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

4.5/5(25 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(15 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 religious elements, heritage elements and a church or cathedral

Basilica of San Petronio

4.5/5(21 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 statue or sculpture and a fountain

Fountain of Neptune

4.5/5(21 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
Basilica Santo Stefano which includes a square or plaza, heritage architecture and a small town or village

Basilica Santo Stefano

4.5/5(20 reviews)

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

Basilica Santo Stefano
Bologna

Via Indipendenza

4/5(3 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

Activities

Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal

Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal

AU$107
per adult
Bologna: Traditional Bolognese Cooking Class with a Meal
Bologna: City Center Walking Tour

Bologna: City Center Walking Tour

AU$45
per adult
96% of travellers recommend
Bologna: City Center Walking Tour
From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings

From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings

AU$282
per adult
From Bologna: Parma Cheese & Ham Factory Tours and Tastings
Bologna: Full meal Food Tour with Local Delights by Do Eat Better

Bologna: Full meal Food Tour with Local Delights by Do Eat Better

AU$135
per adult
100% of travellers recommend
Bologna: Full meal Food Tour with Local Delights by Do Eat Better
Bologna: Red Bus City Tour and Local Food Tasting

Bologna: Red Bus City Tour and Local Food Tasting

AU$64
per adult
Bologna: Red Bus City Tour and Local Food Tasting
Bologna Small Group Walking Tour

Tales & Tastes of Bologna: A City Adventure by That's All Local

AU$115
per adult
Tales & Tastes of Bologna: A City Adventure by That's All Local
See all activities in Bologna

Our pick of the best Historic Center Hotel Deals

Starhotels Excelsior
Starhotels Excelsior
4 out of 5
Viale Pietro Pietramellara 51, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$220 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$220
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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! (1,004 reviews)
Needs improvement but its ok
"Reception is very chaotic both for the check in and check out… no proper queues or system. Arriving and seeing/experiencing that is very off putting and stressful. Also the breakfast quality is extremely poor. But hotel is clean and comfortable and easy to get to the station"

Reviewed on 6 Jul. 2025

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Internazionale
Hotel Internazionale
4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$236 per night from 27 July to 28 July
AU$236
27 July - 28 July
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! (1,002 reviews)
"Friendly staff, close to popular sites."

Reviewed on 8 Jul. 2025

Hotel Internazionale
Royal Hotel Carlton
Royal Hotel Carlton
4 out of 5
Via Montebello 8, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$235 per night from 3 Aug to 4 Aug
AU$235
3 Aug - 4 Aug
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! (1,003 reviews)
"This is a really lovely hotel and feels quite luxurious. The complimentary breakfast is a real bonus with plenty of choice to get you started in the morning."

Reviewed on 5 Jul. 2025

Royal Hotel Carlton
UNA HOTELS Bologna Centro
UNA HOTELS Bologna Centro
4 out of 5
Via Pietramellara 41/43, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$241 per night from 25 July to 26 July
AU$241
25 July - 26 July
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! (997 reviews)
"Good location, staff friendly and helpful"

Reviewed on 9 Jul. 2025

UNA HOTELS Bologna Centro
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! (974 reviews)
"Good location"

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

Get rates
Hotel Palace
NH Bologna de la Gare
NH Bologna de la Gare
4 out of 5
Piazza XX Settembre, 2, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$206 per night from 11 Aug to 12 Aug
AU$206
11 Aug - 12 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Bologna. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (797 reviews)
"Convenient location."

Reviewed on 11 Jul. 2025

NH Bologna de la Gare
See all 1,084 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 Archaeological Museum 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 Museum for the Memory of Ustica.

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 Bologna Botanical Gardens.

Scandellara

Historic Center Travel Guide

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