What to do in Bologna and its surroundings in hot weather
Updated on 27 May 2026 From Bologna Welcome
Are you visiting Bologna in the height of summer and finding the heat unbearable? No problem – Bologna and the surrounding area offer plenty of ways to escape the summer heat, including swimming pools, day trips and museums (all air-conditioned, of course!)
Things to do in Bologna and the surrounding area when it’s very hot:
Museums and galleries: Bologna’s urban oases
Visiting museums and art galleries is the perfect solution when the heat becomes unbearable. Rediscovering art and its hidden masterpieces is one of the ideal things to do in the city. Enjoy the air-conditioning inside the exhibition spaces whilst admiring the permanent collections and unmissable temporary exhibitions. If, on the other hand, you want to discover a true natural oasis, do visit the Botanical Garden, located at Via Irnerio 42 and nestled within the university campus: two hectares of greenery with a rich variety of plant species.
Views and porticoes in the heart of the city
It’s hot, but you don’t want to miss out on enjoying the centre of Bologna? Then don’t miss the Clock Tower and the Municipal Art Collections at Palazzo d’Accursio. As well as the works on display, you can enjoy a stunning view of Piazza Maggiore from the two panoramic terraces, perfect for a refreshing break whilst taking in one of the city’s most beautiful views.
Just outside the city walls, from the San Michele in Bosco complex, you can admire the view of the city and an incredible vista of the Asinelli Tower.
If, as you stroll from one cool spot to another, you want to protect yourself from the sun, you can always take shelter under the city’s 62 km of UNESCO-listed porticoes.
In the shade of the porticoes, you can discover more about the history and architecture, as well as the daily lives of those who work, pass through and live beneath them every day.
If you’re in a hurry, hire an electric scooter or a bicycle!
Shopping in the cool
For a few hours of respite from the heat, a great alternative is to go shopping in the city’s many shopping centres, where you can find shelter from the heat and do some shopping.
Right in the heart of Bologna, sheltered from the sun beneath the breezy arcades of Galleria Cavour, an elegant shopping arcade home to the world’s most prestigious and exclusive fashion and fine jewellery brands.
➝ Discover 7 reasons to visit Galleria Cavour.
Heading out towards the plains, you’ll find the Castel Guelfo and Barberino outlets, veritable shopping strongholds that attract fashion lovers from across the region.
Summer evenings amongst kiosks and parks
As the sun begins to set, why not round off the day with an aperitif surrounded by greenery?
Bologna has numerous kiosks and chalets located within its parks, where you can sip a cold beer in the cool air, surrounded by nature and listening to music.
Among the best known are the two kiosks in Montagnola Park, Frida nel Parco and Montagnola Republic.
Also in the city centre, the Serre dei Giardini Margherita organise the annual summer festival “Le Serre d’estate”.
Just outside the city centre, you’ll find the Fermento in Villa bar at Villa Angeletti and the Cassarini Summer food truck festival.
Open-air cinema
With screenings in cinemas and charming outdoor venues, the festival is just the start of a summer to be enjoyed in front of the big screen. As the scorching sun sets in the evening, Bologna transforms into an open-air cinema. In the city’s squares and arenas, the heart of cinema beats once more during the summer months.
The season opens with the Biografilm Festival, running from 5 to 15 June: a journey through life stories, tracing the biographies of famous and lesser-known figures, highlighting intense and profound human experiences.
If you’re in the city centre, from 15 June to 14 August you can enjoy the ‘Sotto le Stelle del Cinema’ open-air film festival in Piazza Maggiore, at Europe’s largest open-air cinema.
From 20 to 28 June, discover the Cinema Ritrovato festival, organised by the Cineteca di Bologna, during which Bologna’s cinemas and open-air venues will be filled with over 400 screenings from morning to night for 9 days. Discover the programme for both festivals on the Cineteca’s official website.
Moving out to the suburbs, we find the Festival Arena Puccini, hosted for the 2026 edition at the Racecourse in Via dell’Arcoveggio: a programme that is always rich and vibrant, and a new open-air venue with a 1,000-seat auditorium.
©Cineteca
A dip in the pool and relaxation at the spa
Those wishing to get away from the city centre can opt for a day at the pool. The Bologna area offers plenty of options, even away from the city centre, for cooling off with a swim. Enjoy the pleasure of a perfect tan, without the stress of long hours in the car searching for a cool spot by the sea.
Another option that combines relaxation and cool surroundings is the Villaggio della Salute Più, a spa and water park nestled in the hills. Located at Via Sillaro 27 in Monterenzio, just half an hour from Bologna, the Villaggio features several farmhouse cottages, offering single, double and triple rooms so you can extend your relaxation for more than just a day.
If you’re travelling with children, Beautiful Gallery Waterplay is the perfect solution for you: inflatables, sand games, ball pools and water balloon fights guarantee a perfect day of family fun.
Cool off outside the city amidst lakes and rivers
If the sea is too far away, you can always opt for nature. The Apennines and the Imola area are home to some of the most beautiful lakes and rivers in Emilia-Romagna, whilst the Plain offers lush oases that are ideal for a rejuvenating break.
➝ Find out more about the region’s refreshing side.
A beach on the Reno
And what about sunbathing in the city? The Lido di Casalecchio, along the River Reno, is easily accessible by bike via the cycle path. Here you’ll find a proper urban lido, served by the Chiosco Lido di Casalecchio di Reno, where you can enjoy a relaxing day.
Activities to book in the countryside
Summer evenings offer incredible spectacles far from the city lights, inviting you to immerse yourself in the countryside around Bologna: Star Walks takes you on a journey to discover the starry sky, a romantic and enjoyable experience to share as a couple, with your family or with friends.
And for true trekking enthusiasts, the Via degli Dei and the Via della Lana e della Seta are the perfect routes for discovering the splendour of the Apennines.
➝ Discover all the activities you can book.
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