozza

11 stops8.5 km3 h 10 min~116 m stairs

8.5 kmdistance3 h 10 minwith stops11stops+243 mgain~116 mstairs
3.3 sights7.6 efficiency4.0 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 55 min+ up to 3 h 50 min insides+243 m climb along route
  1. Corpus Domini, Bologna
  2. Palazzo d'Accursio
  3. Bologna Cathedral
  4. Palazzo Fava
  5. Bologna Museum of Modern Art
  6. Mercato delle Erbe
  7. Basilica of Saint Francis
  8. porticoes of BolognaUNESCO
  9. Porta Saragozza
  10. arco del Meloncello
  11. Sanctuary of the Madonna di San LucaUNESCO
42–279 m

Photo: ViewpointCapry26CC BY-SA 4.0

4.0/10
#14
Viewpoint

Hidden Gems of Bologna in 2 Hours

Hidden gems

8 stops3.8 km1 h 40 min

3.8 kmdistance1 h 40 minwith stops8stops+23 mgain
1.3 sights7.6 efficiency0.4 hills9.2 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 50 min+ up to 2 h 50 min insides+23 m climb along route
  1. Basilica of Saint Francis
  2. Corpus Domini, Bologna
  3. Archeological Civic Museum of Bologna
  4. palazzo del Podestà
  5. Palazzo Fava
  6. San Giacomo Maggiore
  7. Teatro Comunale
  8. basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi
59–79 m

Photo: ViewpointRoberta MattioliCC BY-SA 4.0

3.9/10
#15
Viewpoint

2 Days in Bologna: Walking Itinerary

Multi-day

2 days60 stops24.9 km

9.8 kmdistance5 h 45 minwith stops39stops+57 mgain
2.4 sights7.4 efficiency0.9 hills0.0 length
Open Day 1 in Google Maps 1/6 ↗Open Day 1 in Google Maps 2/6 ↗Open Day 1 in Google Maps 3/6 ↗Open Day 1 in Google Maps 4/6 ↗Open Day 1 in Google Maps 5/6 ↗Open Day 1 in Google Maps 6/6 ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 10 min+ up to 12 h 35 min insides+57 m climb along route
  1. Corte de' Galluzzi
  2. Piazza Galvani
  3. Palazzo dell’Archiginnasio
  4. Archeological Civic Museum of Bologna
  5. Palazzo dei Banchi
  6. Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita
  7. San Petronio Basilica
  8. palazzo dei Notai
  9. Palazzo d'Accursio
  10. Monument to Fallen Partisans
  11. Collezioni Comunali d'Arte
  12. Fountain of Neptune, Bologna
  13. palazzo del Podestà
  14. Piazza Maggiore
  15. Palazzo Re Enzo
  16. Scavi Romani di biblioteca salaborsa
  17. Via Rizzoli
  18. Towers of Bologna
  19. Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano
  20. palazzo della Mercanzia
  21. Palazzo Pepoli
  22. Basilica of San Domenico
  23. chiesa di Santa Lucia
  24. San Giovanni in Monte
  25. Piazza Santo Stefano
  26. Santo Stefano Church
  27. Palazzo Isolani
  28. basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi
  29. San Giacomo Maggiore
  30. Teatro Comunale
  31. Palazzo Poggi
  32. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
  33. Palazzo Bentivoglio
  34. San Martino
  35. Finestrella di Via Piella
  36. Piazza VIII Agosto (Bologna)
  37. orto botanico dell'Università di Bologna
  38. Park of Montagnola
  39. Museo per la Memoria di Ustica
41–78 m

Photo: ViewpointLorenzo GaudenziCC BY-SA 4.0

3.2/10
#16
Viewpoint

Hidden Gems of Bologna: Off-the-Beaten-Path Walk

Hidden gems

11 stops6.6 km2 h 40 min

6.6 kmdistance2 h 40 minwith stops11stops+90 mgain
1.2 sights7.3 efficiency1.5 hills1.2 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 30 min+ up to 2 h 50 min insides+90 m climb along route
  1. Park of Montagnola
  2. Teatro Comunale
  3. San Giacomo Maggiore
  4. basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi
  5. San Giovanni in Monte
  6. Archeological Civic Museum of Bologna
  7. palazzo del Podestà
  8. Palazzo Fava
  9. Basilica of Saint Francis
  10. Corpus Domini, Bologna
  11. San Michele in Bosco
49–132 m

Photo: ViewpointVelvetCC BY-SA 4.0

2.7/10
#17
Viewpoint

Bologna Museum Walk

Museums

11 stops8.3 km2 h 45 min

8.3 kmdistance2 h 45 minwith stops11stops+61 mgain
1.5 sights7.3 efficiency1.0 hills0.0 length
Open in Google Maps ↗
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 50 min+ up to 7 h 40 min insides+61 m climb along route
  1. Museo del Patrimonio Industriale
  2. Museo per la Memoria di Ustica
  3. Bologna Museum of Modern Art
  4. Museo Morandi
  5. Archeological Civic Museum of Bologna
  6. International museum and library of music
  7. Museo Davia Bargellini
  8. Museo di Mineralogia "Luigi Bombicci"
  9. Museo delle Cere anatomiche "Luigi Cattaneo"
  10. Museo Di Fisica
  11. Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna
30–74 m

Photo: ViewpointMonica_RondoniCC BY-SA 4.0

2.7/10

Hills: higher = steeper along the walk. Stairs (when shown): metres of mapped stairways near the route — approximate, not a step countvisit times are estimates.

Bologna walking stats

From the 18 rated routes244 stops total72 unique places.

Most climb2 Days in Bologna: Walking Itinerary — Day 2+310 m along route
Most stops / kmOld Town of Bologna in 2 Hours6.1 stops per km
Least climbOld Town of Bologna in 2 Hours+0 m along route
Most stairs2 Days in Bologna: Walking Itinerary — Day 2~130 m mapped stairways (approx., not step count)
Longest / shortest15.1 km1.2 km2 Days in Bologna: Walking Itinerary — Day 2 / One Hour in Bologna: A Short Walk
Places on routes72unique stop ids
How we score. Same formula for every route: Sights 50% (how notable the stops are)Efficiency 25% (less backtracking between stops)Hills 10% (how steep the walk is)Length fit 15% (distance vs the kind of walk). Stairs stay a fact in metres, not a quality bar. Avg score in the hero is the mean across all ranked walks.

Bologna FAQ

Short answers from this city’s data.

Best first-visit walk?
Bologna in One Day: Walking Itinerary (10.7 km, 4 h 55 min with stops) ranks #1 here.
Best months to walk Bologna?
Apr–Jun are usually the nicest months for walking.
Shortest walk?
One Hour in Bologna: A Short Walk1.2 km, walking 15 min.
One hour in Bologna?
One Hour in Bologna: A Short Walk: walking 15 min, with stops 55 min, 6 stops.
One-day plan?
Bologna in One Day: Walking Itinerary: 24 stops, ~4 h 55 min on-route; suggested insides on marked stops; full day ≈ 5 h 55 min. Visit times are estimates.
Stairs and hills?
Hills is 10% of the score (higher = steeper along the walk). Stairs are not scored — when shown, they are metres of mapped stairways near the route (approximate; not a step count). Example: stairways ≈ 0 m.
Can I change stops?
Yes — open in Maps, edit, then paste into Lineo for a cleaner order.
Why are some Google Maps links split?
Google Maps caps how many stops fit in one directions link (we use 11). Longer walks are split into numbered buttons (1/2, 2/2, …). Open them in order — each part starts where the previous one ended.