Two major photography exhibitions, parks dressed in autumn colours and a day trip outside the city: a few ideas for experiencing Bologna in the fall

October is one of the best months to spend a few days in Bologna. Temperatures become more pleasant for walking, the parks begin to change colour, and the city’s cultural calendar gets into full swing.

This year in particular, photography takes centre stage with two major exhibitions dedicated to Elliott Erwitt and Edith Tudor-Hart. Add to that the colours of autumn, which you can enjoy without even leaving the city or venturing too far from Relais Bellaria.

If you’re planning a stay in Bologna this October, here are a few ideas to add to your itinerary.

Elliott Erwitt. The Art of Observation

From 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, the Museo Civico Archeologico hosts Elliott Erwitt. The Art of Observation, an exhibition dedicated to one of the great masters of 20th-century photography.

The exhibition brings together around one hundred photographs, combining some of Erwitt’s best-known images with works from the photographer’s private collection, several of which have never been exhibited to the public before.

It is an opportunity to discover the ironic, perceptive and spontaneous eye that made Erwitt famous around the world. People, everyday situations and small details become the subjects of photographs that reveal far more than first meets the eye.

There is another good reason to include the exhibition in your itinerary: the Museo Civico Archeologico is located on Via dell’Archiginnasio, just a few steps from Piazza Maggiore. A visit can easily become part of a full day exploring Bologna’s historic centre, taking in Piazza Maggiore, the Quadrilatero, the Archiginnasio and, of course, a walk beneath the city’s famous porticoes.

Edith Tudor-Hart: when photography meets espionage

From 24 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, Palazzo Pepoli – Museum of the History of Bologna hosts Edith Tudor-Hart. Between Photography and Espionage, the first major Italian retrospective dedicated to the Anglo-Austrian photographer.

For those unfamiliar with her story, it is certainly an unusual one. After studying at the Bauhaus in Dessau, between the 1930s and 1950s Tudor-Hart used photography to document the society of her time, focusing on the living conditions of the working class, poverty, childhood, women’s rights and the political transformations taking place across Europe.

Ma alla carriera fotografica si affiancò anche un’attività clandestina legata all’intelligence sovietica e alla vicenda dei Cambridge Five, una delle più note reti di spionaggio del Novecento.

The exhibition features more than one hundred photographs divided into five sections, together with personal documents, magazines, private papers and material from the British intelligence services.

Once again, the exhibition is right in the heart of Bologna. Palazzo Pepoli is located on Via Castiglione, making it an excellent starting point for continuing your exploration of the historic centre on foot.

October in Bologna also means autumn foliage

Between an exhibition and a walk beneath the porticoes, it is worth setting aside some time for nature too.

Between October and November – although the exact timing varies depending on temperatures and weather conditions – Bologna and its surroundings begin to take on the characteristic shades of autumn. And you don’t necessarily need to plan a full day in the Apennines to enjoy them.

Ci sono alcuni luoghi facilmente raggiungibili dal centro e dal Relais Bellaria, che meritano una passeggiata.

Giardini Margherita: autumn colours just outside the city centre

The park’s broad tree-lined avenues gradually change colour, while one of the most picturesque spots is the area around the pond,

where on clear days the autumn trees are reflected in the water.

It is ideal if you don’t want to plan a full itinerary: simply set aside some time for a stroll, perhaps in the afternoon, before heading back towards the city centre.

Villa Ghigi: Bologna from the foothills

If you have a few more hours to spare, head to Parco di Villa Ghigi, set in the first hills overlooking Bologna.

Covering around 28 hectares, the park offers a very different setting from the city’s traditional public gardens. Meadows, trees, footpaths and panoramic viewpoints offer a different perspective over Bologna, while in autumn the changing colours of the vegetation make the landscape even more beautiful.

The park can also be reached from the city centre, either on foot from Porta San Mamolo or by taking bus 52. This makes it an easy destination for a few hours outdoors without actually leaving Bologna.

Parco della Vena del Gesso Romagnola

Close to our Relais lies the Parco regionale della Vena del Gesso Romagnola, a landscape characterised by spectacular karst formations, caves and gypsum outcrops, and recognised as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In autumn, the contrast between the rocky landscape and the changing colours of the vegetation makes the scenery particularly striking. It is therefore an excellent option for anyone looking to combine a city break with a day of walking, nature and autumn foliage.

An autumn weekend between city and nature

One of the best things about Bologna in October is the opportunity to plan days that are completely different from one another.

You can start in the historic centre with a photography exhibition, return to Ristorante Corbezzoli for lunch, and spend the afternoon walking in the countryside.

October is therefore an excellent time to plan a few days in Bologna, combining culture, walks and autumn colours without having to fill every moment of your stay with scheduled activities.

Relais Bellaria Hotel & Congressi is the perfect starting point for discovering Bologna.