Bologna is our favourite city in Italy. The capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, it has the perfect balance of incredible food, beautiful sights and a great location. And better still, you can stay in the city and take many easy day trips from Bologna.
The canals of Venice, the famous art of Florence and the foodie haven of Parma are all within 90 minutes of Bologna. If you like to stay in the same place, and not cart your luggage around with you, Bologna is a wonderful base.
In this guide we’ve detailed 8 of the best day trips from Bologna. Most we recommend as day trips by train. However, some are more easily reached by car. All are within 2 hours of Bologna though, so you’re spending less time commuting and more time sightseeing or eating!
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Day trips from Bologna by train
Bologna is serviced by a major train station, located a short hop from the city centre. According to Italia Rail, it is the fifth busiest train station in all of Italy. There are nearly 30 platforms at this station, including a section for the high speed trains. However we’ve always found this station fairly easy to navigate.
For many of the day trips we recommend in this post, it would be wise to book ahead. You’ll usually get a much better rate than if you purchased on the day. Plus you’ll have a better chance of securing a great rate on the high speed trains. This will free up some travel time so you have more time for exploring. We always use Omio when booking trains in Italy.
Need to book a train? Save yourself time and give yourself certainty by booking ahead with Omio.
If you haven’t pre-purchased a ticket, you can buy them direct at the train station. There is an office, but we would generally use the ticket machines at the entry. There are options to purchase in English too. Just remember to validate your ticket before you board the train. A small, but critical thing to know before you step on to help avoid the wrath of a ticket inspector.
#1 Modena
Seeking some more foodie adventures in the Emilia-Romagna region? Make sure you add a day trip to Modena in your travel itinerary. It’s also one of the easiest and best day trips from Bologna you can make.
You may have heard of Modena before, it’s the home of balsamic vinegar. Head into the old town and have a taste test at one of the many beautiful stores. Or head to the wonderful food market, Mercato Albinelli. In operation since the early 1900s, this place is a foodie’s dream. There’s so much on offer here, from home made pasta, fresh fruit and vegetables, bread and the region’s famous Parmigiano-Reggiano.
Modena is also home to one of the best restaurants in the world, Osteria Francescana. Dining here is a true once in a lifetime bucket list experience. It’s very pricey, and extremely difficult to secure a reservation. We were lucky enough to have lunch at Osteria Francescana in 2018. If you’re a Massimo fan and can’t get in, consider making a reservation at the nearby sister restaurant, Franceschetta 58.
If you’re a car fanatic, make a trip to the Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena too. Located at the childhood home of the founder, a visit here will allow you to see some beautiful vintage Ferraris.
Finally, like many cities in northern Italy, the old town of Modena is beautiful. Spend some time walking through the narrow streets. Like Bologna, Modena has many stunning porticoes which makes a wander a true delight. Head to the Piazza Grande and gaze up at the 12th century cathedral.
Read more: How to spend one day in Modena
Bologna to Modena travel time
Modena is located less than 50km from Bologna and serviced by a direct train. The quickest, albeit most expensive journey can be made in just 17 minutes. Consider taking a regional train which should take approx. 30 minutes.
#2 Parma
Located further on from Modena, Parma is another wonderful city of the Emilia-Romagna region. It doesn’t seem to make the itineraries of many travellers to Italy, but it’s a place we highly recommend.
Parma is probably most famous as the home of parma ham (or prosciutto). This meaty delight can be tried at so many restaurants or salumerias in the city. Or you could always join a local food tour. And if meat is not your thing, you won’t go hungry. Grab a sandwich at the local favourite, Pepen. The sandwiches here are some of the best things we’ve ever eaten in Italy!
Aside from the food, Parma is full of architectural gems. This includes one of the most beautiful cathedrals you’ll likely ever see. It might not look like much from the outside, but the Cathedral of Parma is jaw-droppingly stunning on the inside. The walls are covered with the most intricate and beautiful frescoes. Between 1530-1534 the famous artist, Correggio painted the dome. Entry here is free, and you can pay €2 to turn the lights on and illuminate the frescoes (well worth it!)
Another incredible sight is the Teatro Farnese. This wooden theatre dates back to the 1600’s. To visit, you’ll need to pay for entry into the Galleria Nazionale.
Finally, one of the best things about Parma is to wander the streets and feel the buzz of the city. The main parts of town are all easily walkable in a day. In the late afternoon, make sure you wander down Strada Farini. Here you’ll find a great array of wine bars and restaurants, where you can indulge in aperitivo.
Read more: How to spend one day in Parma
Bologna to Parma travel time
Parma is further along the same train line from Modena. The fastest trains take 47 minutes from Bologna to Parma. Given the further distance, it definitely makes sense to book ahead for cheaper rates and to secure an express service.
#3 Florence
Florence is a destination that needs no introduction. It sits firmly on the itineraries of most first time travellers to Italy. It’s a place that often comes to mind when one thinks of Italy. The incredible Statue of David. The Florence Duomo. The Ponte Vecchio. These places are worthy of a visit at least once in your lifetime.
What you may not know is that Florence is a short train trip away from Bologna. There are many reasons why you might decide to day trip from Bologna instead of staying in Florence for a night or two. First, Florence is an incredibly busy city and can suffer from over-tourism. It can get a bit much after a day or two. Second, you may have already visited Florence on a previous occasion and just want to see it again (who can blame you!). Whatever your reason, a day trip from Bologna is easily doable.
One thing to keep in mind if you are a first time visitor to Florence, it will be well worth it to buy a skip the line ticket to the main attractions. Some of the venues where you can buy skip the line tickets include the Galleria dell’Accademia to see the Statue of David, the Florence Duomo and the Uffizi Gallery.
If you’re after a slower pace, Florence is a great place to wander. Walk across the famous Ponte Vecchio bridge. Head up to Piazzale Michelangelo for one of the most incredible views of the city. Finish up with some well deserved gelato from one of the many stores.
Bologna to Florence travel time
It takes approximately 40 minutes to reach Florence on the high speed train from Bologna. There are many services each day. The trains arrive at Firenze Santa Maria Novella, which is an easy walk to the main attractions in town.
#4 Verona
Verona, the setting of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, is a wonderful city for a day trip from Bologna. There’s also so much more to it than being the back drop to this famous love story.
Verona is one of the most beautiful cities you can visit in Northern Italy. With expansive piazzas, earthy coloured buildings and little laneways, it’s the perfect little city for a wander. Also, the fast flowing river Adige runs through the city. One of the best things to do is to walk across some of the few stunning bridges. The Castelvecchio Bridge looks grand and mighty with its fortifications. The Ponte Pietra pedestrian bridge dates back to 100BC.
The most stunning view in the city is to get up high at St Peter’s lookout. Here you have a birds eye view of the orange rooftops, cathedral spires and the river bending around the city.
Finally, don’t miss the impressive Verona Arena. This amphitheatre dates back to the first century AD. That’s older than the Colosseum in Rome! The Arena is also still in use today for concerts. If you aren’t lucky enough to visit for a performance, you can pay a small fee to enter the arena for a look around.
Read more: How to spend one day in Verona
Bologna to Verona travel time
Verona can be reached via a direct high speed train from Bologna. Verona is just over 100km away, so it’s one of the longer day trips. However, it’s possible to find some train services that take 50 minutes. The train arrives at the main station in the city, Verona Porta Nuova station. I’d recommend taking the local bus or jumping into a taxi to take you to the main part of town. This will save your legs and exploring time. The Verona Arena is a perfect starting point.
#5 Venice
The beautiful canal city of Venice really is a must visit destination in Italy. Can it be crowded? Definitely. In fact, it’s one of the places in the world that suffers from overtourism the most. However, it’s still one of my favourite places in Italy. It’s such a unique city, with so many breath taking places to see.
The good news is that it is completely do-able as a day trip from Bologna. You may not be able to visit the inside of some of the main attractions. But with a good few hours in the city you’ll be able to experience the highlights.
If it’s your first time in Venice, you’ll want to concentrate on the area around St Mark’s Square. This is a view you’ve likely seen many times over. Here you can view the imposing St Mark’s Basilica. It’s well worth a trip inside to see the stunning architecture and mosaics. However, in peak times the wait can be a few hours long. If you really want to enter, make sure you arrive as early as possible. Before you leave the area, make sure you walk around to view the Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs.
Wander through the tiny streets, walking up and down the many bridges that make Venice what it is. Head towards the Rialto Bridge, one of the most impressive bridges that crosses the Grand Canal. This is a wonderful spot to people watch and take in the beauty of the city.
Finally, you might consider hiring a gondola for a 30 minute ride. It’s pricey, but a wonderful experience for your first time in Venice.
Read more:
A Venice travel guide
How many days to spend in Venice
Bologna to Venice travel time
Venice can be reached via a direct high speed train from Bologna. You’ll want to catch the service that terminates at Venezia SL station (Venezia Santa Lucia). This is the station closest to all the highlights in Venice. The fastest trains take about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Once you arrive at the station in Venice, it’s walking distance to the highlights including the Rialto Bridge and St Marks Square. Alternatively, you can jump on the vaporetto to ride down the beautiful canals.
#6 Milan
Oh Milano. Famous as the fashion capital of Italy, this beautiful city is a great place for a day trip. Whilst it is quite a large city, most of the key attractions are within easy walking distance of each other. Prepare for a day of grandiose sightseeing.
The first stop on any itinerary would have to be the Milano Duomo. This opulent cathedral in Milan took nearly 600 years to build! It also holds the title as the largest cathedral in Italy (do note that this doesn’t include the Vatican, which of course is a sovereign state unto itself). It’s a spectacular sight, and gets even better up close when you can see the intricate detail of the artwork on the building. For a fee you can enter the cathedral, or go up to the rooftop for views over Milan.
Just off the main square (Piazza del Duomo) is the next must see place on your day trip, the beautiful Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. This is a shopping arcade like no other. Continuing the theme of grand accolades, this shopping mall is the oldest in Italy. The luxury brands of Prada, Gucci, Armani and others lines the mall, but it’s the architecture you’re really here to see. This glass-roofed arcade is truly spectacular, and it’s hard to take your eyes away from it.
From here you might choose to just keep wandering around this beautiful city. However there is one more place we recommend seeing during your Milan day trip. Consider booking ahead to visit the Santa Maria delle Grazie. This church is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Importantly, it is also the home of Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘The Last Supper’. We unfortunately missed this on our travels through Milan. This is because it’s another place that you’ll need to book in advance to visit.
Bologna to Milan travel time
Whilst Milan is 200km away from Bologna, it can just over 1 hour to reach the city via high speed train. This is pretty amazing given it would take nearly 3 hours to do the same trip via a car. Needless to say, this is one trip you’ll want to book in advance. We failed to do that on one occasion and had to pay a very hefty fare to cover the same journey (and we didn’t even care for a fast train that day). The train will stop at Milano Centrale, which is an amazing sight itself. From the station, you may want to jump onto the subway to take you to the Milan Cathedral (line 3). Or jump into a taxi.
Day trips from Bologna by car
Whilst Italy is easily explored by train, there are some places which are best done by car. The great news is that car hire is fairly easy in Bologna, and prices can be very reasonable. We’ve hired cars in Bologna a number of times. There are a number of rental companies located near to the train station. We book via Skyscanner who carry a range of local providers.
On both of our recommended trips, you’ll encounter the Italian Autostrade, or toll road. You may like to carry some cash on you in case your foreign credit card won’t be accepted by the machines. Before you go, read our guide on driving in Italy.
#7 Chianti (Tuscany)
If you’re looking for an escape from the city adventures, a day trip through Tuscany is the perfect solution. A drive through the green hills and vineyards is a wonderful contrast to the buzz of the Northern Italian cities.
Tuscany covers a large area and it’s impossible to see it all in a day. Coming from Bologna, I’d recommend concentrating on the area of Chianti. Whilst this region encompasses both Florence and Siena, the focus of today will be on the wonderful little Tuscan towns of the area. This is also the home of probably the most well-recognised of the Tuscan wines, it’s namesake, the Chianti Classico.
The towns you’ll want to visit today include Greve in Chianti, Gaiole in Chianti, Castellini in Chianti and Radda in Chianti. Greve makes the perfect first stop. From there you can just drive through the area and make your way around to these beautiful towns.
If you’re up for something a little different, consider booking a Tuscan cooking class. We can highly recommend a half day class with Toscana Mia. Learn to make your own pasta from scratch in this wonderful traditional setting. You’ll get to devour your new creations over lunch in the owners home.
Read more:
A Chianti cooking class with Toscana Mia
5 amazing places to stay in Tuscany
Bologna to Chianti travel time
It will take approximate 1hr and 45 minutes to arrive in Greve in Chianti. Like most of Italy, the main towns are pedestrianised or open to local traffic only. We’ve always found the towns to be well signposted with clearly marked signs for parking lots. Many of these will require some form of payment, so carry some cash with you.
#8 San Marino
Fancy visiting a new country for the day? It’s completely possible as a day trip from Bologna. The microstate of San Marino is a short 90 minute drive from Bologna.
San Marino is a fascinating and worthy place to explore in a day. Completely landlocked by Italy, it lies about 10km off the Italian east coast. This country holds the title of the fifth smallest in the world, and is home to just over 30,000 people. Whilst the official language is Italian, I can assure you it will feel a little different to Italy.
The main drawcard of San Marino is a visit to the capital, high up on the main hilltop of the country. Here there are 3 imposing towers that provide a stunning medieval feel. The old town is a hive of activity in the day, with restaurants, government buildings and shops. In fact, the shops here are especially interesting. I’ve never before seen such quirky and downright strange items on offer for sale.
Bologna to San Marino travel time
It will take approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes to arrive in San Marino. There are well signposted parking bays as you make the crawl up the mountain. Parking lot 7 is quite close to the castle, although we still require some uphill walking. There are many day trippers to San Marino, so it’s best to arrive as early as possible.
That completes our guide to some of the best day trips from Bologna. We’d love to hear about your experience or answer any of your questions. Please let us know in the comments below.
Very comprehensive. I will come back to this at some point when travel opens up again. We have not explored Italy as much as Spain. Probably because we soeak Spanish, but I see our thinking was clearly erroneous. Ok my moith is watering…
Peta
Speaking the language is always incredibly helpful. We know a few Italian phrases, but hope the learn more of the language in the future!
Yes, just some dreaming from us at the moment. The day will come again 🙂