A guide to parks in Bologna in and around the city centre

Here is a list of the most beautiful parks in Bologna if you want to relax, take a walk alone, with family, friends, or enjoy outdoor sports:

• Parks in the centre of Bologna
• Parks outside the city
• Parks in the hills around Bologna

• Parks in the centre of Bologna

If you don't have much time, a 15-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore, you can relax in one of the parks located within the city walls. You can enjoy discovering new species of flowers and plants at the Orto Botanico in Via Irnerio, dating back to the 16th century, or take a stroll through Parco della Montagnola, Bologna's oldest park, established in 1662 as a green space for socialising and recreation. More recent, but no less fascinating, is Parco 11 Settembre 2001 and the nearby Parco del Cavaticcio, where you can see a segment of the underground canal of the same name.

• Parks outside the city

You don't have to stray too far from the city to immerse yourself in nature. Just outside the city walls, a 30-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore, you'll find green spaces perfect for a stroll. Discover the wonders of Parco di Villa Angeletti, which stretches along the right bank of the Navile Canal, not far from Bologna Centrale station, the ideal place for a refreshing walk or bike ride. Or you can discover the city's green lung, Giardini Margherita, the largest (26 hectares) and most popular city park, the perfect place for a run, a picnic or simply to relax in the shade of centuries-old trees.

In the San Donato-San Vitale district, you will find Parco San Donnino, a green area created in 2006, perfect for outdoor sports, relaxing or taking a walk with friends and family.

Meanwhile, in the Corticella area, there is Parco della Via dei Giardini, also known as Parco della Ca' Bura, a large green area with a large lake and various animal species. 

• Parks in the hills around Bologna

A short distance from the city, 30 minutes by bus from the historic centre, the first hills of Bologna offer parks with breathtaking views. The Parco di Villa Ghigi, located on the first hillside of the city, is an area of great natural and scenic value. Not far away are the Parco di San Michele in Bosco, which surrounds the monumental complex of the same name, and the Parco di Forte Bandiera with its splendid panoramic views of the surroundings of Bologna.

Heading towards San Luca, on the other hand, is the Parco di Villa Spada, located on the Casaglia hill, offering an alternation of woods and meadows along the slope that descends towards Via Saragozza. In this area, there are also the Giardino di Villa delle Rose and the Parco di San Pellegrino, from which you can enjoy a breathtaking view of the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.

Finally, for those who want to venture to the outskirts of the municipality, the hills of Bologna offer other fascinating parks. You can visit the Giardini Ferruccio Busoni of Villa Mazzacorati, the nearby Parco del Paleotto, on the left side of the Savena valley, Parco Cavaioni, and Parco dei Calanchi di Sabbiuno, on the border with Sasso Marconi.