Planning a trip to Emilia-Romagna? Don’t miss out on the region’s historic capital of Bologna. Although it isn’t quite as large as other popular travel destinations in Italy, deciding where to stay in Bologna isn’t as easy as it might seem. The city teems with interesting areas, neighborhoods, and districts, with tons of accommodation options for all budgets.
Most first-time visitors choose to base themselves in the Centro Storico. The historic city centre is home to many of the best hotels in Bologna. You’ll also find many of the city’s top tourist attractions and landmarks here, including contains medieval towers and old public squares surrounded by cafes and shops.
For a slightly quieter visit, spend your nights outside Centro Storico, where you’ll find several charming neighborhoods, each with its own unique style.
Need help deciding where to base yourself? Start comparing accommodations with this complete guide to the best places to stay in Bologna, Italy!
Best places to stay in Bologna, Italy
Bologna covers over 140 square kilometres and has a population of about a million people. It’s not the largest city in Italy, but it has several distinct areas to explore.
As you travel around the city centre, you’ll pass dozens of historic sites and old buildings. In the surrounding districts, you’ll discover some of the finest restaurants in Italy.
No matter where you end up staying, travelling around Bologna is easy. It’s a compact area with an easy-to-follow grid-like street system. You can easily go from the old public squares in the city centre to the streets of the university district.
The best areas to stay in Bologna are:
Centro Storico
✓ Best area to stay in Bologna for historic sightseeing and shopping
If you’re a first-time traveller to Bologna, start your accommodation search in the Centro Storico. As with many travel destinations, Bologna’s historic centre contains many of the city’s top attractions.
The compact area is full of medieval buildings, with almost every street containing an old-world charm and several historic sites. You can’t walk more than a few blocks without passing one of the hundreds of old towers or public squares. A vibrant part of the city, Centro Storico is often filled with travellers walking around staring at the ancient architecture.
In the centre of the district, you’ll find Piazza Maggiore. It’s the main public square and hosts many local markets. You can typically find a wide variety of fresh food and delicacies throughout the year.
Other historic attractions include the various churches in the area and the impressive Fountain of Neptune. Built in 1563, the fountain includes multiple inscriptions and several additional statues.
Surprisingly, Centro Storico is also the best part of Bologna for shopping, instead of one of the more upscale suburbs. East of the main public square is several blocks of narrow, winding streets lined with markets, stalls, and small shops. It’s the best spot for shopping for antiques, souvenirs, and interesting treasures. For clothing and high-end goods, visit the streets running north from Piazza Maggiore.
In & around Centro Storico: Piazza Maggiore, Fountain of Neptune, Two Towers, Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo Grassi, Giuseppe Garibaldi Monument
Recommended hotels in Centro Storico
Centro Storico provides a wide selection of hotels. With over a hundred options, including some of the best hotels in Bologna. Choose from affordable three-star hotels and reasonably priced four-star accommodations.
- Hotel Corona d’Oro: Located down the street from the Two Towers, this four-star hotel features elegant décor and comfortable beds. Some of the rooms have views of the historic city centre but expect to pay a premium price. As it’s in the heart of the city, it’s one of the more expensive options.
- Grand Hotel Majestic Gia’ Baglioni: Located inside an 18th-century palace, this hotel stands out as one of the most luxurious options in the city. It’s a short walk from Piazza del Nettuno, Piazza Maggiore, and the other historic sites.
- Zanhotel Regina: This hotel has one of the most convenient locations. It’s halfway between the train station and Piazza Maggiore. It’s also located on Via Indipendenza, the main shopping street in Bologna, and near Montagnola Park.
- Hotel Al Cappello Rosso: Stay in the heart of Bologna with a room at this four-star hotel. It’s one of the oldest boutique hotels in the city, established in 1375. With over 600 years of service, it’s earned a reputation for offering comfortable rooms and hot tea.
Bolognina
✓ Top-rated neighbourhood to stay in Bologna for local culture and a lively atmosphere
Meaning “Little Bologna,” Bolognina is one of the most diverse neighbourhoods in the city. It’s located north of the historic centre and Bologna Centrale Station.
While it doesn’t have a lot of historic landmarks, it has lots of historic architecture. Many of the streets are narrow and flanked by centuries-old structures, making it a smaller copy of Centro Storico.
Little Bologna was primarily a working-class neighbourhood for most of the 20th century. In the past couple of decades, it’s become the most culturally rich district in the city.
It has a youthful atmosphere and constant energy. No matter if you visit during the day or night, it’s always lively and full of things to see and do. As you pass the old architecture, you’ll notice graffiti and street art. You’ll also pass small covered markets and endless cafes.
Toward the outer edges of the district, the medieval architecture is slowly replaced with red brick buildings and warehouses. It’s also where you’ll find Albani Market. The partially covered produce market features painted shutters and is full of small shops selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and other foods.
Overall, it’s an eclectic neighbourhood with its own taste and style. If you want to immerse yourself in the local culture, this is the spot.
In & around Bolognina: Museum for the Memory of Ustica, Ippodromo di Bologna Racecourse, Parco di Villa Angeletti, Teatro Testoni Ragazzi
Recommended hotels in Bolognina
Bolognina doesn’t have the largest selection of hotels. Most of the accommodations are apartments or condos. However, you will find a few hotels close to the train station and others located toward the northern border of the district.
- Savhotel: This four-star hotel features modern décor with a minimalist style, located a short walk from the Bologna Fair District on the eastern side of the neighbourhood. It’s further from the historic centre but offers views from the old streets from the rooftop bar.
- Best Western City Hotel: Located near Bologna Centrale Station, this four-star hotel provides convenient access to Little Bologna and the city centre. You can walk through both neighbourhoods without needing to get on a bus. Before you venture outdoors, fill up with free breakfast and cappuccino.
- Hotel Il Guercino: Just 800 feet from the train station, this boutique-style hotel has a great breakfast, friendly staff, and elegantly furnished rooms. It’s a comfortable place to stay, located in a quiet part of the neighbourhood.
Bologna Centrale Station
✓ Recommended area to stay in Bologna for day-tripping and sightseeing
The Bologna Centrale Station is just north of the historic centre. The train station itself is one of the busiest in Italy. It connects with almost every major city in the peninsula. You can reach Rome, Florence, Venice, or Milan from the station and vice versa.
The city’s bus routes also include stops at the station, giving you convenient access to the major attractions. If you have just one day in Bologna, it’s a useful place to stay. You can get off the train or bus and instantly start exploring the city.
It’s also just south of Bolognina. After you’re tired of touring the historic sites in Centro Storico, travel north to explore the culturally diverse Little Bologna neighbourhood.
The location is close enough to each district to walk. It takes about 20 minutes to walk from the train station to Piazza Maggiore and a little bit less time to reach the main streets of Bolognina.
Part of the station was reconstructed after the 1980 Bologna Massacre. The terrorist attack destroyed part of the main lobby and killed 85 people. A deep crack remains in the main wall as a testimony to the many victims.
In & around Bologna Centrale Station: Porta Galleria, Montagnola Park, Piazza XX Settembre, Scalinata del Pincio, Museum of Modern Art Bologna
Recommended hotels in Bologna Centrale Station
Thanks to the busy train station, this area has quite a few hotels. People can get off the train or bus and walk just a few blocks to their hotel. Almost all the top-rated accommodations in this area are four-star hotels with lots of amenities.
- Starhotels Excelsior: Located across from Bologna Centrale Station, this four-star hotel has its own bar with hot and cold drinks served throughout the day. You also get a filling breakfast each morning, helping to fuel your trip through the city. The rooms are also spacious and elegantly furnished.
- UNAHOTELS Bologna Centro: Another four-star location, this hotel has dozens of rooms and several apartments, some with their own spa tubs. The rooms are large and quiet, allowing you to rest after a long day of sightseeing. It’s a luxurious place to stay and tends to run out of vacancies quickly, so book early.
- Royal Hotel Carlton: This next hotel is a few blocks from the station, located close to the historic city centre. It’s a short walk from Montagnola Park and the high-end shopping on Via Indipendenza. You’ll also have access to a spa, pool, and other amenities.
Bologna Fiera
✓ Best district in Bologna for budget travellers seeking relaxation
Bologna Fiera is the main business district in Bologna. If you need to check items off your Bologna itinerary, you can always hop on a bus and travel to the historic city centre.
The Fiera district is mostly known for its exhibition and conference centres. Throughout the year, you’ll find various trade shows and events held at any of the three major centres. Expect to see a lot of travellers in suits and ties arriving for trade shows.
Compared to the other districts, Bologna Fiera stands out for its lack of historic sites and old architecture. The skyline mostly contains office towers and modern buildings housing large companies.
While there isn’t a lot to see or do in Fiera, it’s a good place to go to relax and get away from the busier parts of the city.
It’s also a top choice for where to stay in Bologna for families, due to the variety of restaurants and many parks in the area. Just south of one of the main convention centres is Don Bosco Park. It’s a large wooded park with walking paths, benches, and beautiful scenery.
In & around Bologna Fiera: Don Bosco Park, Fiera di Bologna, The Space Cinema, Charlie Parker and John Lennon Park, San Donnino Park
Recommended hotels in Bologna Fiera
This area includes many mid-range hotels with budget rates. It’s a great place to stay if you want to save some money on your accommodations, leaving more money for exploring the city. Several of these options also have their own onsite restaurants, when you don’t feel like venturing into the city.
- Savoia Hotel Regency: Located inside an 18th-century villa, this boutique-style four-star hotel has its own onsite restaurant. It serves local cuisine and has 1960s furnishings, giving it a retro vibe. Some of the rooms also have their own balconies.
- Hotel Michelino Bologna Fiera: Just a couple hundred metres from the main exhibition centre, this three-star hotel is a top choice for budget travellers. It’s near the Museum for the Memory of Ustica and several markets.
- Hotel Cosmopolitan Bologna: This hotel is located on the outskirts of the neighbourhood, placing you further from the historic centre. It’s also next to one of the major exhibition centres and offers very affordable rates. It’s a four-star hotel with rooms at about a quarter of the cost compared to similar hotels in the city centre.
