Historic Center Travel Guide

Bologna

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(206 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

4.5/5(116 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 a church or cathedral, religious aspects and heritage elements

Basilica of San Petronio

4.5/5(182 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 fountain and a statue or sculpture

Fountain of Neptune

4.5/5(183 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(37 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(168 reviews)

Go for a stroll through this interconnected group of religious buildings, admiring the graceful architecture and valuable artwork in each.

Basilica Santo Stefano

Things to do

From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings

From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings

£155
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

£147
per adult
Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer
Bologna: Panoramic Bike Tour

Bologna: Panoramic Bike Tour

£39
per adult
Bologna: Panoramic Bike Tour
Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal

Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Pasta Making with Meal

£52
per adult
Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Pasta Making with Meal
Parma: Cheese, Ham, & Balsamic Vinegar Tour with Tastings

Parma: Cheese, Ham, & Balsamic Vinegar Tour with Tastings

£138
per adult
Parma: Cheese, Ham, & Balsamic Vinegar Tour with Tastings
Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide in Bologna

Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide

£59
per adult
Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide
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 £122 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£122
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,007 reviews)
"Fantastic presentation and quality for the price."

Reviewed on 27 Aug 2025

Royal Hotel Carlton
Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51, Bologna, BO
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £78 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£78
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,005 reviews)
"Great location, lovely hotel and staff. Excellent value for money."

Reviewed on 25 Aug 2025

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60, Bologna, BO
The price is £125 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
£125
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, room service and 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
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £118 per night from 31 Aug to 1 Sept
£118
31 Aug - 1 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
UNA Hotels Bologna Centro
Hotel Palace

Hotel Palace

3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2, Bologna, BO
The price is £97 per night from 30 Aug to 31 Aug
£97
30 Aug - 31 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
7/10 Good! (972 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

Hotel Palace
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 Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (994 reviews)
"Good central location, really welcoming staff and a great rooftop lounge bar"

Reviewed on 21 Aug 2025

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Hotel Metropolitan
See all 1,068 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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