If you are a foodie, then Il Quadrilatero or Mercato di Mezzo as it is also known should not be missed. This ancient food market is nestled in the medieval zone of the town and is one of the best places to shop, eat and sight see. Just off the Piazza Maggiore, you have to navigate through narrow passages that are filled with colorful stalls, specialty food stores, wine shops, cafes and more. You will find the best of the regional produce as well as some fabulous Bolognese cuisine at this place. Check out the pasta shops, cheese shops, fish stalls, cured meats and butcheries. If you want to feel the pulse of the city, this is one place that is always pulsating!
The buildings that line the sides of this beautiful medieval piazza were all built between the 12th and 14th Centuries. The Piazza forms the heart of city and it provides a wonderful backdrop for everyday city life. The streets are full of artists, university students and families with children. When the sun is high, they move from the open areas of the square to the shade of the Basilica di San Petronio. Here they sit and witness the daily life of a city which is famous for its university, architecture, tortellini and the extraordinary vitality of the people who live there. Often you can find a crowd gathered in a circle listening to and sharing political ideas.
Piazza Nettuno is one of the two prominent squares of Bologna with the other being Piazza Maggiore. Named after Statua del Nettuno, the square was built in the 16th century and is more famous for the Fontana del Nettuno. Besides being a spot for sightseeing as it is flanked by many historical landmarks, it is also a gathering place for locals.