Forget Rome and Venice: This city is Italy’s hidden gem
Which city in Italy to visit first and why (photo: Getty Images)
When we think of an Italian vacation, images of Venice’s canals, the grandeur of the Vatican, or the fairytale hills of Tuscany immediately come to mind. However, experienced travel experts increasingly recommend that if you want to experience the real Italy without exorbitant prices and long queues, you should start with a more modest city.
explains which city in Italy is worth visiting first and why.
Which city in Italy should you visit first
Journalist and traveler Adam Miller shared a story that showed him a completely different side of Italy. Everyone associates Italy with tourists with Rome, Milan, Venice, Pisa, Verona, Bergamo, and other incredibly beautiful and historic cities. But sometimes true beauty is hidden in smaller towns.
Adam Miller attended a large wedding in Tuscany and afterward decided to explore the country a bit with friends to see something pleasant and interesting. While his companions headed to Florence, considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, he chose a different destination, Bologna.
Bologna, a city with distinctive culture and architecture (photo: Getty Images)
Bologna has two main nicknames that perfectly capture its character. The first is La Rossa (The Red), thanks to its unique terracotta architecture that creates an incredible atmosphere on the streets. The second is La Grassa (The Fat), a nod to the fact that here you will find some of the best cuisine in the country.
What makes Bologna impressive
Bologna strikes the perfect balance between history and modern cosmopolitan life. The streets are lively around the clock, but unlike Rome or Milan, it doesn’t feel like tourist chaos. You can feel the true rhythm of Italian life: locals chatting in bars, Aperol flowing freely, and pleasantly reasonable prices.
The main problem with Florence or Venice today is that they have become hostages of their own popularity. Crowds of tourists, claustrophobic lines, and astronomical prices for a simple meal. Bologna, however, offers freedom. The city is only a 40-minute train ride from Florence, but the difference is enormous. Everything here feels light and calm.
Bologna is the best city for strolls (photo: Getty Images)
“If I’m going to a city, I want a firm plan. I want a list of galleries, museums, churches, dinners booked well in advance, and barely a minute unaccounted for,” the traveler explained.
So in Bologna, he started exploring the sights marked as must-see. These include Piazza Maggiore, Basilica di San Petronio, the Two Towers, and Basilica di Santo Stefano (Seven Churches).
All of these architectural gems rarely make it onto typical lists of what to see in Italy. Just like no one mentions how stunning the red buildings look against the backdrop of the Apennine hills.
Bologna – a gastronomic paradise
In Bologna, you can easily find a great drink or snack for 5 euros right in the city center, while in more popular cities, you’d pay twice as much. The city rightly earns its reputation as Italy’s culinary capital. If you’re looking for flavors that can “change your life,” don’t miss these:
Tortellini in brodo: the legendary meat-stuffed pasta served in a rich broth. It’s the city’s signature dish.
Mercato delle Erbe: a local market where you can try fantastic, affordable dishes like toast alla Norma.
Cremeria Cavour: Many travelers swear this is where the best gelato in the world is made. And in this case, the reality fully meets expectations.
Bologna is rightly considered the culinary capital of Italy (photo: Getty Images)
Tip for travelers
Bologna is perfect for those who enjoy city life, exhibitions, and architecture but cannot stand feeling like part of a tourist conveyor belt.
Even without a strict plan, you can simply wander under the city’s endless arches, peek into random courtyards, and find something amazing everywhere.
''Florence, Rome, Venice — they all live up to their reputations. The Vatican City is so impressive, it reduced me to tears; there are few joys in life more magical than walking along the canals of Venice. And Florence is, of course, replete with magnificent buildings and extraordinary art, and history. But aside from their creative wonders, they all have one thing in common: they're tourist traps. Getting into anything worth seeing can be claustrophobic, with huge crowds and long queues. They’re also eye-wateringly expensive to eat, drink, and exist in. Yes, there are beautiful tourist attractions, absolutely worth seeing, but more than anywhere else I’ve been, Bologna has a unique spirit,'' said Adam Miller.
He admitted he has visited many of the world’s culinary capitals, New York, Tokyo, Paris, Singapore, and now lives in London, but Bologna impressed him with its cuisine. There’s so much of the best food there, which in other cities you would have to book weeks in advance and pay double the price.
''The real magic of Bologna is in its simplicity. Everything feels so calm and easy. Eating, drinking, exploring—it all feels effortless compared to Florence, Venice, or Rome,'' added the expert.
Simplicity, authenticity, and fair prices are the three reasons Bologna will be your top discovery of 2026.
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