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

4.5/5(25 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(15 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 religious elements, heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Basilica of San Petronio

4.5/5(21 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 statue or sculpture and a fountain

Fountain of Neptune

4.5/5(21 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(3 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(20 reviews)

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$107
per adult
Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Pasta Making with Meal
Bologna: Full meal Food Tour with Local Delights by Do Eat Better

Bologna: Full meal Food Tour with Local Delights by Do Eat Better

AU$159
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bologna: Full meal Food Tour with Local Delights by Do Eat Better
From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings

From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings

AU$322
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
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

AU$304
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

AU$116
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

AU$106
per adult
Bologna: Pasta Tagliatelle Ragu Cooking Class with Wine
See all activities in Bologna

Our pick of the best Historic Center Hotel Deals

Royal Hotel Carlton

Royal Hotel Carlton

4 out of 5
Via Montebello 8, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$224 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$224
24 Aug - 25 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! (1,002 reviews)
"Nice but older fashioned hotel. 15 minutes from train station. Another 15 minute walk to centre. Good location."

Reviewed on 7 Aug. 2025

Royal Hotel Carlton
Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$194 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$194
24 Aug - 25 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! (1,012 reviews)
"Walking distance to main area of city"

Reviewed on 17 Aug. 2025

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$232 per night from 24 Aug to 25 Aug
AU$232
24 Aug - 25 Aug
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,007 reviews)
"awesome front desk staff."

Reviewed on 18 Aug. 2025

Hotel Internazionale
UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

4 out of 5
Via Pietramellara 41/43, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$246 per night from 22 Aug to 23 Aug
AU$246
22 Aug - 23 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! (993 reviews)
Bologna train station
"Great location near train station. Great amenities and service by staff"

Reviewed on 18 Aug. 2025

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro
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 WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7/10 Good! (974 reviews)
"Great location as Bologna is a very walkable city. The room was quaint, all the basic amenities we needed. They did have a very strict 2:00 pm check in but kindly held our luggage. The room was a little “stuffy” with older carpeting which was our only complaint. Two minutes to the main square. Great ..."

Reviewed on 16 Aug. 2025

Get rates
Hotel Palace
Almarossa

Almarossa

Via Irnerio 22, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$172 per night from 23 Aug to 24 Aug
AU$172
23 Aug - 24 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this property in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (414 reviews)
"The studio apartment was spacious with a kitchen, king sized bed, lounge suite, a kettle - hallejuiah, bar fridge with local wines, cleaned and fresh towels delivered every day. Airconditioning was fantastic. We could pop out pick up our mortadello, parmagiana reggiano, baguettes etc. and be able ..."

Reviewed on 14 Aug. 2025

Almarossa
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

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