City in Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Bologna for solo travelers
Is Bologna good for solo travel?
Italy's food capital, with 40 km of porticoes, a big university and fast trains to everywhere. Good value for a month or two and a lively scene; summers are hot and the center lacks dramatic sights.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women. Expect some catcalling near the station and Zamboni; stay on busy streets after midnight. |
How to meet people in Bologna
Student bars on Via Zamboni, osterie with shared tables, cooking classes, language exchanges, bike tours and Pratello's aperitivo scene.
Good things to do alone
- Climb the Asinelli Tower for city views
- Eat tagliatelle al ragù in an osteria
- Walk the 3.8 km portico to San Luca
- Browse Mercato di Mezzo and the Quadrilatero
- Take a day trip to Modena or Parma
Where to stay in Bologna
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Centro Storico (Quadrilatero) | First-timers: food markets, porticoes, everything on foot |
| Università and Via Zamboni | Students, bars, cheap eats and nightlife |
| Santo Stefano | Quieter, upscale and residential, near the city gates |
| Bolognina | Trendy and cheaper, near the train station |
| Pratello | Bars, live music and a social evening scene |
Solo travel across Italy
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Rome | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Venice | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Florence | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Milan | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Naples | 4/5 | Limited |
| Cinque Terre | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sicily | 4/5 | Limited |
| Tuscany | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bologna | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Verona | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Sorrento | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Turin | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Palermo | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Catania | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bari | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lecce | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Genoa | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amalfi Coast | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lake Como | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Positano | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Sardinia | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pisa | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Capri | 3/5 | Widely spoken |
| Lake Garda | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Siena | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Puglia | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dolomites | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Taormina | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Matera | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Lucca | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Bologna good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). Italy's food capital, with 40 km of porticoes, a big university and fast trains to everywhere.
How do you meet people in Bologna?
Student bars on Via Zamboni, osterie with shared tables, cooking classes, language exchanges, bike tours and Pratello's aperitivo scene. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Bologna?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Bologna safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women. Expect some catcalling near the station and Zamboni; stay on busy streets after midnight.
More about Bologna
Going to Bologna solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Bologna meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.