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
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
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

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
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 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
Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide in Bologna

Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide

AU$123
per adult
Bologna Walking Food Tour and Highlights with a Local Guide
Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer

Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer

AU$313
per adult
Day Tour Parmigiano, Ferrari Museum, Balsamic, Lambrusco, Lunch with Transfer
Bologna By Night Sipping Through the City After Dark

Bologna By Night Sipping Through the City After Dark

AU$88
per adult
80% of travellers recommend
Bologna By Night Sipping Through the City After Dark
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$251 per night from 27 July to 28 July
AU$251
27 July - 28 July
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)
"all staff I met are friendly and professional"

Reviewed on 22 Jun. 2025

Starhotels Excelsior
Hotel Internazionale
Hotel Internazionale
4 out of 5
Via Indipendenza 60, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$276 per night from 21 July to 22 July
AU$276
21 July - 22 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! (1,008 reviews)
"Great"

Reviewed on 28 Jun. 2025

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 AU$261 per night from 13 July to 14 July
AU$261
13 July - 14 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! (998 reviews)
"Close to the train station, but 20 mins walk from main tourist area was very tired"

Reviewed on 29 Jun. 2025

UNA HOTELS Bologna Centro
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 AU$252 per night from 13 July to 14 July
AU$252
13 July - 14 July
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)
Bologna
"Hotel looked amazing from the inside. Dinner and breakfast were first class"

Reviewed on 28 Jun. 2025

Royal Hotel Carlton
Hotel Palace
Hotel Palace
3 out of 5
Via Monte Grappa, 9/2, Bologna, BO
The price is AU$315 per night from 5 July to 6 July
AU$315
5 July - 6 July
includes taxes & fees
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! (970 reviews)
"Great staff and location. Rooms comfortable but need updating."

Reviewed on 1 Jun. 2025

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 27 July to 28 July
AU$206
27 July - 28 July
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! (794 reviews)
"This hotel is in a great location about one block from the main railway station. We found street parking about 2 blocks away, and it was very safe. Walk to local restaurants took about 15-20 minutes, or 25 minutes to Centro Storico district. Hotel has a nice breakfast area and coffee bar. The hotel ..."

Reviewed on 12 Jun. 2025

NH Bologna de la Gare
See all 1,088 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 University Library of Bologna and Teatro Comunale di Bologna.

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 University Library of Bologna.

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 University Library of Bologna and EuropAuditorium Theater.

Scandellara

Historic Center Travel Guide

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