26 mars 2018

One day in Bologna

Erasmus or expatriate in Rome you dream of visiting other major Italian cities? It's possible ! From Rome many transport solutions can take you in a few hours to Venice, Florence, Bari or even Sicily!

If you are looking for a student city, both modern and rich in history, your next destination is Bologna! Here is all you need to know about this beautiful city and how to enjoy in just a few hours.

TRANSPORT FROM ROME:

By train : By bus : By plane:

Average price for a round trip: 40€ Average price for a round trip: 25€ Average price for a round trip: 80€

Duration : 3H Duration : 4H30 duration : 55 minutes

TO VISIT:

The Two Towers: THE symbol of the city! The Asinelli tower is the largest. It has been a prison, a place of scientific experiment and observation post during the Second World War. Today you can visit it and the tower offers a panoramic view of the city. Her twin, Garisenda, is smaller and leaning. It is closed to the public.

Pinacoteca di Bologna: it is the richest and most impressive art museum in the city both by its collection and by the building that hosts it. Indeed, even before entering the building you are attracted by the impressive paint perfectly preserved by time that adorn each wall and ceiling.

WHERE TO EAT :

Mercato di Mezzo:

It is a historic place of Bolognese culinary culture. Near Piazza Maggiore, since the Middle Ages, the Mercato di Mezzo is dedicated to the meeting of flavors, commerce and gastronomy. The architecture is medieval but, in 2014, a town project transformed it into a modern and warm place.

The Mercato di Mezzo consists of three floors on which you can buy and consume on the spot (or take away) typical food products: fresh pasta, pizza, Italian street food (suppli, arrancini ...), cold cuts, cheeses, wines, craft beers ...

On the ground floor you will find the main points of sale as well as small and large tables for common use. On the first floor is the pizzeria and in the basement a craft brewery. On the outside, tables and chairs are also available for outdoor dining.

Address: Via Clavature, 12

Opening hours: Every day from 8.30 am to midnight

Contact: Mercato Di Mezzo

Sfogliarina:

This laboratory fresh pasta welcomes you in a cozy place near to the two towers. Inside the decoration is modern and the products are of quality at reasonable prices (less than 10 € the pasta dish). You will find in this restaurant tourists but also a large number of inhabitants of Bologna: a guarantee of quality! You can also buy your fresh pasta to take at home.

Address: Via Castiglione, 5b

Opening hours: every day 8h to 20h

WHERE TO DRINK A COFFEE :

Bologna is composed of many places that have all their share of cafes, you will inevitably find one you like in particular on the following places:

- Piazza Maggiore: The central square, very touristic but beautiful

- Via Belvedere: a pretty little street behind Mercato di Mezzo

- Piazza Minghetti: a wooded square in the chic district

- Park Margherita: the park has in its enclosure two cafes, one at the water's edge

And a more precise address:

Fram café: Atmosphere cozy and girly. The decoration is in pastel colors, the young waitresses are tattooed and an old lady makes the pies in the kitchen. Everything is beautiful, good and organic!

Address: Via Rialto, 22

Hours: Monday to Friday from 8 am to 10.30 pm and Saturday from 3.30 pm to 10.30 pm.

Contact: www.framcafe.com

Impero: If you're looking for a pastry with your coffee (or tea), Impero is your next stop! This is one of the best pastries of the city. Desserts are good, beautiful and fresh. Impero has two stores, one is near Piazza Maggiore.

Address: Via del indipendenza, 39 OR Via Caprarie, 4

Opening hours: every day from 7.30 am to 9 pm Every day from 7.30 am to 9 pm

Contact: www.pasticceriaimpero.com

WHERE TO EAT ICE CREAM:

Cremaria Funavia: near Piazza Cavour

Address: Piazza Camillo Benso Conte di Cavour

Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 11.30 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 11.30 pm

Galliera 49: this glacier offers a wide selection of perfumes, including some original tastes.

Address: Via Galliera, 49

Opening hours: every day from noon to 10.30 pm, closed at midnight on Saturday and Sunday.

Contact: www.galliera49.it

Sorbetteria: here you will undoubtedly find the best granites of the city in a beautiful wooded street!

Address: Via Castiglione, 44

Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 9 pm.

Contact: www.lasorbetteria.it

WHERE TO TAKE THE APPERITIVO:

Macondo: It is undoubtedly the cheapest apperitivo that you will find: 2 € unlimited buffet! Obviously at this price consumptions are not included but they are also at low prices (3 € 50 the spritz).

Address: Via del Pratello, 22

Opening hours: every day from 6 pm to 3 am.

Contact: www.macondobologna.it

Empire: Apperitivo very provided, the ideal is to go there on Monday because there is in the same time a live concert.

Address: Via Zamboni, 24

Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday from noon to 2.30 pm - Friday and Saturday from noon to 3.30 am - Sunday and Monday from noon to 1.30 am

Contact: www.empirebologna.com

Caffè Zamboni: From 18h to 23h, offers a hearty apperitivo for only 10 € which includes one drink and unlimited buffet of pizza, sushi, salad, dessert and fruit! In addition, there is a 10% discount for students.

Address: Via Zamboni, 6

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 7am to 1am and weekends from 9am to 3am

WHERE TO TAKE A DRINK:

Italy is known for pleasant climate in all seasons, you can enjoy the terraces by drinking one of the many traditional beers (or something else;)) in the following neighborhoods:

- Piazza Verdi: in the student district

- Via Mascarella: an artist district

- Piazza Aldrovandi: especially to enjoy the many terraces

- Via Pratello: the street with the highest concentration of bars

And some more specific addresses:

CAMERA A SUD: In a vintage atmosphere filled with bottles of wine and books, students revise their classes in the afternoon with a tea and homemade cakes. At the end of the day, the coffee becomes a wine bar and then a restaurant in the evening.

Address: Via Valdonica, 5

Opening hours: every day from noon to 1 am.

Contact: www.cameraasud.net

OSTERIA DEL SOLE: in this tavern dating from 1465, you can enjoy good glasses of wine for only 2 euros.

Address: Vicolo Ranocchi, 1

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 10:30 am to 9:30 pm, 10 pm on Friday and Saturday.

Contact: www.osteriadelsole.it

PICCOLO & SUBLIME: it is in this bar that you will find the best shooters of the city (2 € 50 one or 5 € 3). As a bonus the barman offers you the show: smoke, fire, sparks, Italian flag ...

Address: Piazza Giuseppe Verdi, 4

Opening hours: every day from 8 am to 2.30 am.

MODO INFOSHOP: concept store offering both bar and bookstore. Industrial decor and electro-lounge music: you are in Berlin for a drink!

Address: Via Mascarella, 24

Hours: Monday to Friday from noon to midnight, open to 4 pm on Saturdays and 6 pm on Sundays

WHERE TO GO TO PARTY:

Bologna is a very student city, for centuries many universities have settled here and we can see its effect on the population. Indeed it is in Bologna that the first European university opened its doors in 1088! Who says student population also says nightlife !! However, in the summer the city is empty and clubs close for festivals more popular at this season. So if you go to Bologna between June and September check if the place you have chosen is open!

LINK: club on two floors that offers a large choice of music styles: electro, hip-hop ...

Address: Via Francesco Fantoni, 21

Opening hours: Saturdays from 10 pm to 6 am.

Capannina: salsa club opened 24 hours a day.

Address: Via di Barbiano, 34

Hours: Open 24 hours from Sunday to Friday

Kindergarten: electronic music and techno.

Address: Via Alfredo Calzoni, 6

Opening hours: Fridays and Saturdays from 9 pm to 5 am.

Contact: www.derkindergarten.it

Locomotiv: club playing all styles of music but with a dominant rock.

Address: Via Sebastiano Serlio, 25