- 01The center: Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
- 02Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore
- 03The university quarter
- 04West: San Felice, Saragozza and the Pratello
- 05Around the station and via dell'Indipendenza
01The center: Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero
Around Piazza Maggiore and the market lanes of the Quadrilatero. Everything is on your doorstep and the architecture is the best in the city. Note So are the crowds, the deliveries and the noise, and this is squarely inside the ZTL.
02Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore
South-east of the towers, along Santo Stefano and the long Portico dei Servi. Elegant, residential and quieter than the center, with some of the finest porticoes. The best choice for a calm stay within walking distance of everything.
03The university quarter
Via Zamboni, Piazza Verdi and the streets around Palazzo Poggi. Young, bookish and alive. Note Also loud until late, especially around Piazza Verdi — lovely for a drink, harder for sleep.
04West: San Felice, Saragozza and the Pratello
West of the center, towards Porta San Felice and Porta Saragozza. Residential and local, with via del Pratello as its evening street of small bars, and via Saragozza as the start of the portico to San Luca.
05Around the station and via dell'Indipendenza
The northern edge, between Bologna Centrale, the Montagnola and the bus station. The practical choice for early trains and short stays — and a straight walk under porticoes into the center.
06Bolognina
North of the railway, outside the historic center: a working district, residential and mixed, with the station's northern side close by. It feels like the everyday city rather than the old one.
Note Whatever you choose, if you are arriving by car, read about the ZTL on getting here before you book.
