Bologna is the ideal city to visit in the company of man's best friend.
Below you will find an itinerary which will let you explore the city centre, visit museums and relax in the city's green spaces alongside your dog.
Bologna has a perfectly preserved medieval historic centre, a sort of open-air museum made up of porticoes, piazzas and streets with towers.
We recommend you wander at length around the fascinating and multi-faceted city centre: starting out from the famous Garisenda and Asinelli towers, the city's most famous symbol, you can stroll around the characteristic streets of the Quadrilatero until you reach the iconic Piazza Maggiore – the city's main square – where you can admire the Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo d’Accursio and Palazzo del Podestà.
If you need a break, we suggest stopping in the courtyard of Palazzo d’Accursio, the historic headquarters of the Municipality of Bologna, before moving into the adjacent modern multimedia library Salaborsa (keeping your friend muzzled and on a lead).
Your walk can continue under the city's porticoes, which not only have UNESCO world heritage status, but also provide protection from the rain or sun.
A must is making the walk from Piazza Maggiore to the Baroque basilica Santuario di San Luca: an ideal excursion both for your four-legged friend, who will enjoy the long walk and will be able to quench their thirst at the fountains along the route, and for you, as you can enjoy a visit to a truly unique church.
If neither you or your pooch are fans of long walks, on the other hand, you can see the city's main attractions comfortably seated on the tourist buses and trains put on by City Redbus, which run throughout the historic centre, even in pedestrian areas, and go all the way out to San Luca.
Your furry friend will also be able to enjoy the tour (free of charge for small breeds).
Alternatively, a short walk of only 2 km or so will take you to the San Michele in Bosco complex, which offers a breathtaking view over the city.
Surrounding the complex is a large green area which is ideal for your dog.
Visiting museums when travelling with your pet is often difficult, but thanks to Dogs & Museums, in partnership with the Bauadvisor portal, it is possible in Bologna by booking this convenient dog-sitting service in advance.
The museums which have implemented the service are the Museo Civico Archeologico, Collezioni Comunali d'Arte, Museo Civico Medievale, Museo Davia Bargellini, Museo internazionale e biblioteca della musica, Museo civico del Risorgimento, Museo del Patrimonio Industriale, MAMbo – Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna, and Museo Morandi.
The largest parks in the centre, like Giardini Margherita and Parco della Montagnola, are perfect for a walk with your dog.
Giardini Margherita, the benchmark for the city's parks, contains large grassy areas, roads and paths closed to traffic. They are the ideal place to take a walk with your dog (kept on a lead) or relax on the grass – perfect for a picnic!
Parco della Montagnola (not far off Via Indipendenza) and Parco 11 Settembre (on Via Riva di Reno), on the other hand, have dedicated areas for dogs to run around and play.
Our four-legged friends are also welcome at FICO - Eataly World (on a lead). Together you will be able to explore the biggest food park in the world, spending a pleasant few hours amongst products of the highest quality and a few excellent nibbles.
