We will be in Bologna in May for 5 nights and are wondering which neighborhoods would be nice for being near sites but having a more quiet residential feeling. We would like to be away from lots of car traffic. Which are the busy streets with lots of traffic because we would like to avoid them?
Any suggestions would be appreciated!
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16133 posts
Stay in the historical center, preferably within a half mile radius from Piazza Maggiore, which is the fulcrum of the ancient city. The historical center is all ZTL (Limited Traffic Zone) where only residents, transit, and emergency vehicles can drive, therefore traffic is very minimal everywhere in the city center. The only street that as slightly more bus traffic is Via Bassi/Via Rizzoli, but not really much.
Posted by
Southeast of Seattle
732 posts
When you see a map of Bologna, there is a ‘ring road’. Stay within that area and everything is convenient. Personally, I would steer clear of the area closer to the train station because it is very busy and can be noisier.
As Roberto says-anywhere within a half mile radius will be good.
We stayed in the area by Basilica di Santa Marie dei Servi. It’s close to Santo Stefano too. Good area for everything you might need.
I would add that Strada Maggiore can be quite busy too, but the street traffic there seems so different from street traffic in our larger cities. One reason must be the streets are generally quite narrow and many people there just don’t drive.
Bologna is a very easy city to walk everywhere.
Posted by
314 posts
I stayed at an apartment, Le Palme though booking.com and it was in a fabulous location. Shops, extremely walkable, fab apt for a single like myself or a couple. A wonderful neighborhood location, private garden, and even though an apt breakfast offerings were provided.