Better than Pisa, in my opinion! Less crowds, better story, feels more real. These towers let you really get hands -on and get some fantastic panoramic photos. Arrive at opening for easier access and less crowds. We had a very minimal wait in late November with the tickets we bought on mobile on site, about 20 minutes or so. Cost was very reasonable. This is a pretty intense climb of 500+ stairs. There are platforms where you can rest at intervals. It's roomy as European stair climbs go, though, so less of an issue for anyone with phobias, perhaps. There's a neat little art shop attached, just around the corner, too. It's a great stop after all those stairs!

From the top of the tower there is a nice panoramic view. With a quick climb, the experience takes less than 10 minutes one way. In the tower, many stairs are really old and everyone should be careful, especially when going down.

One of the cool attractions in Bologna is the two towers. Climbing the ~500 steps is no easy task, but the effort is really worth it. From the top of the Asinelli tower you can admire the city in all its glory. The other tower, Garisenda, is closed due to restoration work. Keep in mind that you'll have to book in advance for your ticket, as the towers don't have a front desk. You may be able to buy the tickets from a shop in the city center from what I've heard, but buying online was quicker and simpler in my case. On a side note, going up with a larger backpack is allowed, but not recommended, because one may get tired. We've heard that this is the tallest medieval tower in all of Europe. All in all, if you're in Bologna even for a day, you shouldn't miss this one :).

Full price for the ticket is 5€, student ticket 3€. The stairs are challenge for most of the people. But the reward on the top is priceless. Definitely recommend to visit once but only once. Mandatory to have the tickets prior. VERY IMPORTANT TIP: tickets can sold out so check beforehand for sure! You should arrive 5 minutes before your reservation

Best place in Bologna to have a good view of the city. There is no elevator here. You must walk up almost 500 steps. There are multiple places to stop and take a break. We do recommend getting tickets in advance, especially during the summer season, and if you want to go at a particular time, such as sunset, which is very popular.

As for walking upstairs the towers, I strongly recommend good sport ĺshoes, be patient because it is tiring going upstairs and definitely book tickets in advance because people enter in groups, so you should choose the time of your visit in advance. Someone should definitely go upstairs because the view is fantastic as well as the inside of the tower.

Important tips - be prepared to walk, wear walking shoes - if you intend to climb the tower , wear suitable shoes (non-slip types), shirts and maybe some wipes cause you will be sweating - try to visit in Sundays when they close the area off to cars and bikes, so you can walk on the main streets - if you visit during weekdays , careful of cars and bikes Good: - really beautiful - do visit on Sunday , as they close the roads to cars . So you can walk on the road without worrying about cars or bikes Bad: - try to visit during off peak, as there could be too many tourist during peak seasons

A unique, must-try experience. Admittedly it’s quite a climb to the top but the views are stunning and you can grab a drink or gelato afterwards from the numerous stores nearby. Just make sure you book online in advance and bring a bottle of water.

A respectful, hauntingly beautiful memorial for an unexpected fall of an airplane. Its so much more than that, a story full of lies and hiding.

Wonderfully moving, we all loved it!

I had vague memories of this being reported when I was about 13 back in 1980. This museum, or more accurately this memorial to the terrible incident that resulted in the loss of 81 lives is sad, respectful and moving. It is well worth a visit and was fairly quiet when I was there on a Thursday morning… just a couple of small school groups. Don’t expect much in the way of explanation, especially in English, though the film that covers the setting up of the memorial does have subtitles (a bit arty and poetic for my taste but…). It is definitely worth reading about the flight before you visit. Anyway, an amazing memorial to a terrible incident!

Emozionante: enter in a room below the ground where a plane lies like a broken bird. It was made for flying, but someone threw it to the ground, hitting it to death along with its flying passengers. It is not a matter of responsabilities, not anymore. It is a matter of memories. Human beings are made of memories. They make us what we are, they strike us, they excite us, they are part of us.

Fails on every level except the indulgence of conspiracy. An accident “unsolved” only by the determined application of ignorance, no evidence is presented for any of the wild speculation (nor ever has been). Galling that a potentially vibrant public space is gifted to such toxic and baseless nonsense. It cannot even muster a dignified tribute to those who died, choosing black mirrors and light bulbs over (suggestion!) names or photos of the real victims. A sentimental and finally weird video shows the exploitation of those mourning to excite the credulous, pretty similar to any fifth columnist work. A crystalised waste of time, public energy, and intellectual capacity. Go see Neptune and eat some pasta instead.

A sombre atmosphere in a museum, a shrine to the victims of Itavia 870 and an artistic expression. It will be an upsetting view if you are afraid of flying.

Really moving place dedicated to the memory of the victims of a horrible tragedy, as well as an informative movie presenting the evolution of the idea of this memorial. The history of the tragedy itself isn't fully covered, at least not in English, so for foreign visitors it's a good idea to do the research beforehand

A really emotional Memorial. Seeing the wreckage gives you goosebumps and the video was informative.

Sounds haunting with the voices. Reminder how precious life is. Free entry and toilet facilities. Disabled access.

It is only memorial, do not expected anything else than a crashed plane and the projection of the documentary about the accident. The place is very creepy, because of the background voices and the lightening. The entrance is free. The memorial is placed in the former tram depo. There are still remaining rails outside.

Well off the beaten tourist track, and with peculiar opening hours, the museum can be a tricky to access. For those that do visit however, they will experience a very moving and compelling exhibit. Access is free, but they do request you book in advance if possible. The exhibit is housed in the old tramway buildings adjacent to a pleasant park. It looks very nondescript and unremarkable from the outside, which almost amplifies the emotional impact once you enter. Once you slip through the door, the sight of the carcass of the plane , and the violence visited on it, your breath is taken away. After that shock subsides, the next thing you notice is how insubstantial it looks, a sorry mess of fragments clinging to a mesh frame. Then you recall that it contained 81 poor souls, and the sombre , sepulchral mood takes over. They are also recalled using 81 lights suspended from the ceiling, that dim almost to the point of extinguishing, before bursting back to life. That simple effect and the urgent, insistent, whispers of recorded speech from the dark mirrors placed on the walls, movingly recalls the victims. There is also a short video describing the creation of the museum and the artistic vision underpinning it. That also recalls the family and friends left behind, and their trojan efforts to uncover the truth about the loss of their loved ones and their efforts to keep their memory alive. With this wonderfully moving tribute they have certainly succeeded.

We tried it out today with my son (13). We both did not like it. We chose Bologna version. The graphic is terrible, the map is small. One of my controllers had low battery, so I was supposed to call for the stuff, which took me couple of minutes to change the battery. So I lost some time. There is no much information you got through the visit. It could have been done in much better way. We tried out this kind of service in Germany. It was much better and worth it.

🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹Fantastic, a bit like total recall. The middle-aged Bologna was the best. The people with question marks around them, you click and they give you educational information. You firstly are at daytime in the street, you can go into certain shops, backyards, and the local tavern. Then you go up the tower and then fly. A bit scary and leaves grown-ups dizzy, but you can fly up onto coin things and they give you information. Then you land and have a torchlight in your hand, but you cannot set things on fire, as I tried. Then it starts to rain. You can stay out, or go into the tavern. Then it ends. In the discovering Tutankhamun's tomb experience you can click on certain objects to view them up close. You can also click on floating statues or books to hear Howard Carters notes.You are firstly are at the camp. You break down a wall, a short walk, and you break down another wall. You can explore 2 rooms. Then it ends. The experiences were on virtual reality headsets and headphones. The lady wouldn't let the 6 year old do the full on experience, though the man would. When I walked into a wall repeatedly on purpose, she kept redirecting me.😦

A great experience that's very different. It's great to "step back in time" as it were and see Bologna how it once was. Friendly and welcoming atmosphere too.

Absolutely stunning experience. Great customer service. Don't miss out. Need to consider a must.

For kids is ok.. but for adult very limited information in the tour. Is nice as is virtual and thats attract. but the feeling was like we were bothering them. And when we left we wanted to say thank you and the guy was completely ignoring us and talking on the on the phone..anyway not so sure is a must…. Are better things to do on Bologna!! And definitely other museums to be seen!!!!!

Honestly, I didn't like it. Maybe because of the wrong expectations. I expected moving seats in front of a big screen with 3D glasses, but we get VR glasses on personal computers. It takes time to understand how to act because they didn't explain well what to do. Also, the price is too high (16€) for VR.

Went here with my 6 year old, my sister and 14 year old nephew. We all loved it. Such a cool experience and Gianni and Anna were sweet, helpful, knowledgeable. Just great experience all around.

We had a great time and loved the expérience. It is indeed like travelling in time. My partner is passionate about history and can’t wait to do it again. In case you suffer vertigo the « flight » over the towers might be a bit impressive as it is pretty realistic. I suffer vertigo and it felt a bit strange at start but then really enjoyed it. Go for it, it is a wonder way to immerse into Bologna ‘s history and culture !

Beautiful experience, we saw medieval bologna with a diverse range of interactive elements! Will definitely be back to catch the others and maybe even the escape room with some friends. Recommend!

Nice but there is space for improvements.

3 euros to visit the oldest anatomical theatre was worth every penny. Very cool experience. The wood carvings were beautiful and the marble operating table was a trip. They sure don’t make ‘em like they used to! Humbling experience to see the oldest university in the western world. Only takes about 30 minutes and well worth a stop.

Booking in advance is 3 plus 0.50 fee. Walking ticket is 3 euro but you have to wait a queue for 15 mins. If you travel in weekend, booking is a must. Great place to visit. Keep a ticket for enter the library.

Your visit to the palazzo housing the Biblioteca Comunale dell'Archiginnasio will be on your mind for a long time. As soon as you enter, you're greeted with a great looking - and very symmetrical courtyard. Walking up and down hallways and stairways, you see murals, coats of arms and frescoes. The details are stunning. This was a highlight of my visit to Bologna.

Must see when you visit Bologna. Unfortunately you cant visit all of the library for the reason that people read and study there. Its still a library for students and not Disneyland. But the areas open to the public are impressive already.

It was all very impressive and beautiful. The entrance fee is 3€ and you get to see the anatomy theatre and the stabat mater room. The whole building is incredible. It is filled with 6000 coats of arms , painted ceilings and statues. The anatomy theatre has the marble table in the middle and wooden carvings on the ceiling and the walls and statues of 20 important doctors of the time. The stabat matter room is magnificent! The decorations are impressive and the books also! A must visit overall when in Bologna.

A very interesting place to visit in Bologna. In this beautiful building you will find this old library full of interesting books from another era. You can also choose to visit Teatro Anatomico, a small wooden amphitheater where students used to take anatomy lessons. Very interesting, well worth the visit and the ticket price is reasonable.

The oldest university in the world, absolutely stunning details. I definitely recommend the anatomy room, that leaves you wondering how such intricate, detailed pieces of art can be carved out of Wood. It is the worlds first anatomy study rooms, where the first medical students would study and dicest corpses.

For 3 euros you get to see a beautiful anatomical theatre built in the 17th century and a lovely old reading area and a small door where you can peak into the old classrooms. Highly recommended to visit this old university

When you hate your life and you don't like working. You can still sell tickets here at this place. This lady that sells tickets here is a perfect match. 09/08/2023 14:20u

You have to visit it, it’s amazing. Tickets are free for under 18 years old and 3€ for adults

Very beautiful place, it's 3€ to enter the library and the anatomical theater. Both rooms are very interesting and even the halls connecting them have beautiful paintings on the walls. Also check out the garden first before heading up stairs. I recommend scanning the Qr code for the audio tour, it gives you just a little bit more knowledge about the place. If you don't have earphones or something with you, you can still scan it because they also have everything written down. I didn't buy my tickets in advance and the wait wasn't too bad but I'd still recommend buying them in advance to make it easier for yourself.

Highly recommend a vist here during your stay. The most is 3 euros and worth every penny. The lady at the ticket window is grumpy and rude. Probably in the wrong line of work. In the absence of English signs, she absolutely refused to answer questions or direction on how to get a ticket. If you get your tickets in advance online, you don't have to talk to her and that makes for a more pleasant day.

Archiginnasio is an interesting attraction in Bologna. It was constructed in the late 16th-century by architect Antonio Morandi and was the seat of the University of Bologna, the oldest continuously operating university in the world, for several centuries before being repurposed as a municipal library for which the building still serves to this day in the 19th-century. The inner courtyard of Archiginnasio is for free to enjoy. You can see wall and ceiling frescos that line the portico, hall and stairways. Upstairs is where you will find the historic Anatomical theatre and the Sala dello Stabat Mater which require ticket purchase €3 per person (as of March 2024). These can be reserved in advance online or timed entry or you can try your luck at the ticket desk. Opening hours are 10am to 6pm daily. Note: We tried walk in visit during a weekend and found them sold out on the day. We returned on Monday with online ticket reservations and found that it was possible to do walk-in visit on that day as most were there purchasing tickets on the spot, only a few of us had advance purchased tickets.

Definitely check the anatomical theater and library part too. Unfortunately I couldn’t as it was closed due to national holiday but the part that is open to public was also pretty impressive. Possible to see a lot of family crests of graduate students on the walls and ceilings.

Very nice museum, you can visit the Anatomical theatre and the Stabat Mater Hall. They are just amazing, a jewel in the city, both are breathtaking. It’s a must to visit in Bologna. And it costs only 3€ both.

Don't miss the opportunity to visit this incredibly historic and stunning university, which remains operational to this day. You'll be captivated by its beauty and rich heritage. The best part is, there's no need for a ticket, and it's not crowded at all. Make sure to check it out; it's definitely worth a visit!

We didn’t plan on visiting this library but we were passing by and the beauty of the frescos attracted us in! Beautiful paintings and coats of arms and pictures! Highly recommended

Cool place to visit. Unfortunately you have to buy tickets to see the most interesting room but its worth the €3.

The former university building, Archiginnasio di Bologna, has been home to the Biblioteca comunale dell'Archiginnasio since the second half of the 19th century. Just as the building is worth seeing with its architecture, its library is also worth seeing with its inventory. The library is still operating today and cannot be visited entirely for touristic purposes. There is a smaller library area in one part of the building for tourists to visit. The building also continues to preserve the Teatro Anatomico, which was used for anatomy classes at the old university. It also hosts various exhibitions in its courtyard from time to time. You can buy separate tickets to visit the anatomical theater and the library, or you can also buy a combined ticket.

As a student studying abroad in Bologna Italy this summer, this is my number 1 must see if your visiting this city. The walk to the top is well worth the journey and is a relatively flat incline with some stairs along the way closer to the top, friendly for all ages. Inside the church at the top is breathtaking and has beautiful views that look over the entire city. I’ve walked and biked to the top multiple times since being here and it managed to take my breath away every time!

Nice walking place! It’s better to wear some sports pants..!! The church on the top is also quite pretty!! I would recommend you to go up to the observatory in the church with little bit of pay.

It is an easy 5 km walk to the basilica with a perfect view of the city and the surrounding hills. You start in the city centre and walk under corridors throughout the walk. Even if it rains - no problem. The first part is flat and the last 30 minutes you have to climb the stairs to the top. It's worth it, I tell you. If you can't walk, you can also take a mini-train or a bus to the Santuario Madonna di San Luca. There's construction work going on there at the moment. Meaning that the paths are tricky and tight to go trough for all the human traffic. ;) We were there over Easter and there were lots of tourists but also locals. Last but not least: Be aware that there are no public toilets. If you’re in desperate need there are lots of kiosks, bars and restaurants to chill, take a break and use the bathroom there. Do this stroll and enjoy the hallway and corridors of Bologna to the fullest. A hearty recommendation! ♥️

Must visit while in bologna even on a cloudy day, the views are beautiful and the walk/hike is well worth the effort. The fall colors is also a nice addition. Will have to come back to see the beautiful city view on top on a sunny day☺️. Gréât in rainy weather since there is cover in the portico

It's not worth it. We would not recommend it if we would have known the view or the church before climbing endless stairs. So if you really want to go there there is a bus running twice an hour near the starting point. But even if you are not walking up. I wouldn't do it again. There are nicer places in town

Dress in comfortable shoes and trousers! We wore trousers to be respectful of the church but we saw a few visitors in shorts. When you arrive at the church, you’re gonna mistake it for being closed. There’s a small poster with opening hours. When you push the door, you’re gonna think it’s locked. The actual doors to enter are on the left and right side. Go in through the side doors! Please don’t miss this church, or the walk up would have been for naught! Your heart calms down once you step in! It indeed is a sanctuary! Follow the path on the right and you can walk right in to the altar and have a close up look at the baroque adornment in this sanctuary! 🤯😍

Incredible sanctuary! Took the D and 58 buses to get there (about an hour ride from the center of Bologna). Beautiful from the inside, great views outside. Enjoyed so much, definitely recommend!

Interesting and beautiful Sanctuary of Our Lady of San Luca!! The way to the Sanctuary can be done walking through the Porticoes of Bologna up to the hill of the Holy Sanctuary. That journey is covered by a tourist train, which offers audio guides in different languages. So the journey is very comfortable and provides interesting historical explanations about this path, and attractive sites along the way. On the top will be possible to enjoy the art of this holy location and the great views from Bologna and the countryside around the Sanctuary.

Amazing view of the Bologna city and nearby towns from up the tower. The cathedral is free, but there is EUR 5 ticket to go up the dome for a 180 degree view after climbing 100 stairs (no lift).

One of the must see places in Bologna, It is located on the top of the mountain with possibility of going by the bus from Bologna center. The church is phenomenal and it is always open and definitely worth a visit athough reaching to top is really hard specially if you walk. Strongly recommended to visit specially in the sunset moment for taking nice pictures in the fantastic landscape.

Without a doubt, one of the more spectacular experiences that you can have in Bologna. The Sanctuary is situated on a hill top that overlooks the city and its surroundings. You can see much more than just the city once you've reached the top. The walk to the Sanctuary takes you through the world's longest portico (~4km), which is a great standalone experience. You can also drive up or take a tourist train (which comes with an audio guide as well) for a few Euros. There's plenty to see inside and around the Sanctuary, and for a small donation, you can actually climb the cupola, putting you on the highest peak around Bologna with a spectacular view in all directions. Once at the top, there will be someone that will explain what you're seeing.

Plenty our highlights: Nice forested area around the sanctuary. Scenic views of the countryside and the city - a nice covered walkway all the way up from Bologna.

Landmark of Bologna.The enthusiasm and determination of local people is impressive, they built 5 km long gallery to this holy place. I recommend the sky experience, the view is amazing.

You can pay to go outside the dome for a view, which is decent Baroque, 1723. The church holds an icon of the Virgin painted by St Luke the Evangelist.

This a good 5 km walk up to the Basilica with a perfect view of the city and surrounding hills. You can also take a mini train and bus. It's very touristy though.

San Luca is a really interesting place to visit. It is connected to the city centre of Bologna by way of a 3.8 km long portico lined pathway. The exterior is attractive and there are impressive features within the sanctuary. However, it is the portico walkway and views from sanctuary that is most memorable when it comes to the San Luca experience. This is a remarkable architectural structure and along with the many porticos in the city centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site (2021). Allow yourself 3-4 hours for a visit if you plan to walk up to the sanctuary and back. There is a fun San Luca Express (Tourist Train) from Piazza Maggiore that you can use to visit San Luca if you don't want to walk up to the sanctuary.

It's a beautiful church with amazing architecture. The way to reach this church is uphill, but there is a mini bus to take visitors here. Hiking down after a visit here is recommended. It gives many magnificent nature views.

Beautiful church with an excellent view of the countryside near Bologna. Driving up to the church is possibly outside of the 14:00-18:00 time window. There's a free parking lot a bit down the road but it seemed we were the only one who parked there. Everyone else parked closer to the church.

This was the most impressive church I ever visited. The walk up the hill was amazing. I loved every bit of it. The view was stunning. The church itself was glorious! Inside and outside! You have to go when you visit Bologna.

Amazing must-do experience while in Bologna. Mostly for the scenery and a good workout, so wear comfortable shoes if you decide to go by foot, otherwise you can take bus 58 (leaves every half hour, with a break between 14:00 till 17:00)

We arrived here before sunset and the church was magnificent during the golden hour. Unfortunately, the dome was already closed at this time and a service was going on inside. We enjoyed the appearance and surroundings anyway. You can watch sunset over the Bologna from this hill. We walked here from the Porta Zaragozza through the Arco del Meloncello and the Portico of San Luca, all along the porticoes.