1 Hotel Cavour
Bologna - Via Goito 4
Located in the historical centre of Bologna, Hotel Cavour offers a view of the towers, and an inner courtyard.
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Also known as “the Learned, the Fat and the Red”, Bologna is a city steeped in history, culture and gastronomy, situated in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Its historic centre is characterised by vibrant piazzas, medieval buildings, historic churches and its iconic porticoes, which have also been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beyond its architectural beauty, Bologna is famous for its ancient University, which, having been founded in 1088, is considered one of the oldest in the world.
When planning a trip to Bologna, an important decision is certainly where to stay, as choosing the right neighbourhood can make a significant difference to your travel experience. The city offers a wide variety of accommodation located in the vibrant areas of the historic centre as well as in quieter, more residential neighbourhoods. Here, then, is a guide to Bologna’s main neighbourhoods with suggested best places to stay to help you decide where to stay during your stay.
The historic centre of Bologna is undoubtedly one of the most charming and convenient areas to stay in, as you’ll find most of the sites of interest here, such as Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica of San Petronio, the Two Towers and the Fountain of Neptune. Wandering through medieval streets and porticoes is a unique experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the history and culture of the city. Staying in the historic centre means having everything at your fingertips, not only sites and attractions but also many restaurants, cafés and shops; this is the ideal place for those wishing to explore Bologna on foot and enjoy the vibrant and authentic atmosphere of the city.
It should be noted, however, that being a very central and popular area among tourists (and not just tourists) it may not be the quietest, especially in the evening. Accommodation in the historic centre ranges from large chain hotels to boutique hotels, plus bed and breakfasts and guest houses. Hotels offer many high-quality services, while B&Bs are often family-run and have a more welcoming and less formal atmosphere. Especially if you decide to visit Bologna during high season periods such as summer, it is advisable to book in advance so as to find the accommodation that best suits your needs.
The university quarter of Bologna is a young and dynamic neighbourhood, located north-east of the historic centre, where you can feel a lively and cosmopolitan atmosphere thanks to the presence of students from all over the world. It’s worth remembering that Bologna is also known as “the Learned” due to the presence of the University of Bologna Alma Mater Studiorum, considered by many to be the oldest in the world. Here you will find, in addition to various educational institutions, a wide range of cafés, bars, restaurants and nightclubs, many of which offer budget-friendly options suited to students’ budgets.
The area is ideal for those who wish to immerse themselves in local life and experience the younger and more vibrant side of Bologna. As for the type of accommodation, the university quarter mainly offers rental apartments, bed and breakfasts and guest houses that are an excellent choice for young travellers or those seeking an informal and lively atmosphere. Whilst this atmosphere may be appreciated by many, on the other hand it is quite noisy, especially in the evening, and may prove unsuitable for those seeking peace and quiet.
The Saragozza neighbourhood is located south of the historic centre, is known for its elegant porticoes, tree-lined streets and relaxed atmosphere and is one of Bologna’s most beautiful and peaceful residential areas. The area is perfect for those seeking a quieter stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and boasts a good selection of restaurants, bars, welcoming cafés and small shops.
Saragozza is well served by the city’s bus lines, and from here you can reach Piazza Maggiore with a walk of about 20 minutes. Porta Saragozza is also considered the gateway to the famous Basilica of San Luca, located on the Guardia hill and accessible via a pleasant walk beneath the porticoes. The Bologna Stadium is located in the neighbourhood.
Saragozza is the ideal neighbourhood to stay in for families or for anyone seeking a quieter and more residential stay. The area has several charming boutique hotels and bed and breakfasts in the upper or upper-middle price range, but also rental apartments and a few hostels.
Located east of the historic centre, Santo Stefano is one of Bologna’s most enchanting and picturesque neighbourhoods, taking its name from the basilica of the same name, considered one of the oldest and most evocative in the city. The neighbourhood is characterised by cobbled alleyways, elegant historic palaces, large green parks and a wide range of typical osterie and traditional shops.
Staying in Santo Stefano means experiencing an authentic experience with the opportunity to explore some of Bologna’s most beautiful areas on foot and fully immerse yourself in the atmosphere that characterises them. It’s a perfect area for those who appreciate historic architecture and a relaxed atmosphere but don’t want to stay too far from the beating heart of the city.
Accommodation in this neighbourhood tends to be at the higher end, with hotels and boutique hotels offering impeccable hospitality, but it is also possible to find some more budget-friendly options, such as bed and breakfasts and apartments.
The area around Bologna’s Central Railway Station is an excellent choice for those travelling by train and wanting easy access to public transport, as Piazza delle Medaglie d’Oro, which is right in front of the station, is a terminus and junction for many bus lines. Bologna’s station is one of Italy’s main railway hubs, with fast connections to Italian cities such as Florence, Venice, Milan and Rome.
Staying near the station is therefore ideal for those planning day trips, for business travel or for those arriving by car. The station area offers a wide range of accommodation at more affordable prices than the heart of the city, but there are also several large chain hotels. You’ll find modern hotels, often with business facilities, as well as a good selection of hostels for budget-conscious travellers.
The area is well served by public transport, making it easy to reach Bologna’s main tourist attractions, and from here you can walk along Via dell’Indipendenza to reach Piazza Maggiore in almost 15 minutes. Unlike other areas, the station neighbourhood is less lively in the evening and there are not many evening venues or fine dining restaurants, but rather bars and small eateries that are mainly active during the day.
The Bologna Fair is located north-east of the city centre and is one of Italy’s main trade fair sites, hosting international events throughout the year such as Cosmoprof and the Boat Show. The fair area can be easily reached by car but also by train thanks to the Bologna Fiere station, and is also well served by public transport. For this reason it may be useful to stay in the area if you’re visiting Bologna for work or to attend fairs and events, especially as there’s a good selection of business-oriented hotels here.
In addition to the numerous hotels offering services for those travelling on business, the area also hosts several restaurants and bars that attract an international clientele. Staying at the Bologna Fair is very convenient for those attending events, but for tourists it might not be ideal as the neighbourhood is 3.5 km from Piazza Maggiore. It takes almost 50 minutes to reach the centre on foot from here, while it takes almost half an hour by public transport.
In the northern part of Bologna, the Bolognina neighbourhood has been developing increasingly in recent years, transforming from a working-class peripheral area into a point of access to the city. It is now a multicultural area with strong cultural and political ferment where events and demonstrations are organised. Bolognina is connected to the Central Station area through the Ponte di Galliera (Galliera Bridge) and has changed dramatically in recent years through urban regeneration projects and the construction of new buildings.
It is now a lively neighbourhood off the beaten tourist trail that hosts several business hotels as well as small hotels with excellent value for money. The area is not a good choice for those coming to Bologna for the first time and wanting the city at their fingertips, but can be ideal for those on a tight budget.
Bologna Airport Guglielmo Marconi is located approximately 6 km north-west of the city centre and is connected to the central station by the Marconi Express shuttle. Alternatively, connections to the centre are provided by the Aerobus bus lines. Staying near the airport is a practical choice only for those with early morning departures or late evening arrivals, as there are no particular tourist attractions here. The area offers a selection of hotels ranging from budget-friendly options to upper-middle range international chains.
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