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

Should you visit Graz or Bologna?

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

Should I visit Graz or Bologna? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.

Graz

Graz is a cultural, historical, and beautiful city. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Bologna

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

Graz and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Graz or Bologna?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Graz than Bologna. While Bologna is larger than Graz, Graz has more sights and attractions for tourists. Graz is more popular for its museums and historical sights, while Bologna is known for its food and impressive beauty. Graz is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for its many cultural activities, its impressive old town, and its beautiful Baroque architecture. It is also home to The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta.

How is Graz different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Graz 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 Graz specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. The old town is among the largest in Europe and it's filled with sights and museums. The Schlossberg and the Clock Tower are among the most iconic sights but other highlights include the GrazMuseum, the Mohren Apotheke's Theriak Museum, a Gothic Franciscan Church, and the Robert Stolz Museum.

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 Graz or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is renowned for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its local cuisine and restaurants.

For foodies, Bologna is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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).

Dining out in Graz is an experience not to be missed. There's a huge focus on sustainable dining in town, so you'll find many restaurants that use a farm to table approach. Local ingredients are heavily valued and it's fun to sample the many local flavors. Backhendl is a classic fried chicken dish that you must try.

Is Graz or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

The vibe at night is great in both Graz and Bologna.

Many people head to Graz for the nightlife scene. The large student population means that there's an active nightlife scene that is diverse and fun. There's a wide variety of bars and pubs with almost any music genre you could want. There are also dance clubs for those who are looking for a party.

Bologna has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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 Graz or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Graz 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 Graz is revered around the world. The medieval city center is very well preserved and one of the largest in Europe. The city has a lot of hidden charm and quaint streets to explore.

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 Graz or Bologna?

If you're looking to go shopping, Graz and Bologna both offer plenty of great spots.

Graz is well-known for its shopping. You'll find a lot of shopping around both Jakominiplatz and Hauptplatz Squares. There are also a number of shopping streets in town including Herrengasse which is filled with shops, restaurants, and more.

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 Graz or Bologna Better for Families?

Graz 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.

Graz is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will love the fairytale train and there's also a 4D cinema that is fun for the whole family. In Schlossberg Hill, families should check out The Slide, which is the largest underground slide in the world. Other highlights include a Children's Museum, a Folklife Museum, and a Natural History Museum.

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 Graz or Bologna Better for Couples?

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

Graz is a very popular place to visit for couples. It's filled with culture, history, and amazing food. Couples will appreciate the romantic old town and the many world class sights around town.

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 Graz or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is great for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for backpackers.

Many backpackers 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.

Graz is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are hostels and budget-friendly hotels around town that make this a nice town to explore as a backpacker.

Is Graz or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is renowned for its student-friendly activities. Also, Graz is not as popular, but is still a nice city for students.

Many students frequent Bologna. 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.

Graz is very popular with students. It's long been an education center in Austria and students make up a significant portion of the population. It's also a chill city with a relaxed and student-friendly vibe.

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

Graz is a well-known place 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.

Many visitors use the public transit system in Graz. There are buses and trams that travel around the town.

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

Is Graz or Bologna a more walkable city?

Graz 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 Graz on foot. You'll find everything you'd want to see in the old town, which is large, but still compact enough to explore on foot.

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 Graz Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Graz?

How long in Graz or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Graz and Bologna. In our opinion, Graz has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Graz than Bologna. In general, 2-3 days is a good amount of time for Graz, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than Graz 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 Bologna.

One day in Graz or Bologna?

In Graz, you'll find nightlife and food. 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.

Visitors enjoy the food and shopping when visiting the destination of Bologna. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually enough time to experience most activities.

A weekend in Graz or Bologna?

In Graz, you'll find food and shopping. 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 Graz has to offer.

Bologna is a fun place to experience. Most people visit for the food. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Graz or Bologna?

Graz is a great place to explore. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. 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.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the historical destination of Bologna. This city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Graz or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Graz. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Graz. 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.

The culinary city of Bologna offers nightlife and food. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Christmas Market Tours in Austria, The Best Bicycle Tours in Austria, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Graz and Bologna, we can see that Bologna is more expensive. And not only is Graz much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Graz would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Graz 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 Graz.

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

Which is Bigger, Graz or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 67% larger than the population of Graz. When comparing the sizes of Graz 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 Graz 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 Graz or Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Graz during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Graz this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Graz is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Graz in July average around 23°C (73°F), and Bologna averages at about 24°C (75°F).

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Graz. In the summer, Graz often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Graz gets 236 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

It rains a lot this time of the year in Graz. Graz usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Graz gets 126 mm (5 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Graz and Bologna. Many travelers come to Graz for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Graz is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Graz average around 13°C (55°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Graz gets 139 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 177 hours of full sun in the autumn.

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Graz usually receives less rain than Bologna. Graz gets 58 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Graz or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Graz as well as Bologna. Many visitors come to Graz in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. Graz can get quite cold in the winter. Graz is much colder than Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Graz averages around 1°C (34°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Graz often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Graz gets 95 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Graz usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Graz gets 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Graz or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Graz are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Graz for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

In the spring, Graz is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Graz in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).

Graz usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Graz gets 158 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Graz usually receives less rain than Bologna. Graz 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 Graz