FESTIVALS, HOLIDAYS AND OTHER ANNUAL EVENTS IN Bologna

There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Bologna each year. The main ones are listed below.

Spread over several weeks during the month of February, the carnival of Bologna is in full swing on the day of Mardi Gras. The general public is invited to join the procession of costumed characters, making for an explosion of colour in the heart of the city.

Easter Sunday is the most important religious festival of the year in Bologna. The sacred image of the Madonna, kept in the sanctuary of St. Luke, is transported to the Basilica of San Petronio to be blessed. The return trip of the image to the sanctuary is the occasion for a solemn procession attended by throngs of locals.

Each year, this holiday commemorates the end of World War II in Italy. It is marked by parades, marching bands, speeches, and fireworks.

On Labour Day, which is a holiday in Italy, many artistic associations organise events in the historic centre of the city, featuring shows, workshops, street theatre, and a host of other events.

This national holiday commemorates the birth of the Italian Republic in 1946. It is marked by parades, speeches, and concerts.

This holiday is dedicated to the worship of the Virgin Mary. Masses and processions are held in her honour in churches and streets of the historic centre.

On this day of official commemorations, Italy celebrates both its unification by the Kings of the House of Savoy and the end of the First World War. This national Armed Forces Day is marked by many military parades.

This is a public holiday in honour of the Virgin Mary. In Bologna, as in most Italian cities, processions are organised and candles placed in windows.

Do not miss the Christmas market in Piazza Maggiore when all of Bologna is festively illuminated.

This day has been a holiday in Italy since 1947 and celebrates the birth of St Stephen, the first martyr of Christianity. Traditionally, it is a day dedicated to the family, with a large festive meal.

CLIMATE AND WEATHER IN Bologna

Month	Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°)	Average Rains (MM)	Best Time to Travel
January	-1	5	32	Not the best period to go
February	1	9	37	Not the best period to go
March	5	13	56	Not the best period to go
April	8	18	61	Good period to go
May	13	17	73	Good period to go
June	17	28	61	Good period to go
July	19	31	32	Good period to go
August	19	30	44	Good period to go
September	16	26	71	Good period to go
October	11	20	72	Good period to go
November	7	15	66	Not the best period to go
December	1	7	46	Not the best period to go

Bologna Guglielmo Marconi International Airport

The Guglielmo Marconi International Airport is located about six km (3.7 miles) northwest of downtown Bologna.

• 2 terminals:
  • Terminal A
  • Terminal B (Air France)

• By car
  • Access: downtown Bologna can be reached in ten minutes on the Via Zanardi.
  • Parkings: P1 and P2 short-term parking garages. Rates: EUR 3.70 for the first hour, EUR 14 for 24 hours. The P3 car park is partially covered. Rates: EUR 11 per day for four days, then EUR 9 per extra day from 5^th to 10^th days, then EUR 7 per extra day.
  • Several car rental companies have counters in the arrivals hall.

• By bus
  • The Aerobus runs every 11 minutes between 5:00 a.m. and 11:35 p.m. every day. The station is located in front of the Arrivals Hall. The Aerobus serves the central train station of Bologna and the city centre in about 20 minutes. Tickets must be purchased on board the bus or online and cost EUR 6 (https://aerobus.bo.it/en).

• By taxi
  • Taxis may be found just outside the arrivals hall. It takes about 15 minutes and costs EUR 14 to reach the city centre.

• Services: Boutiques, restaurants, bars, ATMs, post office, first aid centre and free Internet access (Wi-Fi) available at the airport.
• Telephone: +39 (0)51 647 9615

GETTING AROUND Bologna

Do not think about driving in the centre of Bologna. To better enjoy the charms of the city, nothing beats walking! For those who still do not feel like it, a dense network of buses offers a reliable and inexpensive alternative.

By car

Cars are not welcome in the city centre of Bologna, which is classified as a limited traffic zone.

By bus and trolleybus

The town of Bologna is served by 40 bus and trolleybus lines. The centre in particular is crossed by four lines (A, C, T1 and 12) that stop at the main tourist attractions.

Tickets can be purchased on the bus. A single fare costs EUR 1.50 and a day pass EUR 6. For further information, please visit https://www.tper.it.

By Taxi

By Bike

Visitor information

Upon your arrival in Bologna, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.

Offers practical information and many useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).

• Address: Piazza Maggiore 1/e, 40124 Bologna
• Telephone: +39 051 6583 111
• Website: https://www.bolognawelcome.com/en/

Medical information

In order to travel in the best conditions and for your health and safety, we invite you to check all information regarding preventive measures and best practices to be respected, available on the official website of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs:https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/en/country-files/

Your comfort, well-being and health are at the heart of Air France's concerns, and we want to help you prepare for your trip in the best way possible. Find out more about the measures taken to ensure safe travelling on our website: https://www.airfrance.fr/FR/en/common/page_flottante/information/coronavirus.htm#notre-engagement-sanitaire.

There are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Bologna. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:

• Address: 38 quai de Jemmapes, 75010 Paris
• Website: https://www.vaccinations-airfrance.fr/
• Telephone: +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00
• To make a vaccination appointment:
  • online (click here)
  • call the centre at +33 (0)1 43 17 22 00

Administrative formalities

Entry requirements for Italy

For a stay of less than three months, travellers from the Schengen area, as well as those from the countries of the European Union not included in the area, need only be in possession of a national identity card or a passport valid for the duration of their stay in order to enter Italy.

As a general rule, all other travellers are subject to visa requirements, although citizens of some countries may enter Italy for a short stay of up to 90 days without a visa.

For further information, visit the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en

Useful contacts

To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Bologna, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.

Essential phrases

Good to know

+39

+ phone number

0 : 00
of time difference with
Ljubljana

Start of daylight saving time: last Sunday in March
End of daylight saving time: last Sunday in October

BANKS
Usually open Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.

GOVERNMENT OFFICES
Usually open in the morning from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

230 V / 50 Hz

Tipping