Where to Stay in Bologna: My Selection of the Best Accommodations

Wondering where to stay in Bologna? Looking for the best areas and districts?

You’re at the right place!

As I know Bologna very well, I have created this guide of:

• Bologna’s best areas for your stay (with details about the best places to visit and nearby attractions)
• For each area and district, the best hotels depending on your budget

Let’s find your dream hotel now!

My favorite hotels in Bologna

Here’s a quick summary of my favorite hotels in Bologna, in case you don’t have time to read my detailed article.

Simply click on the hotel names in orange to access details and rates:

• Where to stay in Bologna for sightseeing: Art Hotel Commercianti, for its eccentric decoration
• Best area and hotel in Bologna to party: Hotel Accademia, located in the university area
• The Best 5-star hotel in Bologna: Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni
• Where to stay in Bologna on a budget: Combo Bologna, with its beautiful common areas, perfect to meet other travelers
• Best family-friendly hotel in Bologna: Liberty House, for its full kitchen and cozy atmosphere
• My favorite hotel in Bologna for a romantic stay: Hotel Corona d’Oro, with its beautiful classic décor or Aemilia Hotel Bologna if you prefer something more modern

In the Historic Center of Bologna (Centro Storico)

As the name suggests, “Centro Storico,” is the historic center of Bologna.

It’s the most touristic and famous district of the city, with its pedestrian streets, bustling squares, and historic buildings.

The old medieval city is home to Bologna’s main monuments, as well as numerous shops and trattorias where you can sample authentic spaghetti bolognese.

For me, Centro Storico is the best area to stay in Bologna!

I recommend this area for your stay in Bologna:

• To explore the city on foot
• To be close to all must-see attractions
• If you like vibrant neighborhoods
• To immerse yourself in Bologna’s history and culture.

The historic center is the perfect place to discover:

• Piazza Maggiore: the city’s main square, lined with numerous arcades and cafes where you can sit outside for a drink
• San Petronio Basilica: located on Piazza Maggiore, this Gothic basilica houses 22 chapels
• Neptune Fountain, near Piazza Maggiore
• The Two Towers of Bologna: Asinelli Tower and Garisenda Tower (leaning even more than the Tower of Pisa!)
• Palazzo d’Accursio and its Clock Tower. You can climb to the top to admire the view over the city
• Market di Mezzo: an indoor market where you’ll find stalls serving typical dishes to enjoy on the spot
• San Pietro Cathedral
• The Archiginnasio Palace
• The Palace of Mercanzia.

Here are my favorite hotels in the center of Bologna

• Albergo delle Drapperie: Located 150 meters from the Basilica of San Petronio. Cozy double room from 120€ per night, breakfast 10€. Strong points: Friendly staff, nice decor, steps from the quadrangle, buffet breakfast. The perfect place to stay in the Centro Storico for a reasonable price!
• Aldrovandi Luxury Suites and Apartment: Located 6 minutes walk from the 2 towers of Bologna. Spacious double suites from 150€ per night, breakfast 7€. Strong points: Nice decor, very friendly host, quiet space, bars and restaurants nearby.
• Art Hotel Commercianti: Located in a historic building 100 meters from Piazza Maggiore. Eclectic double room from 170€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: Bicycle rental, rich breakfast, quiet neighborhood, very comfortable beds – a great hotel for a romantic weekend in Bologna!
• Hotel Corona d’Oro: Located 5 minutes walk from the Mercado di Mezzo. Beautiful classic rooms from 190€ per night, breakfast 22€. Strong points: Free loan of bicycles, excellent breakfast, very friendly staff, very quiet.
• Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni: Next to St. Peter’s Metropolitan Cathedral, this luxury hotel offers warm, classic-style rooms from €670, breakfast included. Strong points: Wellness and spa area, linen or Egyptian cotton bedding, excellent service, breakfast variety. My favorite hotel for a luxury stay in the Centro Storico!

In the University Area (Citta Universita)

The Citta Universita is Bologna’s student district, as the university is located there.

This neighborhood, with its young and dynamic atmosphere, is situated to the North-East of the old town, next to the Two Towers of Bologna. It’s only a ten-minute walk from the historic center.

There, you will find numerous bars, cafes, and restaurants. So, it’s the perfect place to stay in Bologna if you want to party!

The university area is perfect for your stay in Bologna:

• To go out at night
• For a trip with friends
• To stay in the center of Bologna, without being right in the middle of the historic center.

Best places to visit in Citta Universita:

• Piazza Verdi, surrounded by bars with terraces
• The University of Bologna, the oldest in Europe
• Via Zamboni, lined with bars and restaurants
• The National Art Gallery, to admire Italian works from the 13th to the 18th century
• Palazzo Poggi Museum, featuring a cabinet of curiosities, a library, and an exhibition on boats
• The University Botanical Garden, for a peaceful stroll.

Where to stay in the university area?

• Almarossa: Located 100 meters from the University Botanical Garden. Bright double room from 100€ per night, breakfast 7€. Strong points: Comfortable beds, terrace overlooking an indoor garden, full shared kitchen.
• Hotel Accademia: Located 5 minutes walk from the Museo di Palazzo Poggi. Double room from 135€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: Clean and tidy, attentive staff, lively area. A great choice in the university district for its excellent value for money!
• Albergo Rossini 1936: Located 200 meters from the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna. Bright double room from 190€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: Excellent breakfast with delicious coffee, great attention from the staff, very central location.
• Casa Bertagni: Located just around the corner from Via Zambani. Double room with eclectic decor from 200€ per night. Strong points: Quiet street, great breakfast, free airport transfer, very comfortable beds.
• Aemilia Hotel Bologna: Just a 15-minute walk from the historic center. Contemporary, tastefully decorated double rooms from €220 per night, breakfast €10. Strong points: delicious breakfast with fresh produce, city view, rooftop, parking. One of the best hotels for a romantic weekend in Bologna!

In Bolognina District

Bolognina district is located to the North of the old town. It’s separated from the historic center by the central station.

It’s mostly residential and much less touristy than the previous two.

In recent years, this former working-class neighborhood has been revitalized and is well on its way to becoming a trendy and slightly hipster area.

You will like this neighborhood:

• For its local and authentic atmosphere
• For a family stay.

Best things to do in Bolognina district:

• Villa Angeletti Park, with children’s playgrounds
• Ustica Memorial Museum, about the Ustica plane crash in 1980
• The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus
• Albani Market
• The Museum of Industrial Heritage, with many still-functioning machines.

Best hotels to stay in Bolognina

• Savhotel: Located 1 block from Bologna train station. Room from 90€ per night, rich breakfast for 10€. Strong points: Private garage, newly renovated, close to bus, quiet area, restaurant.
• The Social Hub Bologna: Located 5 minutes walk from the Albani Market. Double room from 100€ per night, breakfast 15€. Strong points: Swimming pool, bar and restaurant, lots of common areas, youthful atmosphere – A great choice for a trip to Bologna with friends!
• AC Hotel Bologna by Marriott: Modern hotel located 500 meters from The Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Comfortable double rooms from 140€ per night, breakfast 16€. Strong points: Rich buffet breakfast, friendly staff, next to the bus stop – Perfect for a comfortable stay near Bologna station!
• Taron House – Bologna Center Station & Fiera: Located 1 street away from Bologna train station. Full apartment from 160€ per night. Strong points: Privileged location, well equipped, quiet atmosphere.

Where to Stay in Bologna on a Budget

If you’re on a tighter budget, here’s a selection of affordable hotels to stay in Bologna:

• Hostel Il Nosadillo – Bologna: Located 5oo meters from Piazza Maggiore. Single bed in shared dorm from 30€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: great atmosphere, friendly staff, clean and comfortable.
• Combo Bologna: Located 13 minutes walk from the Parco di Villa Angeletti. Bed in shared dorm from 35€ per night, breakfast 9€. Strong points: Full kitchen, laundry, terrace.
• Elizabeth Lifestyle Hotel: Located 6 min walk from the Museum of Memory of Ustica. Modern double room from 70€ per night, excellent breakfast included. Strong points: Great reception, close to bus stop, cozy.
• Hotel Centrale: Located 400 meters from the fountain of Neptune. Double room from 90€ per night, breakfast included. Strong points: a few blocks from the city center, comfortable beds, comfortable rooms. A great place to stay in Bologna without breaking the bank!

Where to Stay in Bologna with Family

• Almarossa: Located 300 meters from the Pinacoteca Nazionale. Bright apartment for 4 people from 180€ per night, breakfast for 7€. Strong points: Full kitchen, terrace overlooking an inner courtyard, good location, rich breakfast – ideal for a family-stay in the center of Bologna!
• Starhotels Excelsior: Located 10 minutes walk from the Museum of Modern Art in Bologna. Family room from 200€ per night. Strong points: excellent service, close to stores and restaurants, cozy and clean.
• Mitodea – Residenza d’Epoca: Located 200 meters from Piazza Maggiore. Quadruple room from 220€ per night. Strong points: friendly reception, comfortable beds, shared kitchen – One of the best places to stay in Bologna with the family!
• Hotel Cavour: Located 7 minutes walk from the towers of Bologna. Spacious quadruple rooms from 250€ per night. Strong points: good and varied breakfasts, quiet area, friendly staff.
• Liberty House: Located 300 meters from the Basilica of San Petronio. Comfortable quadruple rooms from 360€ per night. Strong points: great attention from the owner, full kitchen with groceries, cozy space, central location, the best place to stay in Bologna with the family!

What is the best hotel in Bologna?

If you are looking for the best hotel in Bologna, I recommend you the Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni.

And if you’re looking for something a little more affordable but still luxurious, you shoud book a night or more at Hotel Corona d’Oro or at Aemilia Hotel Bologna.

Where to stay in Bologna: The best hotels

To give you a better overview of the best hotels in Bologna, whether in the city center or elsewhere, I’ve prepared a table summarizing all the ones I talk about in this article. You can sort them by price or by district!

Hotel	Areas	Price (from)
Albergo delle Drapperie	Centro Storico	120€
Aldrovandi Luxury Suites and Apartment	Centro Storico	150€
Art Hotel Commercianti	Centro Storico	170€
Hotel Corona d'Oro	Centro Storico	190€
Grand Hotel Majestic gia' Baglioni	Centro Storico	670€
Almarossa	Citta Universita	100€
Hotel Accademia	Citta Universita	135€
Albergo Rossini 1936	Citta Universita	190€
Casa Bertagni	Citta Universita	200€
Aemilia Hotel Bologna	Citta Universita	220€
Savhotel	Bolognina	90€
The Social Hub Bologna	Bolognina	100€
AC Hotel Bologna by Marriott	Bolognina	140€
Taron House - Bologna Center Station & Fiera	Bolognina	160€
Hostel Il Nosadillo - Bologna	Cheap Hotel	30€
Combo Bologna	Cheap Hotel	35€
Elizabeth Lifestyle Hotel	Cheap Hotel	70€
Hotel Centrale	Cheap Hotel	90€
Almarossa	Hotel for families	180€
Starhotels Excelsior	Hotel for families	200€
Mitodea - Residenza d'Epoca	Hotel for families	220€
Hotel Cavour	Hotel for families	250€
Liberty House	Hotel for families	360€

Italy travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves Italy guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling in Italy? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about Italy: All my articles to help you plan your trip to Italy are listed there.

• The 20 Best Things to do in Italy – All the must-see places!

• Itinerary: One Week in Tuscany – The perfect itinerary to visit Tuscany in 6, 7 or 8 days

• Cinque Terre: The definitive guide to plan your visit
• Florence: The 27 best things to do and must-see attractions
• Milan: The Top 15 things to do in the city and around
• Pisa: Top 21 must-see attractions + Tips
• Rome: The 25 best things to do and see
• Siena: Top 20 best places to visit
• Turin: The 20 must-see attractions
• Venice: The 31 best things to do (+ Tips)

• 2 days in Florence
• 3 days in Florence
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• 4 days in Milan

• 2 Days in Rome – How to visit Rome in 48h
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• 4 Days in Rome – The best places to visit in 4 days
• 5 Days in Rome – How to spend 5 days in Rome
• 6 Days in Rome – The ultimate Itinerary + Where to stay
• One week in Rome – The perfect 7-day itinerary

• 2 Days in Venice – An Epic 48h itinerary
• 3 Days in Venice – The perfect 72h itinerary
• 4 Days in Venice – Itinerary + Best Things to do + Tips

• Where to stay in Florence? My guide of the best places to stay for all budgets
• Where to stay in Milan? My guide to the best areas and hotels for a perfect stay
• Where to stay in Naples? My guide of the best hotels, ordered by areas and budget
• Where to stay in Rome? – The definitive guide of the best areas!
• Where to stay in Venice? My selection of the best hotels and districts for an epic stay

• Omnia Card: The definitive guide

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