What to do if you’re on vacation in Bologna with children: tips for those in the city for just a few days
Bologna is a city rich in green spaces, interactive museums and creative activities. If you’re planning a weekend or a short family vacation, here you’ll find ideas, destinations and tips for visiting the city and its surroundings with children, alternating culture, nature and moments of play. Travelling by car and looking for a quiet place to stay? In the last few lines you’ll also find a suggestion for staying on the Bologna hills without the stress of parking. 😉
Child-friendly museums and cultural activities
If you’re planning to stay in Bologna for just a few days, the best way to start is from the historic centre, where you’ll find all kinds of museums, easily reachable on foot. You can then move to the inner suburbs and the hills, where the range of activities expands, especially if your family enjoys being in nature.
Museum of the History of Bologna – Palazzo Pepoli
The Museum of the History of Bologna at Palazzo Pepoli is an engaging multimedia journey that tells the story of the city through interactive installations, reconstructions and digital games, ideal for school-age children, who learn while having fun. In the medieval heart of the city, in Via Castiglione, just a few steps from the Two Towers, Palazzo Pepoli houses a modern and surprising museum. The exhibition route tells the history of Bologna from its Etruscan origins (when it was called Felsina) to the present day. The story spans the Roman era, the medieval age of towers, the Bentivoglio Renaissance, the university Bologna and the extraordinary cultural flourishing from the seventeenth century onwards. The special feature? It is a multimedia and sensory museum: images, three-dimensional reconstructions, videos, immersive settings and a 3D cartoon accompany visitors on a true journey through time.
Zoology collection and Giovanni Capellini Palaeontological Museum
The Bologna zoology collection, in terms of size and quality of specimens, is one of the most important in Italy. It brings together materials collected between the 19th and 20th centuries, naturalistic trophies mainly from Africa and two large dioramas that reconstruct Italian environments such as the Abruzzo National Park and the Gran Paradiso National Park. The variety of species amazes both adults and children: many children here can admire animals they have only seen in documentaries. Educational workshops and guided tours are organised for schools and families. It is located in Via Francesco Selmi 3, in the university area.
Giovanni Capellini Geological and Palaeontological Museum
The Giovanni Capellini Geological and Palaeontological Museum was founded in 1860 by geologist Giovanni Capellini and officially opened in 1881 on the occasion of the International Geological Congress. It is located in Via Zamboni, in the university area, and preserves over five centuries of scientific history. The collection counts almost one million specimens including rocks, fossils, plants, invertebrates and vertebrates, preserved in the original late 19th-century furnishings. Among the most spectacular pieces are:
- the skeleton of a Pliocene mastodon
- fossil whales
- the rich collection of fish from Monte Bolca
- and above all the imposing Diplodocus model, a dinosaur 26 metres long!
A visit that will leave children speechless 😊
Virtual Reality Museum: The Time Machine
The Time Machine is in Via Zamboni, near the Two Towers, in one of the most frequented stretches by students and tourists. It is an innovative museum that allows visitors to have immersive experiences with VR headsets. The most famous project is the reconstruction of medieval Bologna: wearing the headset, you can walk among the towers, fly over the city and listen to dialogues between characters of the era. Among the other experiences, we recommend the virtual visit to Tutankhamun’s tomb and a journey through the cantos of Dante’s Inferno. The emotional impact is strong: children will truly feel “inside” history.
Museum of Industrial Heritage
Perfect for curious little ones passionate about technology and mechanics, the Museum of Industrial Heritage houses machinery, models and stories about the Bologna “that produces”. Located in the former Fornace Galotti along the Navile canal, in the northern outskirts of Bologna, it is entirely dedicated to the city’s productive history. On the ground floor, in the ancient Hoffmann kiln, scientific instruments, models and machinery from the Aldini-Valeriani Institution are displayed, along with sections dedicated to brick production and packaging. On the second floor, five centuries of Bolognese productive excellence are retraced: from medieval silk to 20th-century mechanics and mechatronics. Among the most fascinating pieces, a working scale model of a silk mill at 1:2. Since 2019, “La Fabbrica del Futuro” (The Factory of the Future) has also been present, a multimedia and interactive space dedicated to contemporary technologies, perfect for children and young people curious about technology and engineering. 😊
Parks and nature in the city centre
After a morning among museums, why not relax and run in the open air? Bologna has no shortage of green spaces. Here are the most beautiful and well-known ones in the city centre:
Giardini Margherita
These are the city’s great green lung: rides, climbing frames, a track for toy cars and “grilli” (ancient push-along go-karts), a small lake with turtles and plenty of space to run freely. The ideal spot for a relaxing break while the children burn off their energy. They are on Viale Gozzadini, just beside the historic centre, and have a bar and an ice cream parlour.
Bologna Botanical Garden
Founded in 1568 by Ulisse Aldrovandi, the Botanical Garden of the University of Bologna is one of the oldest botanical gardens in Italy. It is located in Via Irnerio, in the heart of the university area, and covers about 2 hectares up to the ancient city walls. Here you can explore highly valuable botanical collections and reconstructed natural environments. The four greenhouses house tropical plants, succulents and a striking collection of carnivorous plants. In addition to its scientific and university function, the Garden organises educational activities for schools and families and is part of the Museum System of the University of Bologna. A quiet and surprising place even for the youngest, to rest in the greenery during the exploration of the city centre.
What to do on the Bologna hills with children
If you really want to amaze your children (and breathe some fresh air), the Bologna hills are the perfect choice. Here the city gives way to woods, paths and outdoor adventures. Many activities are just a few minutes from the centre… and even closer to Antico Podere San Luca.
Adventure parks among the hills and the Apennines
If your children love to climb, jump and push themselves, here you’ll find truly exciting experiences.
Cavaioni Adventure Park is Bologna’s first adventure park and is nestled in the greenery of Parco Cavaioni, just 10 minutes by car from the centre and very close to Antico Podere San Luca. 😊 Here 22 routes await you: 6 practice routes, 7 Baby and Junior routes (up to 140 cm) and 9 adult routes with different difficulty levels, including Ipernero, one of the most challenging in Italy. A perfect experience to alternate nature and fun.
If you want to venture into the Bologna Apennines, at about 1,000 metres altitude, you’ll find Triton’s Park, an acrobatic park immersed in the greenery of Monte Oggioli (Alpe di Monghidoro). It has six routes (four for adults and two for children), with heights of up to 12 metres. Ropes, walkways, net tunnels and zip-lines make for an exciting day. The park also has a picnic area with barbecue and a small lake home to newts.
Nature walks on the Bologna hills
If you’re looking for an outdoor activity, the Bologna hills are a real surprise. Just a few minutes from the centre, parks, panoramic paths and green areas open up, perfect for simple walks, picnics and real nature adventures for older children. Staying at Antico Podere San Luca, you are already at the heart of this setting: all you need to do is choose your route among the Bologna hills:
Parks outside Porta San Mamolo
To the south of Bologna, on the hills outside Porta San Mamolo, lies Parco di Villa Ghigi: 30 hectares of greenery among meadows, small woods and fruit trees, ideal for a peaceful walk even with young children. Reaching the villa at the centre of the park and looking towards the plain, you can admire one of the most beautiful panoramas over the historic centre of Bologna. The Foundation that manages the park organises excursions and events dedicated to nature, perfect for families. The park is about 9 km from Antico Podere San Luca (20 minutes by car or motorbike). Also on the hills, near the Rizzoli Hospital, are the parks of San Michele in Bosco and Parco di Monte Paderno, from which you can enjoy a splendid view over the city. These too can be reached in about 20 minutes by car from Antico Podere San Luca.
Parks outside Porta Saragozza
Outside Porta Saragozza, three green corners perfect for a relaxing break extend: Parco di Villa Spada, Parco di San Pellegrino and Villa delle Rose. They are located along Via Saragozza, before the Meloncello arch, and are ideal for a short walk immersed in greenery, just a short distance from the historic centre. From Antico Podere San Luca they are about 3 km away (10 minutes by car or 40 minutes on foot).
Parks near the Reno Valley
In Casalecchio di Reno lies the famous Parco della Chiusa, also known as Parco Talòn. It is one of the most beloved spots for family walks and picnics. The name “Chiusa” comes from the ancient hydraulic work that since the 1300s has regulated the flow of the Reno river, fundamental for the development of the silk industry in Bologna. It is just over 2 km from Antico Podere San Luca (10 minutes by car or 30 minutes on foot): a perfect solution for a day trip with children. On the hills beyond Casalecchio lies Parco Cavaioni, one of the largest in the area (38 hectares). Here meadows, small woods and cultivated fields alternate and there is also the Bosco di Ca’ Shin, an outdoor play area for the youngest!
A little further on, towards Sasso Marconi, lies the Parco dei Calanchi di Sabbiuno, where the Via di Sabbiuno follows an ancient road towards Tuscany and offers evocative views over the typical badlands of the Bologna hills. These areas are about 5 km from the farmhouse (10 minutes by car or about an hour on foot). Continuing further you reach the Prati di Mugnano, a beloved stop for hikers on the Via degli Dei, and the historic Parco di Monte Sole, a place of great historical and naturalistic value. If you love archaeology, along the Via Porrettana you can visit the Pompeo Aria National Etruscan Museum and the archaeological area of Kainua, where the streets of the ancient Etruscan city are still visible. Parco di Monte Sole is about 30 km from Antico Podere San Luca (40–50 minutes by car).
Parks near the Savena River
Near San Lazzaro di Savena lies the Parco dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell’Abbadessa, the largest karst park in Emilia-Romagna. Here you walk among sinkholes, plateaus and spectacular cliffs, with the possibility of booking a speleological excursion to the Grotta della Spipola or the Grotta del Farneto: a fascinating experience for the most curious children. The park is about 18 km from Antico Podere San Luca (40 minutes by car).
Educational experiences on the hills, in the inner suburbs and in the Apennines
In addition to the parks and walks on the hills, the Bologna metropolitan area offers cultural and scientific experiences perfect for families. These are places where children can touch, observe, experiment and learn while having fun, turning a simple day trip into an educational adventure. Here are some unmissable stops among hills, villages and nature:
The Museum of Botroidi is a small and surprising museum, dedicated to the mysterious anthropomorphic sandstone “stones” called botroidi, collected at the beginning of the 20th century by pioneering speleologist Luigi Fantini along the Zena river. The tour is a true geological journey spanning 80 million years of history, from the Cretaceous to the present day. Through colour, touch and direct observation, children and adults can come into contact with fossils, yellow sands and stones with curious shapes that almost resemble human figures. The museum is located in the hamlet of Tazzola, an ancient village dating back to 1100, along the CAI 815 trail that connects the Castello di Zena to Monte delle Formiche, passing through the Torre dell’Erede, and is 50 km from the city centre. An ideal destination to combine culture and a walk in nature.
Immersed in one of the most evocative places in the Bologna mountains, in the Parco dei Laghi di Suviana e Brasimone, Poranceto is an ancient woodland with majestic thousand-year-old chestnut trees, twisted and hollow, which can reach up to 8 metres in diameter: true living green monuments, an extraordinary ecosystem that evokes almost fairytale-like atmospheres. The Museum of the Wood, the Park’s visitor centre, is housed in restored ancient rural buildings (stable, barn, chestnut drying shed) and tells the story of the relationship between man and woodland over the centuries. Inside there is a room dedicated to the main mountain woodlands (oak groves, chestnut groves, beech forests, conifers), an evocative diorama on the relationship between woodland and animals, and in-depth sections on chestnut civilisation, charcoal production and traditional land management. It is located in Camugnano, less than 70 km from Bologna: perfect for a day immersed in nature.
Luigi Donini Prehistory Museum
In San Lazzaro di Savena, just a short distance from Bologna, the Donini Archaeological Museum takes families on a fascinating journey into the past of the area. It is a museum deeply connected to the local area: most of the exhibits on display come from the surrounding area, reflecting its ancient history. The three exhibition halls offer engaging experiences: the Hall of Human Evolution is a journey from the first human species to modern man, through the tools and discoveries of our ancestors. The Hall of Animals and Vanished Environments is a reconstruction of the taiga-steppe environment of the Last Ice Age, with prehistoric animals and a typical gypsum cave of the area. The Villanova Hall is dedicated to the funerary assemblages of the Caselle necropolis. Outside is the Preistopark, with life-size reconstructions, including a Palaeolithic hut made of mammoth bones: an experience that always captivates children.
Salaborsa Library: books, experiences and… archaeology!
In the heart of Bologna, in front of the Neptune Fountain, stands the Salaborsa Library, one of the most fascinating and innovative cultural spaces in the city, as it combines history, technology and activities for families. One of the aspects that most surprises both children and adults is the crystal floor of the Covered Square: beneath your feet you can admire the archaeological excavations that tell the story of Bologna’s historical layers. From the Roman Bononia founded in 189 BC to the 16th century, you can admire what remains of centuries of history, and if you go down to the basement, you can walk among the ruins. It is a simple and immediate way to introduce even the youngest to archaeology. Inside the library there is also a café, an area for babies and Salaborsa Ragazzi, a colourful, welcoming space full of activities dedicated to young people.
Where to eat on the Bologna hills with children
Bologna has several family-friendly venues. Here we recommend our favourite restaurants (tried and tested with our own family 😊) located on the Bologna hills:
Da Vito a San Luca is a guarantee for us: authentic Bolognese cuisine, pizza, breakfasts and aperitifs in a welcoming setting, with a view over the Basilica of San Luca and the city. It is just 5 minutes by car from Antico Podere San Luca and you can easily reach it on foot if you are staying in our B&B rooms or in one of our apartments with a kitchenette. A pleasant walk in the greenery, after a proper Bolognese lunch!
Granoantico Farmhouse Restaurant
The Granoantico Agriturismo is on Via di Casaglia, just a few minutes by car from the centre (and also just a few minutes by car from Antico Podere San Luca). The views are splendid and the food is excellent: traditional Bolognese menu, with truly delicious tigelle and crescentine.
Where to stay in Bologna with children, away from the chaos and in the quiet of the woods?
If you are planning a stay in Bologna, you can choose from the many accommodation options in the city centre or in the suburbs. But if you are planning to arrive by car and are looking for a quiet place immersed in greenery, we look forward to welcoming you at Antico Podere San Luca, just 5 minutes by car from the eponymous sanctuary!
After a day spent among museums, adventure parks and walks on the hills, families need peace, space and comfort — and Antico Podere San Luca, on the Bologna hills, is the ideal solution. You can choose from:
- Welcoming B&B rooms for short stays
- Apartments with kitchenette for longer stays, perfect for managing children’s routines (discover our residences: Classic and Superior)
- Baby cot included, if you let us know in advance
- Large open-air free car park for our guests, within Antico Podere San Luca
- Panoramic position in the greenery, away from the chaos but just a few minutes by car from the historic centre
The perfect choice for those looking for a “home away from home”, with the freedom to organise days between city trips and nature.
Would you like to find out more or book your stay? Contact us with no obligation