Introduction
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Bologna travel guide

Bologna Tourism | Bologna Guide

You're Going to Love Bologna

With a population of 366,133, Bologna is a must-see destination in Emilia-Romagna, Italy. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Bologna deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

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Where to Eat in Bologna

If you’re looking for affordable options, La Fatica - Antica Osteria (8/A Via Torleone) and La Taverna Di Roberto (9 Via di San Vitale) are great picks.

When to visit Bologna

Bologna in August
Estimated hotel price
$247
1 night at 3-star hotel
Bologna in August
Estimated hotel price
$247
1 night at 3-star hotel

Looking for warm weather? Then head to Bologna in July, when the average temperature is 24 °C, and the highest can go up to 30 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, when it can get as cold as -1 °C, with an average temperature of 2 °C. You’re likely to see more rain in November, when precipitation is around 81 mm. In contrast, January is usually the driest month of the year in Bologna, with an average rainfall of 43 mm.

Data provided by weatherbase
Temperatures
Temperatures
Data provided by weatherbase

How to Get to Bologna

Plane

When flying to Bologna, you’ll arrive at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), which is located 4 miles from the city centre.

Train

Trenitalia is the most popular train carrier serving Bologna, followed by Italotreno. The train journey from Bologna to Venice takes 1h 33m and costs around $28 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Milan, expect to pay about $32 for a 2h 02m trip. Located 0.8 miles from the city centre, Bologna Centrale is the busiest station in Bologna. Another popular train station is Bologna San Ruffillo, located 3 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Bologna is to pick up a car hire from Milan, which is about 125 miles from Bologna. You’ll find branches of SURPRICE CAR RENTAL and Rent Smart 24, among others, in Milan.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Bologna, including FlixBus, Itabus and Bus. From Florence, the bus ride to Bologna takes 85 miles and will cost you around $32. From Verona, the ticket costs about $35 for a journey of 105 miles. The most popular bus station is Bologna Autostazione, located 0.8 miles from the city centre of Bologna. Bologna Area di Servizio Cantagallo is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city centre.

Plane

When flying to Bologna, you’ll arrive at Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), which is located 4 miles from the city centre.

Train

Trenitalia is the most popular train carrier serving Bologna, followed by Italotreno. The train journey from Bologna to Venice takes 1h 33m and costs around $28 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from Milan, expect to pay about $32 for a 2h 02m trip. Located 0.8 miles from the city centre, Bologna Centrale is the busiest station in Bologna. Another popular train station is Bologna San Ruffillo, located 3 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Bologna is to pick up a car hire from Milan, which is about 125 miles from Bologna. You’ll find branches of SURPRICE CAR RENTAL and Rent Smart 24, among others, in Milan.

Bus

Several bus lines operate bus routes to Bologna, including FlixBus, Itabus and Bus. From Florence, the bus ride to Bologna takes 85 miles and will cost you around $32. From Verona, the ticket costs about $35 for a journey of 105 miles. The most popular bus station is Bologna Autostazione, located 0.8 miles from the city centre of Bologna. Bologna Area di Servizio Cantagallo is also a commonly used station, and is 4 miles from the city centre.

Airports near Bologna

BLQBologna Guglielmo Marconi
VCEVenice Marco Polo
FLRFlorence Peretola

Airlines serving Bologna

KLM
Good (1,450 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,773 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,720 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,172 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,207 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,867 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,106 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,254 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,729 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,531 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,509 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (896 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,678 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,697 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,179 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,387 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,357 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,159 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (384 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,451 reviews)
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Find flights to Bologna

Where to stay in Bologna

From 5-star hotels such as the Grand Hotel Majestic gia' Baglioni to great affordable options like the Bed & Breakfast Accorsi, Bologna offers a range of accommodations for every taste. Average rates range from around $168 per night for a double room in a 3-star hotel to $317 and up for a 5-star experience. If you’re on a budget, well-reviewed accommodations include Antica Residenza D'Azeglio Room&Breakfast di Charme and Hotel Pedrini. There are also lots of holiday rental options in Bologna, with prices from $98 to $565 per night. Santo Stefano is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Bologna are about 11% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Bologna

Most booked hotels in Bologna

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Best Western Plus Tower Hotel Bologna
4 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
$161+
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Mercure Bologna Centro
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
$219+
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NH Bologna Villanova
4 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
$111+
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Suite Hotel Elite
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$118+
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Holiday Inn Bologna - Fiera By IHG
4 stars
Excellent (8.4, Excellent reviews)
$150+
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Hotel Palace Bologna Centro
3 stars
Good (6.7, Good reviews)
$135+
View

Hiring a car in Bologna

Expect to pay $3.19 per litre in Bologna (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $38.28 and $51.04. The most frequently booked car type in Bologna is Intermediate (Kia Sportage or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Class Mini Car or similar) is, on average, 77% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Expect to pay $3.19 per litre in Bologna (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between $38.28 and $51.04. The most frequently booked car type in Bologna is Intermediate (Kia Sportage or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Mini car hire (Class Mini Car or similar) is, on average, 77% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Find car hire in Bologna