Hotels in Bologna

Bologna is one of Italy's most rewarding and underrated cities, a medieval university town in the heart of Emilia-Romagna that has been perfecting the art of good living for centuries. Its distinctive terracotta-coloured porticoes — stretching over 40 kilometres through the city and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site — shelter locals and visitors year-round as they stroll between piazzas, trattorias, and covered markets.

The city earned its nickname La Grassa (the Fat One) for good reason: Bologna is widely regarded as the culinary capital of Italy. It is the birthplace of tagliatelle al ragu, mortadella, and tortellini, and its historic Mercato di Mezzo and Quadrilatero market district are among the finest food markets in Europe. Bologna is also home to the oldest university in the Western world, founded in 1088, which gives the city a youthful, intellectual energy that keeps it culturally vibrant throughout the year.

Sitting at the intersection of Italy's high-speed rail network, Bologna makes an ideal base for exploring the wider region, with day trips to Modena, Parma, Ferrara, and Florence all straightforward. Yet the city itself — with its medieval towers, excellent art museums, and legendary dining scene — deserves far more than a quick stop.