As one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, Bologna is a must-visit for foodies and lovers of Medieval architecture. However, like a lot of cities in Italy, it’s easy to get carried away with the budget. If you’re trying to keep an eye on your spending, here are the best things to do in Bologna on a budget, from someone who’s been there are done it!
Scroll to the bottom to see my recommendations for transport and accommodation in Bologna. As a budget-friendly traveler, I managed flights and accommodations for four nights for £150.
Visit Giardini Margherita
If you’re on a budget, it’s hard to beat spending time in a city park. Giardini Margherita is on the southeast side of the Old Town and is right by Porta Castiglione. In the summer months, there are bike sportives and events to enjoy.
While I was there, there was a street food event all weekend with local breweries selling their beers and live music. It was super relaxed and a great way to while away a weekend. It’s easy to forget you’re in a city here, too, if you need a little break from the Old Town crowds!
Wander Around the Old Town
One of the biggest draws to Bologna is its gorgeous Old Town. The iconic Two Towers, the beautiful piazzas like Piazza Maggiore with Neptune’s Fountain, and Palazzo Belloni. They’re all amazing and all worth visiting.
You can join a walking tour of the Old Town to get the most out of it, and this costs around £20. If you’re on a budget, I recommend wandering around the Old Town yourself, exploring the side streets and alleyways and seeing where you end up. That’s what I did and you learn a lot from the plaques all around the city centre. Some hostels also run free tours, so that’s worth looking into.
Take a Day Trip to Modena
One of the best things I did was take a short day trip to neighbouring Modena. Known for its amazing Balsamic and relaxing vibes, it was cool to see a different kind of medieval town with completely different architecture.
I booked my train tickets using Omio which let me have my tickets on my phone instead of having to buy them in person. The train journey takes between 20-30 minutes depending on the route, and return tickets are just £8.
I also found that eating in Modena was a lot cheaper and much less busy, so it’s worth having lunch or dinner here to save some money before heading back to Bologna.
Check Out the Biblioteca Comunale dell’Archiginnasio
I couldn’t believe that the bulk of the Biblioteca Comunale dell’Archiginnasio was free. It’s one of the most beautiful buildings I’ve been in and has an instantly calming vibe, despite being in the heart of the Old Town.
There are usually free exhibitions on in the upstairs section – there was one on European historical cartoons when I was there which was amazing. The mosaics and artwork in this place are incredible. It’s also still a working library for the university, so there are some sections you can’t visit, and some paid exhibitions.
Eat Your Way Around Town
Look, you can’t come to Bologna and not eat. There’s no point. While there are some pricey restaurants in Bologna (and they’re worth it), there are plenty of budget-friendly restaurants, cafes, and bars. After all, it’s a university town.
Some of my favourite and reasonably-priced places to eat and drink were:
- Sfoglia Rina: A cult fresh pasta place that often has queues, but the queues move really quickly, so it’s worth it.
- Trattoria La Finestrella: Traditional alfresco Italian restaurant near the Little Venice part of the city.
- Zenzero Bistrot: Neighbourhood vibes that change its menu every day and always have at least one vegan option – one of the most affordable places to eat in the city!
- La Slerfa Focacceria Genovese: For the best focaccia in the city. You can get it with various toppings and a nice cold drink.
- Fuori Orsa Moline: Artisan craft brewery with two places in Bologna. This branch is in the middle of town and has plenty of outdoor seating near the main restaurants, so you can enjoy a beer before or after dinner.
Follow the Porticos
If there’s something particularly iconic about Bologna, it’s the porticos. These beautifully designed archways are all around the city and have different designs. If you wander around trying to find all the different porticos, you’ll see so much of the city in between. It’s like a cool scavenger hunt, full of art and culture!
My Travel and Accommodation Recommendations for Bologna
I traveled from Manchester Airport to Bologna and then took the train up to Verona (2 hours away) for an evening flight home a couple of days later. This was much cheaper and more convenient in terms of the number of days away. Overall, it cost me £47.75 with no bags, but with the weather in Italy in June, it wasn’t needed.
I opted to stay in Combo Bologna, which is located by the train station. This was in a four-bed female door and cost me £100 for the four nights. While the walk at night was a bit creepy the first time, it’s a great hostel with a reasonably priced bar and workspaces that you can rent for a couple of hours.
