A Travel Price Comparison for Italy Urbino vs. Bologna for Food, Nightlife, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Urbino 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 Urbino 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.

Urbino

Urbino is a undiscovered, authentic, and laid back town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

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.

Urbino and Bologna: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Urbino or Bologna?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Bologna. Although Urbino and Bologna are popular destinations, Bologna has more sights and attractions for tourists. Urbino is famous for its Renaissance walls, historic center, and authentic atmosphere. Bologna is famous for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also well known for Piazza Maggiore.

How is Urbino different from Bologna?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

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

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Urbino. At the heart of the city are its historical sights. The cathedral is worth a visit, as is The Ducal Palace, but for most visitors, simply soaking up the town's atmosphere is the best experience.

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 Urbino or Bologna? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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).

With its innovative style combined with traditional elements, Urbino makes for a great culinary experience. The city's history has influenced its cuisine. Traditional foods include cornbread, truffles, and meat sausage. While these options aren't as common today, you can still find them if you seek them out.

Is Urbino or Bologna Better for Nightlife?

Bologna is great for its evening party scene. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for nightlife.

Many people head to Bologna for the nightlife scene. 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.

There's a variety of activities in the evening in Urbino. Because of the large student population, there are usually some fun activities going on at night. You'll find some good bars around town that are fun to hang out at.

Is Urbino or Bologna Better for its Old Town?

Bologna is great for its historic old town charm. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town for its historic old town.

Bologna is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. The old town is filled with Terracota buildings, which give the city its nickname, La Rossa (The Red).

Many visitors go to Urbino to see the historical old town. The historic center feels a bit undiscovered by Italian standards. There are stone houses and the town is built on a steep hill, giving it a beautiful setting.

Is the Shopping Better in Urbino or Bologna?

Bologna is great for its shopping areas. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is a great destination for shopping. You'll find galleries, book shops, and jewelry stores around town that are fun to pop into.

Is Urbino or Bologna Better for Families?

Bologna is a city with good options for its kid-friendly activities. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its family-friendly activities.

Bologna offers lots of family activities. 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.

Urbino is not the most family-friendly destination. The city is filled with history and architecture, which may be lost on the kids. There are the classic Italian restaurants which is a favorite among kids and adults alike.

Is Urbino or Bologna Better for Couples?

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

Urbino is a very popular place to visit for couples. This walled city is fun to explore and can make for a great romantic stop. The city is walled and has many historical buildings which couples will enjoy learning about together.

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 Urbino or Bologna Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Bologna is great for backpackers and budget travelers. However, Urbino is not a good destination 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.

Urbino is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's not well known by backpackers and there are a very limited number of hostels in the area.

Is Urbino or Bologna Better for Students?

Bologna is an amazing city to visit for its student-friendly activities. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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 Urbino. The student population is a large part of this small city. University students are usually happy and enjoy many activities and outings into the surrounding area.

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

Bologna is a city with good options for times when you don't have a car. However, Urbino is not a good destination for its public transit.

While Bologna offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.

Public transit is generally limited in Urbino. The town is accessible by bus but not by train.

Is Urbino or Bologna a more walkable city?

Bologna is great for its ease of walking around. Also, Urbino is not as popular, but is still a nice town 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.

Urbino is somewhat walkable. Many parts of the city are easy to explore on foot.

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

Should I spend more time in Bologna or Urbino?

How long in Urbino or Bologna?

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

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

In Urbino, you'll find nightlife and food. This town offers something for everyone. This would be the perfect place to spend one day, as it has just the right amount of activities.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Bologna. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Urbino or Bologna?

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

Bologna is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Urbino or Bologna?

Urbino 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Bologna. Don't miss the food, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Urbino or Bologna?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Urbino. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Urbino. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historical destination of Bologna. This city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Italy, and The Best Coach Bus Tours in Italy.

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

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

Which is Bigger, Urbino or Bologna?

Bologna has a larger population, and is about 20 times larger than the population of Urbino. When comparing the sizes of Urbino 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 Urbino 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 Urbino or Bologna in the Summer?

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

Urbino is around the same temperature as Bologna in the summer. The daily temperature in Urbino averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Bologna fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

Urbino usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Urbino gets 75 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Urbino or Bologna in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Urbino and Bologna. Most visitors come to Urbino for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Furthermore, the autumn months attract visitors to Bologna because of the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Urbino is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Urbino in October average around 15°C (59°F), and Bologna averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Bologna receives a lot of rain in the autumn. In October, Urbino usually receives less rain than Bologna. Urbino gets 77 mm (3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Urbino or Bologna in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Urbino as well as Bologna. The winter months attract visitors to Urbino because of the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine. Additionally, 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 Urbino can be very cold. In January, Urbino is generally a little warmer than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Urbino average around 3°C (37°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).

Urbino usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Urbino gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Urbino or Bologna in the Spring?

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

Urbino is around the same temperature as Bologna in the spring. The daily temperature in Urbino averages around 12°C (54°F) in April, and Bologna fluctuates around 13°C (55°F).

In April, Urbino usually receives less rain than Bologna. Urbino gets 53 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Bologna and Urbino