Bologna Shopping – Shops, Stores, Best Buys & Inside Tips

Bologna Shopping

The many alleyways and charming streets of Bologna make a wonderful place to shop. Head here for edible items like tasty cured meats and Italian craft items like kitchenware, leather bags, and shoes.

Via dell’Indipendenza

The longest pedestrian-only street in Bologna, this street includes many places to shop as well as many historic attractions. It goes from the Piazza del Nettuno to the train station. You can spend an entire day here exploring the shops on foot.

Piazza Maggiore

Bologna is considered one of true culinary capitals of Bologna and it shows in this district. This is where you go when you to explore the regional cuisine in depth. Shops sell tortellini, the folded and filled pasta that the region is justly famous for. Other popular items include various kinds of ham, the local bologna that is called mortadella, and many types of cheese including Parmesan. Look for La Baita, part store, part restaurant, where you can bring home some fresh olive oil and balsamic vinegar, or sit upstairs and enjoy an authentic Italian meals. After the main courses, you’ll find many bakeries selling all kinds of pastries and cookies. Look for biscotti, which is another Italian specialty. The Piazza is also home to many store selling kitchenware, including various types of ceramic bowls in intense colors like yellow and red. Many shops sell lots of other items, like high quality silverware from some of the finest manufacturers in Europe, at cheaper prices than you’ll find in other parts of the country.

The Galleria Cavour

Situated in the heart of the historic district, the galleria is easy to find. This is where many high end retailers have shops. You can buy designer goods at a discount, or just window shop. There are also many cafes and restaurants so you can relax and people watch.

Traditional Markets

Bologna has been a gathering place to buy and sell since ancient Roman times.  The city has many traditional markets that have daily items that change. If you want to have a look at the ancient commerce side of the city, head for the Mercato di Mezzo. The open air markets in this part of town have been here for over twenty centuries. Today, it’s still a center for commerce with many shops you can still explore. Street names translate into names like fishmonger, keymaker and leather seller. This is a great place to go to get fresh produce and some of the area’s highly respected wines.

Editor’s note: The information contained on this page was compiled using real traveler reviews about places to shop in Bologna.