A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Bologna for Attractions, Food, Old Town, and Backpackers

Should you visit Edinburgh or Bologna?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Bologna can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a vibrant, gothic, and ancient city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, theater, and nightlife.

Bologna

Bologna is a culinary, beautiful, and fun city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the food, shopping, and museums.

Edinburgh and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Bologna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh. Although Edinburgh and Bologna are roughly the same size, Edinburgh has more sights and attractions for tourists. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, music, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Bologna is known for its food. Edinburgh is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.

How is Edinburgh different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna and Edinburgh. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Bologna?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its sights and museums. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Edinburgh on the map. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Bologna is a good place to visit if you're interested in museums or other recognizable sights. It has many historical and religious landmarks, active squares, and impressive museums including the Basilica of St. Petronius, St. Stephen Basilica, the Leaning Towers, and the Portico of the Madonna di San Luca.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for its shows and theatre. However, Bologna is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Bologna is not a theatre destination.

Is the Food Better in Edinburgh or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Bologna have been singled out for their culinary prowess. Foodies will appreciate the city's well earned culinary reputation. Some people even consider Bologna to be a food capital in Italy. There are cooking classes and food tours around town, as well as many great restaurants that serve up local dishes. Visitors should try Tagliatelle with Ragu (now famously known around the world as Bolognaise), Tortellini in broth, and Mortadella (salami).

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Bologna.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

Bologna is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The young population that is filled with international students means that the city has a fun and active nightlife scene. Some of the city's best neighborhoods for nightlife include Centro Storico, where the tourists hang out, the University District, which is perfect for students in their 20s, and Via dell'Indipendenza, which is popular for an upscale evening out.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for Music?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its music scene. However, Bologna is not a live music destination.

In Edinburgh you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

Bologna is not a live music destination.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its historic old town charm. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its historic old town.

The historic old town of Edinburgh is revered around the world. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

Many visitors go to Bologna to see the historical old town. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Is the Shopping Better in Edinburgh or Bologna?

Shoppers can find a variety of superb stores in both Edinburgh and Bologna.

Edinburgh is well-known for its shopping. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Bologna. The city hosts regular open-air markets where you can pick up local produce or local items. It is among the best shopping destinations in the region. For some of the city's best shopping, head to Piazza Maggiore, Mercato di Mezzo, Mercato delle Erbe, or Via Rizzoli.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Bologna is a family-friendly city. There are kid-friendly museums such as Museo Geologico Cappellini and the interactive history museum of Museo della Storia di Bologna. There's even a museum solely dedicated to gelato - Gelato at Carpigiani Museum. If your kids need a bit of time in nature, check out Dulcamara farm or the Botanic Garden. On the weekend you many be able to catch a show at Margherita's Puppet Theatre.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for Couples?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.

Edinburgh is a very popular place to visit for couples. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Bologna is a nice destination for couples. With beautiful museums, interesting architecture. and lively squares, this is a great city for a couple's holiday. It's filled with romance, but it has less tourist crowds than some of Italy's more popular cities.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for backpackers. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

Bologna is very popular with the backpacker crowd. It's not a popular as some of the other cities in Italy and Europe, but it still has a number of hostels and a good backpacker scene.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is terrific for its student-friendly activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for students.

Bologna is a very popular city for students. It's a top study abroad destination in Italy and is home to a few great universities including the well ranked University of Bologna. There are many great activities for students and a variety of fun places to explore.

Many students visit Edinburgh. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Bologna.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Bologna, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Edinburgh or Bologna a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is a world-class destination for its ease of walking around. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

Bologna is very walkable. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Edinburgh and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Edinburgh than in Bologna. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

Families should spend more time in Edinburgh than Bologna. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Edinburgh, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Edinburgh than Bologna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Edinburgh that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh than Bologna if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Bologna?

In Edinburgh, you'll find museums and theater. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

You'll find shopping and museums around the city of Bologna. Visiting the old town is also a must. One day is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Bologna has to offer. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Bologna?

In Edinburgh, you'll find theater and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the beautiful destination of Bologna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this city has to offer. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Bologna?

Edinburgh is a great place to explore. It is common to spend five days here. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Five days is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Edinburgh has to offer. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the historical city of Bologna. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Most people head to the area for the food. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Edinburgh. Many people enjoy the live music and shopping when visiting Edinburgh. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Bologna is a popular choice for travelers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Edinburgh and Bologna, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Edinburgh Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Bologna?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 17% larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Bologna, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Edinburgh or Bologna?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bologna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Bologna. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. In the summer, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Edinburgh gets 163 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Bologna because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Edinburgh gets 90 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Bologna. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Bologna. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bologna in the Winter?

Both Bologna and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

It's quite cold in Bologna in the winter. The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. Edinburgh is much warmer than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Edinburgh often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Edinburgh gets 48 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Bologna. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Edinburgh usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Edinburgh gets 132 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Bologna. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Edinburgh