If one of the first things to pop into your head when you think about Italy is the food, then Bologna is the perfect destination! The capital of Emilia-Romagna combines the region’s famously rich products to create one of the most celebrated cuisines in Europe. Parmigiano Reggiano 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. If you were 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, founded in 1088, and an important cultural center. Bologna is famous for its impressive Medieval and Renaissance architecture, tall defensive towers, porticoed piazzas, and lovely fountains and sculptures. Bologna’s key attractions are the Piazza Maggiore at its heart, flanked by grand buildings like Palazzo d’Accursio, San Petronio Basilica, and the Fountain of Neptune.
This city, one of the most visited Italian tourist destinations, is also an industrial and business powerhouse, and its exhibition fairgrounds attract many congress travelers. From an accommodation perspective, Bologna has everything, from numerous boutique and luxury hotels to smaller, often family-run budget properties, especially in the old town.
Whether visiting Bologna for sightseeing, attending a conference, or simply eating, eating, and eating, keep reading this list of our top picks of best areas to stay in Bologna based on my visits to La Rossa.
Accommodation Options in Bologna
The Best Areas to Stay in Bologna: A Summary
If 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 travelers: 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+ travelers: 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. It 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.
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 center is divided into different quarters, each with a different flavor and attractions. These are some of the most interesting locations:
- Piazza Maggiore, the medieval heart of Bologna’s Old Town, is the 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 you’ll find the Due Torri, two Medieval defensive towers that have become symbols of the city. This iconic area is home to gorgeous properties, such as 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 well-known for its lively alternative nightlife. The best hotel in this quarter is the 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 to Stay 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 and Piazza Nettuno
- Basilica di San Petronio
- Boutique and luxury hotels
- Great nightlife and food scene
Bologna’s oldest quarter, Centro Storico, is enclosed within the city’s ancient defensive walls. Home to most tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, and famous markets, Bologna’s old town is the most exciting quarter for tourists. Its perfect location, narrow cobbled streets, and charming atmosphere make it the best area to stay in Bologna for couples.
The core of this central neighborhood, 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 symbolized 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, the city’s patron saint. 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 meters) and Torre Garisenda (48 meters). 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.
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 city views.
Best Hotels in Bologna Centro Storico
Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni
Located in an 18th-century palace, Grand Hotel Majestic Gia’ Baglioni offers elegant surroundings and antique furnishings in the center of Bologna. It offers complimentary Internet access.
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 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 located in the city’s heart, directly opposite the Towers of Bologna. It offers functional rooms with TVs, free Wi-Fi, and wood or tiled floors.
Palazzo di Alcina – Residenza d’Epoca – Luxury B&B
Located in Bologna, in the Centro Storico and a 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. 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 epicenter 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 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, which was dismantled in the mid-twentieth century.
From 2000 onwards, the area of the Antico Porto has been transformed into a cultural and artistic center 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 like Biografilm.
This Bolognese neighborhood 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 in the city. 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 more central space in the old port area; the Centro Cassero LGBTI+ was born. Since then, the Porto district has become a magnet for queer groups, collectives and associations.
Best Hotels in Porto, Bologna
Zanhotel Europa
Zanhotel Europa features classically furnished rooms. This 4-star hotel offers a varied buffet breakfast a 10-minute walk from the city’s historical center. All rooms have 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 center, 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
Bologna’s alternative heart beats in Pratello, a creative area near Centro Storico.
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Why is this the best area to stay in Bologna:
- Very central location
- Great nightlife and food scene
- Bologna’s alternative area
- Vintage shops and quirky cafés
Il Pratello is a section of the historic center of Bologna 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 neighborhoods 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.
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 center of Bologna.
Today, Il Pratello still retains some of this rough-around-the-edges appearance and bohemian vibe.
Best Hotels in Pratello, Bologna
Boutique Hotel Re Enzo
Boutique Hotel Re Enzo is located in Bologna and features a bar. It also has a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk, room service, and free Wi-Fi throughout. The hotel has family rooms.
Appartamenti Pratello
Situated in the center of Bologna, Appartamenti Pratello features air-conditioned rooms, free WiFi, a wardrobe, a flat-screen TV, a private bathroom, bed linen, and towels.
B&B Pratello
B&B Pratello is set in Bologna, 1 km from MAMbo, featuring free WiFi throughout the property. 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 situated in the Centro Storico of Bologna, 600 m 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 many 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 cities in Italy
- Cheap hotels in central 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 train tracks split the station area; 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 are 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 Parco della Montagnola Park, a 5-minute walk from Bologna Train Station. The reception is open 24 hours daily, and WiFi is free.
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. BolognaFiere: Best Location for Business Travelers
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 travelers
- Conneceted by public transport
- Modern hotels
The Fiera di Bologna (Fair of Bologna) is an exhibition, congress, and convention fairgrounds located northeast of the city center. Spanning over 375,000 square meters, it hosts international events such as Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, EIMA International, and the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. Due to its proximity to major transportation links, BolognaFiere is easily accessible from other parts of the city.
Visitors in town for events will find several hotel options ranging from basic accommodations to more upscale rooms. The best part is that hotel rates in this area are cheaper than in Centro Storico.
Regarding transport, BolognaFiere is served by various means of public transportation. The Bologna Centrale train station is about 2 kilometers away. The area is also connected by several bus lines, including numbers 28, 35, and 38, offering direct access to the exhibition grounds. Additionally, a dedicated shuttle service operates from key city points during major fairs. The Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport is less than 10 kilometers away.
Best Hotels near BolognaFiere
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 center. 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 have a desk and free WiFi. Every room is equipped with a wardrobe and a flat-screen TV.
6. Bologna Airport: Best Location During a Layover
For travelers with early departures or late arrivals, staying near BLQ Airport can be extremely convenient.
Bologna Airport, officially Aeroporto di Bologna Guglielmo Marconi, is an important air travel hub in Emilia-Romagna. Situated approximately 6 kilometers (about 3.7 miles) northwest of the city center, it was named after Guglielmo Marconi, an Italian inventor and Nobel Prize winner.
Bologna Marconi Airport is well-connected internationally and domestically. It operates flights from Ryanair, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, and ITA Airways, connecting passengers to major destinations such as London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Madrid.
Transportation to and from the airport is efficient and fast. The ‘Marconi Express‘ monorail links the airport directly to Bologna Central Train Station in about 7 minutes. Additionally, bus lines connect the airport with the central part of Bologna and nearby towns, while taxis offer direct rides to specific locations.
Best Hotels near Bologna Airport
FlyOn Hotel & Conference Center
FlyOn Hotel & Conference Center has private gardens, a fitness center, and free parking. Bologna Marconi Airport is just under 1 mile away.
Where to Stay in Bologna: A Personal Take
I visited Bologna and had a lovely stay at Zanhotel Europa. It’s a four-star hotel that offers good comfort and services. My room was cozy, and the staff were friendly. It’s a good place to rest after a day of walking around the city.
Staying near the center of Bologna is a great idea. It’s easy to walk to many interesting places from there. The Porto area is one of my favorites. It’s close to Manifattura delle Arti and kind of reminded me of Venice with its charming waterways.
For anyone going to Bologna, I’d say pack comfortable shoes because there’s lots to see on foot. Visit the old buildings and enjoy the local food. Don’t forget to try gelato! Walking by the Porto area at sunset was one of the best parts of my trip.
Bologna: Useful Information for Your Visit
Bologna is the capital and largest city of the Emilia Romagna region in northern Italy.
Bologna is well connected by train and airport, making it easy to reach. The train station, Bologna Centrale, links to other major cities in Italy. The city isn’t large and is great to explore on foot.
Public buses here are reliable, and you can use them to travel longer distances within the city. You might use buses that go through major hubs like Piazza Maggiore or the train station.
For food, don’t miss out on the tagliatelle al ragù, known worldwide as Bolognese sauce, mortadella, and fresh tortellini.
The weather in Bologna ranges from cold winters with temperatures around 0°C to hot summers reaching up to 30°C. Spring and fall see mild weather with occasional rain.
For a touch of medieval architecture, you must see the Two Towers of Bologna. Additionally, visit Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica di San Petronio, and the Archiginnasio of Bologna.
Stay in the city center to be close to most attractions. For a quieter area, consider the Saragozza district.
If you’re saving money, try staying just outside the central part or booking a shared room in a hostel. Generally speaking, avoid staying too far from the center to save on transportation costs.
When looking for accommodations, choose places with good reviews and consider those that offer free breakfast—this will help you start your day affordably.
