Bologna

The arcades in Bologna are unique, stretching over a total of 62 km, 40 km of which are in the city centre. They have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021.

In Via Piella, right next to the Trattoria dal Biassanot, there is a small, inconspicuous window.

When you open it, you are greeted by a view of a small canal, just like in Venice. Lined on both sides by tall buildings, this is one of the few parts of a large canal system that has not yet disappeared beneath the surface.

The gastronomic tradition is in Bologna's DNA, so it is no coincidence that Bologna is also known as ‘La Grassa’, which means ‘the fat one’. There is a multitude of restaurants, pizzerias and cafés on every corner. The ‘osterie’ in particular are very popular and people meet late at night to philosophise over a glass of red wine and a plate of tagliatelle.

But when you hear the name Bologna, you probably first think of the tortellini filled with minced meat and the wafer-thin slices of ‘mortadella’ sausage.

Bologna's classic cuisine can be found at Osteria Bottega in the centre of Bologna. The restaurant is located in Via Santa Caterina 51. Eat your way through the menu and enjoy the fine dishes and specialities.

As the name suggests, the salumeria serves all kinds of sausages, Parma ham and, of course, the typical Bologna speciality, mortadella. Before you start your journey home again, you should definitely stop by the family business and stock up on culinary gifts.