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: Ducati Museum Entrance Ticket

Bologna: Ducati Museum Entrance Ticket

AU$34
per adult
Bologna: Ducati Museum Entrance Ticket
Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour

Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour

AU$21
per adult
Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour
Ferruccio Lamborghini Entry Ticket in Bologna

Ferruccio Lamborghini Entry Ticket in Bologna

AU$34
per adult
Ferruccio Lamborghini Entry Ticket in Bologna
Bologna: Luna Farm Amusement Park Family Entry Ticket

Bologna: Luna Farm Amusement Park Family Entry Ticket

AU$21
per adult
Bologna: Luna Farm Amusement Park Family Entry Ticket
New exciting food and wine experience

Food and Wine Experience in Bologna, Italy

AU$51
per adult
Food and Wine Experience in Bologna, Italy
Bologna: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine

Bologna: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine

AU$122
per adult
Bologna: Pasta and Tiramisu 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$247 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
AU$247
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (1,019 reviews)
"Good restaurant"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Royal Hotel Carlton
Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$243 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$243
9 Nov - 10 Nov
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! (1,008 reviews)
"Really good hotel wonderful staff great room with a very comfortable bed, covenant location walking distance to most historic sites $ exceptional shopping areas, loads of finning options, can’t fault the convenient location meters from train station,"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Palace

Hotel Palace

3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$202 per night from 4 Nov to 5 Nov
AU$202
4 Nov - 5 Nov
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! (980 reviews)
"Old but elegant hotel. Must have been high class in its prime. Very good breakfast selection, close to main plaza, church, shopping and restaurants. Very good restaurant next door. Only complaint is the bed was very hard. Needs a foam pad."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2025

Hotel Palace
UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

4 out of 5
Via Pietramellara 41/43, Bologna, BO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$320 per night from 11 Nov to 12 Nov
AU$320
11 Nov - 12 Nov
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! (1,000 reviews)
"Located across from the train station, it's a convenient location close to the historic downtown core. Clean and efficient rooms & great breakfast."

Reviewed on 8 Oct 2025

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$254 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
AU$254
9 Nov - 10 Nov
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! (1,026 reviews)
Be prepared for no air conditioning
"The staff was friendly and helpful. Our biggest problem was NO air conditioning! We were extremely hot in our room and had to sleep with the windows open, on top of the sheets."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Hotel Internazionale
Hotel Metropolitan

Hotel Metropolitan

4 out of 5
Via dell'Orso 6, Bologna, BO
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (993 reviews)
"On our first visit to Bologna we figured we would stay at the hotel Metropolitan because of its location in the city as it was fairly central to all the interesting areas and gave us a great place to start to explore from. One thing to note is that it is a bit of a walk from the train station, but ..."

Reviewed on 26 Sept 2025

Get rates
Hotel Metropolitan
See all 1,106 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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