Best time to visit
Best Time to Visit Bologna
A red-brick university city famous for its food, its porticoes, and its lively, less touristy atmosphere. As home to one of the world's oldest universities, it has a younger, more local energy than many other Italian art cities.
Best time to visit: Spring or early autumn, for pleasant walking weather under the arcades.
Local tip: Bologna is the origin of ragù alla bolognese — look for it served with tagliatelle, not spaghetti, as it is locally.
Getting around: Bologna's famous porticoes mean you can walk most of the centre with cover from rain or sun — over 60km of them lace through the city.
Good to know: Bologna is also the birthplace of tortellini and mortadella — a food-focused day here can easily rival any single monument for the highlight of a visit.
What to plan your trip around
- Two Towers
The leaning medieval towers of Asinelli and Garisenda, the city's iconic skyline marker.
- Piazza Maggiore
The historic main square, framed by the Basilica of San Petronio.
- Portico di San Luca
A nearly 4km covered walkway of arches leading up to a hilltop sanctuary.
- Quadrilatero Market
The old medieval market district behind Piazza Maggiore, dense with food shops and delis.
Bologna weather by month
Bologna weather by month
Average temperatures and rainfall Bologna gets in each month (2011–2020). Tap a month for the full breakdown.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°C | 1°C | 35 mm | 86% |
| February | 10°C | 1°C | 73 mm | 83% |
| March | 14°C | 4°C | 56 mm | 76% |
| April | 19°C | 8°C | 47 mm | 71% |
| May | 23°C | 12°C | 73 mm | 67% |
| June | 29°C | 17°C | 50 mm | 58% |
| July | 33°C | 20°C | 46 mm | 52% |
| August | 33°C | 20°C | 34 mm | 51% |
| September | 27°C | 15°C | 59 mm | 64% |
| October | 21°C | 10°C | 77 mm | 76% |
| November | 14°C | 6°C | 84 mm | 86% |
| December | 10°C | 2°C | 38 mm | 87% |
Bologna through the year
January · 9° / 1°C · 35 mm
- It's one of the greyest months, with cloud cover near 69%.
- Seasonally, January counts as mid-winter in Bologna.
April · 19° / 8°C · 47 mm
- Just 70 km apart, but Bologna runs about 3°C warmer than Ravenna this month.
- Comfortable temperatures make it easy to walk between Two Towers and Piazza Maggiore.
July · 33° / 20°C · 46 mm
- July is Bologna's second warmest month.
- Afternoons and nights feel like different seasons, roughly 13°C apart.
October · 21° / 10°C · 77 mm
- October brings mid-autumn to Bologna.
- It cools down fast from here: November is about 6°C cooler.
The best time to visit Bologna is April, September and October, when average highs are 19–27°C and rainfall is around 61 mm a month.
At a glance
When to go to Bologna, season by season
December – February
Cold10° / 1°C · 49 mm
Cool to cold days. Fine for museums and city breaks, less so for the beach.
March – May
Good19° / 8°C · 59 mm
Comfortable weather overall, with fewer visitors than peak season.
June – August
Hot32° / 19°C · 43 mm
Very hot days. Plan sightseeing for mornings and evenings and keep the afternoon for shade or the beach.
Frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Bologna?
- For pleasant, fairly dry weather, go to Bologna in April, September and October. Average highs are then 19–27°C.
- Why is April a good time to visit Bologna?
- In April, Bologna averages 19°C by day and 8°C at night, with about 47 mm of rain and 57% cloud cover: warm enough to be outdoors without the peak heat or the wettest weather.
- What is the warmest month in Bologna?
- August is the warmest month in Bologna, with average highs of 33°C and lows of 20°C.
- What is the coldest month in Bologna?
- January is the coldest month in Bologna: average highs of 9°C, dropping to 1°C at night.
- When does it rain the most in Bologna?
- November is the wettest month in Bologna with about 84 mm of rain. The driest is August, with around 34 mm.
- When is the worst time to visit Bologna?
- February is the least pleasant month in Bologna, with average highs of just 10°C. It's still fine for museums and fewer crowds.
- Is the shoulder season a good time to visit Bologna?
- Yes. March, May and November sit just outside the best months for Bologna, with average highs of 14–23°C and about 71 mm of rain a month. Weather-wise, they are a good alternative to the peak months.
- How can I check the weather in Bologna before I travel?
- Compare the live forecast for Bologna from three independent weather services on WeatherCompare. When they agree, the forecast is more reliable.
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Best time to visit Bologna. WeatherCompare, 2026 (climate averages: NASA POWER / ERA5, 2011–2020). https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/italy/bologna
<a href="https://weathercompare.eu/guides/best-time-to-visit/italy/bologna">Best time to visit Bologna</a> (WeatherCompare)
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