The perfect places for picnics and barbecues in Bologna
Updated on 07 May 2025 From Bologna Welcome
Do you dream of a relaxing weekend with a soft blanket spread on the grass and good food? Bologna and its territory offer many green corners and equipped areas where you can organize a romantic picnic at sunset or a lively barbecue with friends.
Here are the perfect places for picnics and barbecues in and around Bologna:
Imagine spreading a blanket on a soft lawn, perhaps in the shade of ancient trees. In the beating heart of Bologna, Giardini Margherita is waiting just for you. A true symbol of the city, with its boundless lawns, majestic trees and a romantic pond that invites you to dream. Whether you are with your family, a couple or a group of friends, this is the perfect place for a rejuvenating break and a picnic with friends.
And if you want to combine the beauty of nature with a breathtaking view of the city, you absolutely must go up to Villa Ghigi Park. Easily accessible, this jewel in the early hills of Bologna will give you unforgettable views, turning a simple picnic into a fulfilling experience.
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If the hustle and bustle of the city is cramping your style, know that worlds of quiet and beauty open up just a stone's throw from Bologna. Each park has its own personality, ready to give you special moments.
Think of Mount Paderno Park, easy to reach on foot or by bicycle from the city center. It welcomes you with scenic trails and resting spots perfect for a picnic that recharges your body and mind. Or there's Cavaioni Park, a true green giant that can also be reached by bus from the city. Prepare to be amazed at its towering trees, lovingly tended gardens and wide lawns from which you can admire Bologna from a unique perspective. Forte Bandiera Park, on the other hand, with its typical hilly landscape, offers you meadows dotted with fruit trees, fragrant hedges that intoxicate the air, and enchanting views sweeping over Bologna, Rastignano, and the gentle Savena Valley. For a romantic picnic, with St. Luke's as a backdrop, San Pellegrino Park is the ideal choice. Its 27 hectares, filled with fruit trees, create a bucolic and charming atmosphere, perfect for a getaway for two.
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And if you get a little farther from the city, you'll discover other natural treasures perfect for an unforgettable picnic.
There's the Chiusa Park (also known as Talon Park) in Casalecchio di Reno, an oasis of no less than 110 hectares crisscrossed by trails and pampered by the waters of the Reno River. Here you can alternate between a rejuvenating walk or mountain bike adventure and a relaxing picnic on the lawn, all of which is also easily accessible by public transportation or bicycle. In Corticella, Parco Dei Giardini Della Ca'Bura will surprise you with its rolling hills that seem to embrace you, welcoming paths that invite discovery, and an enchanting pond populated by a lively fauna. A magical place for a picnic with family or friends. Along the meandering course of the Savena stream, Cedar Park awaits you with lush vegetation that creates cool shady spots and numerous bike paths, framed by wide lawns that invite you to spread out a blanket and enjoy the peace. And if you are a natural history buff, you cannot miss the Parco Regionale dei Gessi Bolognesi e Calanchi dell'Abbadessa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2023. After a hike among its karst wonders and fascinating caves, what could be better than a well-deserved picnic on its scenic meadows? Finally, in the municipality of Sasso Marconi, the Prati di Mugnano Park will give you a breathtaking view of the Reno Valley, a perfect setting for a picnic that you could end with a hike along the CAI trails and the Via degli Dei trail.
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If happiness smells like grilled meat and vegetables to you, the Bologna metropolitan area offers several equipped areas where you can give free rein to your culinary passion in the open air.
In the heart of the Bolognese Apennines, the Corno alle Scale Regional Park provides you with several compliant barbecues in locations such as Cavone (near the pond), Segavecchia and Poggiolforato. In Vidiciatico you will find convenient grilling spots in Budiara, and in Farné, near the ponds (where you might even try fishing!). If you love fresh fish, inquire about the possibility of grilling at the Porchia pond, near Lizzano, where, again at Bagnadori, you will also find an area equipped with tables and a fountain.
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The beautiful Suviana and Brasimone Lakes Regional Park welcomes you with picnic areas equipped with wooden tables, covered grills and fountains along the shores of its crystal clear lakes. The best equipped areas are between the dam and Fonte dell'Amore (Castel di Casio shore) and between Querceti and Spiaggetta (Camugnano shore).
On the Alpe di Monghidoro, a forest landscape rich in springs and bodies of water, near the Triton's Park adventure park, free-use grills, tables and a convenient water fountain have recently been installed.
Along the picturesque Savena valley, at the crossroads between Loiano and Monzuno, La Baracca sul fiume - Fondovalle Savena offers a truly unique experience: a real shack with a kitchen by the river where you can grill on your own using the coals provided (reservations are recommended to secure your spot!).
And moving to the green Santerno valley, the Fontanelice River Area awaits you with tables and braziers ready to host your barbecues by the river, in a naturalistic setting of great beauty.
Remember that enjoying an outdoor barbecue requires care and respect for the environment and others. In general, grilling is allowed in marked barbecue areas, but we always recommend that you check up-to-date municipal regulations before planning your day, especially in areas of nature or archaeological value.
For a perfect and smooth barbecue, keep these valuable tips in mind:
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We hope this guide inspires you to experience unforgettable outdoor days in and around Bologna. Pack your picnic basket or fire up the grill: nature and conviviality await.