Top things to do in Bologna
Attractions, tours, and activities in Bologna
Recommended museums in Bologna
Where to find art and culture in Bologna
Bologna: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Bologna
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Bologna Fiere District
1.4 miles from downtown
Fancy a fair? You’ve come to the right place. Bologna Exhibition Centre draws an impressive line-up of vendors, who bedeck this marketplace with knick-knacks, cosmetics, and Lineapelle leather. Once you’ve filled your tote bag with goodies, take to the surrounding streets and explore little Bologna.
Places to stay from $20 a night
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Bologna City Center
In downtown
Renaissance palaces and pretty piazzas as far as the eye can see. Inside the half-crumbled, medieval walls is the heart of old Bologna - and it’s covered in terracotta red. Slender streets meander in and out of covered colonnades, with a new treasure on every corner. It’s not just a feast for the eyes – the restaurants round here are top-notch.
Places to stay from $15 a night
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Bologna Train Station
0.8 miles from downtown
Planes, trains and automobiles! No matter how you arrive, you’re sure to pass through this transport hub – the gateway to the red-roofed city. Business barons, bag-toting tourists, and transient students rub shoulders as they step on and off trains. “In carrozza!” (all aboard), the conductor calls, before the trains chug away.
Places to stay from $28 a night
About Bologna
Including tips for the best time to visit Bologna
With its well-preserved historic center and miles of charming covered “porticos,” Bologna goes beyond its world-famous, mouthwatering cuisine. The city is also home to the oldest university in continental Europe, founded in 1088.
Piazza Maggiore lies at the heart of the city's old town, bordered by the Basilica of San Petronio, the City Hall Building, the portico dei Banchi, and the Palazzo del Podestà. However, the city's most iconic landmarks are the 12th-century Towers of Bologna, including Torre degli Asinelli and the slightly leaning Torre dei Garisenda.
Often referred to as the food capital of Italy, tourists flock to Bologna for a taste of its cured meats and delicious pasta dishes like tagliatelle al ragù or tortellini stuffed with prosciutto or cheese. You'll also find plenty of fun pubs, hip wine bars, and traditional “trattorias” that are perfect for people watching while enjoying an aperitivo.
The city center is easy to get to from Guglielmo Marconi (Bologna) International Airport, either by taxi or Aerobus.
Tonight
From $454 per night
This weekend
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Next weekend
From $245 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.07 |
| Language | Italian |
| Average weekend price | $122 per night |
| Average weekday price | $169 per night |
| Average stay | 1 night |
Points of interest in Bologna
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Bologna
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Piazza Maggiore
0.1 miles from downtown
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Via Indipendenza
0.4 miles from downtown
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San Petronio Basilica
0.1 miles from downtown
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Church of Saints Dominic and Sixtus
188.5 miles from downtown
Bologna reviews
What other travelers say about Bologna
Bologna is a lovely city with many historic buildings and...
April 23, 2024
Bologna is a lovely city with many historic buildings and museums and dozens of fabulous restaurants. It's also a convenient centre to reach other interesting Italian cities by a short rail journey. This time we visited Ferrara and Faenza. Last visit we had a day in Modena and a few days in Ravenna. Neither Venezia nor Firenze are too far for a day trip. Maybe next time though there's still Parma and Verona on the bucket list.
Everything is great about Bologna especially if you're a...
April 22, 2024
Everything is great about Bologna especially if you're a young person. Great food, not very expensive and mostly positive and friendly people. A lot of students in Giuseppe Verdi Plaza was great to see. There's plenty of cheap food that is high quality but even the high end restaurants are not very expensive. Nice architecture and everything is close together (train station, city center etc). I loved Bologna there's nothing not to like about it!
I found Bologna a very beautiful city.
April 17, 2024
I found Bologna a very beautiful city. Easy to walk around with many interesting buildings. I am 78 and found walking easy. I found the hop on and off bus excelkent value . I would recommend getting the 2day ticket. There are a range of eateries so one can grab a slice of pizza or have a full meal. The aperol spritz are served with small savoury delights. The food is good. The people friendly.
Very interesting city.
April 17, 2024
Very interesting city. Very walkable. The university area is fascinating as is the history of the town - underground canal system, oldest university, etc. It is slightly less busy that other major Italian cities. Great food and nice vibe with it still feeling like a university town (youthful). Had an especially good meal at Da Nello's near Piazza Maggiore. Lots of construction and restoration going on but it didn't really detract too much.
One of the most beautiful cities of Europe, the weather was...
April 14, 2024
One of the most beautiful cities of Europe, the weather was great and there was a great crowd on the streets. The food n people are nice. You can find history in every corner. We walked almost everywhere. Had an eating tour which was very nice.. Go to Via Pescherie Vecchie, for sure you'll find a spot to dine:) If you have few days you can take a tour to Ravenna to see Dante's tomb, the famous mosaics n have lunch at the Mercato Coperto. I didn't get enough, sure will go back:)
Bologna is a very friendly city with a laid back vibe and...
April 11, 2024
Bologna is a very friendly city with a laid back vibe and very safe....the general prices to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner were extremely reasonable which was a nice surprise! Make sure to get the little train up to San Luca, but do it on a good clear day as the views are amazing! We loved "Eataly" and "Roberto Bistrot" and try all the ice cream shops....Bellisimo!!
Popular places to stay in Bologna
Stay in some of the best accommodations Bologna has to offer
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Il Terrazzo di San Colombano Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
From $374 per night
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PANORAMA APARTMENT Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
From $476 per night
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Residenza Pellacani Piazza Maggiore, Bologna
From $470 per night
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CASA PETRONIO APARTMENTS BOLOGNA CENTER Santo Stefano, Bologna
From $171 per night
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051 Guest House Sant'Orsola Malpighi Bologna, Italy
From $133 per night
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