Tourism Tips For Bologna, Italy

Use these tips to enjoy the beautiful Città Rossa.

When you are there
Tourist Offices In Bologna itself, the first place to go for information is the Tourist Information Bureau (IAT). There are three locations:
  1. Piazza Maggiore, 6: In Palazzo D'Agosta. Best place for obtaining lodgings as well.
  2. Central Railway Station
  3. Marconi International Airport
You can get maps, copy of Ospitalità 2008 Bologna città e provincia (which has all the lodging information), and lots more information. A must.
Lodging Assistance The Tourist Information Bureau (IAT) at Piazza Maggiore, 6, Palazzo D'Agosta is the best place to obtain lodging assistance.
Provincial Tourist Office The office for Bologna Provincial Tourism is at Via de' Castagnoli, 3 in Bologna.
Important Numbers
  1. Health Emergency: 118
  2. General Emergency Phone Number Tel. 113
  3. Police Tel. 113
  4. Carabinieri Tel. 112
  5. Fire Tel. 115
  6. Medical Tel. 118
  7. 24-Hour Pharmacy Farmacia Comunale in Piazza Maggiore
  8. Taxi Tel. 051/372.727 (Radio Taxi CO.TA.BO), Tel. 051/534.141 (C.A.T.)
  9. Central Garage for Towed Vehicles: 65 Via Gardino Tel. 051/521.222
Local Transportation at Arrival IMPORTANT: Automobile traffic is restricted in Bologna's city center (Centro Storico). To be allowed access and to avoid a heavy fine it is important to discuss arrangements ahead of time with the hotel when booking the reservation. The other option is to find lodging outside of the city center where fewer restrictions exist.
  1. Marconi International Airport to City Center and/or Bologna Centrale Railway Station
    . Aerobus is a shuttle service dedicated to connecting the airport with the city center, Bologna Centrale Railway Station, and the convention center. Follow the signs inside the Arrivals Terminal to the exit and go to the special bus stop. You can pay as you board the bus. For more information call 051/290.290 or go to the web site www.atc.bo.it.
    . Taxi line forms outside the Arrivals Terminal. Follow the signs inside for directions to the proper exit.
  2. Bologna Centrale Railway Station to Local Destinations
    . City Bus (AT'C) lines converge at the train station. For detailed information and tickets go to the AT'C office located outside the main door. You should purchase a ticket before you board the bus. Tickets are also available at some newspaper vendors at the station. For schedules and routes check the web site: www.atc.bo.it.
    . Taxi line forms outside and to the right of the main exit.
  3. AT'C Bus Information and Ticket Purchase Offices (www.atc.bo.it) . Bologna Centrale Railway Station (AT'C Office) . Marconi International Airport (I.A.T. desk in Arrivals area) . Via Rizzoli, #9
    Ticket purchase is also possible at many bars, tabacchi shops, newspaper stands, etc.
Most useful bus lines
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Before you go
Lodging For lodging, the best source of information is an Acrobat PDF file you can download here: Ospitalità 2008 Bologna città e provincia . The legends in the front are in both Italian and English. The lists are in Italian but with the icons and legend, it is easily usable by English speakers.

The lodging information above comes from the official Bologna Provincial Toursim site. Unfortunately, its English version is 'still under construction'. If the link above does not work, they may have moved it. You can get to it on the Italian site and following these steps:

  1. Under Ospitalità on the left side click dove domire (where to sleep).
  2. On that page click the link consulta la banca dati.
  3. On the left side should be Ospitalità (pdf) which will be correct.
Information Bologna Bologna Tourist Office (English page: If link does not work, use the Italian language Bologna Tourist Office home page and select English at the top.)

As noted above, when in Bologna, all offices have a great free map of the city. The Piazza Maggiore office can assist with arranging lodging as well.

Information Province of Bologna Bologna Provincial Toursim is the site for the province including cities outside of Bologna. Unfortunately, its English version is 'still under construction'. However, it provides a number of great services not available in just the city of Bologna.
Information Region of Emilia Romagna Emilia Romagna Tourism is the English site for the region of Emilia Romagna which contains Bologna. The Italian site is Emilia Romagna Tourism and you can select English tab if the preceding link does not work.


Ristorante/Trattoria/Osteria Recommendations
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Lodging Recommendations
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If You Only Have A Couple of Days . . .
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I am a writer and have published a book Bologna Reflections: An Uncommon Guide will be enjoyable to armchair travelers and prospective visitors as well. You may also enjoy my writings on Sicily.

I invite your comments in English or Italian about Bologna -- or about what I have written.

Home: Mary Tolaro Noyes

Last update: 07-Mar-2009 Page Author: Mary Tolaro Noyes