Which place is cheaper, Bologna or Verona?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
Should I visit Verona 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.
Verona is a romantic, cultural, and beautiful city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.
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.
Travelers will usually find more to do in Bologna than Verona, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Bologna is more popular for its food, nightlife, and shopping, while Verona is known for its museums. Verona is more touristy than Bologna and is popular for its role as the setting of one of Shakespeare's most famous plays. Bologna is popular for its Terracota buildings, large international student population, and being the birthplace of Bolognaise pasta. It is also home to Piazza Maggiore.
Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Bologna and Verona. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.
Verona 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 Verona specifically to visit some of its top-rated museums and other sights. While most people know Verona as the setting of Shakespeare's play "Romeo and Juliet", there are also many unrelated but still impressive sights around town. Of course you must check out the Casa di Giulietta (Juliet's House and Balcony), but also make sure you visit the fortress of Castelvecchio, Arena di Verona, and Basilica of San Zeno Maggiore.
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.
Bologna is an unbeatable place for its local flavors and cuisine. Also, Verona 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 Verona is an experience not to be missed. Food is a source of pride for the locals in Verona, and you'll find excellent dishes in most eateries, even those catering specifically to tourists. There are many local recipes that are worth sampling while you're in the area including risotto with tastasal, potato gnocchi, and polenta.
Bologna is a great city for nightlife and partying. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its evening party scene.
The nightlife in Bologna has something for everybody. 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 Verona. The nightlife scene caters to a mature crowd and there is a heavy focus on regional wine. There are many local bars and traditional osterie (inns) where you can sip local wine or hear live music.
It's fun to wander around the great old towns in both Verona and Bologna.
Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Verona. At the heart of the city is the old town, which is filled with medieval and Renaissance style architecture. It's easy to explore this beautiful area on foot.
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).
Bologna is a great city for its shopping opportunities. Also, Verona is not as popular, but is still a nice city for its shopping areas.
Bologna is well-known for its shopping. 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.
Many visitors go to Verona to go shopping. The most well known shopping street is Corso Santa Anastasia, which has many antique shops as well as jewelry stores and high end boutiques.
Bologna is a popular place for its kid-friendly activities. However, Verona is not known 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.
Verona is not the most family-friendly destination. You can head to the top of the the Lamberti Tower and, of course, check out the Romeo and Juliet balcony. Wandering the streets and grabbing gelato is also fun for the whole family.
Verona is a well-known place for couples. Also, Bologna is not as famous, but is still a good city to visit for romance.
Verona is a very popular place to visit for couples. As the setting for Shakespeare's famed "Romeo and Juliet", this town is seeped in romantic history. In addition to checking out the classic balcony, couples can enjoy seeing an opera at Verona Arena or seeking out views of the beautiful city. Crossing the romantic Ponte Pietra is another must-do romantic activity in the area.
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.
Bologna is a great city for backpackers and budget travelers. Also, Verona 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.
Verona is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Backpackers rarely spend more than a day or two in town, but there are hostels in the area that offer cheap accommodation.
Bologna is an unbeatable place for its student-friendly activities. Also, Verona 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.
Verona is a good city to visit for students. The city offers a more authentic Italian experience than some of the more popular tourist and study abroad destinations in Italy.
Verona and Bologna both offer good public transit to get you around.
While Verona offers some public transit options, it might not be your first choice. ATV operates buses through the city.
Bologna has a few public transit options. There is an efficient and reliable bus system.
Verona and Bologna are great when it comes to walkability.
Verona is a very walkable city. It's a compact city that's easy to explore on foot. Many locals get around by walking or biking.
Bologna is a very walkable destination. Most sights are always within a 30 minute walk, and the city itself is very walkable.
For even more information, also check out Is Verona Worth Visiting? and Is Bologna Worth Visiting?.
Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Verona and Bologna. In our opinion, Bologna has more to see and do, so we recommend spending more time in Bologna than Verona. However, 1-3 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.
Families should spend more time in Bologna than Verona. 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 Verona than Bologna. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Verona that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.
Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Bologna than Verona 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.
In Verona, you'll find nightlife and food. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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.
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.
In Verona, 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 Verona 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.
Verona 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.
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.
It's hard to know how much time to spend in Verona. Many people enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting Verona. 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.
Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the fun 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 10-Day Tours in Italy, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Italy, The Best 2-Week Tours in Italy, and The Best Bicycle Tours in Italy.
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Verona is €168, while the average daily cost in Bologna is €159. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Verona and Bologna in more detail.
Looking for a hotel in Verona or Bologna? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Verona:
Also for Verona, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
Some specific examples of transportation prices in Bologna:
Prices for flights to both Bologna and Verona change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Here are some examples of typical meal expenses from previous travelers to Verona:
For Verona, here are some samples of tours and activities related to meals and dining experiences:
Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Bologna.
For Verona, here are some examples of average entertainment and activity prices from previous travelers:
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Verona.
Some typical examples of activities, tours, and entrance ticket prices in Bologna are as follows:
Some specific costs of activities, tours, and entrance tickets for Bologna are as follows:
Also in Verona, these are the prices for nightlife and alcohol related activities from various tour providers:
Here are a few nightlife and alcohol tours and activities from local tour providers in Bologna:
When comparing the travel costs between Verona and Bologna, we can see that Verona 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 Verona Expensive? and Is Bologna Expensive?.
Bologna has a larger population, and is about 47% larger than the population of Verona. When comparing the sizes of Verona 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.
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.
Both Bologna and Verona during the summer are popular places to visit. The family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Verona this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Bologna for the family-friendly experiences.
In the summer, Verona is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the summer temperatures in Verona in July average around 24°C (75°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 Verona. In the summer, Verona often gets less sunshine than Bologna. Verona gets 286 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 316 hours of full sun.
Verona usually gets more rain in July than Bologna. Verona gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.
The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Verona and Bologna. Many travelers come to Verona for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Bologna in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.
In October, Verona is generally cooler than Bologna. Daily temperatures in Verona average around 14°C (57°F), and Bologna fluctuates around 16°C (61°F).
Verona usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during autumn. Verona gets 137 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, Verona usually receives less rain than Bologna. Verona gets 82 mm (3.2 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 123 mm (4.8 in) of rain each month for the autumn.
The winter brings many poeple to Verona as well as Bologna. Many visitors come to Verona 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. Verona can get quite cold in the winter. Verona is around the same temperature as Bologna in the winter. The daily temperature in Verona averages around 2°C (36°F) in January, and Bologna fluctuates around 2°C (36°F).
In the winter, Verona often gets around the same amount of sunshine as Bologna. Verona gets 98 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Bologna receives 105 hours of full sun.
Verona usually gets less rain in January than Bologna. Verona gets 55 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 75 mm (3 in) of rain this time of the year.
Both Bologna and Verona are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Verona for the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Bologna because of the natural beauty.
In the spring, Verona is around the same temperature as Bologna. Typically, the spring temperatures in Verona in April average around 13°C (55°F), and Bologna averages at about 13°C (55°F).
Verona usually receives less sunshine than Bologna during spring. Verona gets 169 hours of sunny skies, while Bologna receives 192 hours of full sun in the spring.
In April, Verona usually receives less rain than Bologna. Verona gets 69 mm (2.7 in) of rain, while Bologna receives 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain each month for the spring.
Verona | Bologna | |||
---|---|---|---|---|
Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | |
Jan | 2°C (36°F) | 55 mm (2.1 in) | 2°C (36°F) | 75 mm (3 in) |
Feb | 5°C (40°F) | 48 mm (1.9 in) | 5°C (40°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Mar | 9°C (47°F) | 58 mm (2.3 in) | 9°C (47°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
Apr | 13°C (55°F) | 69 mm (2.7 in) | 13°C (55°F) | 79 mm (3.1 in) |
May | 17°C (63°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) | 17°C (63°F) | 59 mm (2.3 in) |
Jun | 21°C (70°F) | 86 mm (3.4 in) | 21°C (70°F) | 44 mm (1.7 in) |
Jul | 24°C (75°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | 24°C (75°F) | 23 mm (0.9 in) |
Aug | 23°C (73°F) | 88 mm (3.4 in) | 23°C (73°F) | 60 mm (2.4 in) |
Sep | 19°C (67°F) | 63 mm (2.5 in) | 19°C (67°F) | 89 mm (3.5 in) |
Oct | 14°C (57°F) | 82 mm (3.2 in) | 16°C (61°F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) |
Nov | 8°C (46°F) | 75 mm (3 in) | 8°C (46°F) | 124 mm (4.9 in) |
Dec | 3°C (37°F) | 51 mm (2 in) | 7°C (45°F) | 85 mm (3.3 in) |