10 Things to Do in Bologna at Night

Magic envelops Bologna when night falls. The illuminated city invites you to stroll through it to discover a different image of its architectural treasures. Don't worry, you won't be alone on the way. This Italian city is a vibrant city where the night is enjoyed inside bars and clubs, but also on the terraces.

But there are many more things to do in Bologna when the night falls. You will notice how music has a special feel in this city, from opera to jazz, country or rock. Music that can accompany you while you taste the delights of Bolognese cuisine in a traditional osteria or in a restaurant.

Early evening is a good time for a leisurely stroll through Bologna. Without so many people coming and going, you will be able to admire the beauty of its main monuments. I suggest you start in the heart of the city, in Piazza Maggiore. The dim and warm lighting of the buildings that give it life creates an intimate and cosy atmosphere.

Take a look at the imposing Basilica of San Petronio, one of the largest in the world. You'll see how the lights create a very unique effect on its half-clad façade. And looking towards it, don't miss another of Bologna's emblems: the fountain of Neptune. Night is also a good time to stroll around the city's porticoes, which are a World Heritage Site.

Discovering Bologna when the sun has already gone down is always a good idea: for a first contact if you have just arrived, to relax after an intense day of sightseeing or to take the best photographs of your stay. Don't hesitate, it is one of the best tours in Bologna that you can plan during your stay.

But if you have enjoyed an intense day walking around the city or perhaps visiting the best museums in Bologna, you always have a more comfortable alternative: take a ride on one of its tourist buses.

Watching the sun set over the horizon and stain the rooftops of Bologna with reddish reflections is a spectacle not to be missed. It is the best way to start enjoying the Bolognese night. If during the day the best panoramic views are from the Asinelli tower, with its almost 100 metres high, to enjoy the sunset you will have to go a little further away from the city centre.

My recommendation is to go up to the sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. This temple is located on top of a promontory surrounded by woods. You can reach it from the historic centre by following an imposing and steep porticoed gallery. It is the longest in the world, four kilometres long and with more than 600 arches.

You are probably thinking about the effort involved in the walk. But it is worth it because the sanctuary has a panoramic terrace that gives you a 180º view and offers one of the best images of Bologna illuminated. But if you don't feel like it or can't get too tired, you can always go up by public transport and walk down.

Another possibility is the San Michele in Bosco viewpoint. This monumental complex also stands on a hill, but it is next to the historic centre. You can get there by bus, although my advice is to walk to enjoy the beautiful park that surrounds it. Once on its terrace, you'll have the rooftops of the city at your feet and you'll see up close how they change colour as the sun goes down.

Want to feel like a real Bolognese? Then you should start your evening in the Quadrilatero. This medieval quarter with its narrow streets is a meeting point and a place to have a quiet drink before going for dinner or continuing the party in one of the city's entertainment venues.

What's so special about the Quadrilatero? You' ll find a good number of traditional taverns and terraces where you can enjoy a good local wine with an aperitif. In fact, this is one of the most deeply-rooted traditions in the city. Accompany dishes with prosecco, a sparkling red wine, or a spritz, a cocktail made with dry white wine and sparkling water or tonic.

You can also go into the Mercato di Mezzo. For centuries this has been the most important shopping area in Bologna. In this market, you can have a drink or a meal in one of the establishments that offer authentic delicatessen and that close at midnight. If you want to enjoy one of Bologna' s most special gastronomic tours, this is the place to be.

You can't miss the Quadrilatero, a lively neighbourhood in the very heart of the city. Its pedestrianised alleyways stretch from Piazza Maggiore to the Asinelli and Garisenda towers. The Mercato di Mezzo is just a stone's throw from the Basilica of San Petronio.

Undoubtedly the liveliest area of Bologna's nightlife is where the students congregate. The university quarter is full of life during the day, but especially when night falls. If you want to have fun without spending too much, this is the place to be.

Along via del Pratello, via Belle Arti and a few others, you can enjoy yourself in small pubs with a youthful and alternative atmosphere, but also in typical Irish pubs and craft breweries. But if there is a meeting point, it is Piazza Verdi, at the end of via Zamboni, where it is common to see students having a drink in the street. If the weather isn't good, there are many places around the square where you can take refuge.

What sets the university quarter apart from other leisure areas is not only the joyfulness of the students, but also the multicultural atmosphere that you can feel here day and night. It should not be forgotten that Bologna is one of the major destinations for students on the Erasmus Programme.

At this point, a brief explanation of the university atmosphere. In case you didn't know, the University of Bologna is the oldest university in the western world, founded back in 1088. More than a thousand years of history.

Do you like to dance, or do you prefer to have a more relaxed drink in a lounge? Whatever you're in the mood for, you're sure to find it. Bologna is a city where you can go out at night every day of the year and find the best atmosphere you can imagine.

The best thing is that you won't have to go far or walk to get from one place to another. The historic centre is one of the heart of the Bolognese walk. In fact, around Via dell'Indipendenza, the city's main street, you will find some of the most fashionable nightclubs and discos in Bologna for years, such as the famous QUBO'Disco.

If you are strong enough to last until the early hours of the morning, don't mind moving away from the centre and want to enjoy very different alternatives, you are also spoilt for choice. If you like rock or indie music, you can stop off at Kovo Club, Lokomotiv or Estragón. And if you want to see great DJs perform, don't miss the ExForno Mambo.

Need to get your strength back for a night out? Make the most of dinner to sample some of the delights of Bolognese cuisine. Throughout the city there are plenty of restaurants and taverns where you can dine in peace and quiet and try some typical dishes.

What can you ask for? If you are in Bologna, you must try the tagliatelle al ragù, i.e. pasta accompanied by the well-known and authentic Bolognese sauce. More ideas for dinner: risotto with red wine; tortellini in brodo, that is, in poultry broth; or passatelli, which is also a soup, but with thick noodles made with egg.

If you find these dishes too hearty for a dinner, you always have the alternative of having something quicker in a taverna. What's more, in Bologna, the aperitivo is a deeply rooted tradition. So if you want to integrate into the daily life of the city for a while, don't miss it. It takes place at around seven o'clock.

Don't know what to order? The most typical dish is crescentine. They are really a starter, but can be served as an aperitif or snack. They are small buns accompanied by salami, cheese and local cured meats. If you're not too hungry, they can easily serve as dinner.

If you are a lover of mysteries, dark legends and curiosities, you can spend some very entertaining hours trying to unravel them. The first stop might be Villa Clara.

The most gruesome stories tell that one of the former owners decided to lock up his stepdaughter in it, fearful of the girl's clairvoyant powers. Some say that her ghost still haunts the house.

The seven secrets of Bologna

The night is also a good time to discover some of Bologna's secrets. There are seven, according to tradition. I will reveal just one. When you pass through Piazza Maggiore, take a slight detour to reach the porticoes of the Palazzo del Podestà.

You will see that on one of the arches there is a statue of St. Domenico on one side and a statue of St. Petronilo on the other. If you want to confess something to your partner without anyone finding out, this is the perfect place. They call it the arch of whispers.

If you speak softly looking towards the wall under one of the statues, the other person will hear you perfectly from the other base of the arch. It is one of those little curiosities that usually attracts tourists. That's why night is the best time to check whether it's true or not.

If you're still in the mood for one of those other secrets, here are just a few hints: look for the devil in the palace in Piazza Santo Estefano, find the Canale di Reno or discover what's so special about the iconic statue of Neptune.

Although not one of its best-known aspects, Bologna is closely linked to classical music. And it has been for centuries. To give you an idea, Mozart himself studied here and Gioachino Rossini lived here. The city is also home to a well-known children's choir, the Piccolo Coro dell' Antoniano.

So if you're a music lover, check out the city's cultural calendar. It is very likely that you will be able to enjoy an event or concert of interest to you. And remember one name: the Teatro Comunale. It is the city's classical opera house. Inside you will be surprised by its decoration, but above all by its magnificent acoustics. Operas and ballets have been performed on its stage, as well as famous musicals.

If you are lucky and your visit to Bologna coincides with one of the concerts held at the Teatro Comunale, don't stay inside alone. From the terrace you can admire the surroundings of Piazza Giuseppe Verdi. Yes, the same one where students gather to have a good time when night falls.

Not only classical music, but also contemporary music has its place in Bologna. In fact, Bologna is the birthplace of artists such as Lucio Dalla. If you like other styles of music, there are plenty of places in Bologna where you can enjoy the best live music. Some of them are real institutions in the city, such as the Kinki Club where Jimi Hendrix's concert in 1968 is still remembered.

Another cult venue is the Cantina Bentivoglio. This is considered one of the most important jazz clubs in the world. No matter when you visit Bologna, its stage offers live music six out of seven nights a week.

Many other smaller, less renowned wineries and restaurants also offer interesting musical evenings. It' s a great plan if you want to accompany good music with the best Bolognese food.

Markets are part of the essence of Bologna. It's worth strolling around during the day and enjoying the lively atmosphere. But you can also have a good time there when night falls. Those with a restaurant area do not close until midnight and are a regular meeting point for locals and tourists.

If you fancy this plan, there are two renowned markets. On the one hand, the Mercato delle Erbe. On the other, the Mercato di Mezzo. Both are in the centre and you can refuel at any of their food establishments.

Good food, good atmosphere and interesting activities, as they also host events such as conferences and wine tastings. If the dates of your stay in the city coincide, this is one of the things to do in Bologna at Christmas. The atmosphere is unbeatable.

Bologna's nightlife is very intense, and you are sure to enjoy every second of it. However, it never hurts to keep in mind some recommendations:

• It is important to be aware of the temperatures in Bologna. If you are making plans to enjoy Bologna in autumn or winter, bear in mind that the cold is accompanied by humidity. Don't forget thermal clothing.

• Although Bologna has a lively nightlife all year round, don't forget that this is a university city. This means that the atmosphere tends to wane during school holidays. Even so, enjoying the nightlife is still one of the best things to do in Bologna during the summer.

• Be aware that the opening hours of bars and nightclubs can vary greatly. Some are open every day, others only from Thursday to Sunday. The same applies to closing times. To avoid surprises, it is best to check before you go.

• You can get around Bologna on foot without any problems. But if you don't feel like walking, there are several bus lines that operate at night: 14N, 20N, 25N, 61 and 62.