The city of Bologna is famous all over the world for its rich culinary tradition and for its history, its palaces, Piazza Maggiore, the Towers and numerous basilicas. Book your parking with Parkimeter and enjoy the beauties of this city.
Bologna is globally renowned for its rich culinary tradition and history, its palaces, its main square, its towers, and its numerous basilicas. Reserve your parking spot with Parkimeter and enjoy the wonders of this city.
Where to park in Bologna
Parking in Bologna, like in all major cities, can be a daunting task. However, thanks to Parkimeter, you will find answers to your questions and parking solutions. If you're booking a hotel, you should find out if it offers parking in Bologna and the associated costs to make the best decision. Daily rates in most public parking lots in Bologna have decreasing prices, meaning the daily price decreases as the number of reserved days increases, which is not typically the case with hotels. If you don't reserve a daily parking spot, remember that you might be charged per minute, which can be much more expensive.
Long-term parking in Bologna
If you plan to stay in Bologna for several weeks, you might prefer to find long-term parking, often known as low-cost parking or park and ride. It's advisable to use this option if you don't plan to use your car frequently, as you'll likely spend the savings on public transportation if you're not nearby. For this purpose, we recommend Santa Orsola or Sfinge parking facilities.
Bologna's ZTL restrictions
To avoid unpleasant surprises, it's good to have all the information about the city's Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) before heading to the capital of Emilia Romagna. Firstly, it's useful to know where the access gates to the ZTL are located. The main gates are on Via Vitale, Via Santo Stefano, Via Marconi, Via Alessandrini, Via San Felice, Via Riva di Reno, Via Sant'Isaia, Via D'Azeglio, and Viale XII Giugno. The ZTL in the center of Bologna is active every day from 7 AM to 8 PM. Within this zone, motor vehicles are prohibited, except for residents or those conducting business within the designated area. This restriction does not apply to hybrid or electric vehicles, which can freely circulate and park within the blue lines on the side of the road.
Non-resident disabled individuals can access the ZTL by notifying their vehicle's license plate in advance, along with a valid ID. In this case, the vehicle can circulate within the ZTL during the agreed-upon period.
Since the entire historic center of Bologna falls under a ZTL, it's advisable to make a reservation with Parkimeter to reach your chosen parking spot without risking fines, as the parking staff will record your license plate number.
What to see in Bologna
Bologna is full of attractions. We recommend starting your visit at Piazza Maggiore (or Piazza Grande as the locals call it), the heart of Bolognese life. It's famous for the Neptune Fountain, surrounded by the city's most important buildings: Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo dei Banchi, Basilica of San Petronio, and Palazzo del Podestà. If you're a student, follow an old tradition: never cross the square's center; instead, walk around it, or you might jinx your degree. To reach this area, we recommend parking at Garaje Bologna, just a 10-minute walk from the square.
Another place we encourage you to visit is the Basilica of San Petronio, Bologna's most important and imposing church, and the fifth-largest in the world. It is Italy's last great Gothic work, with a Latin cross plan and three naves with chapels.
Finally, we strongly recommend a visit to the Asinelli Tower. The towers of Bologna are one of the city's defining features. Of the numerous towers built between the 12th and 13th centuries, fewer than twenty remain today. These structures served both military and aristocratic purposes and added prestige to the families that ordered their construction. Visitors, after climbing the tower's 498 internal steps, can reach the top of the Asinelli Tower, standing at 97.20 meters in height, providing a breathtaking view of the city. To reach it, we recommend parking at Policlinico Quick Park, just over 10 minutes' walk from the Asinelli Tower, accessible through a pleasant walk along the main street.
Bologna's Trattorias
Bologna is renowned not only for its history but also for having one of Italy's oldest culinary cultures. We recommend trying all the typical dishes, especially at trattorias and small restaurants, where you can savor authentic Bolognese cuisine. Enjoy dishes like tagliatelle, lasagna, tortelloni, and, of course, the ever-present tortellini. In essence, Bologna is the birthplace of pasta and pasta sauces, including the famous ragù alla Bolognese.