Our Featured location
Why Giardini Margherita?
If you're a lover of the great outdoors, who finds it relaxing to feel the wind on your face, smell the greenery of the land, hear the laughter and chatter of locals and tourists nearby, and enjoy the park in the sun, then you surely must not miss coming here.
Not only can you be close to nature, but if you're tired and need to rest, there are many areas with shade to sit at. Not to mention a lovely bar, restaurant, and disco where you can enjoy the morning, afternoon, evening, or night with a seating area overlooking the pond and fountain.
No matter where you go, the city can become busy and noisy, so biking and navigating Bologna Giardini in and around it will leave you feeling at peace and one with nature.
Things to see and do around Giardini Margherita
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Oak Grove
Visit Oak Grove to see the glowing lion light up at night, almost as if you're entering a mystical forest with an illuminated lion.
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Equestrian statue of Vittorio Emanuele II
If you love to examine the history statues hold and commemorate the significance of Vittorio Emanuel II then see the historical landmark made in his honor.
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Elastic Trampoline
Whether you're traveling solo, with family, or with friends, the Elastic trampoline makes a great pit stop along your cycling journey. It is a small section of the park that has connected trampolines in yellow and green.
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Basket Court
Who doesn't love a little sport? Grab your basketball and shoot some hoops.
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The Greenhouse of Giardini Margherita
Right outside the park, Le Serre is the ideal place for practically anything! It is a restaurant, a greenhouse with many different plants, a co-working space, and many outdoor seats suitable for studying, eating, and drinking solo or with friends.
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Margherita Gardens Chalet
The Chalet is a bar, restaurant, and disco located on a tiny island on the pond of Giardini Margherita. You can expect breakfast, aperitif, lunch, snacks, and sweets when you visit the Chalet.
Want more of Bologna?
Explore various hot spots below
There are many marvelous locations to see and places to go in Bologna. Now that you've ventured through one of its well-known parks, whoever said you couldn't take your biking experience around Giardini Margherita? Not literally in circles as you may have already cycled through it, but stepping outside the Giardini park area and seeing what else is there. Don't limit yourself to where you can go!
Piazza Maggiore
The historic center, known as the Piazza Maggiore, is a 6-minute bike ride from the park and the next best stop. Here, you can get a feel of some of the Bolognese stores to explore. You never know what intriguing objects, clothing, souvenirs, and other valuable items You might find.
Historic landmarks in Piazza Maggiore
Surrounding the square, you will find historic landmarks such as Fontana del Nettuno, as shown in the image. There is also the Basilica of San Petronio, the Palazzo dei Notai, the Palazzo del Podesta, the Palazzo dei Banchi, and the Palazzo d'Accursio.
You can stand in the center of the square and see all of these buildings, so they are all within walking distance. Have a look around and see what you might find. If it's your lucky day, you might find yourself in the square when they host cultural events like film festivals, concerts, feasts, and entertainment shows..
Two Towers: Garisenda and Asinelli
If you've explored just about all of Piazza Maggiore, around the corner, you'll find the Two Towers. Of the two, the Asinelli Tower is the tallest building in Italy, having a height of 97.02m and Garisenda at 47m.
Of course, it's great to admire the view of the leaning tower from way below, but you can also climb up the building where a spectacular view of the city awaits you. Be sure to have your camera on standby to capture this mesmerizing perspective.
Finestrella di Via Piella
Within a 9-minute walk from the historic center is the Finestrella di Via Piella, also known as little Venice, a hidden canal visible through an orange-colored window. The colors of the buildings surrounding it reflect into the water, creating a vivid and beautiful hue.
Grab a Bite to Eat or a sweet Treat
During Your Adventures!
Cremeria Santo Stefano
What better way to end the day or start it than with a sweet-tasting treat? Cremeria Santo Stefano is an ice cream shop within a 7-minute walking distance from the Giardini Margherita Park and 15 minutes from the Piazza Maggiore Square. There are various kinds of ice creams to try, including Pink Roman apple sorbet, Brown sorbet, Pomegranate Sorbet, Cream of coffee and almonds, and macaroon ice cream, among many more!
Osteria De' Coltelli Da Biagio
The Osteria De' Coltelli Da Biagio is a restaurant within a 5-minute walking distance, especially great for cooling off during hot weather with its air-conditioned space and elegant dishes. It is good to note that cash is their only payment method, so come ready and dine in.
Staying overnight?
Check out Hotels near Chalet Giardini
The Liberty Boutique Hotel
With a 4.8-star rating on Google, the Liberty Boutique Hotel is 1.2km from the Giardini Margherita. If you want to visit a hotel with luxury and style, where the travel distance does not matter, it will take 2 hours and 48 minutes by bus. Prices may vary depending on your needs, so you can visit the Liberty Boutique Hotel website to learn more about booking.
Hotel Touring Bologna
This hotel has a 4.4-star rating on Google and is 0.9km from Giardini Margherita. If you are looking for somewhere much closer, getting to this hotel will take 7 minutes by bus. Hotel Touring prioritizes providing affordable prices for your specific needs and the time of year you visit. You can learn more by visiting their Hotel Touring Bologna site.
Mercure Bologna Centro
This hotel has a 3.7-star rating on Google and is 4.6km (17mins) away by bus from Giardini Margherita. At the Mercure Bologna Centro, they offer a "Best price guarantee" where they will match the lower rate of another location within 24 hours of booking your stay.
Bologna Events in April 2024
During April 2024, there will be many events to attend, especially for plant lovers, supporters of charitable occasions, or those who enjoy market shopping for various wearable items, souvenirs, and collectibles. Erika Bertossi, the news and events collaborator for Bologna Today, shared a summary of these upcoming events in her article titled “April is a month of markets. Fleas, vintage, antiques, flowers, and collectibles: the map” (Bertossi, 2024).
The first event highlighted is the “Vintage and otherwise” market, which will be at the Antoniano Insieme from the 11th to the 15th of April. According to Bertossi (2024), this charitable event promises “quality purchases” with a selection of clothing, accessories, furnishings, and fabrics available at affordable prices. Each day brings new arrangements to the event, ensuring a fresh experience for visitors.
Next on the agenda is "Bologna in Fiore," scheduled from the 12th to 14th of April. This event transforms Piazza Minghetti and Piazza del Francia into vibrant spaces filled with the sights and scents of spring (Bertossi, 2024). This market appeals to plant lovers and all who enjoy the time of spring.
The “Amadio Circolare” happening at Piazza Lucio Dalla is the third event mentioned by Bertossi (2024). You can expect it to last from 11 am to 8 pm on the 14th of April, with free entry included. Make sure you wear your best walking shoes to the “Amadio Circolare” because you will have many areas to see and buy from, with around 40 stands selling many novelty items, accessories, and much more. They also have food available and great music by Luftraum Gate.
If comics are your favorite books to read, this next event is right up your alley, offering loads of adventures for collectors and enthusiasts alike. On the 13th and 14th of April, at the Piazza Lucio Dalla, the “Comics Fair” promises an exciting gathering of beloved heroes (Bertossi, 2024).
On the 25th of April, Piazza Lucio Dalla will host the “Circular Wardrobe” market from 2 pm to 10 pm (Bertossi, 2024). You will have a good time with great music and a DJ set included. But what is this event? As stated in the article, this project was created in 2017 by a friend group who wanted to put a fun twist on seasonal wardrobe changes. On their first launch, their idea to sell vintage clothes was successful and allowed them to continue such a project.
The “Really Market!” on the 14th of April presents a diverse selection of crafts, vintage items, and reused goods at Sonata Market (Bertossi, 2024).
Lastly, at the Piazza Santo Stefano on the 13th to 14th from 8:30 pm to 7 pm, you can expect to find antiques at this event (Bertossi, 2024). With selections from antiques to vintage clothing, this market creates a browsing experience for collectors and curious visitors.
Lastly, at the Piazza Santo Stefano on the 13th to 14th from 8:30 pm to 7 pm, you can expect to find antiques at this event (Bertossi, 2024). With selections from antiques to vintage clothing, this market creates a browsing experience for collectors and curious visitors.
You can check out this article by Erika Bertossi here
What's New And Exciting?
Circular Wardrobe
Look out for this event on April 25th @ Piazza Lucio Dalla.
Live music, food, vintage clothes and more.
San Luca Express
Ride through the heart of Bologna in style!
City Red Bus
Tour Bologna with an open top bus perspective.