Best time to visit Bologna
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart on the page recolours live for your heat limit 27°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Bologna
30 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you.
- 1
Small Group Bologna Food Tour – Local Food & Market Experience - 2
Bologna Market Tour & Cooking Class in Paola’s Garden Home - 3
Bologna Food Tour and Enogastronomia Experience with Local Chef - 4
Private Emilia Romagna Food Tour Full Day - 5
Bologna Small-Group Food Tour with Full Meal & Local Food Expert - 6
BEST MEDIEVAL VILLAGES GETAWAY - Private Day Tour from Bologna - 7
Bologna Food & Market Tour with Local Dishes, Pasta, Wines & More - 8
Bologna Food Tour by Taste Bologna: Intimate Group (Max 10) - 9
Bologna Private Highlights & Hidden Gems Tour with a Local - 10
Cesarine: Private Pasta Class & Meal at Local's Home in Bologna - 11
Bologna Private Food Tour with 6 or 10 Tastings - 12
Food and Wine Experience in Bologna, Italy - 13
Highlights & Hidden Gems With Locals: Best of Bologna Private Tour - 14
Ferrari Lamborghini Pagani Factories and Museums - Tour from Bologna - 15
Cars&Food: Lambo, Ferrari, Parmigiano, Balsamic, PrivateTransport - 16
Private Tour Parmigiano,Prosciutto,Balsamico with driver-Bologna - 17
Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class, Ragu, Spritz, Wine & Gelato - 18
Bologna Pasta & Tiramisu Cooking Class With Wine by Cooking Italy - 19
Bologna Food Tour: Taste Local Specialties, Pasta, Wine & Gelato - 20
Historic Center Walking Tour in Bologna - 21
Pastamama, Preserving the intimacy of Italian domestic cooking - 22
Best of Bologna in one day : Food, architecture, art and history - 23
Bologna Food Valley Small Group Factory Tasting and Winery Lunch - 24
Bologna on the plate, Cooking Class with Alessia - 25
Bologna City Walking Tour - 26
Eating Bologna Food and Wine Tour - 27
Bologna : Private Custom Walking Tour With A Guide (Private Tour) - 28
Secrets of Parmigiano Reggiano and Balsamic Vinegar - 29
Bologna Private Food Tour with a Local: Pasta, Markets & Gelato - 30
Bologna: Pasta, Tiramisu or Lasagna Class with Wine
Last refreshed 2026-10-18.
Similar climatesModena97% · Verona97% · Sirmione96%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Bologna (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Bologna's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1–8 | 6 | 7 | 87 | 12.4 | 78% | 12 | 140 | 1 | Moderate | 5 |
| Feb | 4–12 | 10 | 5 | 60 | 12.0 | 67% | 14 | 169 | 2 | Moderate | 7 |
| Mar | 5–15 | 12 | 7 | 85 | 12.1 | 58% | 15 | 210 | 3 | Quiet | 7 |
| Apr | 8–18 | 16 | 8 | 96 | 12.0 | 54% | 17 | 237 | 4 | Peak | 8 |
| May | 13–22 | 22 | 12 | 139 | 11.6 | 58% | 16 | 249 | 5 | Peak | 8 |
| Jun | 18–28 | 29 | 8 | 75 | 9.4 | 50% | 16 | 292 | 7 | Quiet | 8 |
| Jul | 21–32 | 33 | 6 | 44 | 7.3 | 45% | 15 | 314 | 7 | Quiet | 5 |
| Aug | 20–31 | 32 | 8 | 59 | 7.4 | 46% | 15 | 280 | 6 | Quiet | 6 |
| Sep | 16–26 | 26 | 9 | 79 | 8.8 | 54% | 14 | 231 | 5 | Peak | 9 |
| Oct | 12–21 | 20 | 7 | 86 | 12.3 | 65% | 14 | 178 | 3 | Peak | 8 |
| Nov | 6–13 | 11 | 8 | 93 | 11.6 | 74% | 12 | 138 | 1 | Moderate | 6 |
| Dec | 2–9 | 6 | 11 | 129 | 11.7 | 81% | 12 | 105 | 1 | Moderate | 5 |
UV Index in Bologna by Month
UV index in Bologna peaks at 7 (high) in July, dropping to 1 (low) in January. June, July, August have high UV — SPF 30+ and sunglasses recommended.
Best months in detail
September
9/1016–26°C · 9 rain days (79h) · 231 sun hours · 54% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
October
8/1012–21°C · 7 rain days (86h) · 178 sun hours · 65% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
June
8/1018–28°C · 8 rain days (75h) · 292 sun hours · 50% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
5/101–8°C (feels 6°C) · 7 rain days (87h) · 140 sun hours · 78% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 1 (low)
February
7/104–12°C (feels 10°C) · 5 rain days (60h) · 169 sun hours · 67% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 2 (low)
March
7/105–15°C (feels 12°C) · 7 rain days (85h) · 210 sun hours · 58% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (low) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 4 (moderate)
April
8/108–18°C (feels 16°C) · 8 rain days (96h) · 237 sun hours · 54% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 4 (moderate)
May
8/1013–22°C · 12 rain days (139h) · 249 sun hours · 58% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
July
5/1021–32°C (feels 33°C) · 6 rain days (44h) · 314 sun hours · 45% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
August
6/1020–31°C (feels 32°C) · 8 rain days (59h) · 280 sun hours · 46% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (high)
November
6/106–13°C (feels 11°C) · 8 rain days (93h) · 138 sun hours · 74% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 1 (low)
December
5/102–9°C (feels 6°C) · 11 rain days (129h) · 105 sun hours · 81% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 1 (low)
Frequently asked questions about visiting Bologna
When is the best time to visit Bologna?
September is the highest-scoring month (9/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 16–26°C (9 rainy days). The top three months by score are September, October, June.
What is the worst time to visit Bologna?
December is the lowest-scoring month (5/10). Typical conditions: 2–9°C (11 rainy days).
Is Bologna too hot in summer?
2 months (July, August) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Bologna?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in July and peaks in September. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Bologna have good weather but fewer tourists?
June (climate 8/10, crowd index 9) and February (climate 7/10, crowd index 44) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Bologna by month?
UV peaks at 7 (high) in July and is lowest in January at 1 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 1, Feb 2, Mar 3, Apr 4, May 5, Jun 7, Jul 7, Aug 6, Sep 5, Oct 3, Nov 1, Dec 1.
What is the UV index in Bologna in July?
July is the peak UV month in Bologna, with a daily-peak UV index of 7 (high). Apply SPF 30+, wear sunglasses, and seek shade during midday hours.
How high can UV get in Bologna on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. July is the worst case: typical days average UV 7 (high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 9 (very high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: March, May, June, July, August, September, October. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Bologna bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 7 months: January, February, March, April, October, November, December. The worst month is January with a typical-day mean of 27 µg/m³ (unhealthy); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 47 µg/m³ (hazardous) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.