Bologna is famous for its cuisine (la cucina Bolognese). It is also viewed as a progressive and well administered city. It is considered second only to Venice in beauty by many Italians and certainly has one of the largest and best preserved historic centres among Italian cities. Its architecture is noted for its palette of terracotta reds, burnt oranges, and warm yellows, hence the name of Bologna la rossa (Bologna the red). The extensive town centre, characterised by miles of attractive covered walkways, known as "porticos," is one of the best-preserved in Europe. Bologna is a town of the Emilia-Romagna Region
Via Saffi, 40, Bologna, Italy
Suite Hotel Elite from www.hotelscombined.com
Contemporary in its design, Suite Hotel Elite is located in a well-known area of Bologna. The numerous amenities this modern hotel features include a 24-hour reception, a safe and luggage storage.
This elegant hotel offers laundry facilities, a laundry service and limited hours room service. In addition, the multilingual staff are available to provide local tips and knowledge.
Rooms are modern and comfortable, with each offering a flat-screen TV and a mini bar. Each provide heating, a telephone and a private bathroom with a hair dryer.
Suite Elite features both a restaurant and a bar where guests can relax at the end of the day. For those preferring to eat out, the local area provides many bars and restaurants serving a selection of varied cuisines.
Suite Hotel Elite Bologna is situated amongst the area's popular tourist attractions, nightlife and shops, and Land Rover Arena is within walking distance. University of Bologna and the International Museum and Library of Music are within a short drive from the hotel.
Via Zaccherini Alvisi 16, Bologna, Italy
Aemilia Hotel from www.hotelscombined.com
Boasting a Jacuzzi, Aemilia Hotel is located in Bologna and provides modern accommodation. The various amenities this stylish hotel has to offer include meeting rooms, a 24-hour reception and a coffee bar.
The hotel has 124 rooms and has been recently refurbished. Corporate amenities include a business centre.
Rooms at Aemilia Hotel Bologna offer a flat-screen TV, a hydro-massage bathtub and a mini bar. Each provides its very own bathroom with a hair dryer.
Hotel Aemilia houses both a restaurant and a bar where guests can unwind at the end of the day with a meal and a drink.
Aemilia Hotel is close to Bologna's well-known attractions, with Pinacoteca Nazionale di Bologna just a 10-minute walk away. The hotel's multilingual staff will make sure that every guest has a comfortable visit.
Via Aurelio Saffi 36, Bologna, Italy
Grand Hotel Elite Bologna from www.hotelscombined.com
Situated in Bologna, this 4-star property is relaxed and elegant. The multiple facilities this stylish hotel has to offer include limited hours room service, a currency exchange and meeting rooms.
This peaceful hotel provides babysitting/child services, a 24-hour reception and a tour desk. Guests can work out in the gym, or borrow a bicycle and discover the surrounding area.
The stylish rooms offer a private bathroom, a mini bar and heating. They all have a telephone and a radio.
The hotel's restaurant, gourmet Cordon Bleu, serves local and international cuisine. In the evening, guests can relax in the cosy lounge bar.
Grand Hotel Elite Bologna is close to the area's popular sightseeing attractions, nightlife and shops, and Land Rover Arena is within walking distance. Guglielmo Marconi Airport is under a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
Via Michelino 73, Bologna, Italy
Novotel Bologna Fiera from www.hotelscombined.com
Situated under a 10-minute stroll from Bologna Fiere Train Station, Novotel offers guests a convenient base when visiting Bologna. The numerous facilities this modern hotel offers include a hair salon, a 24-hour reception and meeting rooms.
This charming hotel provides an on-site fitness centre, a concierge and porters. Corporate facilities include a business centre.
The modern rooms at Novotel Bologna Fiera have a private bathroom, a mini bar and heating. They feature a bathtub, a telephone and a radio.
Those staying at Novotel Bologna Fiera Hotel can sample American cuisines at the on-site restaurant, suitably situated for those who want to stay close by at mealtime. Each evening, guests can relax in the comfortable lounge bar.
Novotel Bologna Fiera is also close to the area's well-known restaurants and bars, plus Fiera di Bologna is within walking distance. Two Towers, University of Bologna and the International Museum and Library of Music are just an easy car ride from the hotel.
Via Zamboni 16, Bologna City Centre, Bologna, Italy
BEST WESTERN Hotel San Donato from www.hotelscombined.com
Strategically located in the heart of the city, this 4-star hotel makes for an excellent base in Bologna. It also offers meeting rooms, a rooftop terrace and an express check-in and check-out feature.
Featuring views of Two Towers, BEST WESTERN Hotel San Donato is an ideal place to stay for those looking to scope out popular attractions in Bologna. Welcoming and helpful team members are available 24-hours a day.
The modern rooms include a mini bar, slippers and a private bathroom. They all offer a flat-screen TV, heating and a radio.
Best Western Hotel San Donato Bologna provides a conveniently located on-site cafe. In the evening, guests are able to enjoy a drink in the cosy lounge bar. Those staying at the property can also sit down to a buffet breakfast every morning.
Bologna's attractions, such as Palazzo Re Enzo, the International Museum and Library of Music and Piazza Maggiore, are within easy walking distance of Hotel San Donato. There are also a variety of quality restaurants and bars serving local and international cuisine close by.
When to visit
Bologna is at its best from March/April to October, when it is warm and there is much outdoor drinking and dining, or just sitting in squares such as Piazza Santo Stefano and Piazza Maggiore. However, during July and August it may be particularly hot. In August, as is the case in much of Italy in the summer, many shops and restaurants are closed for the summer vacation.
Archaeological Museum (Museo Civico Archeologico), Via dell'Archiginnasio 2, phone: +39 051 2757211,. Tu-F 9AM-3PM, Sa-Su and holidays 10AM-6:30PM. This building, an old hospital, houses a comprehensive collection of antiquities including Egyptian civilization (mummies and sarcophagi), iron age Villanova culture, artifacts from Etruscan Velzna, funerary art, terracotta urns, ancient vases and items from Roman times.
Piazza Maggiore Large pedestrian square located in the monumental centre of the old part of the city, surrounded by the Basilica of San Petronio, the City Hall Building, the portico dei Banchi and the Palazzo del Podesta.