If one of the first things to pop into your head when you think about Italy is the food, then Bologna is undoubtedly the destination for you! The capital of Emilia-Romagna combines the region’s famously rich products to create one of the most celebrated cuisines in Europe. Parmigiano Regiano cheese, Parma ham, balsamic vinegar of Modena, mortadella, Culatello di Zibello or ragù Bolognese sauce are some of the most well-known gastronomic creations confectioned here. Were you looking for the best areas to stay in Bologna? You have stumbled upon the right article.
Not only is Bologna the food capital of Italy, but it is also the site of the oldest university in the Western world and an important cultural centre. Bologna is famous for its impressive Medieval and Reinassance architecture, tall defensive towers and porticoed piazzas with lovely fountains and sculptures. This city, one of the most visited Italian tourist destinations, is also a major industrial and business powerhouse and its exhibition fairgrounds attract a large number of congress travellers. From an accommodation perspective, Bologna has it all, from numerous boutique and luxury hotels and smaller, often family-run budget properties, especially in the old town.
Whether you’re visiting Bologna for sightseeing, attending a conference, or simply to eat, eat and eat, keep reading this list of our top picks of best areas to stay in Bologna for tourists.
Accommodation Options in BolognaIf you don’t have the time or the patience to read this article in full, here is a quick summary of our recommended areas to stay in Bologna. Keep reading to find out more information about each of these districts.
- Best area for sightseeing: Centro Storico (Historic City Centre)
- Best area for business travellers: Bologna Fiere District
- Best location for foodies & nightlife: Piazza Maggiore
- Cheapest area to stay in Bologna: Centrale Railway Station
- Best location for hipsters: Pratello
- Best location for LGBTQ+ travellers: Porto
What’s the Best Area to Stay in Bologna, Italy?
The best area to stay in Bologna is Centro Storico, especially for sightseeing and food. Bologna’s Old Town comprises the area once enclosed within the ancient city walls and contains the city’s top attractions and museums, including the Basilica di San Petronio, Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, and the Basilica di Santo Stefano. This ancient and central district is also home to some of the best-rated hotels in Bologna.
Find Available Accommodation in Centro Storico di Bologna.
Best Hotels in Bologna Old Town
- Best five-star hotel: Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni
- Best four-star hotel: PHI HOTEL BOLOGNA “Al Cappello Rosso”
- Best three-star hotel: Zanhotel Regina
- Best budget hotel: Albergo Garisenda
- Best B&B: Palazzo di Alcina – Residenza d’Epoca – Luxury B&B
- Best hostel: Dopa Hostel
Where to Stay in Bologna for Sightseeing
As mentioned above, Bologna’s Centro Storico is the best location for tourists in the Emilian capital. The city centre is divided into different quartieri, each with a different flavour and attractions. These are some of the most exciting locations:
- The heart of Bologna’s Old Town is centred around Piazza Maggiore, the Medieval heart of the city. This lively and ancient district is also home to attractions including the Palazzo d’Accursio, the Basilica di San Petronio and the famous Fountain of Neptune. Some of the best hotels in this area include the Art Hotel Orologio and Hotel Roma.
- East of Piazza Maggiore lie the Due Torri, two Medieval defensive towers that have become symbol of the city. This iconic area is home to gorgeous properties including Hotel Corona d’Oro and Residence le Porte.
- Home to the Manifattura delle Arti & the Museum of Modern Art, the Porto Antico area is a great location in Bologna for sightseeing and the city’s LGBT quarter. A great 3-star in this area is Hotel Marconi Express.
- Il Pratello, situated west of Piazza Maggiore, in the Porto-Saragozza district, is very well-known for its lively nightlife and for being a hipster hub. The best hotel in this quarter is Adriano Residence.
- Bologna Centrale, the city’s main railway station is a convenient area for sightseeing, especially if you’re planning to visit other places in Emilia Romagna. A great option in this area is the Starhotels Excelsior.
The Best Areas for Tourists in Bologna: District by District
1. Centro Storico: Best Location for Sightseeing & Food Lovers
Home to the city’s most visited tourist attractions, Centro Storico is the the best area to stay in Bologna for sightseeing.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Bologna:
- Heart of the city
- Best area for sightseeing
- Charming streets
- Piazza Maggiore & Piazza Nettuno
- Basilica di San Petronio
- Boutique & luxury hotels
- Great nightlife & food scene
Bologna’s oldest quarter, Centro Storico, is enclosed within the ancient defensive walls of the city. Home to most tourist attractions, restaurants, bars and famous markets, Bologna’s old town is the most exciting quarter for tourists. Its perfect location, together with its narrow cobbled streets and charming atmosphere, make it the best area to stay in Bologna for couples.
The core of this central neighbourhood, Via dell’Indipendenza, leads to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore. Piazza del Nettuno is known for its fountain. Built between 1563 and 1566, Neptune’s Fountain was the symbol of papal power over the city for centuries: as Neptune dominates the waters, the Pope dominates the world. Around it lie many other important religious and civil buildings, including the palace of Re Enzo and the unfinished Basilica of San Petronio, patron saint of the city. The church, begun in 1390, was modified and enlarged during the 1500s.
A few steps from the basilica, in Via dei Musei, is the beautiful Archiginnasio, home to the Anatomical Theatre. This building was the first seat of the University of Bologna. Nearby are the famous Torre degli Asinelli (97 metres) and Torre Garisenda (48 metres). Known simply as the Two Towers, these are medieval defensive structures named after the two families who built them between 1109 and 1119.
Between the 12th and 13th, Bologna was home to at least 100 towers like these. Unfortunately, over time only 24 remained, and these two are the most famous and the symbol of the city. The Asinelli Tower is home to a panoramic lookout open to the public.
Other important attractions in Centro Storico include the Mercato delle Erbe, a fruit and vegetable market, Piazza di Santo Stefano, the Botanical Garden and Herbarium, the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Pietro and the Manifattura delle Arti.
Centro Storico is a very well-connected area. Bologna Centrale railway station is located just north of the district. More importantly, this Bologna quarter hosts the widest variety of places to stay in the Emilian capital, ranging from modest 2-star properties to the most luxurious hotels with breathtaking views of the city.
Best Hotels in Bologna Centro Storico
Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni
Located within an 18th-century palace, Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni offers elegant surroundings and antique furnishings in the centre of Bologna. Internet access is complimentary.
Al Cappello Rosso
Dating back to 1375, Al Cappello Rosso is one of Bologna’s oldest boutique hotels. It combines 600 years of hospitality with modern facilities to ensure a pleasant stay next to Piazza Maggiore, its central square.
Zanhotel Regina
Zanhotel Regina is located between Bologna Central Station and Piazza Maggiore, close to La Montagnola Park. All of Bologna’s attractions are within walking distance.
Albergo Garisenda
Albergo Garisenda is set in the city’s heart, directly opposite the Towers of Bologna. It offers functional rooms with TV, free WiFi, and wood or tiled floors.
Palazzo di Alcina – Residenza d’Epoca – Luxury B&B
Located in Bologna, in the Centro Storico and an 5-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore, Palazzo di Alcina offers accommodation with amenities like free WiFi and flat-screen TV.
Dopa Hostel
Dopa Hostel is located in Bologna, a 10-minute walk from the Cathedral and 350 m from Palazzo Poggi Museum. It features free WiFi throughout. Bologna Centrale Station can be reached on foot in 15 minutes.
2. Porto & Saffi: Artsy and Gay-Friendly Location in Bologna
Porto is Bologna’s new cultural epicentre and LGBT quarter.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Bologna:
- Very central location
- Manifattura delle Arti
- Bologna’s gay area
- Museum of Modern Art of Bologna
Porto, officially a part of the larger Porto-Zaragoza district, includes the Marconi quarter of Centro Storico and the western suburb of Saffi. It gets its name from the former port on the Navile canal, dismantled in the mid-twentieth century.
From 2000 onwards, the area of the Antico Porto has been transformed into a cultural and artistic centre called Manifattura delle Arti (Factory of the Arts). It houses the MAMbo (Museum of Modern Art of Bologna), the headquarters of the Cineteca di Bologna, including the Cinema Lumière, and the Department of Philosophy and Communication of the University of Bologna. In the summer, the Cavaticcio public garden and its canal also host concerts and festivals such as Biografilm.
This Bolognese neighbourhood is also a landmark for the Italian LGBTQ+ community. On June 28, 1982, mayor Renato Zangheri granted Porta Saragozza to Circulo 28 giugno. It was the first time a public building was assigned to a gay association. This revolutionary act put Bologna at the forefront of the fight for equality in Italy. In 2002, the gay rights group moved to a much larger and central space in the old port area; the Cassero LGBTI+ Centre was born. Since then, the Porto district has become a magnet for queer groups, collectives and associations.
Best Hotels in Porto
Zanhotel Europa
Zanhotel Europa features classically furnished rooms. Breakfast is a varied buffet at this 4-star hotel set a 10-minute walk from the city’s historical centre. All rooms come with air conditioning, satellite TV, and a private bathroom with toiletries.
Nuovo Hotel Del Porto
Bologna’s Nuovo Hotel Del Porto offers modern, air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi. Located in the historical centre, it is 1 km from Piazza Maggiore and a 10-minute walk from Bologna Centrale Train Station.
B&B Lame 87
B&B Lame 87 offers accommodation in Bologna, 450 m from MAMbo and 1.2 km from Piazza Maggiore. This bed and breakfast provides a concierge service and free WiFi.
3. Pratello & Saragozza: Best Location for Nightlife & Hipsters
Bologna’s alternative heart beats in Pratello, a hipster area in Centro Storico.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Bologna:
- Very central location
- Great nightlife & food scene
- Bologna’s hipster area
- Vintage shops & quirky cafés
Il Pratello is a section of the historic centre of Bologna. It is located in the Porto-Saragozza district, around Via del Pratello, an ancient arcaded street.
This section of Centro Storico is a lively and famous district known for its lively nightlife and bohemian atmosphere. In addition to its numerous bars and osterie, this area is also home to many craft shops, vintage clothing boutiques, restaurants, design studios, co-working venues, cinemas and some theatre companies. The Sunday Times cited the “bohemian via del Pratello” when naming Bologna the quintessential Italian hipster city.
As with many so-called hipster neighbourhoods worldwide (New York’s Brooklyn, London’s East End and Barcelona’s Raval come to mind), the Pratello district was, until recently, known as a degraded working-class area rife with illicit activities such as prostitution and illegal gambling. Since the 1990s, however, Pratello has gone through an intense gentrification process that has seen it become one of the most desirable quarters in the centre of Bologna.
Today, Il Pratello still retains some of this rough-around-the-edges appearance and bohemian vibe.
Best Hotels in Pratello
Boutique Hotel Re Enzo
Boasting a bar, Boutique Hotel Re Enzo is set in Bologna. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi throughout the property. The hotel has family rooms.
Appartamenti Pratello
Situated in the centre of Bologna, Appartamenti Pratello features air-conditioned rooms and free WiFi, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen and towels.
B&B Pratello
Featuring free WiFi throughout the property, B&B Pratello is set in Bologna, 1 km from MAMbo. All rooms come with a shared bathroom. You will find luggage storage space at the property.
Hostel Il Nosadillo – Bologna
Hostel Il Nosadillo – Bologna is well situated in the Centro Storico of Bologna, 600 m away from Piazza Maggiore. An Italian breakfast is available daily at the property.
4. Bologna Centrale Railway Station: Best Location for a Budget Trip to Bologna
Bologna Centrale is a very centrally-located area home to a broad selection of business hotels and budget accommodations.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Bologna:
- Very central location
- Train links to most Italy
- Cheap hotels in Bologna
Bologna Centrale station is the main railway hub in the city and the fifth-busiest train station in Italy. Since 2013 it has also offered high-speed services. Its strategic position makes it the convergence of multiple lines in northern Italy. It features direct high-speed train services to most major cities in Italy, including Milan, Rome, Venice, Turin, Verona, Florence, Ancona, Naples and Bari, and Regional and InterCity services to hundreds of other destinations in Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Germany.
The station also offers suburban links to other Emilia-Romagna cities like Piacenza, Parma, Modena Reggio Emilia, Ferrara and Rimini, and a direct connection to Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport via the Marconi Express, a monorail line launched in 2020.
The station district is unsurprisingly split by the train tracks; the southern portion, part of Centro Storico, is generally nicer, while the part north of the station, belonging to Bolognina is considerably less charming and can feel unsafe at night. On the upside, the accommodations found here tend to be cheaper than those around Piazza Maggiore, and the city’s heart is only a 20-minute walk away, making it an excellent and relatively central option to stay in Bologna.
Best Hotels near Bologna Centrale Station
Starhotels Excelsior
The 4-star superior Starhotels Excelsior is opposite Bologna Train Station and the airport bus terminal. It offers free WiFi throughout, modern interiors, a gourmet restaurant and a free gym. The Bologna Exhibition Centre is 2 km away.
Millennhotel
The Millennhotel is an elegant building near the Parco della Montagnola park, a 5-minute walk from Bologna Train Station. The reception is open 24 hours, and WiFi is free throughout.
AbitaRoom
Set in Bologna, next to Bologna Centrale railway station and within 600 m of MAMbo, AbitaRoom has a terrace, allergy-free rooms, and free WiFi throughout the property.
BB Veronesi
BB Veronesi features free WiFi in Bologna, near MAMbo, Via dell’ Indipendenza and Museum for the Memory of Ustica.
5. Fiere: Best Location for Business Travellers
Located northeast of the city centre, Bologna Fiere is a business-oriented area home to one of the most important fairgrounds in Italy.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Bologna:
- Best area for business travellers
- Conneceted by public transport
- Modern hotels
The Fiera di Bologna (Fair of Bologna) is a complex of exhibition, congress and convention grounds located to the northeast of the city centre.
It is an area especially suitable for business, and congress travellers, and the hotels in this area are usually business-style.
Being a commercial and business centre, the area has good public transport connections and hotel rates are usually cheaper than in Centro Storico.
Best Hotels near Fiere di Bologna
The Sydney Hotel
Offering an outdoor swimming pool, gym and restaurant, The Sydney Hotel offers tastefully decorated rooms with free WiFi. It is just outside Exit 8 Bis of Bologna’s ring road, and a 2-minute drive from the BolognaFiere Trade Fair Centre.
Hotel Michelino Bologna Fiera
Hotel Michelino Bologna Fiera offers modern rooms with free WiFi, just 200 m from the main entrance of Bologna’s exhibition centre. Parking is free, and the A14 motorway is 300 m away.
Hotel Fattori
Featuring a bar, Hotel Fattori offers accommodation in Bologna, a 10-minute drive from Fico Eataly World. Free WiFi is available throughout.
Bed & Breakfast Cesarina
Boasting a shared lounge, Bed & Breakfast Cesarina is set in Bologna. The air-conditioned rooms provide a garden view and come with a desk and free WiFi. Every room is equipped with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV.
Where to Look for Accommodation in Bologna: Useful Info
Bologna is the capital and largest city of the Emilia Romagna region in northern Italy.
Bologna is a city of nicknames: “La Dotta” (the erudite) refers to its status as the oldest university city in Europe, “La Rossa” (the red), speaks of the colour of its old brick buildings and political views of its young inhabitants, and “La Grassa” (the fat) refers to the fame of this region as the gourmet capital of Italy. If you have ever tasted pasta Bolognese, mortadella, Parmesan cheese or Modena vinegar, you could say that your palate has already travelled to Emilia Romagna without you knowing it.
The tourist attractions of Bologna are open all year round and the city centre can be easily reached on foot. In Bologna, the climate is semi-continental, typical of the Po Valley, with cold and humid winters and hot and sticky summers. The average temperature in January is around 3°C and the temperature in July is 24.5°C.
As in other cities in Italy, the peak season in Bologna covers the summer season, Christmas and New Year and Easter week. During these dates, hotel prices soar, but it is also possible to find cheap accommodation in student residences that double as hotels when college students are on holiday. The best time to visit Bologna is in late spring and early fall when the weather is mild and the prices of accommodations are affordable.
As for the best areas, Centro Storico will always be the preferred area to stay in Bologna, due to its convenience and proximity to the city’s attractions. See hotels in Bologna’s City Centre.
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