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
Bologna: small group guided tour

Bologna: Guided Small-Group Tour

£21
per adult
Bologna: Guided Small-Group Tour
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

£12
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 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
The price is £111 per night from 19 Jul to 20 Jul
£111
19 Jul - 20 Jul
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! (1,059 reviews)
"The entire property was just well taken care, and everyone was helpful and polite. I stay one night and was great. Everything I did it walking distance."

Reviewed on 11 Jul 2026

Royal Hotel Carlton
Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51 Bologna BO
The price is £108 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
£108
11 Aug - 12 Aug
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! (1,018 reviews)
"Clean Room great location"

Reviewed on 10 Jul 2026

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60 Bologna BO
The price is £97 per night from 9 Aug to 10 Aug
£97
9 Aug - 10 Aug
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! (1,028 reviews)
"Convenient location, decent size room and nice breakfast"

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2026

Hotel Internazionale
Hotel Metropolitan

Hotel Metropolitan

4 out of 5
Via dell'Orso 6 Bologna BO
The price is £141 per night from 16 Jul to 17 Jul
£141
16 Jul - 17 Jul
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 ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,003 reviews)
"Excellent apartment as part of hotel. Well located and very clean. My family enjoyed our stay."

Reviewed on 12 Jul 2026

Hotel Metropolitan
Hotel Palace Bologna Centro

Hotel Palace Bologna Centro

3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2 Bologna BO
The price is £69 per night from 10 Aug to 11 Aug
£69
10 Aug - 11 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. ...
7/10 Good! (1,011 reviews)
"Lobby was beautiful but lacking a comfortable temp. They run AC at a minimum but leave front door open to outside. The hallways have no ac and the room they gave me was an air conditioned room but it did not work. They did move me to a bigger, nicer room with working ac but I had to pay an additional ..."

Reviewed on 9 Jul 2026

Hotel Palace Bologna Centro
NH Bologna de la Gare

NH Bologna de la Gare

4 out of 5
Piazza XX Settembre, 2 Bologna BO
The price is £88 per night from 27 Jul to 28 Jul
£88
27 Jul - 28 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (912 reviews)
"La proximité entre la gare et les sites à visiter c’était vraiment très agréable de pouvoir se balader dans les environs."

Reviewed on 6 Jul 2026

NH Bologna de la Gare
See all 1,108 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 Teatro Duse 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 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 Parco Nord Arena or Caserme Rosse 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 Museum for the Memory of Ustica and Ippodromo Arcoveggio.

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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