Historic Center Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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

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 religious elements, heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Basilica of San Petronio

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 statue or sculpture and a fountain

Fountain of Neptune

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

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

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

Basilica Santo Stefano

Activities

Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal

Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Pasta Making with Meal

AU$108
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

AU$284
per adult
From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings
Bologna Small Group Walking Tour

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

AU$115
per adult
Tales & Tastes of Bologna: A City Adventure by That's All Local
Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer

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

AU$314
per adult
Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer
Bologna: Hands on Home Cooking Class

Bologna: Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu Cooking Class with Wine

AU$106
per adult
Bologna: Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu Cooking Class with Wine
Bologna Food Tour from a local perspective

Bologna Food Tour from a local perspective

AU$197
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bologna Food Tour from a local perspective
See all activities in Bologna

Our pick of the best Historic Center Hotel Deals

Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$176 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$176
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,023 reviews)
"far exceeds expections"

Reviewed on 26 Jul. 2025

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60, Bologna, BO
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
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

Get rates
Hotel Internazionale
Royal Hotel Carlton

Royal Hotel Carlton

4 out of 5
Via Montebello 8, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$220 per night from 21 Aug to 22 Aug
AU$220
21 Aug - 22 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,015 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
UNA HOTELS Bologna Centro

UNA HOTELS Bologna Centro

4 out of 5
Via Pietramellara 41/43, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$211 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$211
3 Aug - 4 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, 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 Palace

Hotel Palace

3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2, Bologna, BO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$160 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
AU$160
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7/10 Good! (976 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

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 AU$191 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$191
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 1,064 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 Archaeological Museum 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 Bologna Botanical Gardens and Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

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 Bologna Botanical Gardens.

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 Bologna Botanical Gardens.

Scandellara

Historic Center Travel Guide

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