Historic Center Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

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

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

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 religious elements, heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Basilica of San Petronio

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 statue or sculpture and a fountain

Fountain of Neptune

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

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

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

Basilica Santo Stefano

Activities

Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour

Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour

NZ$14
per adult
Bologna Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour
Ferruccio Lamborghini Entry Ticket in Bologna

Ferruccio Lamborghini Entry Ticket in Bologna

NZ$39
per adult
Ferruccio Lamborghini Entry Ticket in Bologna
New exciting food and wine experience

Food and Wine Experience in Bologna, Italy

NZ$58
per adult
Food and Wine Experience in Bologna, Italy
Bologna: Ducati Museum Entrance Ticket

Bologna: Ducati Museum Entrance Ticket

NZ$38
per adult
Bologna: Ducati Museum Entrance Ticket
Bologna: Luggage Storage in Stazione Centrale

Bologna: Luggage Storage close to Stazione Centrale

NZ$13
per adult
Bologna: Luggage Storage close to Stazione Centrale
Bologna: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine

Bologna: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine

NZ$138
per adult
Bologna: Pasta and Tiramisu Cooking Class with Wine
See all activities in Bologna

Our pick of the best Historic Center Hotel Deals

Royal Hotel Carlton

Royal Hotel Carlton

4 out of 5
Via Montebello 8, Bologna, BO
The price is NZ$284 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$284
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"The staff were friendly, helpful and polite. The location is very good if, like us, you intend on taking day trips from the nearby train station. Equally it is less than 15 mins walk to the Piazza Maggiore and main tourist attractions. However, the hotel is rather 'tired' in parts and our room was ..."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Royal Hotel Carlton
Starhotels Excelsior

Starhotels Excelsior

4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51, Bologna, BO
The price is NZ$337 per night from 19 Oct to 20 Oct
NZ$337
19 Oct - 20 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star family-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,002 reviews)
"The property was nice. The restaurant and breakfast was good. The staff were very courteous."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Palace

Hotel Palace

3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2, Bologna, BO
Stay at this 3-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
7/10 Good! (972 reviews)
"Hotel had a central location near Bologna Downtown and Two Towers, lots of shops, restaurants and stores nearby mini marts and grocery stores. Good bathroom and room size...interesting small door to get into room. Hotel is old but in good condition for age. Elevator was a savior but only 1 person ..."

Reviewed on 27 Sept 2025

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Hotel Palace
Hotel Internazionale

Hotel Internazionale

4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60, Bologna, BO
The price is NZ$311 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$311
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in our ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Ideally located, clean spacious room with easy access to landmarks, courteous staff and a charming garden bar."

Reviewed on 1 Oct 2025

Hotel Internazionale
UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro

4 out of 5
Via Pietramellara 41/43, Bologna, BO
The price is NZ$304 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
NZ$304
12 Oct - 13 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and parking (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"central"

Reviewed on 30 Sept 2025

UNA Hotels Bologna Centro
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 WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the bar and the helpful ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,006 reviews)
"On our first visit to Bologna we figured we would stay at the hotel Metropolitan because of its location in the city as it was fairly central to all the interesting areas and gave us a great place to start to explore from. One thing to note is that it is a bit of a walk from the train station, but ..."

Reviewed on 26 Sept 2025

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Hotel Metropolitan
See all 1,065 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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