Day Trips from Bologna: Where to Go, How to Get There and How Long It Takes

The three day trips the train network makes easiest from Bologna are the Porrettana line to Porretta Terme, the Casalecchio di Reno line to Vignola, and the Romagna route through Faenza, Forlimpopoli and Bertinoro.

At a glance

• Departure point: Bologna Central Station
• Without a car: Trenitalia Tper regional trains and the SFM suburban lines
• Apennine trip: the Porrettana line to Riola di Vergato and Porretta Terme
• Plain trip: from Casalecchio di Reno to Bazzano, Savignano sul Panaro and Vignola
• Romagna trip: train itinerary to Faenza, Forlimpopoli, Bertinoro and Santarcangelo di Romagna
• Booking needed: the Rocchetta Mattei guided tour

Which day trip from Bologna should you choose?

For hills and a spa town, take the Porrettana line to Porretta Terme. For a small town with a fortress and a famous cake, take the train from Casalecchio di Reno to Vignola. Book the Rocchetta Mattei tour before you go, since the visit is guided only.

• Porretta Terme and Riola di Vergato: the historic Bologna to Porretta railway line, for soul music and an Alvar Aalto church
• Vignola, with Bazzano and Savignano sul Panaro on the way: the Casalecchio di Reno line, for a fortress and the Torta Barozzi
• Faenza: train, for the ceramics museum
• Forlimpopoli and Bertinoro: a train itinerary plus bus 121, which reaches Bertinoro from Forlimpopoli in a few minutes.
• Santarcangelo di Romagna: train, for the Malatesta Fortress

What are the best day trips from Bologna?

Porretta Terme, the soul music town

Porretta Terme hosts the Porretta Soul Festival every year and is home to the Soul Museum, which showcases the heritage the festival has built since 1988. On the way, Riola di Vergato has the Church of Santa Maria Assunta by Alvar Aalto.

You reach both along the historic Bologna to Porretta railway line, the Porrettana, from Bologna Central Station. SFM line S1 also runs Porretta T. to Bologna C. and Pianoro. The Rocchetta Mattei can be reached by a short walk of about 20 minutes (1.4 km) or by bus. Its guided tour is obligatory and must be booked in advance.

Vignola, home of the Torta Barozzi

Vignola is famous for the Torta Barozzi, whose recipe is a secret. The towers of the Vignola Fortress can only be visited with a guided tour.

Take the train itinerary from Casalecchio di Reno to Bazzano, Savignano sul Panaro and Vignola. Casalecchio di Reno station is easily reachable from Bologna.

Bazzano and its Rocca

Bazzano’s Rocca dei Bentivoglio contains the Civic Archaeological Museum “A. Crespellani”.

Faenza, the ceramics town

Faenza is famous worldwide for its ceramic tradition and hosts the MIC, the International Museum of Ceramics.

The train itinerary links Faenza with Forlimpopoli, Bertinoro and Santarcangelo di Romagna, and departs from Bologna, Ravenna or Rimini.

Forlimpopoli, Artusi’s birthplace

Forlimpopoli is the birthplace of Pellegrino Artusi. Its historic center is dominated by the 14th-century Rocca Albornoziana.

It is on the same train itinerary as Faenza. From Forlimpopoli, bus number 121 reaches Bertinoro in a few minutes, so the two towns pair easily in one day.

Bertinoro, the Balcony of Romagna

Bertinoro is known as the Balcony of Romagna and has the Colonna dell’Ospitalità.

Reach it from Forlimpopoli on bus number 121, which takes a few minutes.

Santarcangelo di Romagna and its fortress

Santarcangelo di Romagna’s Malatesta Fortress stands on Monte Giove.

Can you do day trips from Bologna without a car?

Yes. The Bologna Apennines can be discovered by train with Trenitalia Tper, and the journey begins at Bologna’s Central Station. The SFM suburban lines add S4A to Ferrara, S5 to Modena and S1 to Porretta Terme and Pianoro. Imola is easily reachable by train as well. Regional trains from Bologna or Rimini also reach the Romagna Riviera resorts and regional cities of art.

The itinerary between Bologna and Modena uses the FER and Trenitalia Tper railway network. Plan the Rocchetta Mattei and Vignola towers around their guided tours.

If you arrive by air, Bologna Central Station is 4 miles (6 km) from the airport. The BLQ Airport Shuttle bus and taxis cover that link.

With a car, the highway exits are Bologna Borgo Panigale, Bologna Arcoveggio or Bologna San Lazzaro. From the Orbital Road, take exit 4 bis.