Historic Center Travel Guide

Bologna

Historic Center
Historic Center
Basilica Santo Stefano which includes a square or plaza, heritage architecture and a small town or village
Historic Center
Historic Center

Popular places to visit

Bologna featuring heritage architecture, a square or plaza and a city

Piazza Maggiore

4.5/5(206 reviews)

Not only has this been the epicenter of Bologna since the 13th century, but it is also one of the largest and oldest squares in all of Italy.

Piazza Maggiore
Two Towers

Two Towers

4.5/5(116 reviews)

A magnificent view over the medieval rooftops of Bologna’s city center is just reward for the arduous climb to the top of one of these ancient towers.

Two Towers
Basilica of San Petronio showing a church or cathedral, religious aspects and heritage elements

Basilica of San Petronio

4.5/5(182 reviews)

See one of the largest churches in the world and learn the story behind its magnificent yet unfinished marble façade.

Basilica of San Petronio
Fountain of Neptune showing a fountain and a statue or sculpture

Fountain of Neptune

4.5/5(183 reviews)

This intriguing work of art is one of the most well-known symbols of Bologna and an important public gathering place.

Fountain of Neptune
Bologna

Via Indipendenza

4/5(37 reviews)

Find out about the history of Bologna when you take a trip to Via Indipendenza. Visit the shops and top-notch restaurants in this walkable area.

Via Indipendenza
Basilica Santo Stefano which includes a square or plaza, heritage architecture and a small town or village

Basilica Santo Stefano

4.5/5(168 reviews)

Go for a stroll through this interconnected group of religious buildings, admiring the graceful architecture and valuable artwork in each.

Basilica Santo Stefano

Things to do

Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal

Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Pasta Making with Meal

Rp1.150.511
per adult
Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Pasta Making with Meal
From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings

From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings

Rp3.029.679
per adult
From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings
Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer

Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer

Rp3.355.657
per adult
Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer
Bologna Small Group Walking Tour

Tales & Tastes of Bologna: A City Adventure by That's All Local

Rp1.227.212
per adult
Tales & Tastes of Bologna: A City Adventure by That's All Local
Bologna: Hands on Home Cooking Class

Bologna: Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu Cooking Class with Wine

Rp1.131.336
per adult
Bologna: Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu Cooking Class with Wine
Private Tour Ferrari Lamborghini Pagani Factories from Bologna

Private Tour Ferrari Lamborghini Pagani Factories from Bologna

Rp4.659.570
per adult
Private Tour Ferrari Lamborghini Pagani Factories from Bologna
See all activities in Bologna

Top hotels in Historic Center

Royal Hotel Carlton

Royal Hotel Carlton

4 out of 5
Via Montebello 8, Bologna, BO
The price is Rp1.878.753 per night from 5 Aug to 6 Aug
Rp1.878.753
Rp2.329.654 total
5 Aug - 6 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,001 reviews)
"Great service. Convenient location, given the closeness of city’s main attractions. Superb transportation links. No faults - hotel of the highest recommendation."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

Royal Hotel Carlton
Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51, Bologna, BO
The price is Rp1.826.168 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp1.826.168
Rp2.276.732 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"far exceeds expections"

Reviewed on 26 Jul 2025

Starhotels Excelsior
UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

4 out of 5
Via Pietramellara 41/43, Bologna, BO
The price is Rp2.139.328 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
Rp2.139.328
Rp2.621.112 total
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"I had WiFi problem in my room, it was on and off, asked the front desk to change room, request was denied, so I had problems booking train tickets, and other tickets. On the third day, there was no WiFi connection, different front desk person changed room for me, and he was attentive and apologetic, ..."

Reviewed on 29 Jul 2025

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60, Bologna, BO
The price is Rp3.322.045 per night from 1 Sept to 2 Sept
Rp3.322.045
Rp3.922.101 total
1 Sept - 2 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Hotel very nice. Bed was King sized and comfy. About a 15 minute walk from the train station. We did not do the breakfast so I can not comment on that. They let us store our bags before and after check out, which was very convenient. Checking was very easily and efficient. The only complaint I had ..."

Reviewed on 30 Jul 2025

Hotel Internazionale
Hotel Palace

Hotel Palace

3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2, Bologna, BO
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7/10 Good! (973 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2025

Get rates
Hotel Palace
NH Bologna de la Gare

NH Bologna de la Gare

4 out of 5
Piazza XX Settembre, 2, Bologna, BO
The price is Rp1.634.933 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
Rp1.634.933
Rp2.066.277 total
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (805 reviews)
Good hotel not in a great area
"Nice hotel. Staff a bit slow and not in a great part of the city."

Reviewed on 28 Jul 2025

NH Bologna de la Gare
See all 1,069 properties in Historic Center
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Historic Center

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L'antico Ghetto Ebraico

You'll enjoy the museums and shopping in L'antico Ghetto Ebraico. You might want to make time for a stop at Via Zamboni or Jewish Museum.

L'antico Ghetto Ebraico
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Quadrilatero

If you're spending some time in Quadrilatero, Galleria Cavour Shopping Center and Piazza Maggiore are top sights worth seeing.

Quadrilatero
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Cirenaica

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Cirenaica and surrounding area, you can visit Teatro Comunale di Bologna and Via Zamboni.

Cirenaica
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Photo by Fabio difra (page does not exist) (CC BY-SA)

Bolognina

While visiting Bolognina, you might make a stop by sights like Ippodromo Arcoveggio and Teatro Testoni Ragazzi.

Bolognina
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San Donato

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in San Donato and surrounding area, you can visit EuropAuditorium Theater and Luigi Cattaneo Anatomical Wax Museum.

San Donato
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Scandellara

While there might not be top attractions in Scandellara, you can explore the larger area and discover places like EuropAuditorium Theater and Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

Scandellara

Historic Center Travel Guide