Bologna City Guide

Bologna rooftops and medieval towers seen from the university observatory
HoliplanetItaly · Holiplanet City Guides

BolognaCity Guide

Points of interest & local experiences

Curated places, local essentials, and Holiplanet recommendations.

Explore BolognaExplore the places
DiningShoppingAttractionsLive LocalStay
Header photography & credits

Cover photograph by Joshua Kettle (Unsplash License · source). Attractions: Photo: Arno Senoner · Unsplash License · source. Live Local: Photo: Caio Fernandes · Unsplash License · source. Stay: Photo: Ryan Ladd · Unsplash License · source. The Dining and Shopping photographs are repeated from this guide; credits and original sources are given beside each photograph below. Images illustrate the destination or category.

Bologna, selected by Holiplanet
Independent picks, local stories and practical ideas.

Holiplanet’s Bologna guide

Make the most of your time in Bologna

Bologna is a city you walk through under cover: 62 km of porticoes, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, line its streets and climb the hill to San Luca. Its university, conventionally founded in 1088, still fills the centre with students, and its medieval towers still mark the skyline. Give the mornings to churches and palaces, the evenings to the tables of the Quadrilatero, and keep a day for Modena, Ferrara or Ravenna.

Arrive well · Explore locally

Getting Here & Getting Around

Bologna’s airport is about 10 km from the centre and linked to the main station by a monorail, and the city is Italy’s main rail junction. Once here, the historic centre is compact and best seen on foot.

01 · Travel essentials

Getting here

From Bologna airport (BLQ): the Marconi Express monorail runs from the Departures level to Bologna Centrale in about 7½ minutes. A single costs €12.80 (return €23.30) and includes 75 minutes on TPER city buses. Buy in the Roger app or at machines, or tap a contactless card. It runs from 5:40 am to midnight; after that, TPER’s Q bus links the airport and the city.

By train: Bologna is Italy’s main rail junction. High-speed services reach Florence in about 37 minutes, Milan in about 65 minutes and Rome in about 2 hours 22 minutes; Venice is under an hour and a half.

Marconi Express fares & FAQ · Getting to Bologna · TPER Q line

02 · Travel essentials

Getting around

The historic centre is flat and compact: from the station, Via dell’Indipendenza leads to Piazza Maggiore in a short walk, mostly under porticoes. TPER runs the city buses. A single ticket costs €2.30 and lasts 75 minutes (€2.50 if bought on board with coins).

A daily ticket costs €9 and is valid for 24 hours from validation, and the ten-ride CityPass works out at €1.90 a ride. You can also tap a contactless card or phone on the reader at every boarding: you pay the standard fare, capped at the daily price. Driving is restricted: the centre is a limited-traffic zone (ZTL) monitored by cameras.

TPER fares · Paying by contactless card

03 · Travel essentials

Taxis, bikes and e-scooters

A taxi is useful for luggage, late arrivals and addresses inside the limited-traffic zone. Ask your accommodation to arrange a licensed pickup, or call one of the city’s two radio-taxi cooperatives. Give the full address and check the fare basis and payment method before departure.

Call a taxi: CoTaBo answers on +39 051 372727 and CAT on +39 051 4590 (also on WhatsApp). To book by app, use CAT’s itTaxi, or the booking app linked from CoTaBo’s website. Bologna Welcome puts the ride from the airport to the centre at about 20 minutes and €20–25; the meter sets the actual fare.

For a private transfer, request a written quote stating the flight, arrival time, passenger count and luggage. Inside the historic centre, cars face limited-traffic rules; a private driver may need to confirm access or stop at the edge of the zone.

Bikes and e-scooters: RideMovi runs the city’s app-based bike sharing; a new municipal tender for the service was launched in 2026, so check the current operator before you travel. Corrente offers app-booked electric cars and scooters. Check the parking and riding zones in each app before setting off: some areas restrict riding or parking.

CoTaBo · Taxi CAT · RideMovi · Corrente · BLQ airport taxis

04 · Travel essentials

Apps to download

  • RogerTPER’s official app: buy bus and Marconi Express tickets, plan journeys and check timetables.App Store · Google Play
  • TrenitaliaSearch and buy high-speed and regional tickets for Florence, Milan, Rome and the day trips in this guide.App Store · Google Play
  • itTaxiBook a Taxi CAT car in Bologna and follow its arrival in the app.App Store · Google Play

Install before arrival and tap or validate your ticket at every boarding.

Transport and app information checked 22 October 2026. Fares and timetables may change; check your departure date and exact route with the operator.

Art, history & views

Landmarks worth your time

Our verdicts tell you what each stop is best for, so you can choose what fits your trip.

Asinelli and Garisenda towers against a blue sky
Photo: Grigorii Shcheglov · Unsplash License · source
01Holiplanet Pick · Must-see

Piazza Maggiore & San Petronio

Holiplanet verdict: the city’s main square, beside Giambologna’s Neptune fountain. San Petronio opens daily, 10 am to 6 pm; only the Chapel of the Magi is ticketed (€5). The rooftop terrace has closed permanently.

Opening times and tickets →

Directions ↗

02Holiplanet Pick · Skyline

The Two Towers

Holiplanet verdict: admire them from Piazza di Porta Ravegnana. The Asinelli Tower is closed for maintenance on the leaning Garisenda beside it, with no reopening date announced; booking for the climb is suspended.

Tower status →

Directions ↗

03Holiplanet Pick · Art & faith

Santo Stefano, the “Seven Churches”

Holiplanet verdict: Bologna’s most atmospheric sacred site: a cluster of churches, a copy of the Holy Sepulchre and a Benedictine cloister. Free, offerings welcome; closed at midday and to visitors on Mondays.

Opening times →

Directions ↗

04Holiplanet Pick · History

Archiginnasio & the Anatomical Theatre

Holiplanet verdict: the historic seat of Bologna’s university. Book ahead for the Anatomical Theatre and the Stabat Mater hall: €10 with an audio guide, €12 guided. Closed Sundays.

Tickets and booking →

Directions ↗

Experiences & indicative prices

Ways to see Bologna

Three options: the tourist train up to San Luca for independent travellers, a guided food walk and a hands-on pasta class. Guest scores belong to GetYourGuide reviewers, not Holiplanet.

Sanctuary of San Luca on a green hillside above Bologna
Photo: Larry Ebbs · Unsplash License · source
Holiplanet Pick · Tourist train

San Luca Express

The easy way up to the Sanctuary of San Luca: the tourist train leaves from Piazza Maggiore, climbs alongside the portico and returns the same day, about an hour in all, with an audio guide in ten languages.

€15 adults · €8 ages 6–10

Free with Bologna Welcome Card PLUS · tickets are non-refundable

Timetable and tickets →
Holiplanet Pick · Food walk

Walking food tour with a local expert

A three-hour walk with over 15 tastings in five shops: mortadella, Parmigiano Reggiano, tortellini, balsamic vinegar and gelato, with local wines. Not suitable for vegans.

From US$84 per person

GetYourGuide guest rating: 4.8/5 · 2,066 reviews

View this tour and check dates →
Holiplanet Pick · Cooking class

Pasta class: tagliatelle and ragù

Roll tagliatelle by hand in a three-hour class, then eat them with the host’s ragù and local wine. Late arrivals cannot join; there is a long flight of stairs.

From US$82 per person

GetYourGuide guest rating: 4.9/5 · 1,303 reviews

View this class and check dates →

San Luca Express price from Bologna Welcome; GetYourGuide prices and review counts checked 22 October 2026 and displayed in US dollars. “From” prices, options and review counts can change; confirm the live price, duration and inclusions on the activity page. The Holiplanet Pick is an editorial selection, not a paid ranking.

Day trips · beyond the city

Four cities within an hour by train

Bologna sits at the centre of Emilia-Romagna’s rail network, so the region’s art cities are easy day trips without a car. Choose one destination per day and plan the return before you set out.

Green Val di Zena hills near Bologna, toward the Monte delle Formiche sanctuary
Photo: Paolo D’Andrea · Unsplash License · source

Plan the day out

Check the way back first

Frequencies drop in the evening and on Sundays and public holidays, so check the last return train before leaving. The current Emilia-Romagna regional timetable runs until 12 December 2026; check again for later dates.

Trenitalia timetables →
Aerial view of Modena’s rooftops and a church bell tower
Photo: Grigorii Shcheglov · Unsplash License · source

Directions ↗

Day trip · UNESCO

Modena

UNESCO World Heritage since 1997 · about 20–30 minutes by train

Piazza Grande, the Romanesque cathedral and the Ghirlandina tower form Modena’s UNESCO site. Climb the tower’s 200 steps for a 360° view, then look for the Preda Ringadora and the Bonissima statue on the square.

Visit Modena →
Ferrara’s Este Castle under a cloudy sky
Photo: Edoardo Cuoghi · Unsplash License · source

Directions ↗

Day trip · Renaissance

Ferrara

UNESCO World Heritage since 1995 · about 26–30 minutes by train

The Este dukes’ Renaissance city is ringed by 9 km of walls. Hire a bike for the easy 12.3 km loop from the Castello Estense along Corso Ercole I d’Este to the northern walls. Castle restoration is planned from 2026: check what is open.

Ferrara’s walls by bike →
Byzantine mosaic ceiling in Ravenna’s Basilica of San Vitale
Photo: Sandra Dempsey · Unsplash License · source

Directions ↗

Day trip · Mosaics

Ravenna

Eight UNESCO monuments since 1996 · about 1 hour by direct train

Ravenna’s early Christian and Byzantine mosaics fill eight UNESCO-listed buildings, including the Basilica of San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Sant’Apollinare Nuovo. The station is central, a short walk from the main monuments.

Ravenna’s UNESCO monuments →
Frescoed nave and altar inside Parma Cathedral
Photo: wen chen · Unsplash License · source

Directions ↗

Day trip · Food & art

Parma

UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy · about 1 hour by train

The heart of Italy’s Food Valley, home to Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma, also has a cathedral square with the Duomo and the Baptistery, and the Pilotta monumental complex. High-speed trains take just under an hour.

Visit Parma →

Access details from each official site, checked 22 October 2026. Train times are indicative; confirm on the day with Trenitalia or Italo.

No ticket required

Free things to do in Bologna

Much of Bologna’s heritage costs nothing to see. Opening times, access restrictions and event closures can change.

Man walking beneath an ochre portico colonnade in Bologna
Photo: Evgeny Matveev · Unsplash License · source
Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune fountain

Giambologna’s bronze Neptune (1563–66) stands beside the main square. Look for the four cherubs at its base: they represent the Ganges, Nile, Amazon and Danube.

Whisper under the Voltone

Beneath Palazzo del Podestà, stand in opposite corners of the vaulted crossing and speak into the wall: your friend hears you clearly across the space.

Santo Stefano

Wander the “Seven Churches” complex, the Pilate courtyard and the Benedictine cloister. Entry is free with a voluntary offering; closed to visitors on Mondays.

Salaborsa’s glass floor

The public library on Piazza Nettuno has a glass floor over excavations from Villanovan huts to Roman Bononia. Free; closed Sundays and public holidays.

The Finestrella of Via Piella

Open the little window in Via Piella for a view of the Canale delle Moline running between old houses, the corner locals call “little Venice”.

Walk the portico to San Luca

The world’s longest portico, about 3.8 km and said to have 666 arches, climbs from Porta Saragozza to the sanctuary on the hill. Free, sheltered and steep.

Free means no admission fee for the listed public space, based on Bologna Welcome and official venue pages checked 22 October 2026. Transport, guided tours and ticketed chapels or exhibitions are extra.

Local routes · beyond the postcard

Walk Bologna’s quieter stories

A few self-guided routes turn familiar sights into a deeper visit. The links open official route information; check access, weather and opening notices before setting out.

Canal flowing between old houses in Bologna
Photo: Maryna Kalaur · Unsplash License · source
01

Up the portico to San Luca

From Porta Saragozza, follow the portico to the Arco del Meloncello, then climb past fifteen chapels to the sanctuary: about 3.8 km. Bus 58 from Villa Spada, not very frequent, saves the walk back.

The paths to San Luca →
02

The UNESCO porticoes

Twelve groups of porticoes form the World Heritage site, from Strada Maggiore to the 1962 “Treno della Barca” housing block. The city’s map shows each one, so you can link several on foot.

Porticoes map →
03

The city of water

From the Neptune fountain, walk to the Moline canal drop, the Finestrella of Via Piella, the Cavaticcio park and Via della Grada, tracing the buried canals that once powered Bologna’s silk mills.

Bologna of the waters →
04

The Quadrilatero

The medieval market streets behind Piazza Maggiore are named after their old trades: Via degli Orefici, Via Clavature, Via Drapperie, Via Caprarie and Via Pescherie Vecchie, still lined with delis and fresh-pasta shops.

Tasty quarter route →

Culture · music · galleries

Make room for Bologna’s cultural life

Bologna has been a UNESCO Creative City of Music since 2006, and its calendar runs from opera and symphonic seasons to old masters and modern art. Programme dates and tickets change, so use each venue’s own calendar.

Telescope at the University of Bologna observatory overlooking the city
Photo: Joshua Kettle · Unsplash License · source

Music & local heritage

A UNESCO City of Music

UNESCO recognised Bologna’s musical life in 2006: the Teatro Comunale, the Conservatory, the Accademia Filarmonica and a live scene that runs from jazz to hip-hop. In 1770 the 14-year-old Mozart studied here with Padre Martini, whose correspondence is kept at the city’s music museum.

Bologna City of Music →
01

Teatro Comunale reopens in 2027

The historic opera house on Largo Respighi reopens on 14 February 2027 with a concert conducted by Daniele Gatti; the opera season opens on 2 March. Tickets go on sale on 27 November 2026.

Season 2027 →

Directions ↗

02

MAMbo & Museo Morandi

The modern art museum on Via Don Minzoni also holds the largest public collection of Giorgio Morandi’s work. €6; closed Mondays, and open Tuesday afternoons only.

Visitor information →

Directions ↗

03

Pinacoteca Nazionale

The national picture gallery, known for Raphael’s Ecstasy of Saint Cecilia and the Carracci, Guercino and Reni. €12, free on the first Sunday of the month; closed Mondays.

Opening hours and tickets →
04

Museum and Library of Music

In Palazzo Sanguinetti on Strada Maggiore: manuscripts, early printed music, instruments and a 1777 portrait of Mozart. €5, free with the Bologna Welcome Card; closed Mondays.

Visitor information →

Did you know?

Porticoes by law since 1288

In 1288 the city made porticoes compulsory for new buildings, with a minimum height of 2.66 metres. Today they stretch for 62 km.

Mozart’s summer in Bologna

Aged 14, Mozart spent the summer of 1770 studying with Padre Giambattista Martini before his examination at the Accademia Filarmonica.

Four rivers at Neptune’s feet

The cherubs around Giambologna’s Neptune stand for the Ganges, the Nile, the Amazon and the Danube, rivers of the continents known in the 1560s.

The youngest portico dates from 1962

Not every UNESCO portico is old. The “Treno della Barca”, a long residential block in the Barca district inaugurated in 1962, is the most recent of the twelve listed groups.

After dark · aperitivo · music

Spend the evening at Bologna’s pace

Bologna’s evenings start early, with a glass of Pignoletto in the Quadrilatero, and run late in a university city that keeps its squares busy. Hours change with the season; confirm tonight’s schedule directly with each venue.

Illuminated Palazzo d’Accursio and strollers on Piazza Maggiore at night
Photo: Michael Shtern · Unsplash License · source

After dark

Eat and drink under the porticoes

As the shops close, the lanes of the Quadrilatero fill with tables. The Mercato di Mezzo on Via Clavature stays open until midnight, Monday to Saturday. In summer, free outdoor films fill Piazza Maggiore.

Browse music and theatre →
Holiplanet Night Pick · Historic osteria

Osteria del Sole

Documented since 1465, this osteria in Vicolo dei Ranocchi serves only wine and beer: bring your own food from the delis outside. Open Monday to Saturday until 9.30 pm, Sunday lunchtime only.

Visit Osteria del Sole →

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Night Pick · Cocktail bar

Nu Lounge Bar

A tiki-style cocktail bar under the portico of Via de’ Musei, just off Piazza Maggiore, with classic tiki drinks in ceramic mugs and small plates. Check tonight’s opening hours before you go.

Visit Nu Lounge Bar →

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Night Pick · Stage

Opera and concerts

Until the Teatro Comunale reopens on 14 February 2027, its 2027 events start at the Auditorium Manzoni on Via De’ Monari. Check the season calendar before planning a night out.

Browse the season →

Dining in Bologna · Holiplanet’s 8 picks

Eight tables for different moods

Eight independent editorial picks from our Bologna restaurant directory, chosen for distinct settings: a Michelin-starred dining room, historic trattorias, neighbourhood osterie and a sourdough pizzeria. This is a non-ranked shortlist, not paid placement. Menus and opening times can change.

Fork lifting tagliatelle with ragù from a plate
Photo: Hailey Tong · Unsplash License · source

Before choosing a table

Start with the local flavours

Order tagliatelle al ragù, tortellini in brodo and lasagne verdi made with spinach pasta. Start with mortadella and crescentine or tigelle, the small flatbreads served with cured meats, and drink a glass of sparkling Pignoletto or Lambrusco.

See Holiplanet’s eight dining picks →

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Pick · Michelin star

I Portici

Creative contemporary · Via dell’Indipendenza 69

Holding one Michelin star, I Portici occupies the Liberty-style Eden theatre inside I Portici Hotel, a short walk from the station. Choose between five-, seven- and nine-course tasting menus, treat dinner as the evening’s main event and reserve directly.

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Pick · Family-run

Da Cesari

Bolognese cooking · Via de’ Carbonesi 8

Run by the same family since 1955, a short walk from Piazza Maggiore, Da Cesari serves traditional Emilian cooking: tortellini in beef broth, tagliatelle alla bolognese and a chocolate tenerina to finish. It is closed on Sundays; book by phone.

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Pick · Historic dining room

Ristorante Diana

Historic Bolognese restaurant · Via Volturno 5

Serving Bologna since the early 1900s, Diana is known for tortellini in brodo, lasagne verdi and its trolleys of boiled and roast meats. The entrance is on Via Volturno, beside Via dell’Indipendenza; reserve directly for a classic long lunch.

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Pick · Osteria

Osteria dell’Orsa

Bolognese osteria · Via Mentana 1/F

Founded in 1979 in the university quarter and once a concert venue, the Orsa serves homemade tagliatelle alla bolognese, tortellini, lasagne and daily-changing dishes. It opens every day and takes no reservations, so arrive early at busy times.

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Pick · Osteria

All’Osteria Bottega

Emilian osteria · Via Santa Caterina 51

A small osteria in the Saragozza side of the centre, run by host Daniele Minarelli and listed in the Michelin Guide. Expect cured meats, fresh pasta and Emilian meat dishes on a seasonal menu. Tables are few, so book ahead.

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Pick · Bolognese classics

Al Sangiovese

Bolognese restaurant · Vicolo del Falcone 2

Tucked into a quiet lane of the old town, Al Sangiovese has served Bolognese tradition since 2004, with a seasonal menu built on local ingredients. Choose it for a classic dinner away from the busiest squares, and reserve directly.

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Pick · Pizza

Berberè Petroni

Sourdough pizza · Via Petroni 9/C

The university-district branch of the Berberè group bakes naturally leavened pizza with organic stone-ground flours, served pre-cut into eight slices for sharing. A relaxed choice for a group, close to the bars of the university quarter.

Directions ↗

Holiplanet Pick · Regional cooking

Drogheria della Rosa

Italian regional trattoria · Via Cartoleria 10

Under medieval porticoes near Santo Stefano since 1994, Drogheria della Rosa is where chef Emanuele Addone reworks traditional products from Italy’s regions rather than strictly Bolognese recipes. Choose it for an unhurried dinner and book directly.

See all 30 restaurants in Bologna →

Suggested itinerary

Itineraries: one day or a weekend

Two realistic plans built from the places in this guide. Avoid Mondays for museums and Santo Stefano, and Sundays for the Archiginnasio and Salaborsa.

MorningPiazza Maggiore
Start at the Neptune fountain and the Voltone del Podestà, then step into San Petronio (from 10 am) and the Archiginnasio’s Anatomical Theatre, booked ahead.
MiddayLunch in the Quadrilatero
Walk Via Clavature and Via Pescherie Vecchie, then eat at the Mercato di Mezzo or one of our dining picks.
AfternoonTowers and Santo Stefano
Look up at the Two Towers from the square, then visit Santo Stefano after its lunch break and return along Strada Maggiore.
EveningOsteria and dinner
A glass at Osteria del Sole (it closes at 9.30 pm), then dinner nearby or a cocktail on Via de’ Musei.

A weekend: the hill and the galleries

Day 1 follows the one-day plan above. Day 2 adds the San Luca walk and art.

Day 2 · MorningUp to San Luca
Walk the portico from Porta Saragozza, or ride the San Luca Express from Piazza Maggiore if the climb is too much.
Day 2 · MiddayLunch and the canals
Back in town, lunch at one of our dining picks, then look through the Finestrella of Via Piella.
Day 2 · AfternoonPinacoteca or MAMbo
Old masters at the Pinacoteca (closed Mondays), or Morandi at MAMbo (Tuesdays from the afternoon only).
Day 2 · EveningMusic or the square
Check the Teatro Comunale calendar; in summer, finish with a free film in Piazza Maggiore.

Plan ahead · seasons & practical tips

When to go and what to know

Bologna works all year: the porticoes shelter you from rain and summer sun alike. Book well ahead for the big trade-fair weeks, when hotels fill.

SpringMarch – May

Mild days for the San Luca walk and day trips. The Teatro Comunale’s opera season opens in March 2027; trade fairs can fill hotels.

SummerJune – August

Hot, humid days: walk early and late under the porticoes. Free outdoor cinema fills Piazza Maggiore; the 2026 season ran from 15 June to 14 August.

AutumnSeptember – November

Good weather for walking and food markets. From 6 November to 27 December 2026, the Antica Fiera di Santa Lucia fills the Servi portico.

WinterDecember – February

Quieter streets and museum days. Arte Fiera holds its 50th edition from 5 to 7 February 2027, and the Teatro Comunale reopens on 14 February.

Weekends on foot: the T-Days

Via Rizzoli, Via Indipendenza and Via Ugo Bassi close to traffic from 8 am Saturday to 10 pm Sunday, and on public holidays. Drivers should check the ZTL rules before entering the centre.

Tourist tax in 2026

Hotels charge a per-person, per-night tax based on the room rate, from €4 to €7; €2.80 in hostels and campsites. Under-14s are exempt. Pay at check-out.

T-Days rules and tourist tax from Bologna Welcome; event dates from Arte Fiera, Bologna Welcome and the Teatro Comunale, checked 22 October 2026.

Shopping & local flavours

Bring home a taste of Bologna

Bologna’s best souvenirs are edible. Buy from the delis of the Quadrilatero and the covered markets, and ask where each product comes from. Two markets and one quarter cover most needs.

Bologna deli counter stocked with cheeses, cured meats and olives
Photo: Max Nayman · Unsplash License · source
Mortadella Bologna IGP

The city’s pork sausage, protected as an IGP and overseen by a consortium since 2001. Ask for a whole piece, vacuum-packed, rather than slices.

Parmigiano Reggiano and balsamic vinegar

Aged Parmigiano Reggiano and traditional balsamic vinegar from Modena or Reggio Emilia travel well. Delis in the Quadrilatero will vacuum-pack cheese.

Fresh tortellini

Fresh-pasta shops make tortellini daily, filled with meat including mortadella. Keep them chilled, or choose dried pasta for a long journey.

The Quadrilatero

The lanes behind Piazza Maggiore gather delis, bakeries, wine shops and fresh-pasta makers. At Christmas, look for Certosino, the city’s spiced cake.

Mercato delle Erbe

The largest covered market in the centre, on Via Ugo Bassi, with stalls of produce, meat, cheese, fish and wine, plus places to eat added since 2014.

Mercato di Mezzo

Bologna’s first covered market after Italian unification, on Via Clavature, renovated in 2014 with regional food counters and open until midnight.

Check opening hours before you go and ask for vacuum packing for cheese and cured meats. Check your home country’s import rules for meat and dairy products.

Stay in Bologna · 3 picks from our hotel directory

Make the city your base

Where you sleep shapes the trip: a grand hotel on the main street, a boutique address by Piazza Maggiore or a simple room by the Two Towers. Three picks from Holiplanet’s Bologna hotel directory, all with a Booking.com guest score of 9.0/10 or higher.

Five-star landmark

Grand Hotel Majestic già Baglioni

A five-star hotel in an eighteenth-century palazzo on Via dell’Indipendenza, welcoming guests since 1912, with the I Carracci restaurant and a bar.

Booking.com 9.4/10

Via dell’Indipendenza 8 · +39 051 225445

Official website → · Directions ↗
Boutique by Piazza Maggiore

Art Hotel Commercianti

A four-star boutique hotel in a medieval building that once housed the town hall, with balconies facing San Petronio’s Gothic windows.

Booking.com 9.2/10

Via de’ Pignattari 11 · +39 051 7457511

Official website → · Directions ↗
Simple, by the Two Towers

Albergo Garisenda

Eleven family-run rooms on the third floor of a historic palace facing the Two Towers, with a panoramic terrace: simple and central.

Booking.com 9.2/10

Via Rizzoli 9 – Galleria del Leone 1 · +39 051 224369

Official website → · Directions ↗

Booking.com overall guest scores checked 22 October 2026; scores change. Editorial selection, not a ranking. See all hotels in Bologna →

Editorial images are illustrative. Always check official attraction information, current transport notices and restaurant availability before visiting.

Stay longer · live locally

Living in Bologna — From Visiting to Belonging

A first look at the practical side of making Bologna home. Start with the neighbourhood, then check services and current costs directly before making plans.

Quiet residential street with colourful facades in Bologna
Bologna street; not a housing listing. Dan Rooney · Unsplash License · source

Neighbourhoods · cost planning

Choose your everyday setting

Compare the walkable centre inside the old walls with districts such as Bolognina, Saragozza or San Donato for prices, transport and student life. Asking prices vary by zone; review current listings and household costs before setting a budget.

Asking prices by area →Bologna estate agents →
Crates of fresh fruit at a Bologna street market
Bologna market; no business is advertised. Casey Lovegrove · Unsplash License · source

Family · schools · healthcare

Build your local routine

Choose a family doctor or a paediatrician through the AUSL di Bologna, the local health authority, whose page explains who can register and how. For nurseries and schools, contact each school directly to check enrolment windows and eligibility before you move.

Choosing a GP →
Train at a Bologna railway station platform at sunset
Railway platform in Bologna; no service is advertised. Onur K · Unsplash License · source

Work · mobility · relocation

Stay connected across Italy

Bologna’s rail hub puts Florence about 37 minutes away and Milan about 65 minutes by high-speed train. Check services for your route before choosing a neighbourhood, and consult official visa guidance for your nationality and purpose of stay.

Trenitalia trains →Visa for Italy →Florence City Guide →

Planning a move?

Ask Holiplanet about living in Bologna

Share your timeframe and the kind of local information you need.

Contact Holiplanet →

Bologna real estate · September 2026 snapshot

Property in Bologna: market & local agencies

Bologna’s asking prices run from the outer districts to a premium historic centre. These current indicators offer a starting point for comparing locations; they are not a valuation or a forecast.

For sale · average asking price€3,841/m²+4.26% year on year
For rent · average asking price€16.51/m²/month−3.22% year on year
Sale-price range by area€3,134–€4,700/m²San Donato/Pilastro to Centro

Snapshot: September 2026. These are advertised asking prices, not completed transaction prices; individual values vary by neighbourhood, property condition, size and floor. Source: Immobiliare.it’s Bologna market snapshot. For official zone ranges, consult the Agenzia delle Entrate OMI database.

Four local agencies

These independent editorial profiles, from our Bologna agency directory, introduce active offices with different specialisms. None is sponsored. Contact each agency directly for current listings and terms.

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Holiplanet Pick

BolognaCentro

Residential sales · rentals · Via Santo Stefano 38/D

Founded in 2002 by Gianfranco Terenzi, BolognaCentro runs four offices inside the walls: three on Via Santo Stefano and one on Piazza Maggiore. It handles sales and long-term rentals, with a dedicated rentals manager, plus valuations, cadastral checks, legal and mortgage advice.

Official site ↗Email ↗+39 051 225530

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Holiplanet Pick

Realkasa

Sales · long & short-term rentals · Via Massimo D’Azeglio 19

Active in Bologna since 2009, Realkasa has offices on Via Massimo D’Azeglio in the centre and on Via Andrea Costa. Alongside sales and long-term lets, including student housing, it runs a short-let division, Realkasa Hospitality, and offers contract registration and post-rental management.

Official site ↗Email ↗+39 051 431895

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Holiplanet Pick

Studio Giannerini

Rentals · rental management · sales · Via Saragozza 101/3/C

Run by Anna Maria Giannerini, this Saragozza agency handles sales, rentals and valuations. Its lease-management service registers contracts, tracks annual tax deadlines and files renewals and terminations, useful for owners and long-stay tenants.

Official site ↗+39 051 6440141

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Holiplanet Pick

Interim Immobili di Pregio

High-end sales · rentals · Via dell’Indipendenza 63

Founded in 1999, Interim Immobili di Pregio works on the sale and rental of high-end homes in central Bologna and the city’s most sought-after districts. Its office is on Via dell’Indipendenza, and it also provides technical guidance to developers on larger projects.

Official site ↗Email ↗+39 051 241224

See all 12 real estate agencies in Bologna →

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