Rivers, lakes and oases: the cool side of Bologna

Updated on 09 July 2026 From Bologna Welcome

When summer brings Bologna to life and the heat really sets in, you only need to venture a short way out of the city to discover a landscape of lakes, rivers, streams and natural oases where you can cool off. From the Bolognese Apennines to the plains, the region offers plenty of perfect destinations for a day trip: places where you can stroll in the shade, have a picnic, relax by the water or spend a day surrounded by nature.

In this guide, you’ll find some of the best lakes, rivers and green spaces near Bologna, with ideas for those seeking a cool escape, stunning views, outdoor activities or simply a leisurely break away from the city’s concrete jungle.

Here is a guide to natural spots where you can cool off around Bologna in summer:

The lakes of Bologna

Lake Suviana

Lake Suviana, situated between the municipalities of Castel di Casio and Camugnano, is the largest body of water in the Bolognese Apennines. About an hour and a half’s drive from Bologna, the lake offers a wide range of facilities and amenities. You can stop off at the picnic areas, choose one of the various restaurants on the shores, or simply relax in the sun by the lake. Many CAI trails also start from Suviana, which can be explored on foot or by bike. This destination is also perfect for a day out with children, who can have fun at the nearby adventure park.

Lake Brasimone

Situated at an altitude of around 800 metres near Camugnano, Lake Brasimone is a picturesque artificial lake nestled within the Suviana and Brasimone Lakes Regional Park. Surrounded by woods and footpaths, it is criss-crossed by major hiking routes such as the Via della Lana e della Seta and the Alta Via dei Parchi. Perfect for a rejuvenating break in the mountains, the lake also offers a fully equipped campervan site, ‘La Guardata’, where you can spend a starry night by the lakeside. Not far away, the Ranuzzi-Segni mountain refuge in the fir woods of Monte Baducco offers spectacular views of the Apennine ridge.

Lake Santa Maria

Just a little further downstream from the Brasimone, in the municipality of Castiglione dei Pepoli, Lake Santa Maria (also known as Lake San Damiano) completes the system of reservoirs built in the early 20th century for hydroelectric power generation. The lake is nestled in a peaceful, verdant setting and is perfect for those seeking tranquillity, nature and relaxing views. This body of water also forms part of the pre-park area of the Suviana and Brasimone Lakes Regional Park, and is crossed by the Brasimone stream itself, which brings coolness and biodiversity to the area.

Lake Castel dell’Alpi

Just a few minutes from Madonna dei Fornelli (through which two major Apennine trails pass, the Via degli Dei and the Via Mater Dei) lies Lake Castel dell’Alpi, a charming and refreshing spot in the Bolognese Apennines. You can stroll around the lake, relaxing along the shores on the numerous benches or in the area equipped with hammocks and picnic tables. Not far from the lake, we recommend a short walk along the section of the Via degli Dei that follows the route of the Via Flaminia Militare, where you can still admire the ancient paving today.

Lake Scaffaiolo

If you love high altitudes, Lake Scaffaiolo is a must-see. Situated at an altitude of 1,775 metres on the ridge of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, it is the highest natural lake in the Apennine range. The surrounding landscape is vast and silent, swept only by the wind and dotted with footpaths, the best known of which leads to the nearby Duca degli Abruzzi mountain refuge. Lake Scaffaiolo is shrouded in ancient folk legends that add to its charm: it is said, for example, that its waters are connected to the afterlife… An ideal spot for hikes, unforgettable sunsets and starry nights.

Rivers in the Bologna area

The Sillaro and its valley

If you’re looking for a place to rejuvenate body and mind, the Sillaro River Valley is the perfect spot for you. Let’s set off from Castel San Pietro Terme to explore this area, where unspoilt nature pampers us with thermal springs, pristine woods forming part of a Site of Community Importance (SCI), numerous small lakes and a veritable oasis: the Zello Naturist Oasis. There are 55 varied routes (on foot, by bike or by car/motorbike) designed by the Villaggio della Salute Più, which we recommend you try to enjoy the cool air and the beauty of these landscapes.

The Santerno and its valley

Travelling up the Via Montanara from Imola, we pass through the Santerno Valley, the ideal place to escape the summer heat of the cities. The river winds its way through badlands, cool woods, centuries-old chestnut groves and glistening gypsum outcrops, creating unique landscapes. The valley is, in fact, traversed by the Vena del Gesso Romagnola, a candidate for UNESCO World Heritage status due to its geo-naturalistic importance. In one of the many coves where you can relax and enjoy the pleasant temperatures, we find the Casa del Fiume in Borgo Tossignano: an oasis of peace, caressed by the cool waters of the Santerno in the shade of one of the imposing rock faces that characterise the entire valley. As well as serving as the visitor centre for the Park and the Valley – where you can hire bikes and book guided tours – the Casa del Fiume is also a café where you can sample local specialities.

The Reno – Lido di Casalecchio and Molino del Pallone

Along the course of the River Reno, a few kilometres from Bologna, lies the Lido di Casalecchio, overlooking the historic lock. Although the river is not suitable for swimming, here you can go rowing at the fully equipped ‘river gym’, relax amongst the greenery or enjoy an aperitif by the riverbank.
Those looking for a more authentic seaside experience can head to Molino del Pallone, a hamlet of Alto Reno Terme. Here, the riverside park welcomes visitors with parasols, deckchairs, beach volleyball, a bar and plenty of summer events. It is also easily accessible by train, on the Pistoia–Porretta line.

The Setta – Marzabotto

Heading towards Sasso Marconi, it’s well worth exploring the stretch of the River Setta that flows near Marzabotto, not far from Camping Piccolo Paradiso. Here you’ll find small, stony beaches that are ideal for cooling off and relaxing surrounded by nature, just a stone’s throw from Monte Sole Park. The landscape is full of hidden gems, and the river can be reached via narrow lanes surrounded by greenery. It’s a popular destination for those seeking peaceful, easily accessible spots, without having to venture too far from Bologna.

The Savena – Pianoro Pools

The ‘Pianoro Pools’ are among the best-known and most popular spots for a refreshing dip along the River Savena. Situated between Pianoro Vecchio and the outskirts of Monzuno, they are easily reached by car via the SP65 from Bologna. Along the river valley, the river’s bends form deep pools where swimming is possible when the water level is high. Simply follow the small roadside car parks to make your way down to the water. The pools are scattered along the entire stretch of the Savena, nestled amongst the vegetation and much loved by those seeking a day out in nature and relaxation.

Oases to visit

La Rizza Nature Reserve, the former rice fields of Bentivoglio

For those venturing north of the city, not far from the village of Bentivoglio, lies the La Rizza Nature Reserve, also known as the former rice field. One of the most significant environmental restoration projects in the Bologna plain, it is home to a rich variety of wildlife, particularly birds, and offers the chance to discover the charm of the landscapes and woodlands that once characterised this area. The wetland consists of a large, irregularly shaped basin where, from one bank to the other, the kingfisher hunts for prey. Amidst incredible stands of marsh reed, which can grow to over 2 metres in height, the white stork – extinct for centuries – has returned to nest in this magical corner; it can be admired flying peacefully amongst the poplars, white willows, ash trees and field maples that shade the oasis.

La Bisana

In the heart of the Bologna plain lies a natural monument of great environmental interest: the Bisana floodplain forest, an example of a wet riparian forest created by sediment from the River Reno. Within it, there are various habitats: you can stroll in the shade of willow and poplar groves along the riverbanks (known as ‘tunnel forests’), right through to meadows and clearings. Amidst the majestic trunks of the woodland, you may catch a glimpse of little surprises such as the nests of the green woodpecker and the red-backed woodpecker. A magical spectacle then unfolds at night: fireflies illuminate the woodland’s bushes. During the summer, night-time tours are organised to admire this enchanting natural phenomenon. La Bisana is home to a large number of species, which thrive here thanks to the unspoilt environment of this precious area.

Edited by

Bologna Welcome

Editorial staff of Bologna Welcome Foundation

It promotes and enhances places, experiences and events across the Bologna Metropolitan Area and the Bologna–Modena Tourist Territory, and manages the content of website bolognawelcome.com.