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

Should you visit Stuttgart or Bologna?

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

Should I visit Stuttgart 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.

Stuttgart

Stuttgart is a modern, authentic, and commercial 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.

Stuttgart and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Stuttgart or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Stuttgart than Bologna. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Stuttgart is very popular for its big city activities, while Bologna attracts visitors for its food, historical sights, and impressive beauty. Bologna is more touristy than Stuttgart and is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. Stuttgart is famous for its many automobile museums including the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. It is also well known for The Mercedes-Benz Museum.

How is Stuttgart different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

You'll find a number of nice museums and attractions in both Bologna and Stuttgart.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Stuttgart. The city's influence over the car industry is reflected in the museums in town. You can visit both the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. Also check out Schlossplatz, the Ludwigsburg Palace, and Altes Schloss and Landesmuseum while you're in town.

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 Stuttgart or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its restaurants. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Stuttgart makes for a great culinary experience. The city blends traditional German flavors with modern twists. You'll find much more than the standard bratworsts that so many people associate with German cuisine. One favorite dish is maultaschen, which is like a ravioli. Also make sure you try spätzle, zwiebelrostbraten (roast and onions) and flädlesuppe (soup with long pasta).

Is Stuttgart or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

The great nightlife scene is relatively similar in Stuttgart and Bologna.

Stuttgart has a large number of nightlife venues. The nightlife scene stays active late into the evening. You'll find no shortage of clubs, bars, music venues, and beer gardens. You'll meet a combination of locals, tourists, students, and expats at many venues.

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 Stuttgart or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna is a very popular place for its historic old town charm. However, Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Stuttgart does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Stuttgart or Bologna?

Shoppers can find a variety of great stores in both Stuttgart and Bologna.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Stuttgart. The city is filled with pedestrian shopping streets as well as flea markets and major shopping malls. The main shopping street in town is Koenigstrasse, where you'll find many upscale boutiques. For a local food market head to Markthalle Stuttgart. The flagship store of the Breuninger chain is also found in Stuttgart.

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 Stuttgart or Bologna Better for Families?

Kids will enjoy a visit to either Stuttgart or Bologna.

Stuttgart is a family-friendly city. Like many German city's, there's a great zoo to explore. There's also some unique museums like the Mercedes-Benz Museum and the Porsche Museum. Kids will also enjoy taking in the view from the top of the Fernsehturm.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Bologna. 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 Stuttgart or Bologna Better for Couples?

With fun activities for couples, both Stuttgart and Bologna make for a nice place to visit.

Stuttgart is a good city for couples to visit. The city is large enough to have some nice romantic hotels, spas, luxury restaurants, and other activities that make for a great date night.

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 Stuttgart or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is a very popular place for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for backpackers.

Plenty of budget travelers and 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.

Stuttgart is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. It's not on the backpacker circuit for most people but there are still plenty of hostels and affordable accommodation options. You'll also find plenty of activities and affordable restaurants to choose from.

Is Stuttgart or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good 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.

Stuttgart is very popular with students. It's an international city with great universities and a friendly and central location. There's also a lively nightlife and plenty of things to do.

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

Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart. The city's transit system includes buses, the U‑Bahn and the S‑Bahn. The U-Bahn is a denser train system in the city center and the S-Bahn covers more distance and reaches into the suburbs with stops that are more spread out.

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

Is Stuttgart or Bologna a more walkable city?

Bologna is a very popular place for its ease of walking around. Also, Stuttgart is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its walkability.

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

Stuttgart is somewhat walkable. There are parts of the city that are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Stuttgart?

How long in Stuttgart or Bologna?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Stuttgart and Bologna. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Stuttgart than in Bologna. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Stuttgart, and 1-3 days is enough time in Bologna.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Bologna?

Because Stuttgart is a large city, there are a variety of ways to spend your time. 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 Stuttgart or Bologna?

Because Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart has to offer.

You'll find museums and nightlife around the culinary 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 Stuttgart or Bologna?

Stuttgart 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 culinary 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 Stuttgart or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Stuttgart. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Stuttgart. 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 Berlin, The Best 10-Day Tours from Berlin, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Stuttgart and Bologna, we can see that Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Stuttgart or Bologna?

Stuttgart has a larger population, and is about 62% larger than the population of Bologna. When comparing the sizes of Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Bologna in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Stuttgart as well as Bologna. The city activities and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Stuttgart this time of year. Additionally, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.

Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 22°C (71°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 Stuttgart this time of the year. In the summer, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Stuttgart gets 238 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Stuttgart gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Stuttgart or Bologna in the Autumn?

Both Bologna and Stuttgart are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Stuttgart for the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Stuttgart is cooler than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Stuttgart in October average around 13°C (56°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Stuttgart gets 122 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, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Bologna. Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Bologna in the Winter?

Both Bologna and Stuttgart during the winter are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Stuttgart in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

Bologna can be very cold during winter. Stuttgart can get quite cold in the winter. In January, Stuttgart is generally much warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Stuttgart average around 3°C (38°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Stuttgart often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Stuttgart gets 60 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Stuttgart usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Stuttgart 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 Stuttgart or Bologna in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Stuttgart and Bologna. Most visitors come to Stuttgart for the activities around the city during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.

Stuttgart is around the same temperature as Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Stuttgart averages around 11°C (53°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Stuttgart usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Stuttgart gets 154 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Stuttgart usually receives less rain than Bologna. Stuttgart gets 59 mm (2.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Stuttgart