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Day trips
One hour by high-speed train to the city of porticoes: Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, the Quadrilatero market and Italy’s most famous cuisine.
Train: high-speed from Milano Centrale, about 1 hour
Time needed: a full day
Must-try: tortellini, tagliatelle al ragù, mortadella
High-speed trains link Milano Centrale and Bologna Centrale in about an hour. From the station it’s a 15–20 minute walk to the old town along Via dell’Indipendenza, under the porticoes.
Piazza Maggiore, with the Basilica of San Petronio and the Fountain of Neptune, is the heart of the city. Nearby stand the Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, the symbol of Bologna: they are being monitored and restored, so check whether you can climb them.
Dozens of kilometres of UNESCO-listed porticoes make the city a pleasure to explore even in the rain. The longest climbs all the way to the sanctuary of San Luca on the hill: a demanding but beautiful walk.
The Quadrilatero, behind Piazza Maggiore, is the old market district, full of shops selling cured meats, cheeses and fresh pasta: perfect for a sharing board. Then tortellini in brodo or tagliatelle al ragù in a trattoria.
Stay just steps away
Mercadante Suite: two suites at Via Saverio Mercadante 10, 10 minutes from Milano Centrale station. Book on our website and pay 20% less.
