Historic Center Travel Guide

Bologna

A cobblestone street lined with historic buildings, a prominent tower in the distance, and outdoor seating areas with umbrellas.
A historic building with arched windows and a central tower, surrounded by modern buildings and outdoor seating areas.
A historic square with a prominent church featuring arched windows and a bell tower.
A grand church interior with a large central statue, ornate gold decorations, and a detailed ceiling fresco.
A narrow cobblestone street lined with historic buildings, bicycles parked along the side, and a few pedestrians walking.

Stay near popular Historic Center attractions

A historic square with a prominent clock tower and a large building with arched windows.

Piazza Maggiore

9.4/10 (2,525 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.
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Things to do

Eating Bologna Food & Wine Tour

Eating Bologna Food & Wine Tour

£73
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Eating Bologna Food & Wine Tour
Bologna Tortellini Cooking Class with Local Chef & Wine

Bologna Tortellini Cooking Class with Local Chef & Wine

£73
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bologna Tortellini Cooking Class with Local Chef & Wine
Bologna: Luggage Storage in Stazione Centrale

Bologna: Luggage Storage close to Stazione Centrale

£6
per adult
Bologna: Luggage Storage close to Stazione Centrale
Bologna Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour

Bologna Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour

£6
per adult
Bologna Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour
Bologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide

Bologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide

£6
per adult
Bologna Walking Tour with Audio and Written Guide
Bologna: small group guided tour

Bologna: Guided Small-Group Tour

£21
per adult
Bologna: Guided Small-Group Tour
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 £111 per night from 8 Nov to 9 Nov
£111
8 Nov - 9 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,232 reviews)
"We loved the breakfast and it was the primary reason we chose the Royal Carlton. We prefer to stay on property for breakfast and we enjoy indulging in good coffee, pastries and an abundance of breakfast items. It’s our treat on vacation. We like being relatively close to the train station, but in ..."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2026

Royal Hotel Carlton
Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51 Bologna BO
The price is £130 per night from 1 Nov to 2 Nov
£130
1 Nov - 2 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this family-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"We arrived in Bologna by train for a 2-night stay and the Starhotels Excelsior was a great place to land. The hotel is directly across the street from the train station and within a 20 minute walk to the center of town, which made it ideal for our needs. The front desk staff were helpful and efficient, ..."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2026

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Palace Bologna Centro

Hotel Palace Bologna Centro

3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2 Bologna BO
The price is £80 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
£80
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.2/10 Good! (1,014 reviews)
"This place is a nightmare. Too small, dirty, loud, no parking, and smelly. GREAT service though! The people were nice but the building was failing apart. With all that said, the biggest turn off was the Craft Singles slices of cheese offered at breakfast. We're in Croatia! A breakfast, by the way, ..."

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2026

Hotel Palace Bologna Centro
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60 Bologna BO
The price is £132 per night from 8 Nov to 9 Nov
£132
8 Nov - 9 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this golf hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and valet parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their ...
Hotel Internazionale
UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

4 out of 5
Via Pietramellara 41/43 Bologna BO
The price is £116 per night from 8 Nov to 9 Nov
£116
8 Nov - 9 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
UNA Hotels Bologna Centro
Ostello Bello Bologna

Ostello Bello Bologna

3 out of 5
Via del Porto 6 Bologna BO
The price is £101 per night from 9 Nov to 10 Nov
£101
9 Nov - 10 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (87 reviews)
"The staff was super helpful"

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2026

Ostello Bello Bologna
See all 1,156 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.

Where to stay in Historic Center

Find the best Historic Center areas for the activities you enjoy most. Learn more about Historic Center
Learn more about Historic Center
A courtyard with a central fountain, surrounded by brick arches and a patterned wall.
Photo by Pascual gargiulo (page does not exist)
Open Photo by Pascual gargiulo (page does not exist)

Santo Stefano

Travellers come to Santo Stefano for its cosy coffee shops, and you can see top attractions like Basilica of San Domenico and Teatro Duse while you're in town.

A modern building with large red banners and a sign indicating entrance numbers 15 and 14.

Bologna Fiere District

Museums, historical sites and gardens are some highlights of Bologna Fiere District. Make a stop by Parco Nord Arena or EuropAuditorium Theater while you're exploring.

A modern glass building with a unique geometric structure.
Photo by Iacopobastia (page does not exist)
Open Photo by Iacopobastia (page does not exist)

Bolognina

While visiting Bolognina, you might make a stop by sights like Ippodromo Arcoveggio and Museum for the Memory of Ustica.

A large, historic building with a prominent dome and multiple towers.

Saragozza-Porto

Saragozza-Porto is popular for its lively bars, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Villa delle Rose or Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca.

A panoramic view of a city with dense urban architecture, surrounded by greenery and hills.

San Donato-San Vitale

San Donato-San Vitale is known for its ample dining options, and you can make a stop by Grand Tour Italia and EuropAuditorium Theater while in the area.

Historic Center Travel Guide

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