Maybe I was born old, but I’ve always been attracted by flea markets.
At first it was Kinder surprises, then stamps, later vinyl and furniture.

Here’s my pick of the best flea markets and second-hand fairs in Bologna.

And since walking, browsing and digging are calories consuming activities, I suggest you what and where to eat near the markets.

Night or day, Santo Stefano is the probably the most beautiful square of Bologna. 
Even covered with vintage stalls selling vinyl, antiques, jewelry, furniture and books, its allure remains untouched.

Info
Every month, on the 2nd weekend August excluded
Piazza Santo Stefano, Bologna
Tel. +39 051 204111 

What to eat
Santo Stefano Basilica, 7 churches, many religious symbols. The street nearby is called Jerusalem Street.
What’s better than a pub called L’infedele (The unfaithful) to get a beer and harmonize with the environment?

A brand new market dedicated to paper.
Only 7 stalls. But lots of books, comics, postcards, holy cards, magazines and posters, but also playing cards, sticker albums, menus and much more.

Info
On the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month.
Piazza Aldrovandi, 40125 Bologna

What to eat
From the first opening in Bologna’s suburbs, Berberè now spreads around Italy and Europe. But it’s still one of the best pizza in Bologna and just a few steps from the market.

Piazzola Market in Piazza VIII Agosto is almost more traditional than tortellini in brodo.
But if you visit the square every Thursday you can find vintage stalls run by collectors’ booksellers, specialized in old comics, magazines, satirical newspapers and old postcards.

Info 
Every Thursday from 8:30 am to 5 pm 
Piazza VIII Agosto, 40126 Bologna

What to eat
There’s a magic combo just next door. Pizza&Gelato. Not one of our Bologna food tour, but another great one. 
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Forno Brisa and Galliera 49 are in front of the other. The first is a cool bakery to get squares of gourmet pizza.
The second serves one the best gelato of Bologna and a superior granita.

A good excuse to visit Savigno, the village of truffle, is its Sunday flea market.
​Go hunting for old porcelain, vintage furniture and memorabilia around the streets of the village. 
And when you find your desired item make a hole in the heart of the seller to get a discount.

Info
Every second Sunday of every month from March to December.
Savigno

What to eat
Second-hand stuff is good, but the main reason to visit Savigno is food. Amerigo looks like an old family tavern, but it’s one of the few Michelin restaurants in Bologna. 

Don’t forget Irina. A new place, owned by a young chef who trained with the king Massimo Bottura. 

One of the largest flea markets of Bologna area takes place in the village of Medicina.
+300 exhibitors under the porticoes, in the squares and gardens.
The key to scoring the best deals?
​Getting there as early as possible.

Info
On the first Sunday of every month, January, July and August excluded.
Tel. +39 339 6288710

What to eat
The legend tells that Medicina took its name from Federico Barbarossa emperor.
Coming from Milan he felt sick and decided to rest in the village. Here he healed thanks to a snake fallen in his imperial soup. 

Miraculous or not, food in Medicina is pretty great. 
Stop at Osteria di Medicina or Trattoria Via Nuova for a good dish of tagliatelle al ragù.

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Bologna doesn’t look very green at first sight.

But like our best food, parks and gardens are not exhibited.
They’re hidden behind old gates or they look at Bologna’s skyline from the hills outside the city walls.

Don’t be lazy, wear you jogging shoes and go look for them.

Opened in 1879, Giardini Margherita garden take its name from the same queen of the famous pizza. 
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During its glorious days, you could have found there a lake with renting boats, a cafe chantant, a funicular railway and a zoo for lions. 
Now most of these things are gone, but Giardini Margherita still is Bologna’s largest and most important park.

Why visit it
For a picnic amongst students and locals during spring weekends or for an aperitivo at Le Serre (former greenhouses).

Info
Viale Giovanni Gozzadini, 40136 Bologna

The University area hides one of the oldest botanic gardens in Europe. 
2 hectares, +5000 plants including a selection of carnivore, 2 greenhouses with tropical and succulent.

Why visit it
For a breath of fresh air inside the city walls or if you’re looking for original things to do in Bologna with your kids.

Info
Via Irnerio 42, 40126 Bologna

Tired of porticoes, towers and taverns? 
Impossible, but in case you can escape to the wild nature without renting a car. 
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Villa Ghigi is a huge park on the hills behind Porta San Mamolo. 
Fondazione Villa Ghigi organizes educational activities for school, birdwatching and interesting trekking.

Why visit it
To have a wide view of Bologna and digest all the food you had around the markets.

Info 
Via San Mamolo, 40136 Bologna

Rent a bike and ride to this park on the feet of San Luca Basilica.
You can visit the old Chiusa: a Middle Age sluice to deviate and adjust Reno river and provide water to Bologna.

Why visit it
Because you can take the bike path that starts from Certosa Cemetery and follows an open canal till Casalecchio. Then you’ll deserve a lunch stop at Sfoglia Rina.

Info
Via dei Mille 9, 40033 Casalecchio di Reno BO
www.parcodellachiusa.it​

Hey, do you know that Bologna had a harbor? 
We’re far from the sea, but until 1889 small boats used the harbor to move goods and trade with the markets of the center.

This park arises from its rests and unveils the canal still flowing underground.

Why visit it
Because in June, during Biografilm festival, Cavaticcio becomes a place for street food of Bologna, with live concerts and a vibrant atmosphere.

Info
Via Azzo Gardino, 40122 Bologna

Take a deviation from Via Saragozza to enter the gate of Villa Spada park.
Not enough?
Ok, climb the 300 steps and arrive at 300 scalini, a nice place to relax with a glass of wine and get the best view of San Luca Basilica.

Why visit it
Because in the park you can also visit one of the strangest museums in Italy about upholstery and one of the libraries of Bologna.

Info
Via di Casaglia, 3, 40135 Bologna

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