Name: Solo Female Travel in Bologna
Address: Bologna, Italy
Rating: 3.4310447415792744

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Bologna

Bologna, located in the heart of Northern Italy’s beautiful Emilia-Romagna region, is a historical gem brimming with culture and tradition. This vibrant and captivating city, known as "La Dotta" (the Learned) for its old-world prestigious university, "La Rossa" (the Red) for its terracotta medieval buildings, and "La Grassa" (the Fat) for its divine cuisine, has a unique charm and sophistication. Bologna offers a rich array of fascinating medieval architecture, like the Two Towers (Due Torri) and San Petronio Basilica, vibrant local markets such as Mercato delle Erbe, and its signature porticoed walkways, making it an unforgettable tourist destination. The city is also renowned worldwide for its culinary prowess - being the birthplace of iconic Italian dishes like tortellini, lasagna, and of course, bolognese sauce.

3.4 /5

Based on 6 experiences

4.1 /5

Based on our research

3.9 /5

Based on safety reports

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Safety:Very safe

Bologna is generally a safe city for solo female travelers. The residents are friendly and respectful which provides a welcoming environment. However, like any city, it's important to take precautions, especially at night. Keep an eye on your belongings, as pickpocketing can occur, particularly in busy tourist areas. Public transport is reliable and safe to use. If you practice common sense and stay aware of your surroundings, you'll likely have a wonderful experience in Bologna.

Transport:Easy

The beautiful city of Bologna is pretty easy to navigate. The city center is walkable, allowing you to marvel at the stunning Italian architecture. Also, Bologna has well-organized public transportation including buses, and cycle paths if you enjoy biking around. The city also has a high taxi presence. However, like in many Italian cities, English is not widely spoken by older generations and non-tourist-facing locals, which may pose a challenge for some.

Things to do:Interesting

Bologna is a remarkable city with rich history and architecture. As a traveler, you'll be amazed by the medieval towers, picturesque piazzas, and impressive churches. It's also known as the culinary capital of Italy, so you can enjoy fantastic meals. Porticoes adorning the city streets provide a unique walking experience. Moreover, it has splendid bookshops due to its rich educational heritage. The general safety and welcoming nature towards solo female travelers make it even more appealing. However, it's slightly less vibrant in terms of nightlife compared to other Italian cities.

Food:Excellent

Bologna stands as the culinary heart of Italy, where a plethora of foods is on offer to satiate diverse tastes. Renowned for its rich food culture, the city is home to famous Italian dishes such as Tagliatelle al Ragu, Mortadella, and Tortellini. With its fresh ingredients and traditional cooking methods, even the most discerning palates will find something they love. Artisan shops, markets, and street food stands give solo travelers the opportunity to explore a range of delectable cuisines. However, expect to savor mostly the hearty, traditional Italian and local dishes. The food scene is truly a highlight in Bologna and a treat for every food lover.

Budget:Moderate

Bologna sits in the middle of the cost scale for travel in Italy. Restaurants, hotels, and sightseeing are reasonably priced compared to bigger cities like Rome or Milan. However, it's not as cheap as some smaller, less touristy areas. If you’re smart about avoiding overly-touristy spots and opt for quaint, local eateries, you can make a trip to Bologna quite budget-friendly.

Overall rating

3.4 /5

based on 6 experiences

Rating summary

Things to do

2.9/5

Safety

3.9/5

Food

3.5/5

Budget-friendly

3.9/5

Solo travel experience

I feel very safe. I walked all day but the rain hunted me. I didn't stay anywhere cause I had only one day. The food was amazing. I saw Piazza Maggiore, Two Towers, a historical library, and the Basilica of San Domenico.

Posted: March 20, 2024Experienced: January, 2024

Things to do: 3/5Food: 4/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 4/5

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Solo travel experience

I felt quite safe in Bologna both day and night. I went to a concert and other concert goers were very approachable and kind. We ended up having a really great experience and even went on to the afterparty. The venue security (Arena Puccini) did a great job. Bologna has no shortage of good food and the transport system was easy to navigate - except at night, when we took cabs. It was my third solo trip and it was unforgettable because of the friendships made :)

Posted: December 1, 2023Experienced: May, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

I don't recommend visiting this city at any price! People do not clean their pet pees on the street and l put my shoes on one of them... terrible! Because the Unibo accepts so many students, there is always lack of room in this city. B&B canceled my booking out of the blue and l did not know what to do. People were not kind of nice in my experience and just wanted to Rip you off as soon as they get that you are a tourist. Just don't go there...

Posted: August 24, 2023Experienced: September, 2022

Things to do: 1/5Food: 1/5Budget-friendly: 3/5Safety: 1/5

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İlknur

Turkey

Couple travel experience

A trip I never want to return to. people are friendly and there are people interested in dancing art around every corner. one of the cities I want to go to again and I would love to live there You should add this city to your italy route

Posted: July 9, 2023

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

Bologna is ideal city for a short city break. It is really lively thanks to many young people studying here. City centre is small and you can see it in a day or two maximum but it is really nice just to stroll around

Posted: June 18, 2023

Things to do: 3/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 5/5Safety: 5/5

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Solo travel experience

I was in Bologna last week and I absolutely fell in love with it! I recommend going up the Asinelli Tower. The climb is exhausting (~500 steps) but the view is amazing. I also went on a free walking tour, which was really nice. They have amazing food there too, especially the handmade pasta, which you can find everywhere. I visited Bari, Naples, Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Venice in the past few weeks and Bologna was my favorite, right after Bari.

Posted: November 19, 2022

Things to do: 5/5Food: 5/5Budget-friendly: 4/5Safety: 5/5

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Beatrice

Italy

Bologna is a wonderful place to spend a long weekend. With its beautiful landscapes and characteristic porticoes, it is a city extremely easy to travel on foot. All the different neighborhoods offer their typical beauties: the city centre with the main Basilica, the University area with cafes and bookshops, the zone nearby the Cineteca (one of the most famous Italian movie centre) and the green and peaceful Giardini Margherita, where having a chat while eating an ice cream is a lovely way to spend a coazy afternoon.

Posted: November 1, 2023

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Beatrice

Italy

I’ve been living in Bologna my whole life, I’m 24 years old right now and I can luckily say that nothing has ever happened to me. Obviously I try to avoid going solo at night in certain areas of the town outside the center (pilastro, bolognina, and san donato are some of the worst). But a part from that you can easily go solo around the city during the day and also at night. But keep your eyes open at night, you never know 👀

Posted: October 28, 2023

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positive, open-minded, calm, crazy and curious, capricorn 🐐

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Hello, I'm Greta and I'm interested in books, dancing, events & social, food & cuisine, languages, health, running, sightseeing, surfing, trekking, swimming, writing, nature, live music, culture and art

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