Best Time to Visit Bologna

Spring and autumn: the sweet spots

April, May, September and October all score Excellent, and you'll feel why. In April you can walk the porticoes (the covered arcades that line much of the old centre) in a light jacket and still sit outside for an aperitivo. May is warmer, with highs around 24°C, but it's also the rainiest of the four, so treat showers as part of the deal. The arcades help.

September is the one to pick if you want summer warmth without the squeeze. Evenings are mild, and climbing the Asinelli Tower is far more pleasant than in July. October turns damper and greyer, though it suits long lunches of tagliatelle al ragù and a walk up to the Sanctuary of San Luca along the world's longest portico. Mushroom and truffle dishes start showing up on menus too.

Summer: hot, quiet, and sticky in the evenings

July is the hottest month, with highs of 34°C and lows of 20°C, so nights don't cool much. August is only a degree behind. June is easier, with long sunny days and a high of 30°C. Midday in the city can be hard work. Do your sightseeing early, then retreat to a church or museum like the Archiginnasio.

Around Ferragosto (15 August), many family-run trattorias close for a week or two and locals head for the Adriatic coast. The centre feels emptier, and that's either a bonus or a letdown. Evening events in Piazza Maggiore, including open-air cinema in the Cinema Ritrovato season in late June and July, make the heat worth it.

Winter: foggy, cosy and cheap

December and January are rated Fair. Highs sit at 9–10°C, the sun barely shows, and humidity is high, so the damp gets into your bones. It's the season for hearty food: tortellini in brodo, hot and rich, is the classic Christmas dish. Christmas markets and lights fill the centre in December.

February and March are rated Good. They're still cool, but crowds are thin and hotel rates tend to drop. Travelling on a budget? Aim for February.

Do you want trade fairs in the mix? Bologna hosts big ones, including the Children's Book Fair in spring and Cersaie, a ceramics and tile show, in autumn. Hotels can fill and cost more on those dates, so check the fair calendar before you choose your days.