If you want to live in the most diverse and culturally-rich area where most of the action happens in Bologna, then Centro Storico is the neighborhood for you. Its historical and architectural legacy is from Bologna's proud, elegant, and glorious past, which blends into the modern and cosmopolitan atmosphere today.

With a mixture of past and future, the oldest neighborhood of this Italian city has so much to offer. Find out below what Centro Storico offers in terms of leisure activities, dining options, amenities, connectivity by public transport, and rental prices.

What’s it like living in Centro Storico

Centro Storico is the most populated neighborhood in Bologna because it offers the highest quality of life in the city. The fact that you’ll be at the centre of all activities and be surrounded by the iconic red-brick buildings are popular reasons to live here. Besides that, you’ll get to experience how the rich historic culture seamlessly blends with the cosmopolitan vibe of this international, university city.

Your neighbors will be young and bright international minds along with friendly, sociable locals. For sure, this neighborhood will win you over with its charm.

The University District: the neighborhood within the neighborhood

With over 90,000 students and more than 1,000 faculty members and staff, The University of Bologna formed a small student neighborhood within Centro Storico's borders in the northeast. While technically the area isn’t a university campus, its significant proportion of student residents and the spread-out faculty buildings resemble the big university campuses in the US.

Students don’t have to go too far for anything: 2 public libraries (Biblioteca Silvana Contento, Walter Bigiavi Biblioteca) and various faculty libraries, 5 copy centers, bookshops, a hospital (Medico Porta Mascarella), 2 pharmacies, grocery stores (Crai, Pam Local, Asian market) all are nearby.

The lively Via Zamboni street links the University district with the rest of Centro Storico. The street is filled with affordable bars, pubs, and restaurants perfect for students on a budget.

Amenities in Centro Storico

The Centro Storico is the heart of Bologna. As a result, you’ll find endless options for your every need.

• For staying active 12 well-equipped fitness facilities like gyms, Crossfit, and pilates studios
• For outdoor activities parks such as Parco della Montagnola and Giardino Decorato al Valore Civile.
• For groceries, dozen supermarkets (Carrefour, Coop, Conad), organic stores, Italian specialty shops (Orefici Market) like bakeries, butchers, greengrocers, indoor market (Mercato delle Erbe) and outdoor markets (Mercato di Mezzo and La Piazzola)
• For opening an Italian bank account and other banking activities, branches and ATMs of all the main Italian banks (BPER Banca, BNL BNP Paribas, Banca D'Italia, UniCredit, and Credem Banca).
• For beauty care, numerous hairdressers, nails salons, and massage facilities
• For healthchecks, more than 15 pharmacies, several clinics, opticians, and psychologists
• For studying, an abundance of libraries (Biblioteca della Fondazione Gramsci, and Biblioteca giuridica Antonio Cicu) and for booklovers bookstores (LaFeltrinelli Librerie and Libreria Libraccio)
• Telecom shops and mobile operators (Vodafone, Fastweb Negozio, TIM, Star Communication, iRiparo Bologna- tip: the sales representatives speak well in English).

Public transport network in Centro Storico

Unlike other Italian cities such as Milan and Rome, Bologna currently doesn’t have a working tram or metro network (after construction, it’ll have 8 lines). For now, locals like to commute within Centro Storico on foot or by public bike-sharing service Mobike.

But if you prefer public transport, then the vast network of buses is useful. The buses connect every part of Centro Storico to the other neighborhoods of Bologna. Also, almost all bus lines go to the University of Bologna.

Want to travel to distanced neighborhoods other Italian cities such as Modena, Ferrara, Rimini, Florence, Venice, Milan? That’s easy as the Bologna Centrale train station is located just outside the northern border of the Centro Storico.

You can reach the neighborhood from Guglielmo Marconi (BLQ) airport in 25 minutes by Aerobus. They run every 11 minutes from 5:30 AM to 12:15 AM.

Centro Storico is also very well connected to the other neighborhoods of Bologna. For example, Borgo Panigale, one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Bologna with a large shopping mall (The Centro Commerciale Borgo), is a 20-minute train ride from the Bologna Centrale train station.

Things to do in Centro Storico

The Piazzas of the Centro Storico

There’re so many popular piazzas (square) in Centro Storica that they deserve their standalone section. As an integral part of life in the city, piazzas are a big part of hangout culture in Bologna. People often gather in piazzas to hang out, eat food and enjoy the lovely atmosphere. Piazzas also host many cultural events, Christmas events, and concerts.

Here’re some of the popular piazzas: the small and green Piazza Cavour Bologna’s symbols Piazza Maggiore and Piazza Santo Stefano young people’s favorite Piazza Verdi

Dining recommendations in Centro Storico

Bologna is the food capital of Italy. As a result, its central neighborhood Centro Storico has arguably the best restaurants in Bologna where you can eat authentic Italian food.

• For the best espresso to start your day, Caffè Terzi
• For a quick breakfast in the morning and a cool student bar at night, Cafè Rubik
• For eating the best pastry in town, Cafè Gamberini
• For the best pizza, Banco Del Vino and Mozzabella
• For enjoying your lunch outside under the light breeze among trees, Trattoria La Montanara
• For trying Bologna’s signature green lasagna, Sfoglia Rina
• For a modern-dining experience featuring local ingredients, made by its famous chef, Ahimè
• For a spectacular dinner with traditional Italian dishes, Trattoria la Spiga (it has almost none to limited vegetarian options)

Nightlife Centro Storico

While most of the clubs are located in the suburbs of Bologna, Centro Storico is home to the most popular nightlife scene in Bologna, up until you go clubbing. The venues around the University District are always affordable and down-to-earth, while the rest are a mixture of high-end and glamorous to to affordable and laid-back.

Head out to Ruggine for affordable but super delicious cocktails, Osteria del Sole for local wines and beers or Torre Prendiparte for live music and craft cocktails on the terrace of a medieval castle tower. _Tamburini, Bar Senza Nome, and Marsalino are among the best places to drink your aperitivo.

Students usually hang out in the bars and pubs of the Via Zamboni street. Plenty of ESN organized events take place here.

Art, culture, and history in Centro Storico

There’re many theatres and concert venues in Centro Storico. Visit Teatro Duse for ballets and musicals, Centro di Ricerca Musicale for concerts, Teatro Arena del Sole for plays, and Compagnia Volpe for contemporary performances.

Centro Storico has a significant number of historical and architectural sites in Bologna. Go to Piazza Maggiore for the huge fountain with the monument of the Greek sea god Neptune (known as a giant by tge locals); climb the landmark symbol of Bologna — Torre degli Asinelli towers; check out the magnificent cathedral Basilica di San Petronio; discover the Basilica of Santo Stefano, better known as the complex of the Seven Churches, and Ghetto Ebraico, the old Jewish quarter with narrow streets.

An endless variety of museums and galleries is present all through the neighborhood. Museo d’Arte Moderna di Bologna is a must-see for modern-art exhibitions, Pinacoteca Nazionale to see paintings by famous Italian artists, and Museo Civico Archeologico for an in-depth look at ancient civilizations. Want something unique? Then head to the Ducati Museum for a tour of famous motorbike factory or make and taste the best gelato as part of Gelato Museum Carpigiani tour.

Shopping in Centro Storico

Centro Storico is sprawling with gallerias and streets lined with various boutiques and stores: from luxury brands like Prada and Louis Vuitton and fast fashion stores like Zara and H&M to vintage stores and electronics.

• For a high-end designers, head out to Galleria Cavour, which has brands like La Perla, Fendi, Bulgari, and more.
• For international fashion chains like Zara, Nike, Lush, and Adidas, check out the streets Via Indipendenza and Via Rizzoli at Piazza Maggiore.
• For vintage hunting, go to Via San Leonardo street, where you’ll find many small and affordable vintage stores.

Renting in Centro Storico: Housing

Centro Storica is a big neighborhood where many young professionals, expats, and students reside. So its prime location and proximity to the university make it one of the top neighborhoods to live in Bologna.

But due to the same reasons, apartments are always booked quickly in Centro Storico. So be sure to book your place at least 3 months before moving to Italy so that you won’t end up in peripheral neighborhoods. To rent from abroad, using a trusted online rental platform that lets you book in advance is super helpful.

The rental prices in Centro Storico aren’t the cheapest but compared to other central neighborhoods in Milan and Rome, it’s possible to live here without breaking the bank.

To give you a reference, expect to pay the following rent prices in Bologna on average:

1. Furnished private room with utilities (best for students): €600 – €700.
2. Furnished studio with utilities (best for singles, couples, or new graduates): €950.
3. Furnished 1-bedroom apartment with utilities (best for couples or families): €1,100

Here’re some tips for housing in Centro Storico:

1. If you’re a student, renting in the University district will be convenient for you to travel to the university.
2. Apartments in the University district are among the first to get booked.
3. The prices of the rentals are lower around Porta San Vitale and Santo Stefano streets.
4. If you prefer quiet neighborhoods, make sure you don’t rent around the bustling streets near the Indipendenza, San Pietro and Rizolli bus stations.

Please reach out to content@housinganywhere.com if you have any suggestions or inquiries about the content on this page.