Are you planning a weekend or a longer visit to the city but want to discover something different from the usual? Find out what to do in Bologna away from the mainstream attractions.
Underground and mysterious paths
Tours of underground passages, crypts, and hidden canals
- Tours of underground passages, crypts, and hidden canals
Bologna conceals an underground world of ancient crypts, air-raid shelters, Roman aqueducts, and medieval canals. Associations such as Amici delle Vie d’Acqua e dei Sotterranei di Bologna organize guided tours of these secret places, including forgotten palaces, active cisterns, and hidden caves.
Hidden, quiet places in the heart of the city
- Salaborsa and the ruins beneath the library
In the reading room of the Salaborsa Library, beneath Piazza Maggiore, admire the archaeological remains visible through a glass floor – from ancient cisterns to medieval structures. - Libreria Nanni
One of Bologna’s oldest bookshops, nestled under the porticoes, where you can lose yourself among antique volumes in an intimate, timeless atmosphere. - Birth lamp and Neptune’s perspective
In Piazza del Nettuno, discover the “birth” street lamp that lights up when a child is born (although it no longer always works today) and observe a curious play of perspective on the Fountain of Neptune that creates amusing optical illusions.
Hidden masterpieces and places to discover
- Anatomical Theater of the Archiginnasio
A 17th-century classroom where anatomical dissections were performed, decorated with sculpted figures, constellations, and statues that make it a unique experience. - Church of the Smile
The Church of Santa Maria Maddalena hides a “smiling” crucifix and a little-known terracotta Pietà from the 1600s, perfect for lovers of the bizarre and hidden art. - Via Orefici: the Jazz Road
A sort of Walk of Fame dedicated to jazz greats, with marble stars embedded in the street: one of the few in the world inspired by this musical genre.
Green, secret oases far from the chaos
- Orti e giardini nascosti
- Via della Braina Gardens: a secret green corner in the historic center, accessible in summer through outdoor dinners.
- Via Ca’ Selvatica Garden: usually only open on special occasions, this is a private place rich in natural history.
- Savioli Garden: a small “secret” park nestled among the arcades, perfect for a quiet break.
- Giardino del Guasto: built on the ruins of Palazzo Bentivoglio, today it is a work of urban memory and a surprising green space.
- Caprara Meadows
- A vast urban natural area, formerly a military zone, which has become a spontaneous forest with over 27 hectares of biodiversity, perfect for those seeking peace and nature close to the city center.
Narrative and personalized itineraries
- Multisensory itineraries and nonturismo
Sense of Place offers inclusive, multisensory itineraries suitable for everyone, while Nonturismo Bologna offers a different way of experiencing the city through the eyes of its inhabitants, with a focus on resistance, suburbs, and contemporary culture. Ecobnb - Film tour
Discover sets, locations, and corners used in Bolognese cinema, from the Modernissimo to films such as “The Island of Roses,” thanks to tours organized by the association Succede solo a Bologna.
Bologna is home to many unusual and secret wonders: from its mysterious underground passages to its quiet gardens, enigmatic statues, and alternative itineraries. Urban Nest guides you on a journey of discovery through an authentic and little-known Bologna, ideal for those seeking experiences that are out of the ordinary. Discover our accommodation options, including entire vacation homes and private rooms.