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Rome, Milan, Venice and the Amalfi Coast may be the household names of Italy, but there are so many other fantastic gems to discover.
From beautiful islands to storybook towns and historic cultural cities, it’s no wonder Italy has soared to new tourism heights.
Rome is undoubtedly the most popular among travelers who want to immerse themselves in the city’s fascinating ancient culture, with well-preserved sights such as the famous Colosseum.
That brings inevitable crowds unless you’re willing to give other places a fair chance.
What almost 200 ‘travel experts’ are proud of Bologna as their favorite underrated outing according to Emphaticit’s time to reveal one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations that flies under the radar.
A foodie’s dream came true
Anyone who has been to Italy or dreamed of going on holiday has food on the brain.
From the moment we saw the spaghetti scene come in Lady and the Tramp Growing up, it seems like the craving for Italian food is ingrained in us.
There’s nothing against Rome when it comes to food, but Bologna is widely regarded as the food capital of Italy.
Located in the beautiful Emilia-Romagna region, known for its fertile soil that produces a wide range of products and wine, Bologna has planted its roots in food culture both literally and figuratively.
Home to classic dishes such as the city’s signature Bolognese pasta, along with ragù, tortellini and mortadella. It’s no wonder that famed traveler and chef Anthony Bourdain filmed an episode of Parts Unknown here showcasing all the region’s delicacies.
Checking out Sfoglia Rina.
They have been preparing delicious, ready-made meals for over 60 years, with one recent guest enthusing, ‘This is the place to get a home-cooked, soul-healing meal. No frills, just big on healthy, fresh flavors.’
A city center that radiates charm and character
Again, nothing beats the Colosseum, but Bologna doesn’t claim to outdo Rome – we’re just saying to expect fewer crowds and embrace this historic city for what it is, a truly wonderful place to visit that oozes charm and character on seemingly every time.
There are no flashy skyscrapers here. Heck, Starbucks opened their first location in Bologna four months ago, which speaks to the fierce struggle to maintain long-held traditions to keep the city as original as possible.
If you’re a first-timer, you may want to explore Bologna by walking so you can better absorb the nooks and crannies of this crowded city.
As you walk around you may discover hidden cafes, wine bars and local shops. As you do this, you can’t help but notice the city’s most unique features: the UNESCO-listed colonnades.
If that’s a word you’ve never heard, we’re in this together. Porches are covered walkways that protect locals and tourists from sweltering heat or rain, connecting more than 60 kilometers of Bologna.
The city center itself, and in particular Piazza Maggiore, is one of the best preserved in all of Europe, not just Italy.
Some of the best sites worth checking out are:
- Basilica di San Petronio – an unfinished 14th-century church with high ceilings and impressive works of art
- Le Due Torri – two unmissable medieval towers (Asinelli Tower and Garisenda Tower)
- Santuario della Madonna di San Luca – follow the portico up the hill to the most stunning views of this historic shrine
- Museum of the History of Bologna (Museo della Storia di Bologna)
- National Art Gallery (Pinacoteca Nazionale)
Reaching Bologna
There are no direct flights to Bologna from the US, but there are plenty of options to connect or board a train for the more adventurous.
Bologna will need to complement your Euro trip, with the easiest connecting points being the major Italian cities such as Rome, Milan, Florence and Venice for trains.
Many of these cost less than $30 per ticket, depending on when you book. This includes high speed options from all 4 cities.
Those who prefer to fly also have many options. Bologna is a city that is very well served by European airlines, including budget airlines such as Ryanair, to potentially stretch your travel budget.
Once you land, it’s easy to get to the city center Marconi Express.
Reaching the city center in just 7 minutes, you will be enjoying Bolognese pasta and local wine in no time!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.
