Get to Know Bologna
Bologna is known as a vibrant, engaged, and student-centred city. Unlike more touristic cities, it moves at a local pace, where real neighbourhoods and daily routines define the experience. Students don’t just visit Bologna — they become part of it. From daily interactions to shared spaces, it’s easy to build genuine connections and feel at home. Here, cultural immersion isn’t something added on to the program; it’s simply part of living and learning in the city.
Discover Bologna's landmarks
One of the best parts of studying in Bologna is that many of the city’s most iconic landmarks are just a short walk from each other.
Start in Piazza Maggiore, the main square and heart of the city, surrounded by historical buildings, and where major events take place. From there, step inside Basilica di San Petronio, one of the largest churches in Europe, and climb the nearby Torre dell'Orologio (clock tower) for an unforgettable view over Bologna’s red rooftops. Just around the corner you’ll find the impressive Fountain of Neptune, one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, as well as Biblioteca Salaborsa, the main city's public library, where you can also admire ancient Roman ruins underground.
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We also recommend visiting the Archiginnasio of Bologna, the original seat of the University of Bologna, home to the fascinating Anatomical Theatre. Finally, for a memorable summer afternoon among friends, you can't miss walking up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, connected to the city by the world’s longest covered portici and offers some of the best views you’ll find in Bologna. If you don't feel like walking, don't worry! There's the San Luca Express trenino (small train-shaped car) that will bring you right to the top.
Relax in Giardini Margherita & Le Serre
When you need a break from classes and activities, Giardini Margherita is Bologna's go-to green escape! Just a short walk from the historic center, this large park is where students gather to relax, study outdoors, or enjoy a picnic with friends. On sunny afternoons you’ll see locals playing music, laying on the grass, jogging, playing basketball or thowing frisbees. It’s the perfect place to slow down and enjoy the laid-back side of Bolognese life!
Inside the park you'll also find Le Serre dei Giardini Margherita, a social space built in restored greenhouses. It's a café, lunch-break spot and the perfect place for an open-air study session.
Nightlife & Hangouts
Bologna is well known in Italy for its student nightlife scenes, being it an university city with a lively historic center. The city’s social life is centered around bars, piazzas, and streets where people gather with friends, often moving from one spot to another throughout the evening.
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Two of the places where Bologna’s social life comes alive are Via del Pratello and Mercato delle Erbe. Via del Pratello is one of the city’s most famous student streets, lined with casual bars and always filled with students enjoying a relaxed night out. Just a short walk away, Mercato delle Erbe offers a similar atmosphere, where the historic market hall turns into a popular evening destination. There you can grab dinner, hand out with friends and meet new people.
Other popular places for causal hangouts are Piazza Verdi and Via Zamboni (the heart of the university area), the old Jewish Ghetto (with nice bars and restaurants like Camera a Sud) or Via Mascarella. If you're looking for clubs, some of the most weel known are Cassero, Soda Pops, Chalet dei Giardini Margherita, and Numa Club.
Erasmus Student Network Bologna
If you want to meet local and international students, explore the city through a variety of events, and make the most of your time abroad, ESN Bologna is a great place to start. It is part of the wider Erasmus Student Network, Europe’s largest student organization supporting international exchange students, and it organizes a wide range of activities throughout the semester.
They host parties and cultural events as well as organize weekend trips, language exchanges, fussball tournaments, tortellini making workshops, and so much more. Their events make it easy to make new friends and create memories!
All of their activities are student-friendly and affordable, offering a fun and relaxed way to experience Bologna’s unique student life. There is a €15 membership fee to join.
Watch a Movie in Piazza Maggiore
Every summer, Bologna turns into an open-air cinema thanks to Cineteca di Bologna, one of Italy’s most important film institutions dedicated to preserving and celebrating cinema. As mentioned in an article from The New York Times, the Cineteca di Bologna organizes two world famous film festivals: Il Cinema Ritrovato ("the rediscovered cinema"), that brings classic and restored films to the big screen, and Sotto le Stelle del Cinema ("under the stars of cinema"), in which Piazza Maggiore is transformed into an open-air cinema theater for 50 free movie screenings from mid June to mid August.
Join bolognesi in their favorite summer activity, go to Piazza Maggiore square and enjoy the free open-air movie screenings, watching everything from iconic classics to international films projected on a giant screen under the stars. It is truly an unforgettable Bologna experience you won’t want to miss.
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In the picture, you can see the screening of The Gold Rush, screened with a live orchestra in Piazza Maggiore in July 2025, a hundred years after its release.
Thirfting, vintage markets, and flea markets
Bologna has several markets that are perfect for exploring on the weekend, a paradise for lovers of vintage and second-hand finds. Here is a list of the main ones:
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Mercato Antiquario – Piazza Santo Stefano
A charming antique market with jewelry, books, furniture, and vinyl.
Held every 2nd weekend of each month. -
Mercato delle Pulci – Piazza Lucio Dalla
Great for vintage clothes, vinyl, and quirky second-hand finds.
Held on the 1st Sunday of the month.
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Il Mercato Ritrovato - Piazzetta Pier Paolo Pasolini
A lively farmers’ market with local “km-zero” food, street food, and music.
Held every Saturday from 9AM to 2PM.
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"La Piazzola" Market - Piazza 8 Agosto (close to Parco della Montagnola)
One of Bologna’s biggest open-air markets, with hundreds of stalls selling clothes, accessories, and more.
Held every Friday and Saturday.
Faith communities for students
If you’d like to connect with a faith community while in Bologna, there are great options for students.
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Casa Newman, located in via San Vitale 112 (appartamento 4), is a welcoming Catholic student residence and community where you can meet fellow students and study together, attend events, and gather in the different religious activities that they offer. If you would like to get in contact with them, you can email Father Nicolás at nfacile@socsj.org or ask your Program Coordinator.
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For those looking for a church service, on Sundays at 6PM you can attend the International Mass in English in San Bartolomeo church (Strada Maggiore, 4). You can join their Whatsapp group chat and stay updated on their initiatives by clicking on the link below.
Sports & Fitness
Staying active in Bologna is easy, fun, and accessibile. During your time here you can get a gym membership in one of the many gyms you can find in the city center and surroundings, that also offer discounts for students, like Time4FIT in via de' Carracci, Euphoria Fitness Club in via San Petronio Vecchio, and Palestra Flexing in via delle Lame.
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If you're looking for yoga and pilates classes, Centro Asia Bologna in via Riva Reno has a wide choice of course at affordable fares for students.
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Lastly, if running is more your style, you can look into OEL Run Club or NUR Running Club. And if you’re looking for other sports or facilities, your Program Coordinator can help you find exactly what you need!
