Visit the center of Bologna, discover how to move around the city using public transport and stay at Ghisiliera B&B
Bologna is a welcoming city, pleasant to visit at any time of the year and surprisingly easy to explore. Its historic center, once enclosed by ancient city walls, is compact and full of monuments, squares and streets that can be visited easily, quickly and comfortably.
Walking under the porticoes – between Piazza Maggiore, Piazza Santo Stefano, Via Zamboni, and the famous “T” formed by Via Indipendenza, Via Rizzoli and Via Ugo Bassi – you immediately realize how close everything is. With a walk of less than an hour you can go from one city gate to another, discovering historic corners, traditional shops and lively cafés and restaurants.
Because of its compact size, Bologna is perfect for exploring at a relaxed pace. However, the city also offers several efficient transport options that make it easy to move both within the historic center and in the outer neighborhoods. The singer Lucio Dalla once sang, “Nel centro di Bologna neanche un bambino si perde” (“In the center of Bologna not even a child gets lost”). Is it true? Let’s find out together how to get around Bologna using public transport.
Getting around on foot: the most authentic way to discover Bologna
The first piece of advice for anyone visiting Bologna is simple: walk. The historic center is one of the largest in Europe, yet it is very compact and perfectly walkable.
As you stroll through the streets of the center, you can admire the famous porticoes – a UNESCO World Heritage site – which make the city unique in the world and allow you to move comfortably in any season, protected from both sun and rain.
Many of the city’s most iconic landmarks are located just a few minutes from one another. From Bologna Centrale railway station it takes about 15 minutes to reach Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city, while the Two Towers, the Quadrilatero market district, and the University area are all located within the same small radius.
Are you arriving by plane and don’t have a vehicle? Good news: Guglielmo Marconi Airport is located about 6 kilometers from the city center. The fastest connection is the Marconi Express, an elevated shuttle that connects the airport to Bologna Centrale station in about 7 minutes. The service runs frequently (every 4–8 minutes) and allows you to reach the city center quickly.
Getting around by public transport: the bus
The bus is the main public transport system in Bologna and is operated by TPER, the company that manages both urban and suburban lines. The network is extensive and allows you to easily reach every area of the city.
Although much of the historic center can be explored on foot, buses are useful for traveling to more distant neighborhoods or for reaching attractions slightly outside the center, such as the Sanctuary of San Luca.
Tickets can be purchased at tobacco shops, newsstands, authorized sales points, or directly on board by paying with a card or using the automatic ticket machines.
An interesting aspect concerns the evolution of travel tickets: since last year, traditional paper tickets have been replaced by tickets with QR codes, making validation faster and easier.
Do you plan to use the bus frequently during your stay in Bologna? Our advice is to purchase a travel pass, which allows you to save money.
Getting around by bicycle
One of the most enjoyable ways to explore Bologna is certainly by bicycle. Many locals use it in their daily lives, and the city center – mostly flat – is perfect for cycling.
In the city there are several bike rental services and bike-sharing systems. Among the most popular are RideMovi and eXtraBO, which allow you to rent, locate and unlock classic bicycles and e-bikes directly through an app.
In fact, Bologna is investing heavily in cycling mobility. The network of bike lanes connects several areas of the city, making cycling increasingly safe and convenient.
Getting around by car
Now let’s talk about those who prefer to reach Bologna by car, perhaps because they are coming from another region not too far from our beloved Emilia-Romagna.
The first thing to know is that a large part of the historic center is a Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL). Access is controlled by cameras and circulation is only allowed under certain conditions.
In addition, many streets in the city center are part of the “Bologna Città 30” project, which sets a speed limit of 30 km/h in urban areas.
For this reason, the car is not the most practical way to move around the city, although several parking options are available. Among the most convenient parking areas near the center are Piazza VIII Agosto, Via Riva Reno, Autostazione, and Bologna Centrale Metropark.
There are also park-and-ride parking areas such as Tanari, Prati di Caprara, and Antistadio, where you can leave your car and continue your journey using public transport.
Sustainable mobility: car sharing and the tram project
In recent years Bologna has developed several sustainable mobility solutions. Among these are car-sharing services, which allow you to use a car only when needed with operators such as Corrente and Enjoy.
But that’s not all: Bologna is also looking to the future with an important urban mobility project, namely the construction of the city’s tram network.
The plan includes the construction of 4 tram lines for a total of about 57 kilometers of network, with the goal of transporting up to 300,000 passengers per day. Once completed – theoretically by the end of this year – the tram system will further improve connections between the city center and the outer districts, making the city even more sustainable and easier to live in.
That said, remember: whatever means of transport you choose, Bologna is a city that invites you to slow down and enjoy every corner at a relaxed pace. For this reason, staying in the historic center is the ideal choice: it allows you to have everything within easy reach and experience Bologna in the most authentic way possible, surrounded by history, culture and tradition.
Are you coming to Bologna? Our advice is to book an accommodation in the city center for a unique and immersive experience. Where? At the Ghisiliera B&B, a property with 40 square meters of apartments located in a strategic position for exploring Bologna like a true local.
Click here to read about the room features, see photos, discover all the extra services, and book your stay!
