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

Should you visit Frankfurt or Bologna?

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

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Frankfurt and Bologna can help you decide which place is right for you.

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is a connected, energetic, and dynamic city. As it's a big city, visitors will find plenty to do, too. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bologna

Bologna is a culinary, beautiful, and fun city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the food, shopping, and museums.

Frankfurt and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Frankfurt or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Frankfurt than Bologna. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Frankfurt is very popular for its museums and big city activities, while Bologna attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Frankfurt is famous for its financial industry, its popularity as a transportation hub, and its active nightlife. It is also well known for The Old Town Center. Bologna is famous for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.

The Old Town Center

How is Frankfurt different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Frankfurt is a well-known place for its sights and museums. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for its museums and history.

Many visitors head to Frankfurt specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. Many sights are concentrated in the old town center. Highlights include the Historical Museum and St. Nicholas Church. Elsewhere, make sure you check out Maintower, the Städel Museum, and the Museum District.

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

Bologna is an unbeatable place for its restaurants. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Bologna has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. 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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Frankfurt makes for a great culinary experience. In addition to a number of international restaurants, the city also has a strong regional cuisine. Some of the most interesting local dishes include Frankfurter Sausage, Rindwurst, Grüne Soße (an herb sauce), and Handkäse mit Musik (marinated sour milk cheese). Also make sure you sample the Apfelwein.

Is Frankfurt or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Both Frankfurt and Bologna have very good vibes after the sun sets.

Frankfurt has a lively atmosphere and nightlife is popular here. It's a vibrant city with many trendy clubs, cocktail bars, music venues, and more. You can enjoy techno, hip hop, and almost any style of music. There are also festivals, beer halls, and classic pubs.

The people in Bologna know how to have a good time. 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 Frankfurt or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna is an excellent place to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Frankfurt is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town.

There is a nice variety of sights in the old town of Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Many visitors go to Frankfurt to see the historical old town. Many museums and cafes are concentrated in the old town area.

Is the Shopping Better in Frankfurt or Bologna?

Shoppers can find a variety of very good stores in both Frankfurt and Bologna.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Frankfurt. It's a financial capital in Europe, and as such there are plenty of high end shopping opportunities. MyZeil is a major shopping mall in the city and Kleinmarkthalle is a more classic market. Popular shopping neighborhoods and streets include Goethestrasse, Sachsenhausen and Berger Strasse.

Bologna is an extremely popular place for shoppers. 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 Frankfurt or Bologna Better for Families?

Frankfurt 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.

Frankfurt is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. In town there's a zoo, a children’s museum, a math and technology museum (EXPERIMINTA), and a number of parks, natural areas, and playgrounds. If you're willing to head out of town then you can visit Taunus Wunderland, which is an amusement park with about 50 rides and attractions.

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 Frankfurt or Bologna Better for Couples?

Both Frankfurt and Bologna are nice destinations to visit as a couple.

Frankfurt is a good city for couples to visit. The iconic spot of romance in the city is the Iron Footbridge, which is a traditional spot to attach a "love lock" and take a selfie. The city also offers river cruises, winery tours, and beautiful parks and natural areas.

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 Frankfurt or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Frankfurt and Bologna are both very good destinations for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Frankfurt. You'll find a number of hostels in town. The city is also a major transportation hub so many backpackers pass through the area at some point on their trip through Germany.

Backpackers come from all over to visit Bologna. 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 Frankfurt or Bologna Better for Students?

Both Frankfurt and Bologna are fantastic destinations for students.

Students come from all over the world to visit Frankfurt. The city offers prestigious universities and a world class education. The economy offers many internships and job opportunities and you'll find students from around the world studying here. Frankfurt is also well connected to the rest of Europe, so it's easy to explore the region.

Bologna is a great destination 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.

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

Frankfurt is a world-class destination for its public transit. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

With a huge network, the transit system in Frankfurt can get you around easily. It is a huge transportation hub with a major international airport and a number of international train connections. Locally, the city has a subway, trams, commuter trains and buses.

Bologna has some public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Is Frankfurt or Bologna a more walkable city?

Frankfurt and Bologna are very good when it comes to walkability.

Frankfurt is a very walkable destination. It has a compact city center that is generally pedestrian-friendly.

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 Frankfurt Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Frankfurt?

How long in Frankfurt or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Frankfurt and Bologna. In our opinion, Frankfurt has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Frankfurt than Bologna. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

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

One day in Frankfurt or Bologna?

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. This city offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

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 Frankfurt or Bologna?

Because Frankfurt is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Frankfurt has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the fun 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 Frankfurt or Bologna?

Frankfurt is a great place to explore. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the beautiful 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 Frankfurt or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Frankfurt. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Frankfurt. 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 Coach Bus Tours in Germany, The Best Adventure Tours to Germany, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Frankfurt and Bologna, we can see that Bologna is more expensive. And not only is Frankfurt much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Frankfurt would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Frankfurt and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Bologna would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Bologna than you might in Frankfurt.

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

Which is Bigger, Frankfurt or Bologna?

Frankfurt has a larger population, and is about 75% larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt 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 Frankfurt or Bologna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Frankfurt as well as Bologna. The summer months attract visitors to Frankfurt because of the city activities and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Bologna this time of year.

Frankfurt is cooler than Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 19°C (67°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Bologna. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Frankfurt this time of the year. In the summer, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Frankfurt gets 225 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Frankfurt gets 63 mm (2.5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and Frankfurt are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Frankfurt this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Frankfurt is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Frankfurt in October average around 11°C (51°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Frankfurt gets 103 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, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Bologna. Frankfurt gets 51 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Bologna in the Winter?

Both Bologna and Frankfurt during the winter are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Frankfurt for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bologna in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Bologna can get quite cold in the winter. Be prepared for some very cold days in Frankfurt. In January, Frankfurt is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Frankfurt average around 1°C (34°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Frankfurt often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Frankfurt gets 41 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Frankfurt usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Frankfurt gets 44 mm (1.7 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Frankfurt or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Frankfurt and Bologna. Many visitors come to Frankfurt in the spring for the activities around the city. Furthermore, most visitors come to Bologna for the natural beauty during these months.

Frankfurt is cooler than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Frankfurt averages around 10°C (50°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Frankfurt usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Frankfurt gets 163 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Frankfurt usually receives less rain than Bologna. Frankfurt gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Frankfurt