A lively city overflowing with history, Bologna is a super cool place to visit. Picture bustling piazzas, medieval architecture, vibrant cafes, a decent student area with nightlife to match… Oh, and it’s only home to the oldest university in the WORLD. 1088! That’s old!
It’s not a mad tourist town, it’s more about actual Italian life here. It’s pretty edgy at times with graffitied walls, a soft spot for left-wing politics, and drunk students. And don’t forget the UNREAL food on offer!
But if it ain’t got much of a tourist scene, does that also mean there’s not a lot going in terms of hostels too? Can you stay here on a budget?
Don’t worry. There are plenty of hostels. And we’ve made a list of the best hostels in Bologna to make it easy for you to choose a hostel that’s right for you. (Plus a few budget hotels, too).
So let’s have a look and see what Bologna has to offer!
Quick answer: The Best Hostels in Bologna
- Best Overall Hostel in Bologna – Dopa Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Bologna – Il Castillo
- Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Bologna – Il Nosadilla
Best Hostels in Bologna
Dopa Hostel – Best Overall Hostel in Bologna
We’re saying this is the best overall hostel in Bologna ’cause it’s a new and well designed place that’s looked after with care, plus the staff here have managed to cultivate, like, a fun hostel vibe. And it’s all ’bout dat.
The beds themselves, as well as a lot of stuff in the hostel, have actually been handmade in cool, calm colours. We like it. In fact, we may even go as far to say it’s the coolest hostel in Bologna. Yeah. How about that? It’s also got an ace location: downtown, close to the university.
Il Castillo – Best Cheap Hostel in Bologna
Great location in the middle of the city, but this budget hostel in Bologna is somewhat lacking in the atmosphere department. But… other than that, if you’re looking for a safe and clean place to stay you can’t go wrong with this place.
Yep, it’s a solid option for those who wanna save a bit of cash. There’s a free breakfast (always a plus) and a communal kitchen where you can make your own food. The best cheap hostel in Bologna, it’s a good choice if you’re only looking for a short stay in the city.
We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.
Want more deetz on why these packs are so damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!
View on Osprey View on REIIl Nosadilla – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Bologna
Close to the Piazza Maggiore (the main square of the city), plus a load of places to eat pizza and various other extremely tasty food, this is the best hostel for digital nomads in Bologna ’cause of its relaxed homely vibe and communal lounge to get work done in.
You can take a break from your laptop by a wander to the communal kitchen to make a snack, or head out to one of the many cafes nearby. Helping to start your day in the RIGHT way, there’s a free brekkie on offer, which is always, always appreciated.
Ostello We_Bologna – Best Party Hostel in Bologna
Lol, what a funny name. But aside from the jokes of the title, it’s set near the university area which means a pretty poppin’ nightlife. But in the summer this place puts on events in their outdoor garden. Think DJ sets and gigs that are also open to the public.
Pretty much does sound like the best party hostel in Bologna, doesn’t it? Yep. Anyway, the vibe here is pretty nice, good for turning up, meeting new people, etc. etc. – and there’s a cinema room for when the light of day is just too harsh for your hungover eyes.
Albergo Pallone – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Bologna
Wanna make friends in your Bologna backpackers hostel? Then you should probably check out Albergo Pallone. Not only are the staff very fun and helpful, and the general ethos of the hostel is very social, but it actually IS a good place to meet people.
So yeah, this is our top pick for the best hostel for solo travellers in Bologna. It’s got a great ambience, it’s super clean, and most of all you’ll feel safe staying here (night guard always on it). It’s also in a grand location to explore the city.
Campus & Opera – Best Hostel for Couples in Bologna
Obviously close to both the opera AND the university campus (how did you guess?), there are loads of places to eat and drink nearby with your partner since it’s a pretty vibey area. The landlord is super friendly and will make sure you have everything you need.
But at this best hostel for couples in Bologna, you’ll also get the space you want. The private rooms here are a good option, of course, if you’re with your partner and you want a bit of a hotel-ish experience. Simple, but convenient and comfortable. What more d’ya need?
Bologna Center Town – Best Hostel with a Private Room in Bologna
This is basically a guesthouse but with a hostel atmosphere and let us just tell you now: the rooms are… HUGE. Seriously massive. And they’re all parquet floors, big beds, high ceilings, full-length windows, bathroom and romantic balcony. Very dreamy sorta old world feel to ’em.
So whilst it does lack the atmosphere of a Bologna backpackers hostel, it makes up for that with its ace location (cafes and shizz close by, the historic centre a few mins’ walk away) and by being the best hostel with a private room in Bologna, too.
Best Budget Hotels Bologna
So, don’t fancy a dorm room? That’s ok – there are lots more places to stay in Bologna! We’ve been helpful and compiled a nice lil’ list of the best budget hotels in Bologna, too, so that there really is something for everyone. Check ’em out…
Bed & Breakfast Dolce Vita
For living the high life (sort of) then you should come to this place. The bedrooms are all like… very clean, classically Italian and romantic, we’d say it’s a good budget hostel for couples in Bologna, actually.
Like, you can sit on the balconies here with a cup of coffee just surveying the local area, which is always a fun thing to do. It’s 15 mins to the railway station and just a short walk to the city centre. However: the bathrooms are shared. But if you’re used to hostels, SO WHAT?!
B&B Real Fly
Real fly?! What? We don’t understand either. ‘Cause it isn’t fly, like cool. And it’s nothing to do with buzzy flies – we hope; well it’s pretty clean so we don’t think so. But apart from that utter confusion, this budget hotel in Bologna is close to the city centre which is great.
It does have shared bathrooms, so if you’re missing the hostel vibe you can reminisce as you queue for a shower in the morning… Ah, memories… On the other hand, the staff don’t really speak much English here, but you’ll get by. In fact, they send you info via WhatsApp which is funny.
Camera D’or
This top bed and breakfast in Bologna is a welcome mix between hostel and boutique hotel. There’s a kitchen you can use, where you can also chat with other peeps staying here, but there’s private rooms with balconies and cute/cool decor. Nice combo.
The location of this place is actually really close to the historic part of Bologna, which is great if you like a wander – you can browse the markets, eat some tasty food and then have a coffee on the terrace watching local life go by. Sounds pretty ok to us.
Bella Ciao
A very, very, very Italian place to stay. It’s an authentic budget hotel in Bologna and you will literally feel the Italian character in the air. The owner is genuinely lovely and goes above and beyond to make sure everyone is well looked after. Very friendly.
You can choose from an apartment with its own lil’ kitchen and stuff, or a more basic room where you’ll have to share a bathroom – but it’s still modern and clean. Very hearty breakfast included, which we can’t fault. You eat this downstairs around a big table where you can get chatting to other guests and of course the owner, too.
Bed & Breakfast Cesarina
This budget hotel Bologna is in a pretty calm area with a park nearby. It’s also pretty close to the city centre, which is handy. The place itself is also quiet, so if you’re looking for somewhere more vibey this might not be your thing.
You can hop on the bus from here to get to more happening areas – not a problem! The rooms here, however, are pretty top-notch. We’re talkin’ clean, gleaming bathrooms and big four poster beds. Some rooms even come complete with a balcony where you can look all whimsical and stuff. Good breakfast – comes with tasty coffee.
Mirabilia Golden
This budget hotel in Bologna is a pretty cool place to stay. It’s not ultra cool, like it’s not chic, but for a BUDGET hotel, it’s pretty good. They’ve definitely gone in hard on the grey colour scheme, that much we can say.
It’s in a quiet area, but getting to more lively parts of Bologna isn’t difficult – it’s a short walk to town. Plus for convenience fans, the nearby bus stop can take you all the way to the airport. Very handy.
Well.B
Well.B…. Well… B… Nope. Don’t get it. Anyway, staying here means a lotta Italian hospitality. And the owners work hard to make sure this place is nice ‘n’ clean at all times and that you feel welcome.
In fact, quite like a Bologna backpackers hostel the owners will actually sit down with you and help you out with what you want to do in the city when you first arrive. Might be a bit a much for some people, but if you love having a chat then this is a solid choice for you.
Love Pratello
Though this place is a little bit rough around the edges (like, the rooms are pretty old-school – think paintings of flowers and net curtains), it IS set in a historic building in the oldest part of town, so… not bad.
There’s a great lil’ terrace at this budget hotel in Bologna, where you can overlook all the action on the city streets in the old town with a coffee. Or some other beverage. The owner is charming and helpful and will make sure you enjoy your time here.
Stash your cash safely with this money belt. It will keep your valuables safely concealed, no matter where you go.
It looks exactly like a normal belt except for a SECRET interior pocket perfectly designed to hide a wad of cash, a passport photocopy or anything else you may wish to hide. Never get caught with your pants down again! (Unless you want to…)
Hide Yo’ Money!What to Pack for your Bologna Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Bologna
Those were the best hostels in Bologna – not a bad selection at all!
From places where you can get a private room complete with balcony, to enclaves of cool with stylish dorms and hangout spaces, there’s just about something for everyone in this cool city.
And to give you even MORE choice, we included some of the best budget hotels in Bologna, too. These range from homely guesthouses with super friendly owners to more independent stays and apartments.
Too much choice? Can’t decide?
Don’t worry – we’d just say go for the best overall hostel in Bologna, Dopa Hostel. A great shout for anyone.
Now… get ready to see a whole load of history – and eat tons of amazing food!
FAQ about Hostels in Bologna
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Bologna.
How much do hostels in Bologna cost?
The average price of hostels in Bologna starts from $29 – $32+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Bologna for couples?
Check out these top-rated hostels for couples in Bologna:
B&B Selvarossa
Alle Torri
What is the best hostel in Bologna near the airport?
HP Fly Hotel Bologna is just 6 minutes from Bologna Airport. It also offers airport transfer for an additional fee.
Travel Safety Tips for Bologna
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in Italy and Europe
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Bologna.
Planning an epic trip all across Italy or even Europe itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around Europe, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Bologna has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Italy for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Bologna before you arrive.
- Remember to grab yourself an international sim card for Italy to avoid any issues.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate Europe backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
