Looking for a hostel in Bologna? Look no further than Centro Turistico Citta di Bologna where we combine all the best attributes of a youth hostel with the relaxed atmosphere of a camping location.

Centro Turistico Citta di Bologna offers a unique hostel service in Bologna and great value for money. All the usual facilities you would find in budget accommodation such as laundry, internet and bar, and some you may not such swimming pool and air conditioning.

The camping village is surrounded by a big park and only 10 minutes by bus from the front gate to the centre of Bologna. Choose either private triple bungalows or twin chalets, all with ensuite bathrooms.

Bologna is probably Italy’s best kept secret on the backpacking circuit. Fantastic food, huge international and Italian student population, bars, clubs, need we say more?

Below we have included some of the must things to do when checking out Bologna. We hope you find this information useful for your stay.

LOCAL ATTRACTIONS

PIAZZA MAGGIORE
Bologna’s old city centre is ideal for walking as the arched walkways offer some respite from the heat of summer. This central piazza is full of life with many locals gathering to chat and pass the time, you can listen to musicians or watch the street performers from one of the many cafés or bars that surround the edges. The bars kick off well into the night as well. Or you can just sit and admire the renaissance buildings and the afternoon sun reflecting off the ornate façades.

PIAZZA DEL NETTUNO
The centre piece of this square is the famous Fontana del Nettuno, Fountain of Neptune, built in 1566 and receives mixed reactions from onlookers due to its rather suggestive mermaids and Neptunes, um, stance. The frenchman, Jean Boulongne de Douai who sculpted it earned the monicker Giambologna.. It serves as a popular meeting place for locals and tourists.

PINACOTECA NAZIONALE – VIA DELLE BELLE ARTI 56
This is the home of the National art Gallery, containing mostly renaissance works by Bolognese artists. If you are a devotee of Raphael you can view the Ecstasy of St Cecelia and take in El Greco’s version of the Last supper.

DUE TORRE- PIAZZA DI PORTA
Not trying to go one-up on Pisa but Bologna has 2 leaning towers. Originally Bologna had over 200 towers built during the mediaeval period but wars, time and developments as well as bad subsoils has lead to a decrease in their number.
Torre degli Asinelli
Not for the faint hearted, claustrophobic or vertigo sufferers. The 500 steps to the top get narrower and as the 100m tower is also leaning by 1.4m it all adds to the tension. However for those that do make it to the top the views over the rooftops of the city are stunning. Open daily 09:00-18:00.
Garisenda
This is the shorter one at only 49m high but has a more extreme lean of 3m and is deemed too unstable to be opened to the public.

UNIVERSITY QUARTER
Via Zamboni
The University of Bologna is Europe’s oldest university at 900 years, begun in 1088, and attracts students from all over the world. Bologna used to be a hotbed of student activism during the 70’s, this still continues today but with less regularity. The area surrounding the university, like much of Bologna, has developed an energetic culture of bars, cafes, restaurants and clubs.

RESTAURANTS
Bologna is considered the cuisine capital of Italy and Emilia-Romagna. There is a diverse range of restuarants that attracts gourmets and foodies from all corners of the globe. Whatever you budget there are many restaurants in the city offering top quality options down to humble osteria fare. Don’t forget to try the famous bolognese ‘sauce’ from the ‘source’although it may surprise you to find out it is called ‘ragu’ and usually eaten with tagliatelle. There is now also a more international influence as well with many restaurants opening with middle eastern and eastern flavours.

BASILICA DI SAN PETRONIO
The intention of this edifice was to eclipse the original St Peter’s in Rome, however the then Pope decided this was not such a good idea and canned the completion not long after 1392. Inside you can watch the sundial laid out on the apse floor, timed by the ray of sunlight falling through the roof. The admission is free and actually offers free guided tours on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

SANTUARIO DI SAN LUCA – VIA DI SAN LUCA, COLLE DELLA GUARDIA
Time to walk off that huge bowl of pasta. The Sanctuary is an 18th construction up the hill 3.5km from the centre of town and you can count the 666 arches as you climb (any significance??) to the top. St Luke is said to be responsible for the image of Mary, which is brought into town for a week every May. The view from the top is also spectacular and a nice break from buildings.

MUSEO CIVICO ARCHEOLOGICO – VIA DELL’ARCHIGINNASIO 2
In here you will find the largest Egyptian collection in Italy, with more impressive artefacts than in the Vatican. Other items of note are iron age examples of daily objects, Etruscan and Roman relics as well as casts and copies of notable Greek sculptures. The museum is also home to a 1500yr old bronze jar. Opening hours are 09:00-18:30 Tuesday-Saturday, 10:00-18:30 Sunday.