Historic Portico Glide
Cycling RouteThis urban ride takes advantage of the city's smooth, pedestrianised streets and wide avenues to explore the architectural wonders of the centre. You will glide past magnificent basilicas, towering medieval structures, and elegant palazzos. While you cannot cycle directly under most porticoes, riding alongside them offers an incredible perspective of their unending arches. The route captures the vibrant, bustling heart of the city while remaining relatively safe from heavy traffic. It is an exhilarating way to see the major monuments quickly.
SURFACE BREAKDOWN
ELEVATION PROFILE
WHY WE LOVE THIS ROUTE
It combines the thrill of urban cycling with breathtaking architectural sightseeing. Riding past the leaning towers and through ancient piazzas makes you feel like you are moving through a living museum.
RIDER'S NOTEBOOK
- • Go early on a Sunday morning when the streets are blissfully empty of both pedestrians and delivery vehicles.
- • Remember that cycling under the porticoes is generally forbidden, so stick to the road or designated paths alongside them.
- 1MARKET
Eighth of August Square
PIAZZA DELL'8 AGOSTOA vast, open square that hosts massive markets and provides plenty of space to cruise before entering the nearby park.
to next stop - 2NIGHTLIFE
Zamboni Street
VIA ZAMBONIThe lively main artery of the university district, flanked by historic faculties and filled with energetic student life.
to next stop - 3ATTRACTION
Two Towers
DUE TORRIThe towering mediaeval symbols of the city leaning dramatically over the streets, offering a stunning visual anchor.
to next stop - 4ATTRACTION
Maggiore Square
PIAZZA MAGGIOREThe majestic main square surrounded by monumental civic buildings and the imposing facade of the grand basilica.
FULL PLACE DETAILS
OVERVIEW & STATS
- Established
- In 1550, making it 476 years old
ARCHITECTURE & HERITAGE
- Heritage Status
- Italian National Heritage
Other Cycling Routes
Check out other routes in Bologna
Navile Canal Path
This peaceful ride takes you away from the urban centre along an ancient waterway that once connected the city to the sea. The dedicated path is flat and completely separated from car traffic, making it incredibly relaxing. Along the route, you will pass historic waterlocks, old brick kilns, and remnants of the city's industrial heritage surrounded by lush greenery. The atmosphere changes from historic to rural very quickly, providing a wonderful contrast to the dense mediaeval core. It is a fantastic journey into a lesser known part of local history.
view route
Giardini Margherita Loop
A delightful, easy going ride through the largest and most popular public park in the city. Wide, paved paths wind through vast lawns, ancient trees, and around a picturesque central lake. It is the perfect place to soak in the local vibe, as families, students, and joggers flock here on sunny days. The ride is entirely flat and shaded, offering a refreshing break from the stone and brick of the historic streets. You can effortlessly combine this ride with a picnic or a stop at the park's charming cafes.
view route
Alternative Ways to Tour the City
Switch your pace. Discover curated routes by bike, foot, or self-guided exploration.
Quadrilatero Wander
A sensory overload in the best possible way, this stroll takes you through the narrow, ancient streets of the old market district. The air is thick with the scent of aged parmesan, fresh tortellini, and cured meats hanging in shop windows. Historic delicatessens, lively wine bars, and colourful fruit stalls are packed tightly together, creating a vibrant, chaotic charm. It is an incredibly visual and aromatic journey that perfectly captures the city's title as Italy's culinary capital. You will want to stop every few metres to admire the incredible displays of food.
Alma Mater University Walk
Explore the profound legacy of the oldest university in the continuous Western world. This tour connects the magnificent historic halls of early academia with the vibrant, gritty streets of the modern student district. You will see where pioneering scientists, brilliant poets, and the first female professors taught and studied. The journey moves from stunningly frescoed ancient libraries to piazzas covered in political graffiti, showing the evolution of student life. It is an inspiring exploration of a city that has championed knowledge and progressive thought for nearly a millennium.