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 large brick wall, a fountain, and classical architecture.

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

Bologna: Luggage Storage in Stazione Centrale

Bologna: Luggage Storage close to Stazione Centrale

£6
per adult
Bologna: Luggage Storage close to Stazione Centrale
Eating Bologna Food & Wine Tour

Eating Bologna Food & Wine Tour

£73
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Eating Bologna Food & Wine Tour
Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour

Bologna Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour

£7
per adult
Bologna Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour
Bologna: small group guided tour

Bologna: Guided Small-Group Tour

£20
per adult
Bologna: Guided Small-Group 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 City Highlights & Hidden Gems: Private & Custom Walking Tour

Bologna City Highlights & Hidden Gems: Private & Custom Walking Tour

£96
per traveller
Bologna City Highlights & Hidden Gems: Private & Custom Walking 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £120 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£120
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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! (1,132 reviews)
"Royal hotel was excellent. Very close to the station but about 15 min walk to the centre of the city. High quality hotel"

Reviewed on 26 Aug 2026

Royal Hotel Carlton
Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51 Bologna BO
Fully refundable
The price is £110 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£110
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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 ...
Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60 Bologna BO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £120 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£120
31 Aug - 1 Sept
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"This place is an experience in itself. Wonderful decor, friendly staff, excellent breakfast. The location is very convenient to discover Bologna and get around to the airport or train station."

Reviewed on 26 Aug 2026

Hotel Internazionale
Hotel Palace Bologna Centro

Hotel Palace Bologna Centro

3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2 Bologna BO
The price is £77 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
£77
30 Aug - 31 Aug
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! (1,001 reviews)
"Very quirky suite with lovely paintings adorning the walls. Floors were a bit creaky in that you could hear people upstairs, but, you get used to it. Ideal location as only a 5 minute stroll from the Piazza Majiore and all the adjacent bars and restaurants."

Reviewed on 23 Aug 2026

Hotel Palace Bologna Centro
Hotel Metropolitan

Hotel Metropolitan

4 out of 5
Via dell'Orso 6 Bologna BO
The price is £158 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
£158
27 Aug - 28 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful staff ...
Hotel Metropolitan
UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

4 out of 5
Via Pietramellara 41/43 Bologna BO
The price is £93 per night from 27 Aug to 28 Aug
£93
27 Aug - 28 Aug
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
See all 1,146 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 statue of a man with a trident, surrounded by smaller statues, in front of a historic building with arched windows and a brick facade.
Photo by BARBARA ZOLI (page does not exist)
Open Photo by BARBARA ZOLI (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 Galleria Cavour Shopping Center while you're in town.

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 Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca or Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

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 Museum for the Memory of Ustica and Ippodromo Arcoveggio.

A modern glass building with a unique metal framework structure.
Photo by Revolweb
Open Photo by Revolweb

Bologna Fiere District

Museums, historical sites and gardens are some highlights of Bologna Fiere District. Make a stop by EuropAuditorium Theater or Museum for the Memory of Ustica while you're exploring.

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 Centro Agroalimentare di Bologna and FICO Eataly World while in the area.

Historic Center Travel Guide

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