My husband and I will be traveling to Italy in September. We have an option to spend 5 nights in Bologna, with day trips to Modena, Ravenna, Parma and/or possibly Florence. We have stayed in Florence previously and love the city and the views, we were fortunate to get to see most of the main attractions but there is always more to see. I'm concerned that Bologna will not be as interesting or romantic as Florence.
I am wondering if we should opt to stay in Florence and do day trips from there up to Bologna and Modena? It seems there is not a lot of hotel options in Bologna for the time we are traveling, and most Airbnb's are as much or more than in Florence. Is a day in Bologna enough? Will we regret staying in Florence again? We are wanting to stay in one or the other, not split our time. Maybe that's the smart way to go? Has anyone visited both locations and if so, do you have a strong opinion about the best way to spend our precious time? There is never enough time for traveling!
Posted by
canada
26 posts
HI there,
I've also been to Florence several times and will keep going back. But I'm voting with Team Bologna as a base for your trip.
It's a beautiful city and -- as you already know -- has terrific food options. It's very walkable. Modena is an absolute gem. More incredible food and the Ferrari Museum. Parma is terrific. And from Bologna Yyou're also only an hour from Verona if you haven't been there yet.
I agree: there's never enough time for travelling!
Happy planning.
Posted by
Gettysburg PA
8030 posts
There is a huge ceramics convention inBologna end of September so that’s probably why the low availability/high prices
We liked Boligna a lot-different from Florence
Great food
Less crowded for sure and less touristy
Lots of good day trips especially Ravenna mosaics-not to be missed
Posted by
8923 posts
If you go to Bologna, try to spend a few hours in Ravenna.
Posted by
92 posts
If you can't find cheap accommodations in Bologna, you could also stay at any of the other 3 Emilia-Romagna cities and then do a day trip to Bologna. Each of the cities you list (besides Florence) is a quick, cheap train journey away from the others.
Posted by
new york
489 posts
Good idea, Jeff.
You could stay in Reggio Emilia, or Modena...both less than an hour away.
Posted by
5 posts
My wife and I recently spent 5 nights in Bologna with day trips to Modena and Parma (i.e., wine and food tour) and Ravenna.
Afterwards, we spent 3 nights in Florence. We enjoyed almost everything about it. Its city center is overrun, though, with fellow tourists in pursuit of romanticized Tuscany and perfect selfies - at all costs.
I doubt I'll ever return to Florence. I'd go back to explore more of historic, food-rich, and centrally-located Bologna in a heartbeat.
That's just me. Your comments suggest you want to revisit Florence. If true, you should do you. :)
Posted by
Massachusetts, USA
1977 posts
This is difficult because every person is different and likes different things. We are currently in Italy and stayed in Florence and Bologna. Both my husband and I like Florence more because it is a more interesting city to us. However, the crowds were worse in Florence.
We like Bologna but didn’t love it so we are probably in the minority. The most interesting part of Bologna for us is Piazza Santo Stefano and the amazing Basilica di Santo Stefano and its 7 interconnected small churches.
We much preferred Parma and Verona. Perhaps stay there and take day trips? Just a suggestion. Either way you will have an awesome trip.
If you choose Bologna, we loved our accommodations, Casa Bertagna, located in the university district.
Posted by
5 posts
I agree; it's about what you're seeking and the conditions that suit your style. Based upon our stay, Bologna offers a lot and earns its nickname and (win) isn't on RS radar.
La Grassa (The Fat)
*Quadrilatero
*Many fine restaurants & gelaterias
*Galleria Cavour
La Dotta (The Learned)
*Piazza Maggiore
*Teatro Anatomico in Palazzo Dell'Archiginnasio
*Palazzo Poggi
*Basilica of Santo Stefano
*Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita
*Basilica Santuario della Madonna di San Luca
*UNESCO World Heritage porticos
*Dante Alighieri's home in exile
*Finestrella sul Canale
La Rossa (The Red)
*Quartiere Universitario
*Via del Pratello
*Strada del Jazz
*Cantina Bentivoglio (jazz)
We stayed at the welcoming and affordable Albergo Garisenda, which made walking to sites easy.