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

Should you visit Tartu 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 Tartu 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.

Tartu

Tartu is a intellectual, student-oriented, and cultural university town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife.

Bologna

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

Tartu and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Tartu or Bologna?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Bologna than Tartu. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Bologna is more touristy than Tartu and is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also well known for Piazza Maggiore. Tartu is famous for its vibrant student population and long running university.

How is Tartu different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Bologna is a city with good options for its historical sights. However, Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Bologna. 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.

Tartu does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. However, Tartu is not known for its local cuisine and restaurants.

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).

Tartu offers some easy restaurants to choose from. The restaurant scene is surprisingly limited because of the large student population. Most students prefer saving their money for a night out drinking over a quiet meal at a restaurant. There are some cafes around town as well as pastry shops and a few good ethnic restaurants to choose between.

Is Tartu or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

If the nightlife is your priority, you'll find superb options in both Tartu and Bologna.

The nightlife in Tartu has something for everybody. With its huge student population, there is plenty of activity year round. The nightlife scene includes many bars, dance clubs, and pubs that are popular with students and visitors alike. You'll find large parties and music festivals throughout the year that bring crowds to the city.

Bologna offers plenty to do in the evening. 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 Tartu or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Both Tartu and Bologna have superb historic old towns worth visiting.

Tartu is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is where you'll find one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. There is also Town Hall Square and St. John’s Quarter with many historic buildings and beautiful architecture.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of Bologna. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Is the Shopping Better in Tartu or Bologna?

Bologna is a great city for its shopping areas. However, Tartu is not known for shopping.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas 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.

Tartu is a good destination for shopping. While most people don't visit to go shopping, there is an active art scene in town so you can find some creative pieces that are worth checking out.

Is Tartu or Bologna Better for Families?

Both Tartu and Bologna are nice to visit with kids.

Tartu offers lots of family activities. Many of the kid-friendly activities are outdoors, so summer visits are better if you're traveling with children. There are adventure parks, animal parks, and educational museums that you can choose from.

Bologna is a family-friendly place to visit. 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 Tartu or Bologna Better for Couples?

Bologna is a city with good options for couples. However, Tartu is not known for romance.

Bologna is a good city for couples to visit. 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.

Tartu is not the best destination for a couple to visit. The city has a young population, so you'll find many activities center around a more youthful vibe. There are some great museums that couples will enjoy, as well as a lively nightlife scene. Outside of old town, couples will enjoy wandering through the Karlova and Supilinn districts.

Is Tartu or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

For backpackers, both Tartu and Bologna are superb places to visit.

Plenty of budget travelers and backpackers visit Tartu. With it's young population and budget friendly entertainment options, there are many things that backpackers will enjoy. It's not nearly as popular with backpackers as some other cities, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have a lot to offer.

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 Tartu or Bologna Better for Students?

For students, both Tartu and Bologna are amazing places to visit.

Tartu is a very popular university town for students. It is a university town and home to one of the oldest universities in Northern Europe. The student population is large here, with many activities, museums, and nightlife options to choose from. There always seems to be something going on in this vibrant city.

Bologna is a very popular place to visit 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 Tartu or Bologna Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Tartu and Bologna both offer nice public transit to get you around.

While Tartu offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is a comprehensive bus system around the town.

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

Is Tartu or Bologna a more walkable city?

Tartu and Bologna are superb when it comes to walkability.

Tartu is a very walkable destination. The city is compact with most of its sights and restaurants close together along a couple of streets.

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 Tartu Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Tartu?

How long in Tartu or Bologna?

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

Families should spend more time in Bologna than Tartu. 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 Tartu. 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Bologna?

In Tartu, you'll find nightlife. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This university town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

In Bologna, many people enjoy the shopping and museums that this beautiful destination offers. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Lots of people come for the food. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Because of this, one day is usually enough time for a trip here.

A weekend in Tartu or Bologna?

In Tartu, you'll find 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 Tartu has to offer.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bologna. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Five days in Tartu or Bologna?

Tartu 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.

Bologna is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the nightlife and food when visiting the destination of Bologna. Lots of people come for the food. Visiting the old town is also a must. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

A week in Tartu or Bologna?

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

You'll find food and shopping around the beautiful destination of Bologna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Lots of people come for the food. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Estonia, The Best Budget Tours to Italy, and The Best Tours for Seniors to Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Tartu or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 4 times larger than the population of Tartu. When comparing the sizes of Tartu 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 Tartu 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 Tartu or Bologna in the Summer?

Both Bologna and Tartu during the summer are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Tartu in the summer for the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences during these months.

Tartu is cooler than Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 17°C (62°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In Bologna, it's very sunny this time of the year. It's quite sunny in Tartu. In the summer, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Tartu gets 265 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Tartu gets 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Tartu and Bologna. Most visitors come to Tartu for the shopping 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 the autumn, Tartu is much colder than Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Tartu in October average around 6°C (43°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Tartu usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Tartu gets 86 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, Tartu usually receives less rain than Bologna. Tartu gets 52 mm (2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Tartu or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Tartu as well as Bologna. The winter months attract visitors to Tartu because of the shopping scene 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 Tartu can be very cold. In January, Tartu is generally much colder than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Tartu average around -7°C (19°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

In the winter, Tartu often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Tartu gets 36 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.

Tartu usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Tartu gets 29 mm (1.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Tartu or Bologna in the Spring?

Both Bologna and Tartu are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. The natural beauty are the main draw to Tartu this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the natural beauty.

It's quite cold in Tartu in the spring. Tartu is much colder than Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Tartu averages around 5°C (41°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

Tartu usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna during spring. Tartu gets 180 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Tartu usually receives less rain than Bologna. Tartu gets 33 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Tartu