Travelling King - Helping people to turn their holiday dreams into a reality!
Italy

Where to stay in Bologna

Italy Piazza Maggiore in Bologna old town tower of town hall with big clock and blue sky on background, antique buildings terracotta galleries.

If you are planning a vacation in Northern Italy, Bologna makes an excellent home base for exploring the Emilia-Romagna region.

Whether you visit for the food, the history or the architecture, you will find many places to stay in Bologna that suit your travel style. Using our Bologna accommodation guide, we’ll help you choose where to stay in Bologna and suggest several Bologna hotels for a range of budgets.

We will cover off all types of Bologna accommodation options from Hostels to luxury Bologna hotels as well as how to decide where to stay in Bologna Italy 2023.

This guide shows off the best Bologna hotels, best places in Bologna to visit, the best places to stay in Bologna, hotels near Bologna attractions, Bologna neighborhood guide and many more.

Plan your trip?

Avoid hidden fees in the exchange rate while withdrawing from millions of ATMs abroad, paying in restaurants and shops, and buying your accommodation and flights using the Wise Card. You can hold up to 50+ currencies at once, and convert them in real time with the free Wise app.

Need help planning your trip from start to finish? Check out these helpful links:

This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience. Click here to read my full disclosure policy.

Bologna Historic Centre – Where to stay in Bologna for first timers

As with many European cities, the historic center, or old town, is the best area for tourists who only have a few days to see the city.

Starting with Piazza Maggiore, Bologna’s main square, many of the best attractions and hotels in Bologna Italy are in the Bologna historic centre, it’s the best area to stay in Bologna.

Not only can you wander the streets and take in the architecture which includes elaborate fountains and churches while sampling delicious Italian food along the way.

The historic centre is well connected to other parts of the city via bus, and the train station is about a 20-minute walk, should you wish to take a few day trips from Bologna. You can also find some of the best hostels in Bologna not far from the city centre.

Best places to stay in Bologna Historic Centre

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Bologna Historic Centre
Dopa Hostel
We_Bologna
Il Nosadillo

Budget Hotels in Bologna Historic Centre
Panorama Hotel
Il Castello Room & Breakfast Boutique
La Cineteca Bed And Breakfast
B&B TopView

Mid range Hotels in Bologna Historic Centre
Albergo Centrale
Hotel Palace
Art Hotel Orologio
Al Cappello Rosso

Family Friendly Hotels in Bologna Historic Centre
Cristina Rossi Bed and Breakfast
Hotel Roma
Art Hotel Novecento
Albergo Centrale Bologna

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Bologna Historic Centre
Grand Hotel Majestic “Gia Baglioni”
Royal Hotel Carlton

Bologna, Italy. Aerial view of Bologna, Italy with one tower. City life in the historical city center with people and old buildings - cafes, bars, restaurants

Fiera di Bologna – Where to stay in Bologna for business travellers

Just northeast of the city centre is Fiera di Bologna, a large exhibition hall and business area. This area is most popular with business travelers, but if you like to travel on hotel points and use chain hotels, then this is a good option.

It’s also possible to find some budget-friendly accommodation when there isn’t anything scheduled at the Fiera. There are good public transportation connections to the rest of the city, and the Piazza Maggiore is 30 minutes walking distance or 15 minutes by car.

Best places to stay in Fiera di Bologna

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Fiera di Bologna
Dopa Hostel

Budget Hotels in Fiera di Bologna
Hotel S. Orsola
B&B Fiera Inn
Arcoveggio Hotel
Hotel Centro Turistico Citta Di Bologna

Mid range Hotels in Fiera di Bologna
Novotel Bologna Fiera
Hotel Michelino Bologna Fiera
Savoia Hotel Country House
Savoia Hotel Regency

Family Friendly Hotels in Fiera di Bologna
UNAHOTELS Bologna Fiera
Le stagioni
Savhotel
AB Suite Innovative Design

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Fiera di Bologna
Royal Hotel Carlton
Grand Hotel Majestic “Gia Baglioni”

Main entrance of the Fiera District in Bologna, Italy

Bolognina – Where to stay in Bologna on a budget

Just north of the city centre on the other side of the train station is the residential area known as Bolognina.

This densely populated multicultural area is known for eclectic street art and ethnic food. This area is much more budget-friendly than a hotel in metropolitan Bologna, and you’ll get a much more local flavor by staying here instead of the tourist areas.

Bolognina is one of the younger areas of Bologna and has a lot of bars and nightclubs to explore.

The area has a past reputation that is not always positive, as it’s sometimes known for petty crimes, but if you use your usual street smarts as you would in any city, you will enjoy a stay in Bolognina.

Best places to stay in Bolognina

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Bolognina
We_Bologna
Dopa Hostel
Il Nosadillo

Budget Hotels in Bolognina
B&B Design
Casa Temporanea
Bed and Breakfast Corticella 24
UNAHOTELS Bologna Fiera

Mid range Hotels in Bolognina
Fiera Hotel
Well.B
Best Western City Hotel
Executive Suite Hotel

Family Friendly Hotels in Bolognina
Savhotel
HC3 Hotel
Hotel Astor
Ramada Encore by Wyndham Bologna

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Bolognina
Royal Hotel Carlton
Grand Hotel Majestic “Gia Baglioni”

rustic window in a brick wall in Bologna Italy

Castiglione – Where to stay in Bologna with family

On the south side of the city centre is Porta Castiglione, one of the towers built as part of the city walls in the 13th century.

A beautiful part of this neighborhood is Giardini Margherita, one of the largest parks in Bologna, covering 26 hectares of land.

The park includes tree-lined boulevards, a lake, some market stalls and a couple of cafes, making this a family-friendly area to stay in Bologna.

Centro Historico is about 20 minutes walking distance from the park. Travellers will find many hotels in this area to choose from.

Best places to stay in Castiglione

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Castiglione
Il Nosadillo
Dopa Hostel
SHG Hotel Bologna

Budget Hotels in Castiglione
Il Tiro
Residence Cavazza
Ospitalita San Tommaso D’aquino
B&B ayHome

Mid range Hotels in Castiglione
Il Convento Dei Fiori Di Seta
Al Parco Giardini Margherita
B&B Santo Stefano
Scaletta D’oro

Family Friendly Hotels in Castiglione
Hotel Pedrini
Room & Breakfast Hercolani
Locanda Fourghetti
Blumen Hotel

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Castiglione
Royal Hotel Carlton
Grand Hotel Majestic “Gia Baglioni”

Italy Bologna the Degli Asinelli tower seen from Castiglione street

Quartiere Saragozza – Where to stay in Bologna for the outdoors

On the west side of the city centre, you’ll find the Quartiere Saragozza. This is a nice family-friendly area with parks and attractions to explore.

Sports fans looking for a hotel for touring Bologna may want to stay in Quartiere Saragozza as it is the home of Renato Dall’Ara Stadium, home of the Bologna Football Club.

At about three kilometres from the centro historico, Quartiere Saragozza is just far enough out to have plenty of budget-friendly accommodation options.

Best places to stay in Quartiere Saragozza

Cheapest Backpacking Hostels in Quartiere Saragozza
Il Nosadillo
Dopa Hostel
We_Bologna

Budget Hotels in Quartiere Saragozza
Ramo Rosso
Tempobianco Suites

Mid range Hotels in Quartiere Saragozza
Suite Hotel Elite
Grand Hotel Elite
Hotel Re Enzo
San Felice 135

Family Friendly Hotels in Quartiere Saragozza
Hotel San Felice
A Due Passi dal Lumiere
Decorialab Apartments

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Quartiere Saragozza
Royal Hotel Carlton
Grand Hotel Majestic “Gia Baglioni”

BOLOGNA,ITALY - View at the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca in Bologna. The Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca is sited atop a forested hill

Cirenaica – Where to stay in Bologna for an authentic experience

On the east side of Bologna is the area called Cirenaica, a quaint neighborhood that not many tourists venture into.

Cirenaica is a relatively small neighborhood, but filled with lively street scenes and street art. While there are fewer Bologna hotels in this area, you’ll find a few, in addition to apartment rentals.

This is a great area to have a local experience, and there are many cafes and shops to explore, while the city center is just ten minutes away by car.

Best places to stay in Cirenaica

Budget Hotels in Cirenaica
Hotel S. Orsola
Hotel Giardinetto
Unacamera
B&B Bentivogli

Mid range Hotels in Cirenaica
Hotel Liberty 1904
Residence Sant’Orsola
Camplus Guest
Aemilia Hotel

Family Friendly Hotels in Cirenaica
AB Suite Innovative Design
Albergo Rossini 1936
Almarossa
Steam House

Affordable Luxury Hotels in Cirenaica
Royal Hotel Carlton
Grand Hotel Majestic “Gia Baglioni”

a top view of the historic center of Bologna, Italy

If you’d like to save it for later, please save it to Pinterest.

Where to stay in Bologna
Where to stay in Bologna
Where to stay in Bologna

Article written by:

Hi, my name is Samantha, Finance Managing Guru by day, Travel Blogging Enthusiast by... well... day too! Haha! Travelling King is the destination hotspot for the wannabe traveller! Showcasing affordable, luxurious getaways for the budget conscious! With the combination of my financial knowledge and travelling experiences I aim to show you, with a little planning, the right budget and a realistic goal you can fulfil your travel fantasies and explore the world whatever your budget or desires may be!