Where to Stay in Bologna → 6 AMAZING Areas + Hotels

When planning a trip to Northern Italy, it’s more than likely that Bologna is on your travel itinerary, as it’s one of the most stunning European cities and boasts the best Italian cuisine. If so, you’ll find my guide on where to stay in Bologna extremely useful. 

I’m Italian and I did my Master’s in Bologna so I know the city very well. I can tell you that Centro Storico is the ultimate place to stay in Bologna, as you’ll be able to explore the entire city and stay in the best Bologna hotels. 

I also took the time to compare all the accommodation options in the city and handpicked the very best ones for you (and also sorted it by price!). This way anyone will be able to find their ideal place in a matter of a couple of clicks!

As Bologna is a relatively small city but a very popular one – hotels can fill up quicker than you think. That’s why you shouldn’t forget to make a booking in advance and get the best possible deals! 

Quick Picks for Your Stay

Here are the best hotels in Centro Storico, Bologna’s Old Town:

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Watch my video, it will give you a visual explanation of all the areas:

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Here’s a map of Bologna showing the areas discussed in this post:

1. Centro Storico (Old Town) – best place for first-timers

Bologna lies between the Po River and the Apennine Mountains in Northern Italy, and it’s one of the top cities to visit in Italy for its stunning architecture and delicious cuisine. However, if you wonder where to stay in Bologna for the first time, Centro Storico, the historic center, is the place where you’ll find many major attractions and feel the city’s authentic atmosphere.

This is THE place if you want to be close to everything! 

The best way to explore the city center is by walking along the historic streets, stopping to admire the beautiful buildings and the old city walls. When you roam around central Bologna, it’s inevitable to come across Piazza Maggiore, the city’s main square.

The square houses some of Bologna’s main attractions – the Basilica di San Petronio (map), Fontana del Nettuno (map), and Palazzo d’Accursio (map), a 14th-century palace that is now Bologna’s city hall. 

Once you’re done with Piazza Maggiore, your next stop should be at the Two Towers (map), the main symbols of the city, dating back to the 12th century. The taller of the 2, Asinelli Tower, is usually open to the public, and you can climb to the top for the best views of the city. But I have to warn you – there are 498 steps to the top! 

After you’ve seen all the sights, it’s time to go shopping at Via Indipendenza, Bologna’s main shopping street, lined with many upscale stores. Plus, it’s part of Bologna’s limited traffic zone, so you won’t need to worry about passing cars unless you visit before 7am or after 8 pm. For more shopping, check out the Old Market in the Quadrilatero neighborhood. 

NOTE: If you are staying in the area and rented a car, you will be allowed to drive in ZTL (Zona Traffico Limitato), but you will need to get a permit from your hotel first – so please contact your hotel before – they may request a temporary access for your car’s license plates for the time of your stay. 

Don’t worry foodies, I haven’t forgotten about you! Centro Storico is a food lover’s paradise. You will be able to find plenty of amazing local restaurants, like Osteria del Sole (map) and Ristorante da Nello al Montegrappa (map).

And, if you want to try the most delicious pasta bolognese, here are 2 spots I can’t recommend enough: Al Sangiovese Restaurant (map) and Trattoria Bertozzi (map) – both are yum!

Now, check out my hotel picks for where to stay in Bologna Centro Storico:

Other accommodation options in Centro Storico

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Bologna’s historic center is the most popular tourist spot in the city, so hotels are often booked far in advance. If you didn’t manage to find availability for your dates in the hotels recommended above, I recommend 3 other Bologna hotels for all budgets. 

• Hotel Touring (€€€) – This is one of the best luxury hotels in the city, with a rooftop terrace, a hot tub, and a delicious free breakfast
• Hotel Cavour (€€) – The hotel has rooms with elegant furnishings, an inner courtyard, and a small terrace where you can enjoy your breakfast
• Mitodea – Historic Residence (€) – This baroque-style B&B offers air-conditioned rooms, luggage storage, and express check-out

Things to do in Centro Storico

• Stop by La Piccola Venezia (map) and snap some photos
• Visit the Archaeological Museum of Bologna
• Admire the architecture at Piazza Santo Stefano
• Shop for fresh food at Mercato delle Erbe (map)

2. Bolognina & Bologna Centrale Station – for a local vibe

Bolognina is located North of the historic center, bordering the area around Bologna Centrale Station and 4 km (2 mi) away from Piazza Maggiore. The name of the neighborhood, Bolognina (pronounced as bo-lo-NEE-nah), literally translates to ‘little Bologna’ and is the best place to experience local life in a relaxing atmosphere. 

Both are located about 15 min walking away from the Historic Center. 

I decided to recommend Bologna Centrale Station together with Bolognina, as this is a very small area around the main train station, nestled between Bolognina and the city center. Although it’s not the most appealing part of the city, it can be very convenient to stay near the train station, especially if you want to visit nearby towns like Venice or Pisa. 

The main cultural landmark in Bolognina is the Museum for the Memory of Ustica, an impressive history museum dedicated to an unsolved plane crash. However, if you head South towards the central station, you’ll find MAMbo – Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna, an art museum with a permanent collection and temporary exhibits. 

Here, you will also find a vibrant nightlife scene, with many clubs and bars. I suggest the Locomotiv Club, a popular live music venue where you can attend anything from comedy shows to rock concerts. 

Finally, I have a recommendation for car lovers! Head to the central train station, catch the next train to Modena and pay a visit to the Ferrari Museum to learn more about the history of these legendary Italian cars and see some of the coolest cars ever created. 

Other accommodation options in Bolognina & Centrale Station

Things to do in Bolognina & Bologna Centrale Station 

• Check out the street art around the market (map)
• Spend a relaxing afternoon at Parco della Montagnola (map)
• Have a nice Italian dinner at Trattoria di Via Serra
• Stop by the impressive Porta Galliera (map)

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3. Fiera di Bologna – where to stay in Bologna on business

Situated 4 km (2 miles) East of the city center, Fiera di Bologna is part of the San Donato-San Vitale borough and is Bologna’s main business district. If you’re in Bologna on business or just want to visit one of the many fairs hosted in the city, this is THE place to stay, with a lively atmosphere, plenty of festivals and events, cool eateries, and modern accommodations. 

Even though it’s a bit further from the center, Bologna Fiera has very good public transportation connections, but since Bologna is a very walkable city, you can also reach the top attractions on foot. 

Piazza Maggiore is within a 30-minute walking distance so this area can serve for tourists trying to get a more wallet-friendly place as well. 

One of the coolest spots you can visit in Fiera Bologna is The Space Cinema, where, besides seeing a movie, you can dine at the Old Wild West restaurant that specializes in steaks. Another great place to eat is FICO World Eataly, a food theme park that features a variety of restaurants, many cool shops, and some exhibits. 

NOTE: if you plan to visit Bologna in spring, keep in mind that Cosmoprof Bologna, one of the largest beauty fairs in the world, takes place at the end of March/beginning of April. Over 250,000 (!!) people visit the city for the fair, so all hotels are fully booked, and at a significantly higher price. If you’ve planned a trip around the same dates, book as soon as possible! 

Lastly, I want to mention that Fiera Bologna is a great choice for budget travelers as well as businessmen, as it has a great variety of hotels for all budgets – see my recommendations below!

Other accommodation options in Fiera di Bologna

Things to do in Fiera di Bologna

• Enjoy the quiet at the Giardino Parker-Lennon garden (map)
• Attend an event at Teatro EuropAuditorium
• Spend the night dancing at Numa Club Bologna

4. Ghetto Ebraico – where to stay in Bologna for history lovers

Ghetto Ebraico, also called the Jewish ghetto, is located in central Bologna, and it’s actually part of the larger historic city center. Don’t let the name scare you off – this is no longer a ghetto! The neighborhood got its name back in the 16th century when the Jewish community of the city was confined to the area. 

Today, you can still feel the rich history as you walk along the narrow streets full of historic buildings, but also many trendy cafes that blend perfectly with the historical background, giving the neighborhood its unique charm. 

The neighborhood itself is very small and it is basically part of Centro Storico, it is only 8 min walking away from Piazza Maggiore. So, if you were wondering where to stay in Bologna without a car, Ghetto Ebraico may be a choice. The one must-visit in the neighborhood is Museo Ebraico di Bologna, a museum dedicated to Bologna’s Jewish community. Other cool museums around Ghetto Ebraico include the Bologna Municipal Theater and the International Museum and Library of Music.

Other accommodation options in Ghetto Ebraico

Things to do in Ghetto Ebraico

• Take a stroll at the lovely park Giardina Margherita (map)
• Go for a glass of delicious Italian wine at Camera A Sud
• Have a unique gastronomic experience at Bottega Portici 

5. Porta Saragozza – a quiet place to stay in Bologna

Porta Saragozza or just Saragozza, is a large residential neighborhood that borders the city center to the West. This part of Bologna is quieter than the rest of the city and has a more laid-back vibe to it, a perfect spot if you want to be close to the city’s attractions without all the hustle and bustle of the center. 

Porta Saragozza (map) is the main point of interest in the neighborhood, a massive gate that once was a part of the city walls. Near the gate, you’ll find Villa Cassarini Gardens (map), sprawling palace gardens where you can spend a relaxing afternoon. 

In case you want to discover some more of the best things to do in Bologna, you’ll have to venture to the outskirts of the neighborhood and visit Santuario Madonna di San Luca (map). This impressive Roman Catholic sanctuary is not too far (2 km / 1.2 miles) from the center of the neighborhood, so you can have a pleasant walk and spend some more time in nature. 

This area is also very close to Bologna University so this is where I stayed for 2 years while doing my Masters – I loved my time there! 

Since there are so many lovely parks where you can have a romantic picnic, I recommend Porta Saragozza as the best place for couples in all of Bologna. But it’s a large neighborhood, so it’s also one of the top spots to stay in Bologna with a car. Plus, you can easily reach Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport by car, as it’s just 8 km (5 miles) away from Porta Saragozza. 

Other accommodation options in Porta Saragozza

Things to do in Porta Saragozza

• Visit the Arco Del Meloncello (map)
• Stop by the Renato Dall’Ara Stadium (map)
• Find and take photos of Porta San Felice (map)
• Try the craft beers at Osteria La Frasca

6. Città Universitaria – where to stay in Bologna on a budget

Città Universitaria, or the University District, starts at the border of the historic city center, so if you’re staying here, you’ll have easy access to the bustling city center and the train station. But better yet, this district is home to the legendary Bologna University and the hub of student life. 

The University of Bologna was established in 1088 and is the oldest university in the world!

Besides being the oldest university, Bologna is a very popular university and still attracts plenty of young people. So naturally, the University District has a very lively atmosphere, great spots for nightlife, and many budget-friendly accommodation options, which is why I recommend it for people looking for a city break on a budget. 

Some of the best attractions in the area include the Pinacoteca Nazionale art museum, Porta San Donato (map), and the famous street, Via Zamboni, where the Alma Mater Studiorum, the main university building, is situated. 

And finally, the University District has some of the best hotels in the city – check out my selection below. 

Other accommodation options in Città Universitaria

Things to do in Città Universitaria

• Pay a visit to the Museum of Zoology
• Explore the collection at Museo di Palazzo Poggi
• Learn more about plants at Botanical Garden and Herbarium

👑 Luxury price:	€180
💵 Mid-range hotel:	€130
🛏️ Budget:	€80
📍 Best area:	Centro Storico
🛎️ Best luxury hotel:	Mercure Bologna Centro
🧳 Best mid-range hotel:	Zanhotel Regina
👛 Best budget hotel:	Hotel Panorama

FAQs about where to stay in Bologna

Conclusion

We’ve reached the end of my comprehensive Bologna guide, and I hope that by now you’ve decided where to stay in Bologna and which hotel to book. 

But in case you haven’t, these are my 2 favorite hotels in the historic center of Bologna: 

• Mercure Bologna Centro – I enjoy the hotel’s convenient location and delicious breakfast
• Zanhotel Regina – I appreciate the room service and the friendly staff

I have found this cool blog post on things to do in Bologna, check it out for further reading!

One last reminder – hurry up and book your Bologna accommodation! Now you know why the city is so popular, you won’t want to miss out. 

If you have any other suggestions or questions on Bologna, please leave me a comment. I’m happy to get back to you!

Enjoy your time in Bologna,

Elena

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