10 Top Bologna Things to Do With Kids
Discover these exciting family activities for your next trip to Bologna.
No journey to Italy would be complete without immersing yourself in the culinary wonders of Bologna, the country's foodie center. Bursting with vibrant colors, rich culture, and exquisite cuisine, this city beckons families with its irresistible charm.
As the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region, Bologna offers a cornucopia of exceptional food experiences. Indulge in delights like tortellini, mortadella, and the renowned Ragú Bolognese, leaving your taste buds in pure bliss.
But Bologna is more than just a gastronomic paradise. It's a bustling college town, home to the esteemed University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world.
During my initial visit to Bologna before having kids, my husband and I embarked on typical tourist ventures. However, the experience took on a different hue when we returned to Bologna with kids. As parents, we now cherish the idea of "slow travel," focusing on quality time together instead of rushing through every tourist attraction.
To help travelers looking to live like locals in Bologna, I have curated a kid-friendly itinerary, ensuring an authentic experience in the culinary capital of Italy.
Whether you have older kids or are visiting Bologna with a toddler, check out my list of favorite things to do.
BONUS: Read 10 Top Bologna Foods To Savor When You Visit to find out!
Before you go, check out these Italy guides perfect for families.
Is Bologna worth visiting with kids?
Bologna, one of my top picks for family trips in Italy, offers a refreshing escape from the tourist crowds of Rome and Florence. These compelling reasons will have you booking that Bologna family holiday sooner than you expect.
Bologna is a safe place. We never felt concerned about questionable people or being pocketed.
Bologna is relatively flat. This means that you can walk it without feeling exhausted. You can also push a stroller around. I recommend a stroller with sturdy wheels because some streets are cobblestone. Bologna with a toddler is great because it never gets too hilly.
It is easy to get to Bologna via train. Many folks fly into Milan or Rome, which is perfect because you can hop onto a train and arrive in Bologna within a few hours or less.
Bologna has plenty of museums, open public spaces, and even graffiti and artistic things for kids to see. From museums and even tasting Bologna food, you will never run out of things to do in Bologna.
It’s low-key. While there are tourists in Bologna, much of the population consists of students and people associated with the university.
Places to stay in Bologna Italy
We stayed at an Airbnb near the center of Bologna, minutes away from Piazza Maggiore, hosted by Valeria. It featured wooden floors, a laundry machine and washer, modern finishings, and air conditioning.
TIP: If you travel to Italy with or without kids in the summer, look for a stay with air conditioning. This will be a game changer for you because Italy is hot in summer.
How is the weather in Bologna in June?
Bologna is a place that warms up in the summer. The average high temperature is 81 degrees and it is generally humid.
The best time to explore is in the morning and late afternoon.
I always bring my Roca shades and linen pants and top to stay protected and cool from the heat.
TIP: Opt for tops and bottoms that cover your knees and shoulders because if you visit a church, you must “cover up.” Churches usually provide coverings for those that need them too.
Getting around in Bologna
Bologna is a walkable city. The city is small enough to explore on foot. This is one of the reasons why it’s a great travel destination for folks with little kids. I recommend staying near the center and bringing walking shoes. We only used a taxi for a ride to the train station.
Also, the bus is the best public transport in Bologna and connects neighborhoods to the city.
Things to do in bologna with kids
01 | VISIT A TORTELLINI SHOP
Where to eat in Bologna with kids you ask?
Go out in the morning before everyone wakes and find fresh tortellini.
Enjoy Bologna with kids by cooking tortellini during your stay.
Cooking at your stay vs. going out to dine is a great way to enjoy the city like locals.
WHERE TO FIND IT
Bruno e Franco La Salumeria - Bologna.
02 | GIARDINI MARGHERITA PARK
Kids love parks. I don’t know any child that does not. One of my favorite things to do in Bologna with kids is visit this beautiful park.
Giardini Margherita Park is a great place to stroll, play on the playground or find a place for shade.
FUN FACT: The design was inspired by English Romantic parks.
Even better, there is a little cafe to purchase water and snacks near the playground.
LOCATION
03 | FRIDA’S FLOWER SHOP
Within Mercato di Mezzo, you will find a flower shop called Frida’s that sells flowers that make you feel like a child again in a candy shop.
TIP: Go get your flowers on the first day of your stay so you can enjoy them for as long as possible.
LOCATION
04 | BASILICA DI SAN PETRONIO CHURCH
Many families travel to Italy in the summer because their kids are on summer break. Italy is a great choice for summer family vacations, but, it is also very hot.
So, peek into a church with your kids to cool down, see old architecture and learn about things like Jesus.
You can’t miss Basilica of San Petronio in the center of Piazza Maggiore.
TIP: You cannot show a lot of skin when you visit churches in Italy, or they won’t let you in.
Bring a light chambray or scarf with you during those summertime walks in Italy just in case you decide to visit a church.
Or use the coverings that the church provides. I prefer to wear my clothes.
LOCATION
05 | PIAZZA MAGGIORE
In the center of Piazza Maggiore, near the Statue of David, you can always find street performers.
The Piazza is a large open space if you have kids that need to run, dance, or play.
BONUS: One parent can slip in a beer at a local cafe while the kids play.
06 | EXPLORE THE PORTICO’S
No other city in the world has more porticoes than Bologna. They are hard to miss.
Exploring Portico’s is a great activity that you can do if you have a toddler or baby in a stroller. Plus, they provide shade from the sun if visiting in the summer.
TIP: Notice the artwork on the ceiling.
07 | CHECK OUT THE “7 SECRETS OF BOLOGNA”
Bologna has many curiosities. These mysteries are referred to as the “7 Secrets of Bologna.”
The 7 Secrets of Bologna are landmarks throughout the city that each have a story.
From the David in the center of Piazza Maggiore to a street that opens to Little Venice, a labyrinth of canals exists below your feet.
During the middle ages, the waterway canals served as a driving force for the mills and navigable routes.
BONUS: Bring a lock when you visit Italy. You will find that at landmarks, people will often leave a lock.
As long as the lock remains, true love will remain…Whatever you want it to mean, kids might enjoy hanging a lock and coming back when they are older to see it.
08 | STREET ART ON VIA ZAMBONI
Via Zamboni, a major street that runs through the University, is home to mural art and political graffiti.
Some of it’s distasteful, some funny. But one thing is true, it has been happening for a long time and visitors can enjoy the color and unique “funkiness” in Bologna.
Have fun going from mural to mural with your kids, taking pictures of the scene.
09 | MURTADELA FOR A MORTADELLA SANDWICH
While you stroll the streets with your kids, try street food at Murtadela.
Reginella is the region where Mortadella was born.
Mortadella lover or not, in Bologna, eat mortadella. If your children like hot dogs, there is a strong chance they will like this type of meat.
LOCATION
MORE ITALY FAMILY TRAVEL TIPS? 10 Tips For Finding Family-Friendly Restaurants In Europe
10 | STROLL MERCATO DI MEZZO
If you love food, you must visit Mercato di Mezzo. You can find anything from produce to meats and cheese or fresh tortellini.
Kids will love all the things they can eat and see in this medieval food alley.
Aside from produce and food, there are also a few restaurants and boutique shops to enjoy.
BONUS: Looking for a place to cool down around the market? Eataly has a cafe where you can sit down and enjoy air conditioning. Plus, inside Eataly, there is a home and lifestyle section to browse and shop while you stay cool and enjoy more Bologna food.
More kid-friendly Bologna things to do
Bologna places that we missed but will get to next time!
Orto Botanico di Bologna | Take a trip to one of the oldest Botanical Gardens in Europe. The free gardens are a great place to stay cool from the summer heat.
Biblioteca Salaborsa | Escape the tourist hustle for a refreshing hour at the main library in Bologna, where an excellent kid section awaits, providing a perfect escape for families looking for a quiet space.
Are you visiting Bologna with kids for the first time?
Bologna feels like a local town. Unlike other places in Italy like Rome and Florence, it’s slightly less touristy and home to many college students. It’s a great home base location if you plan on doing day trips from Bologna with kids. I love Bologna and could probably call it “home” at some point in my life.
Looking for more family travel experiences in Italy? Get my Italy guides here.
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