10 Things to Do in Bologna in Spring

One of the most distinctive things about Italian cities is the fact that the interesting plans for tourists are constantly changing throughout the year. That's while the most representative buildings of each place remain permanent and reliable attractions. For that reason it is important to familiarise yourself with the best things to do in Bologna according to the season. For perhaps what is recommended for the winter is not the same as what is advisable for the summer.

I recommend that you continue reading this post, as in this case I have grouped together several activities and plans that are ideal for when you decide to visit the city of Bologna during the spring months.

When you arrive in the city, you'll probably only be interested in taking part in one of Bologna' s best tours. This is only logical, as it is one of the most cultured cities in all of Italy, which is no mean feat. However, there are some very important events that take place during the spring and one of them is the Bologna Children's Book Fair. It is organised year after year during the month of March in a convention centre in the BolognaFiere.

You have to understand that the event as such is a bit business-oriented, as it is a convention that brings together the most important literary agents, graphic designers, publishers, illustrators and translators in the field to discuss and present the most important innovations in the sector.

However, everyone recommends attending as a tourist because it is a perfect opportunity to spend several hours browsing through books from publishers all over the world and to see really beautiful illustrations focused on children's learning.

In any case, you should know that it is a plan that can be complemented with tours of the city of Bologna. The convention usually lasts several days and in just a couple of hours you will have seen it in its entirety.

Bologna is among Italy's top tourist-focused cities and so it's not surprising to learn that one of the most important events of the year that takes place during spring is all about opening the doors to as many people as possible.

This is Di Verde in Verde and this is a weekend in May when the city municipality decides to open the doors of more than 50 private gardens. All located in some of the city's most impressive mansions. The event is intended to make the city's architectural heritage accessible to all.

It is clearly a once-in-a-lifetime occasion when you can get to know some of the city's greatest gardening treasures. Especially knowing that Bologna is a city known throughout the world for the majesty of its green spaces.

Plus, there's the fact that it's an activity that will only take up a few hours of your day and you can complement it with some of Bologna' s best gastronomic tours. These will also open the doors for you to learn the secrets of one of the best culinary capitals in Italy.

Italy is a country where culture can be felt just by walking its streets and during the month of June, just before the end of spring, the Biografilm Festival is organised. This is an international event dedicated to the world of documentary film, but as Bologna is all about captivating as many people as possible, it has become an event that also involves the gastronomic world and art all over the city.

Taking part in any of the different activities that are planned for this festival is one of the best things to do in Bologna at night during the late spring. Especially knowing that the festival usually takes up at least 10 days of June every year.

The Parco del Cavaticcio is usually the place where the film screenings are organised as well as where many of the film conferences are held. However, you should be aware that concerts, food fairs and other art and cultural events may be taking place simultaneously throughout the city.

So one of the best things to do is to keep an eye on the festival's official website if you think it might be one of the best entertainment alternatives when visiting Bologna in late spring.

For many Italians the region of Emilia-Romagna is one of the most beautiful in the north of the country. Exactly for this reason, one thing you should not miss is the idea of exploring the area around Bologna. They are full of natural spaces worthy of being enjoyed.

The Oasi la Rizza is one of them and it is a protected natural area located in what was once an ancient rice field. It is quite easy to get to, as it is only a few kilometres from the city centre and is located halfway between Ferrara and Bologna.

Spring is the perfect time for this decision as you will be able to admire the arrival of lots of migratory bird species including the grey heron and the white stork. In fact, a short trip to this area is considered one of the best excursions from Bologna, at least when you are looking for a short break from the city.

You should also know that the interior areas of the Oasis have been upgraded for tourism and nowadays there are many pedestrian paths. As well as observation huts and other infrastructure designed to protect the tranquillity of the wildlife and ecosystem.

The Canale Navile is a relatively small canal that stretches from the centre of Bologna to the neighbouring community of Bentivoglio. For decades it has been an epicentre for exercise and recreation for the local population in both spring and summer.

Fortunately nowadays there is a pedestrian and cycle path along its length. So enjoying a cycling session along this route is one of the best things you can do when visiting the city in spring.

Firstly because it is a good way to exercise if you have been thinking about it during your trip and secondly because the path gives you a great view of the plains surrounding the city of Bologna. At the same time it is an excellent way to appreciate one of the jewels of industrial archaeology.

This canal is centuries old and was created as a space that could supply drinking water to the city of Bologna. In fact, it is a good activity to make up an itinerary in which you propose to visit some of the best car museums in Bologna. Especially knowing that most of them are on the outskirts of the city both in Modena and on the road to Ferrara.

Spring is synonymous with flowers and for exactly this reason one of the best things to do in Bologna is to visit the city's botanical garden. It is one of the oldest in Italy and was in fact an innovative space at the time of its foundation, which took place in the mid 16th century.

Throughout its history it has undergone several relocations, but today it has a definitive location in Via Irnerio 42, right in the heart of the university area of Bologna.

Spring as such is a very suitable time to visit this botanical garden because of the great amount of exhibits that are prepared knowing that it is the season when many plants bloom worldwide. You should also know that this botanical garden has four greenhouses, two for tropical plants and two for succulent plants.

You should appreciate the fact that visiting the botanical garden of the University of Bologna is part of some of the best things to do in Bologna during the summer. But in that case it has much more to do with an escape from the high temperatures that define Italy during those months of the year and less to do with the events organised by the university.

The Giardini Margherita is considered by all locals to be the green lung of Bologna's city centre. In fact it is the most visited park in the whole city and with its 26 ha it is also the biggest park of most of the cities in the Emilia-Romagna region.

Visiting this park can be an excellent decision, as during spring it is one of the most pleasant places in the whole city. In fact it is usually crowded with tourists as well as locals who are looking to enjoy the nice weather after many months of low temperatures.

Its strategic location in the south of the city while being close enough to the more urban area makes it an excellent plan to enjoy in the afternoon after sightseeing tours. In fact it is part of Bologna's Hop On Hop Off bus stops. They are a good alternative if you're looking to get around the city.

On the other hand, if you're still interested in touring another of Bologna' s major springtime attractions then you can't miss Villa Ghigi Park. It is a large park located in the hills surrounding the city and combines both natural and cultivated areas to give all tourists and locals the chance to enjoy peaceful walks while enjoying some of the best views of the city centre.

So having a picnic with some of the most representative foods of the Italian culinary world is a good idea if you are interested in visiting this place. Especially because it is a privileged place to enjoy a complete panorama of Bologna during the sunset and at a time with such a pleasant climate as spring.

You should also know that this is a plan that will only take up a few hours of your afternoon and therefore you can complement it with a visit to some of the best museums in Bologna. These are within six minutes' walk from this point, right in the centre of the city.

April 25th, a date right in the middle of spring, is a public holiday throughout Italy. It is the anniversary of the liberation of Italy and has to do with the commemoration of the end of World War II as well as the end of the Nazi occupation of the country.

In itself it is a rather significant date in the country's history, but over the years it has become a festive date when young people take the opportunity to celebrate the favourable spring weather in style. If you wish, you could also take part in one of the many political and cultural exhibitions that take place in the city centre.

So if your trip to Bologna coincides with this date, you can't miss the opportunity to take part in some of the best things to do in Bologna at night. Most of them have to do with partying or enjoying the best of the city's gastronomic offerings. In fact, this date is ideal for you to visit the well-known multicultural neighbourhood of Bolognina. Especially for the fact that it has a large number of bars with alternative and modern proposals.

Another of the most important dates for Italians also occurs during the spring and it is the Day of the Republic, which falls on June 2nd. This date has to do with the popular referendum that led to the creation of an Italian Republic after the Second World War. For exactly this reason it is a very important holiday for the Italian identity.

Throughout Bologna you will find parades and popular events and you will also be surprised to find that many establishments will be closed as it is a bank holiday. For that reason it is appropriate that you opt for activities that will lead you to celebrate with the youth the creation of the Italian Republic and above all that you plan very well any logistical issues.

And there are chances that there will be no taxis as you wait at the airport or even that many hotels are not scheduling reservations if they were not made in advance. So one thing I can advise you is that if you want to enjoy Republic Day in Bologna right on the day of your arrival in the city is to book in advance some of the transfers from Bologna airport to your accommodation.

The beginning of spring in Bologna is quite cold, as in March you will find minimum temperatures of around 5 °C. However, by April and in May and June you will find maximum temperatures of over 20 °C and this is very favourable for taking part in the outdoor activities I have recommended.

The number of tourists in Bologna in spring is increasing as summer approaches. This means that by March or April there may not be as many people, but by June you will definitely run into more problems if you don't book activities well in advance.

Travelling to Bologna during spring is significantly cheaper than travelling during summer. This is due to the fact that the summer season is very busy and the prices of hotels and many tourist services increase all over Europe. However, you should know that travelling to Bologna in spring is still a bit more expensive than in autumn.

If you are travelling to Bologna in early spring, I can advise you to bring coats. Especially as the nights will still be cold. On the other hand, if you decide to travel in late spring then I advise you to bring breathable and comfortable clothes to enjoy most of the hiking and sport activities that this city offers.