Guide to sustainable shops and venues in Bologna's city centre
Updated on 08 April 2026 From Double Trouble Bologna
Among endless porticoes and hidden workshops, sustainability in Bologna is not just an abstract concept, but a genuine way of life. The Double Trouble Bologna project invites visitors to discover the city’s most authentic soul through a City Map designed for those who love reuse, mindful craftsmanship and contemporary design.
Experiencing Bologna through a sustainable lens means rediscovering local businesses that combine style, responsibility and stories worth sharing with those who choose them every day. It is not only about conscious shopping, but also about spending time in places that may soon become your favourite spots in Bologna.
The vintage scene: circular fashion and icons from the past
Bologna offers a unique journey where fashion and reuse come together in a timeless style. Each boutique tells a different story, from the 1970s to the early 2000s:
- Armadi con Vista lives by the motto “Be Cool Be Conscious!”, offering clothing ranging from bold 1980s pieces to minimalist 1990s styles.
- Diorama Boutique celebrates truly distinctive garments, with sequins, oversized shoulder pads and plenty of personality.
- Folks features clothing inspired by normcore, Nordic style and Korean minimalism.
- Friperie offers a curated selection of quality vintage garments, including tailored pieces and craftsmanship from around the world.
- Reclectic presents an eclectic selection with a focus on 1970s and 1980s style.
- Goochie welcomes visitors into an atmosphere suspended in the past, with accessories, furniture and clothing inspired by the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s.
- Fratelli Broche features a showroom of vintage clothing and antique objects displayed with a performative, artistic flair.
Craftsmanship and design: the new face of Bolognese fashion
In the city centre, fashion is synonymous with creativity and environmental responsibility, with businesses that turn leftover materials into works of art:
- Double Trouble Bologna, on Strada Maggiore, creates handcrafted bags from deadstock leather, combining style and sustainability.
- Soruka makes bags, backpacks and accessories from factory leather offcuts, leftover leather and deadstock materials.
- Mastri Cartai has been transforming natural paper into unique objects in its artisan workshop for 30 years.
- GuiFriday is where Fabio creates made-to-measure hats designed around each individual, refusing remote sales in order to preserve the craftsmanship behind every piece.
- Ferramenta is a historic hardware store founded in 1912 and reimagined as a space for urban fashion and sneaker design.
Concept stores and lifestyle
The search for beautiful details continues in boutiques that bring together fashion, natural cosmetics and home design:
- La Saponaria offers natural, certified cosmetics made in its own laboratory. Its products are 99% vegan, contain no petrochemical ingredients and come from supply chains involving small family-run farms and businesses supporting social projects.
- Periptero and Fabrica Features are ideal destinations for independent magazines, design objects and unusual gifts.
- BIBA Lab offers curated selections of home décor, accessories and local brands to transform living spaces.
- Africa Design combines carefully selected silver and bronze jewellery with contemporary art, all linked by a common thread: design from Africa.
- Il Caffè dei Gomitoli is a lovely place to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while knitting. More than just a café, it also features yarn outlets and offers handmade products and made-to-measure clothing.
- Little Shop is a small concept store tucked away in a charming lane in the city centre, offering a refined selection of brands and products for the home and the person, including bijoux, accessories, stationery, prints and home décor pieces.
Independent bookshops and cultural spaces
This slow journey beneath the porticoes comes to an end in places where culture is about sharing:
- Libreria delle Donne di Bologna specialises in gender studies and feminist thought. It hosts presentations, courses and workshops aimed at promoting culture and knowledge through a gender-aware, feminist and intersectional perspective.
- La Confraternita dell’Uva ranges from fiction to non-fiction, from comics to children’s literature, with the aim of moving readers. It also hosts talks and regular reading groups.
- Libreria Modo Infoshop has been an independent bookshop since 2003. Alongside books, it also offers calligraphy and writing courses. Five years later, it opened a bar next door as well.
- Libreria Libraccio, founded in 1979, offers 60,000 new books discounted by up to 50% and more than 50,000 second-hand titles, as well as a wide range of used DVDs, CDs and vinyl records for music lovers.
- Zoo is a venue and concept store that brings together a café, creative cuisine and design in a modern, welcoming setting. It was created by Rebecca, who fills the space with books, prints and quirky objects, and Cecilia, who leads the food side with everything from simple coffee breaks to new brunch experiences.
Map created in June 2025 by Double Trouble
Sustainable Bologna: download the "City Map"
| Mappa - Locali e Artigianato, a cura di Double Trouble | Download |
Double Trouble Bologna was founded in 2014 out of a passion for leather goods and craftsmanship shared by two Afro-Italian twins. The brand stands out for its focus on quality and sustainable, conscious fashion. Three years ago, it opened its first shop in the heart of Bologna, creating a space that celebrates the value of handmade craftsmanship.
©2026. Fondazione Bologna Welcome - All rights reserved
Newsletter
Discover Bologna Welcome's newsletters and choose the one that suits you best: events, tips, tours delivered directly to your inbox
Subscribe