Bologna is one of the most interesting cities in Italy. It is sometimes called the culinary center of the country. It was here that tagliatelle and tortellini, mortadella and salsiccia were invented … Every fan of gastronomic tourism should definitely visit this amazing city, which played a huge role in the formation of traditional Italian cuisine.
But the city is famous not only for its culinary skills. It is the oldest university center in Europe: the local university was opened at the end of the 11th century. There are many other attractions in the city - in particular, historical monuments. This is not surprising, because the history of the city began long before the onset of a new era. Among the attractions are the Seven Churches complex, the Basilica of St. Petronius, the Monastery of San Giacomo Maggiore - and this is not a complete list.
The city has a high standard of living - one of the highest in the country. There are several reasons for this, including the developed industry.
City districts
There are several areas in the city where travelers prefer to stay. These areas do not have any official names; they are usually named after the main attractions or other tourist attractions located on their territory. Some of these areas are:
- Bologna Centrale;
- Via Independenza;
- Maggiore Square;
- Santo Stefano;
- San Domenico;
- Exhibition Center area.
Each area of the city has many advantages, each has its own advantages. Many tourists believe that there are simply no “bad areas” in the famous Italian city. However, there is another point of view. Some travelers do not recommend stopping in the bus station area, as it is quite noisy and a lot of rubbish there. For the same reason, some tourists find it uncomfortable to live in the university area of the city. However, other travelers, on the contrary, prefer this particular area, considering its atmosphere attractive; in addition, there are magnificent views from the hotel windows. You can listen to street musicians in the streets of the district; some consider this to be one of the advantages, while others attribute this feature of the area to its disadvantages. Beggars can often be seen on the streets of the university district.
If we talk about prices, then in an Italian city everything is the same as in other European cities: the closer the hotel is to the historical center, the more expensive it is to stay in it. But if you decide not to save money and settle in the historic center of the city, keep in mind that the hotels there are located in old houses, which means that your room is unlikely to be spacious.
Separately, a few words should be said about the food offered to tourists in city hotels. Travelers speak of it very positively: it is not for nothing that the city is considered the culinary capital of the country.
Bologna Centrale
This is the name of the train station, near which there are several hotels. If you plan not only to walk around the city, but also to travel around its surroundings, or even visit Verona and Florence (located relatively close), you should stay in this area. Since your hotel will be a stone's throw from the train station, you don't have to get up too early if you need to catch the morning train; in the evening you will not need to spend a lot of time getting to the hotel. In a word, this area is ideal for avid travelers, for whom rest is, first of all, trips to new, interesting cities.
When booking a room, consider the following point: it is better that your windows overlook not the railway, but the old city streets. You must admit that it is much more pleasant to feel, looking out of the window, the romantic atmosphere of an old Italian city than the hustle and bustle of everyday life on the train.
Among the advantages of the area are large supermarkets located near hotels. Another plus: there is a bus stop on the territory of the district, which can take you to the airport.
Via Independenza
This is the name of one of the city streets. The choice of hotels here is quite large. Many of them are located in the buildings of ancient palaces. If you have always dreamed of living in a palace, then you should settle in this area. However, accommodation here is more expensive than in the area of the railway station.
If you decide to stay here, when booking a room, you should inquire about where its windows face. It is better that they face the courtyard, then you will be provided with peace and quiet at any time of the day. If the windows face the street, then the sound of traffic at night can interfere with your sleep (the street is quite busy). However, if you have a good enough sleep, then the location of the windows does not matter. And for lovers of silence, this option may be suitable: look for a hotel that would not be located on the street itself, but, for example, in one of the surrounding lanes.
The area is distinguished by an abundance of arched galleries located on the ground floors of buildings. However, this architectural feature is typical for many areas of the city. It is even believed that in rainy weather it is not necessary to take an umbrella with you: going from gallery to gallery, you can get to any part of the city without getting wet.
Piazza Maggiore
This is the name of the most beautiful square in the city. Many tourists dream of settling nearby. There are always a lot of travelers here; locals also like to walk here. In the evenings, students gather here, smoke and discuss the events of the day. Concerts are often held here, bright holidays are organized.
Once settled in this area, you will be close to most of the city's attractions. Whichever hotel you choose, it is safe to say that the views from the windows will be simply magnificent.
The main disadvantage of the area is obvious: prices here cannot be called low. But many travelers still choose this part of the city to stay.
Santo Stefano
This is the name of the ancient basilica, which is one of the city's main attractions. It would seem that it should always be crowded here, the flow of tourists should be almost continuous, but in reality everything is different. Tourists here, of course, can be seen very often, but the area is quiet and calm. There is practically no car traffic here. It is easy enough to imagine here what the atmosphere of the city was like several centuries ago. Those who choose to live in this area feel it especially strongly.
Some travelers claim that this is the most mysterious area of the city. Perhaps the reason is precisely in its unusual atmosphere: it seems to keep some ancient secrets …
San Domenico
Much of what was said in the previous section of the text is also true for this area. It is also located around the old basilica. As a matter of fact, it is so close to Santo Stefano that it would be possible to describe these two areas as one, on the territory of which both basilicas are located.
According to guests' reviews, this area is especially pleasant to walk in the evenings, when the rays of the setting sun illuminate the walls of ancient buildings. According to some travelers, it is at this time of day that the area is especially attractive and romantic.
This area is suitable for those who prefer a relaxing holiday, seeking to feel the authentic atmosphere of the city and get in touch with its history. There is no such liveliness that distinguishes, for example, the university district, here even the walls of buildings seem to be pensive and peaceful; occasionally cars pass along the streets, but they are so rare that you can not worry about your night's rest.
Exhibition Center area
If you are heading to an old Italian city for an exhibition or conference, you should stay in this area. There are many modern hotels built here. Most of them are four and five stars. These hotels have not only spacious rooms (which are practically absent in the historical center of the city), but also swimming pools and conference rooms.
True, here you will not find an abundance of historical sites, but you are guaranteed a comfortable stay in accordance with the most modern standards of amenities. And the historic center can always be reached quickly enough using public transport or even on foot. It is not surprising that many visitors to the city (even those who do not plan to take part in exhibitions or conferences) prefer to stay in this area.
