Easter Break in Bologna

Springtime in Bologna bursts into bloom and unleashes all its beauty, casting a new light on its red roofs, tall towers and gentle green hills. If you are seeking one more reason to come to the city, take a look at the things to do over the Easter period, between 19 and 21 April 2025.

• Visit a museum in the city centre

Make the most of your free time and visit one of the many museums open at Easter: civic or university museums, together with the Pinacoteca Nazionale or the Museum of the History of Bologna. You will enjoy all of Bologna's culture, including archaeological and medieval history, science and environment, art and culture.

• Must-see temporary exhibitions

Let yourself be carried away by the power of art: visit an exhibition in one of the historical palaces in the city. There is still time to see the Antonio Ligabue exhibition at Palazzo Albergati or the Ai Weiwei exhibition at Palazzo Fava. Or choose from the new arrivals in town: Che Guevara, Georges Simenon or Jack Vettriano.

➝ Discover all 2025 Spring exhibitions

• Take part in a unique tour or experience

Take part in a tour or experience to discover Bologna: join the Discover Bologna guided walking tour and don't miss the opportunity to climb the Clock Tower for the most beautiful panoramic view of Bologna. If you prefer to stay in the green, take advantage of the E-bike tour on the hills that will allow you to see the city from above.

Finally, why not devote yourself to a visit worthy of Holy Easter? With the Urban Pilgrimage you can discover the city's churches, a treasure chest of art and history.

➝ Discover all the tours available from Sat. 19 to Mon. 21 April 2025

• Musical events and live shows 

Easter in Bologna means a lot of cultural events. Among the proposals not to be missed, Verdi's Un Ballo in Maschera will be staged at the Comunale Nouveau, from 13 to 19 April, for an experience of great opera.

Also, don't miss the Covo Club's evening programming and concerts. At Villa Pini, Circus Paniko Vol.2 returns, with events both Saturday 19 and Monday 21. While Ozzano hosts the 8th edition of ARTinCIRCO Contemporary Circus Festival, with many performances by artists recognized in Italy and abroad.

On Easter Monday, two events related to the Liberation, which took place on April 21, 1945, are being held in Bologna: at noon, the Resistant Bicycle Ride will leave from Piazza Nettuno, heading to Villa Spada, where a traveling show between music and theater will be staged, accompanied by a picnic with Cucine Popolari; then, at 6 p.m. “Bologna April 21, 1945: the joy after the storm”, an unedited montage of period photographs and films that recount the excitement of Liberation Day, will be screened at Cinema Modernissimo.

• Ideas for a family holiday

Plenty of fun opportunities for kids too:  have fun with workshops at the Archaeological Museum. Green lovers can explore nature on Monday 21 with the ExtraBimbi tour (in Italian language) through the woods of La Martina Park, venturing into a small open-air natural laboratory. For a surprising experience, on the other hand, the Museum of Illusions awaits you among magical rooms and games of perspective.

• What to eat and where to go

Easter is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the famous cuisine of Bologna. From the historic centre to the hills, you will find restaurants to suit all palates, including traditional trattorias and places surrounded by greenery. Discover them in our special section.

But what do you eat at Easter in Bologna? The city's Easter customs follow those of the entire Emilia-Romagna region, which you can discover in detail here. If there is one truly heartfelt dessert, however, it is the rice cake, the classic soft, liqueur-flavoured dessert that cannot be missing from Bologna's tables during the festivities.

• A day trip to a village outside the city centre

➝ The area's top villages

• Take a walk in the hills of Bologna

With fine weather and milder climate, carving out some time to be in contact with nature is always a great idea! There are many paths you can take in Bologna, even if only partial ones, starting from the city centre such as the Sentiero dei Bregoli, Cammino per San Luca, Sentiero CAI 904, the Via dei Gessi e dei Calanchi and the Colli Bolognesi, the Via del Fantini; or you may opt to walk the entire route, extending your stay and setting off along the Via degli Dei, the Via della Lana e della Seta, and the Gothic Line.

Which one will you choose?

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