What to do in Bologna in summer: 7 experiences

At a glance

There is a misconception that has been doing the rounds for years: that Bologna in summer is empty, closed, too hot to enjoy. The truth is quite different. Between June and September the city changes its pace, but does not stop. It shifts into the shade of the arcades, climbs into the hills for fresh air, and fills courtyards and squares with open-air concerts and cinema.

The Bologna heat is real: the Po Valley in summer is humid, and during the middle of the day it pays to slow down. But that is precisely what gives the city its different character — slower, more local, and less crowded with tourists than spring. Staying close to the station has a real advantage: you can be back in your room in a few minutes for a cool break and then head out again in the late afternoon, when Bologna is at its best.

Here are seven experiences designed for summer, all reachable from Bologna Centrale.

1. Walking under the arcades, in the shade

Bologna’s arcades are not just a symbol: in summer they are the best weapon against the sun. The city has almost 40 km of arcades in the historic centre alone, 62 including those outside the old walls. Since 2021 they have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

This means you can cross half the city — from the station to Piazza Maggiore, from the centre to the Due Torri — staying almost entirely in the shade. Via dell’Indipendenza, the straight road that links Bologna Centrale to the historic centre, is entirely arcaded: 18–22 minutes at a relaxed pace, sheltered from the sun.

Host tip: in the hottest hours you do not need a complicated itinerary. Choose an arcaded street, walk without hurry, stop into the shops. The arcades act as a natural cool corridor.

For a complete walking route, see also Bologna in a day on foot.

2. Climbing to San Luca for cool air and views

When it is hot in the centre, Bolognesi head up to the Colle della Guardia, where the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca stands. Connecting it to the city is the longest arcade in the world: approximately 3.8 km, 666 arches, almost 500 steps on the uphill stretch.

At the top it is cooler than on the plain and the view stretches across the city and the surrounding hills. Walking up under the arcade is a minor summer adventure: doable, but best tackled at the right time of day (early morning or evening) and with water.

How to get there without walking the whole climb:

Note: timetables and service frequencies change by season. Check the TPER website or Bologna Welcome before setting off.

3. Experiencing “Bologna Estate”, the city’s summer-wide programme

In summer the City of Bologna runs Bologna Estate, a programme of events that spans the entire season — roughly from mid-May to end of September. Music, cinema, theatre, literature, talks: events spread from the historic centre to the neighbourhoods, often in the courtyards of historic palaces and in the squares.

It is the best way to experience Bologna as a local does on summer evenings: you head out after dinner, when the heat drops, and find a concert in a cloister or a film projected outdoors in a courtyard.

Some of the typical settings for the programme:

• The courtyard of Palazzo d’Accursio, in Piazza Maggiore
• Cloisters, churches and courtyards in the centre (the “Chiese, corti, cortili” series)
• Open-air cinema screens across the city

Practical tip: the programme changes every year and many events are free or require only a small contribution. Check bolognaestate.it during your stay for the up-to-date calendar.

4. Stopping at a historic gelato shop

Gelato in Bologna is not a tourist fallback: it is culture. The city is also home to the Carpigiani Gelato University, the institution that trains gelato makers from around the world, based in Anzola dell’Emilia on the outskirts of Bologna.

In summer, a gelato stop around 17:00–18:00 is the perfect pause between the afternoon rest and the evening outing. The historic centre is full of artisan gelato shops; to choose well, look for places that keep the flavours covered (a sign of artisan production) and offer fewer, better-made varieties.

We do not name specific gelato shops to avoid unverified recommendations: ask us in chat for our current favourites near the station, and we will point you in the right direction.

5. Seeking out terraces and panoramic spots

When the sun goes down, Bologna is best enjoyed from above. Beyond the climb to San Luca, there are elevated points in the centre that in summer become the most pleasant places for an aperitivo or a few photographs in the warm light.

• Torre dell’Orologio (Palazzo d’Accursio): 360° view over the historic centre. Check opening hours and tickets at bolognawelcome.com.
• The Bolognese hills: just outside the centre, the first hills offer both coolness and views.

Host tip: the best light for photographs is in the hour before sunset. In summer Bologna’s sun sets late, so you have a long golden hour without the midday heat.

6. Choosing the right time of day

In summer, when you do things matters more than what you do. Bologna’s heat is best managed with rhythm, not by fighting it. Here is how locals structure their day:

Staying a few metres from the station makes the most of this structure: in the central hours you can return to your room for a proper cool break, without losing time on long walks.

7. Using Bologna as a base for a cooler day trip

Bologna Centrale is one of Italy’s busiest railway hubs: approximately 58 million passengers a year and high-speed trains every half hour. In summer this means something valuable: the chance to escape the plain’s heat in under an hour by train.

Classic destinations for a summer day trip from the station:

• The Apennines and hills to the south, cooler than the city.
• Nearby historic cities reachable by train (Modena, Ferrara, Florence on the high-speed line).
• The Adriatic Riviera for a day at the beach, also by train.

Staying next to the station makes these trips immediate: you leave your room, cross the road and you are at the station. For details on connections, see the Trasporti category on the blog.

FAQ

Is it too hot in Bologna in summer to visit? No, but you need to plan around it. The middle hours (13:00–17:00) are hot and humid; the rest of the day is perfectly enjoyable, especially in the shade of the arcades and in the early morning and evening. Summer highs regularly exceed 30 °C in the middle of the day.

Is Bologna empty and closed in August? Some long-standing businesses close for the summer holidays, but the city does not stop: the Bologna Estate programme animates courtyards and squares throughout the season, and the main sights and museums remain open.

What is there to do in Bologna in summer evenings? Bologna Estate events (concerts, open-air cinema, theatre) in palace courtyards, walks under the arcades once the heat drops, aperitivo on a terrace or in the Quadrilatero.

How do you get to San Luca in summer without walking the whole way? Take bus 20 to Meloncello and then do the uphill stretch, or use the San Luca Express, the tourist train that departs from Piazza Maggiore. Check seasonal timetables before you go.

Is a room near the station worth it in summer? Yes: it lets you return to the cool in the middle hours without losing time, and makes day trips by train to the hills and the sea straightforward when you need to escape the city heat.

Check availability — your room 20 m from the station

Bologna Station Suites is 20 metres from Bologna Centrale: you can return to the cool when it is hot, head out again when the city comes alive in the evening, and catch a train for a day trip in minutes.

Check availability → — message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you straight away what is available.

Find out where you will be staying: Our rooms · Explore the area: The Neighbourhood · Read also: Bologna in a day on foot