Bologna 4-Day, 3-Night Itinerary

The 231st AI itinerary. Bologna, Italy.
Isn't the city's nickname, 'The Fat, The Wise, The Red,' just too powerful? Maybe 'fat' isn't meant in a negative way. The itinerary is as colorful as the nickname suggests✨
First, I was intrigued by the 'Archiginnasio.' The description says it's an old school building, but it seems to have a library, and if I can see various books (surely some are quite old), I would love to visit📕
Next is watching a Serie A match at 'Renato Dall'Ara Stadium'⚽️ It's the home of Bologna FC. If I'm going to an Italian city, I definitely want to include a soccer match in my itinerary. This stadium also has a red brick tower, which is a cool symbol‼️ When going to the stadium, I definitely want to stop by the 'Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca' too❗️
I also want to visit the 'Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna.' It has works by Giotto and El Greco, and since there seem to be quite a lot of pieces, I'd like to spend a whole day appreciating them slowly~
The dishes introduced in the gourmet section all look delicious, and I'm sure the wine🍷 will go well with them! Just like the city's nickname, I want to come back having gained weight, gained knowledge, and savored the red brick buildings♪

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Bologna, the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, is a fascinating city known by the nickname 'La Grassa, La Dotta, La Rossa' (The Fat, The Wise, The Red). It is characterized by its rich food culture (The Fat), the intellectual vitality brought by the oldest university in Europe (The Wise), and its beautiful red brick cityscape (The Red), with the world-heritage porticoes (arcades) stretching throughout the city creating a unique landscape.
Day 1: Exploring the Historic District
* Piazza Maggiore and Basilica of San Petronio: The square that forms the center of Bologna and one of the world's largest Gothic churches. The square is surrounded by buildings like the Palazzo d'Accursio, where you can feel the history and vitality of the city. The unfinished facade of the church is also distinctive.
* Two Towers of Bologna (Asinelli Tower): The two towers that are the symbol of the city. The taller Asinelli Tower is about 97 meters high, and if you climb the approximately 500 steps to the top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Bologna's beautiful red brick roofs.
Day 2: Food Culture and the Pursuit of Knowledge
* Quadrilatero (Old Market District): A commercial area dating back to the Middle Ages, adjacent to Piazza Maggiore. The narrow alleys are packed with long-established food shops selling cheese, prosciutto, and trattorias, where you can fully enjoy Bologna's rich food culture.
* Archiginnasio (Former Main Building of the University of Bologna): The old school building of the oldest university in Europe, founded in the 11th century. The coats of arms of past students covering the walls and ceilings are a masterpiece. You can also visit the 'Anatomical Theatre' with its beautiful wood carvings.
Day 3: Spectacular Views from the Hill and Enthusiastic Soccer
* Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca: A sanctuary built on a hill southwest of the city. You can walk up the world's longest portico, which has 666 arches and stretches about 3.8 km from the city center to the sanctuary. The view from the hill is outstanding.
* Renato Dall'Ara Stadium: A historic stadium that is the home of Bologna FC. Located at the foot of the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, it is characterized by its red brick tower. You can experience an authentic Serie A match along with the enthusiastic local fans.
Day 4: Art Appreciation and Departure
* Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna: An art museum that houses Italian art from the 13th to the 18th century, focusing on the Emilian school. Masterpieces by artists such as Giotto and Raphael are on display, and you can take your time to appreciate art in a quiet space.
🍴Bologna Gourmet🍴
Bologna is one of the leading gourmet cities in all of Italy, so much so that it is called 'La Grassa' (The Fat City). If you walk through the 'Quadrilatero' (old market district) in the old town, you will see prosciutto and cheese hanging everywhere, and the appetizing aroma drifts through the air.
Here are three must-try local specialties in Bologna.
1. Tagliatelle al Ragù
This is the authentic home of the pasta known as 'meat sauce' or 'Bolognese' in Japan.
In Bologna, tagliatelle (flat noodles kneaded with eggs) is always used so that the sauce clings well. The sauce, made by slowly simmering ground meat, onions, celery, and carrots with wine and a small amount of tomato paste, has a concentrated meat flavor and a rich taste that is completely different from Japanese meat sauce.
2. Tortellini in Brodo
A staple of Bologna in winter, this is a soup pasta loved as a feast for Sundays and Christmas.
Inside the small ring-shaped pasta, which is said to resemble 'Venus's navel,' is a filling made of finely chopped pork, prosciutto, mortadella, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. This is served floating in a clear soup (brodo) carefully made from rooster or beef bones. It is a gentle, delicious dish that warms you from the inside out.
3. Mortadella
A giant sausage representing Bologna, it is the original of what is called 'Bologna sausage' in English-speaking countries.
It is made by grinding pork very finely, mixing in diced pork throat fat (lardello), and sometimes pistachios and black pepper, then boiling it. It is characterized by its silky smooth texture and rich spicy aroma. It is a local classic to enjoy it as an antipasto (appetizer) with a slightly sparkling red wine called 'Lambrusco'.
✈️Travel Route from Tokyo to Bologna🚌
Since there are no direct flights from Tokyo to Bologna, Italy (Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport: BLQ), routes via major European cities or the Middle East are common.
The travel time is generally around 16 to 20 hours, including transit time.
Main Access Routes (Airplane, 1 connection)
1. Via major European cities (most common and smooth)
A route using Japanese airlines (JAL, ANA) or European airlines, connecting at a European hub airport.
* Examples of transit points: Frankfurt (Lufthansa, etc.), Munich, Paris (Air France), Amsterdam (KLM Royal Dutch Airlines)
* Features: High convenience for connections and many flights, making it easy to plan your schedule.
2. Via domestic Italy (Rome connection)
A route using ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia) or similar, flying to Bologna via Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO).
* Features: You can complete Italian immigration procedures in Rome first. Also, it is a popular choice to head to Bologna by land from Rome by switching to Italy's high-speed rail (Frecciarossa, Italo, etc., about 2 hours+) instead of flying.
3. Via the Middle East
A route using Emirates (via Dubai), etc.
* Features: Travel time tends to be longer compared to via Europe, but there are many flights departing Japan late at night, and airfares can be relatively reasonable.
Access from Bologna Airport to the city
A monorail called 'Marconi Express' connects Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport directly to Bologna Central Station (city center).
* Travel time: About 7 minutes (very convenient)
* Operation interval: Every 7 to 15 minutes
When planning your itinerary, it is recommended to choose a transit point that suits your preferences by checking your flight connection time (at least 2 hours is safe) and your schedule, such as soccer matches after arriving in Bologna.