Bologna with a view in a secret guide: roofs, terraces and cocktails

Where to see the many towers of Bologna? Possibly with a drink in your hands? Follow my guide to secret places in town...

Dove avvistare le tante torri della città o le cupole delle chiese? Ci sono alcuni posti speciali dove poter farlo, anche con un drink in mano! E scoprirete tanti altri edifici domandavo cosa siano... Bologna dall'alto è un mistero.

I know, it's summertime, and I wish I could be at the seaside, in Romagna, one filled piada in my hand. But unfortunately I have to stay in town, so I feel on vacation if I go hunting for special places that can make me feel in a special holiday mood. Bologna does not have high buildings now, but in the past it was full of towers. If you follow my guide you will climb "Bologna" and will see the towered town, from towers and hotels. There are also many public buildings with roof tops, but for these you need to know the owners!

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E' vero, è estate e ho una gran voglia di mare, piada e Romagna. Però devo restare in città e allora mi sento in vacanza se vado a caccia di posti speciali che mi facciano sentire in un'altra dimensione. Bologna non ha edifici molto alti nella contemporaneità, ma in un'era passata le torri- che servivano a proteggersi così in alto- sorgevano numerose sotto il cielo petroniano. Se avrete la fortuna di scalarne una e arrivare in cima, ne vedrete tantissime e passerete il tempo a cercare di capire dove si trovino, ripassando le strade della città. La notizia buona però è un'altra: le potete avvistare anche da alcuni tetti di hotel. Ecco, su vari livelli, una piccola guida.

The roof top of Best Western Hotel San Donato in via Zamboni 13 is incredibly stunning. You can reach it entering the reception and asking for a drink in the rooftop. It costs 9 euros, Don't expect great things to eat: they will bring you roughly some peanuts and chips and you will chose among classical drinks, no exotisms of modern bar tendering. Non frills, I mean, but the place is amazing: it's like going to the roof of a building and feel at home.

This is the balcony, "la terrazza" of the Teatro Comunale di Bologna, with the view on piazza Verdi and to the roofs and towers at a medium level. You go inside the theater and pay 10 euros for a drink and some delikatessen to eat. Or you can go just for the view and pay nothing. During the week you can see concerts in the indoor part or in the piazza Verdi, everything is for free.

aperitivo on la terrazza of Teatro Comunale, signed by Gamberini. Costs 10 euros.

On Torre Prendiparte, in piazzetta Prendiparte 5, every wednesday (so, tomorrow night), till august 2nd, you can visit the tower with the owner and you reach the top where you can have a drink and a gelato. It costs 25 euros. www.prendiparte.it

Far away, but not so much, you see Torre Asinelli, symbol of Bologna at the beginning of Strada Maggiore: now is possible again to go on the top of it (you book online and pay 5 euros) and in some special occasions you will also be able to visit it in the night. You can go up also on the terrace of San Petronio Church in piazza Maggiore everyday from 10 to 13 and from 15 to 18 only for the view. (basilicadisanpetronio.org)

La terrazza of Hotel Touring in via de' Mattuiani 1: you have to book to go on the rooftop and you can have a drink for 15 euros and a light tasting of food with 25 euros. 

Terrazza of Bottega I Portici in Palazzo Bega (piazza Ravegnana 2) just in front of Due Torri. You can have tortellini or tagliatelle take away and go up on the terrazza and eat. Prices are fair.