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BolognavsFlorence

Both Bologna and Florence are incredible destinations. Bologna excels in food capital and oldest university, while Florence stands out for Renaissance art and Tuscan cuisine.

Best for:art lovers · Florence

At a glance

BolognaFlorence
Daily budget (mid-range)€167€192
Hotel per night (mid-range)€110€135
Best monthsApril to June, September to OctoberApril to June, September to October
Summer / winter29°C / 4°C31°C / 10°C
LanguageItalianItalian
CurrencyEuro (€)Euro (€)
Getting between themTrain · 37m · Bus from €4

How they compare

  • Culture & History
    BolognaFlorence
  • Food & Dining
    BolognaFlorence
  • Nightlife
    BolognaFlorence
  • Best Time to Visit
    BolognaFlorence
  • Weather
    BolognaFlorence

Top tours and experiences in Bologna

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Bologna Food & Market Tour with Local Dishes, Pasta, Wines & More

Bologna Food & Market Tour with Local Dishes, Pasta, Wines & More

4.91,813 reviews2h
Bologna Food Experience: Factory tours & Lunch By Italian Days

Bologna Food Experience: Factory tours & Lunch By Italian Days

5.01,323 reviews9h
Bologna Food Tour: Taste Local Specialties, Pasta, Wine & Gelato

Bologna Food Tour: Taste Local Specialties, Pasta, Wine & Gelato

4.91,277 reviews3h
Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class, Ragu, Spritz, Wine & Gelato

Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class, Ragu, Spritz, Wine & Gelato

5.01,206 reviews3h
All things to do in Bologna →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Top tours and experiences in Florence

The tours and tickets travellers book most, with ratings and reviews from Viator.

Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery

Tuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery

4.924,549 reviews12h
Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine in Florence

Pasta Cooking Class with Unlimited Wine in Florence

4.99,989 reviews2h 30m
Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hiking or Pisa from Florence

Cinque Terre Day Trip with Optional Hiking or Pisa from Florence

4.89,031 reviews13h
Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside

Small-Group Wine Tasting Experience in the Tuscan Countryside

4.98,524 reviews4h 45m
All things to do in Florence →

Tours and prices from Viator, a Tripadvisor company. Prices change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book, at no extra cost to you.

Is Bologna or Florence cheaper?

For a mid-range traveller, Bologna is about 13% cheaper per day than Florence.

Mid-rangeBolognaFlorence
Accommodation (per night)€110€135
Food and drinks (per day)€35€35
Sightseeing and activities (per day)€22€22
Total per day€167€192

Estimates exclude flights and long-distance transport.

Travelling between Bologna and Florence

Planning to visit both? Compare the train, bus and flight options between the two cities.

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Top Attractions in Bologna

  • 1Piazza Maggiore
  • 2Two Towers
  • 3Basilica di San Petronio
  • 4Quadrilatero Market
  • 5Porticos
  • 6Food Walking Tours

Top Attractions in Florence

  • 1Uffizi Gallery
  • 2Duomo
  • 3Ponte Vecchio
  • 4Accademia Gallery
  • 5Pitti Palace
  • 6Piazzale Michelangelo

Bologna is Popular With

foodies
students
culture lovers
off-the-beaten-path travelers

Florence is Popular With

art lovers
couples
history buffs
foodies

Hidden Gems

Discover lesser-known attractions in each city

Hidden Gems in Bologna

  • 1

    Oratory of Santa Cecilia & its Frescoes

    A stunning, small chapel entirely covered in vibrant, beautifully preserved 16th-century frescoes by the 'Carracci' school artists.

  • 2

    Canale delle Moline Viewpoint

    A small window (Finestrella) on Via Piella that opens to reveal a hidden, picturesque stretch of Bologna's medieval canals.

Hidden Gems in Florence

  • 1

    Bardini Garden

    A less-crowded, terraced Renaissance garden near the Boboli, offering stunning views of Florence and a beautiful wisteria pergola.

  • 2

    Museo di San Marco

    A former Dominican monastery where the monk and painter Fra Angelico lived and worked, filled with his serene frescoes.

Neighborhoods to Explore

Discover the best areas to visit in each city

Top Areas in Bologna

  • Historic Center (Centro Storico)

    The vibrant, beating heart of Bologna, centered around Piazza Maggiore and Piazza del Nettuno.

  • University District

    A labyrinth of narrow streets east of the Two Towers, pulsating with student energy.

Top Areas in Florence

  • Historic Center (Centro Storico)

    The UNESCO-listed heart of Florence, packed with the city's most famous monuments, museums, and bustling piazzas.

  • Oltrarno ('Beyond the Arno')

    The artisan's quarter across the river, offering a more local, bohemian atmosphere.

Budget Comparison

Compare the cost of traveling in each city

Budget in Bologna

Daily Budget€100-180 for mid-range (private room/hotel, restaurant meals, paid attractions, local transport)
Cost Level
budget

Budget in Florence

Daily Budget€120-220 per person for 3-star hotels, trattoria meals, paid museum entries, and some taxis.
Cost Level
budget

Where to stay in Bologna

Hotels close to the centre of Bologna, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.

BuonHotel Bologna CentroMid-range

BuonHotel Bologna Centro

0.2 km from the centre

€61 / night

Check availability
Hotel PalaceMid-range

Hotel Palace

0.2 km from the centre

€63 / night

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Art Hotel CommerciantiUpscale

Art Hotel Commercianti

0.2 km from the centre

€106 / night

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Hotel RomaUpscale

Hotel Roma

0.2 km from the centre

€107 / night

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Hotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Where to stay in Florence

Hotels close to the centre of Florence, from budget to luxury. Prices are typical nightly rates at our last check.

Hotel RenaissanceMid-range

Hotel Renaissance

0.1 km from the centre

€105 / night

Check availability
Suite MediciMid-range

Suite Medici

0.2 km from the centre

€47 / night

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Hotel Calimala FlorenceUpscale

Hotel Calimala Florence

0.1 km from the centre

€143 / night

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Hotel degli OrafiUpscale

Hotel degli Orafi

0.2 km from the centre

€132 / night

Check availability
Compare the best neighbourhoods to stay in Florence

Hotel prices come from Traveloka, last checked on February 4, 2026, and change with your dates. We may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you.

Getting There

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