At a glance
| Location | Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, historic centre of Bologna |
| From the station on foot | ~1.3 km, 16–18 minutes at a leisurely pace |
| Torre degli Asinelli | 97.20 m tall, 498 steps |
| Torre Garisenda | 48 m, leaning ~4°, not open to visitors |
| Asinelli ticket | €5 full price · €3 concession · free with Bologna Welcome Card |
| Booking | Mandatory, via bolognawelcome.it |
| ⚠️ 2026 note | Asinelli closed for area maintenance; official alternative: Torre dell’Orologio |
| Practical tip | Always check opening status and availability before you go |
The Two Towers are the symbol of Bologna: two medieval structures standing side by side, both leaning. You see them emerge at the end of Via Rizzoli as you walk from the centre, and you immediately understand why they appear on every postcard of the city.
This guide is written for visitors arriving by train who want to know what to genuinely expect: how to get there on foot, how much it costs to climb the Asinelli, why the Garisenda cannot be visited, and — most importantly — what to do in 2026, given that the more famous tower is temporarily closed. No inflated enthusiasm: just the facts you need to plan your morning.
What the Two Towers are
In the Middle Ages, Bologna was full of towers. Wealthy families built them as a show of power, for defence, or for military purposes: at one point there were over a hundred. Today just over twenty remain, and the two in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana are the most celebrated.
They stand at the centre of a small square from which some of the city’s oldest streets radiate outward. They differ in height and lean, and it is precisely this contrast — one tall and soaring, the other short and visibly tilted — that makes them so recognisable.
Torre degli Asinelli
The taller of the two: 97.20 metres and 498 steps. It was built between 1109 and 1119 by the Asinelli family. It is not perfectly straight: it leans westward by 2.23 metres, with an inclination of around 1.3° from vertical, making it the tallest leaning tower in Italy.
When open, visitors can climb to the panoramic terrace. It is not an easy walk — 498 wooden steps along a narrow staircase that becomes tighter as you ascend — but the view over Bologna’s red rooftops is worth the effort.
Torre Garisenda
Shorter and far more crooked. Today it stands 48 metres tall (originally around 60), and leans approximately 4°, with an overhang at the top of 3.22 metres: an inclination comparable to the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Its tilt was already causing concern as early as the fourteenth century — Dante cited it in the Divine Comedy, and a plaque at the base of the tower still recalls those verses today.
The Garisenda cannot be visited internally and never has been open to the public in that way: you admire (and photograph) it from below.
Visiting Torre degli Asinelli: tickets and opening hours
All practical information is managed by Bologna Welcome, the city’s official tourist office. Entry to the tower is handled through them.
Tickets
- Full price: €5
- Concession: €3 (children aged 4–11, over 65s, school groups, university students, groups)
- Free for holders of the Bologna Welcome Card
Booking Booking is mandatory and entry is organised in timed slots. Book online at bolognawelcome.it or in person at the Bologna Welcome point in Piazza Maggiore. It is worth booking in advance, especially at weekends and during busy months.
How long does the visit take? Between the climb, time at the top, and the descent, allow 45 minutes to 1 hour. The staircase operates as one-way alternating traffic: you go up and come back down the same route.
Opening hours change frequently. Bologna Welcome periodically updates time slots and prices according to the season. Before you go, always check the official website — it is the only reliable source in the moment.
⚠️ 2026 closure: what to know before you go
This is the most important section if you are planning a visit right now.
At present (June 2026) the Torre degli Asinelli is closed for maintenance of the surrounding area. The closure is linked to ongoing works in the square: the nearby Torre Garisenda has for some time been the subject of a major stabilisation project, with a construction site and a protective barrier (stacked containers) around its base. Works on the Garisenda began in 2023 and, according to the City of Bologna, are expected to continue for several years.
In practice: the entire Piazza di Porta Ravegnana is a building site, and climbing the Asinelli remains suspended until further notice.
The official alternative. Bologna Welcome advises visitors not to give up on the bird’s-eye view of the city, and instead to climb the Torre dell’Orologio (the Clock Tower on Palazzo d’Accursio in Piazza Maggiore), which offers a 360° panorama over the city. It is an excellent alternative, and it places you directly above the main square.
Always check before you go. The situation may change: reopening dates and availability can only be confirmed on the official website or by contacting Bologna Welcome directly. Do not assume the tower is open.
How to get to the Two Towers from the station
The Two Towers are in the historic city centre and are reachable on foot from the station without needing to take a bus.
From Bologna Centrale, take Via dell’Indipendenza — the pedestrianised, arcaded avenue that descends towards the centre — as far as Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore. From there, head east along Via Rizzoli: in a few minutes, at the end of the street, the Two Towers come into view.
| Leg | Approximate walking time |
|---|---|
| Station → Piazza Maggiore | ~15 min |
| Piazza Maggiore → Two Towers (Via Rizzoli, ~400 m) | ~3 min |
| Total station → Two Towers | ~16–18 min |
A significant advantage: much of the route runs beneath the arcades (portici), so even in the rain you walk almost entirely under cover. Bologna’s portici have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.
If you are staying close to the platforms, the Two Towers are a walk of about fifteen minutes — leave your bags and head straight out.
Practical tips for the visit
Comfortable shoes. Both for the 498 steps (when the Asinelli is open) and because the historic centre is entirely paved with stone.
Not suitable for everyone. Climbing the Asinelli is not recommended for those with vertigo, heart conditions, or breathing difficulties: the staircase is steep and narrow. Check the access conditions at the time of booking.
No lift. The only way up is on foot. There are no alternative options inside the tower.
Photographing the Garisenda. Even from ground level, the lean of the two towers side by side is striking. The best angle is from Via Rizzoli, looking towards the square.
Combine your visit. The Two Towers are 5 minutes from Piazza Maggiore and a short walk from the Quadrilatero, the historic market district. In half a day you can see the entire centre.
FAQ
Can you visit both towers? No. Only the Torre degli Asinelli is (normally) open for climbing; the Garisenda cannot be visited internally. In addition, as of 2026 the Asinelli is also closed for area maintenance.
How much does it cost to climb the Torre degli Asinelli? €5 full price, €3 concession; free with the Bologna Welcome Card. Booking is mandatory.
Do you need to book? Yes, always. Entry is in timed slots and bookings are made via bolognawelcome.it. Spaces fill up quickly at weekends.
How many steps does the Torre degli Asinelli have? 498 steps, rising to 97.20 metres. The climb and descent take approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Why is the Garisenda fenced off? A stabilisation project is underway due to its significant lean, which began in 2023 and is ongoing. The base is surrounded by a protective barrier.
If the Asinelli is closed, where can you enjoy the view from above? Bologna Welcome recommends the Torre dell’Orologio in Piazza Maggiore, with a 360° view over the city.
Check availability — your room 20 metres from the station
Bologna Station Suites is just 20 metres from Bologna Centrale: leave your bags in your room and in about fifteen minutes on foot you are standing in front of the Two Towers, having walked the entire way beneath the arcades through Piazza Maggiore.
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Continue exploring:
- Discover our rooms: Our rooms
- Explore the neighbourhood: The Neighbourhood
- Read more about the main square: Piazza Maggiore: complete guide