7 best hostels in Bologna

Bologna is a beautiful city in northern Italy and the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region. Lively and charming, Bologna is home to the oldest university in the world, with delicious food, fascinating architecture, history, and culture. Though deeply rooted in history, Bologna boasts a vibrant and youthful vibe due to the increasing number of young crowds flocking to the city each year.

If you're planning a budget trip to Bologna, you should familiarize yourself with all the options available. Bologna is a university city and offers a variety of affordable accommodations for its students and travelers, including budget hotels, Airbnbs, B&B, and hostels. Hostels in Bologna have everything you need for a comfortable and memorable stay, and they're an excellent way to save money. Many hostels in Bologna are located in the university area, but there are some that are miles away from the center.

Below we've compiled a list of the best hostels in Bologna, Italy, for your budget trip, whether you're traveling solo, with friends, or with your significant other. Also, you may need an affordable place to store your luggage while in Bologna. Luckily, Bounce partners with many hostels for their luggage storage services. And if the hostel you choose is not our partner, you can take your pick from the many Bounce luggage lockers conveniently located across Bologna.

Dopa Hostel

Dopa Hostel is one of the few hostels in downtown Bologna, perfect for solo travelers, couples, and families. Being fairly new makes it an excellent pick for everyone worried about cleanliness, outdated furniture, and unpleasant smell. This place is the complete opposite, it's clean and well-designed, and all the beds are handmade with wood and iron.

Some free facilities and services you get to enjoy here are breakfasts, all-day coffee and tea, wifi, linen, city maps and more. The hostel features a few shared areas, such as a kitchen and a lounge area equipped with board games, musical instruments, and books. Other services you can get for a small fee are bike rentals, towels, toiletries, laundry service, and drinks.

The hostel offers private and dorm rooms that sleep between two to 6 people. All of the rooms have shared bathrooms.

What makes Dopa Hostel unique

Dopa Hostel is one of the best hostels in Bologna for many reasons, including its city center location, free breakfast, well-designed space and bunk beds, and the many freebies all guests get to enjoy.

Dopa Hostel pricing

Dopa Hostel prices range from $94.00 for a standard 6-bed dorm room to $225.00 for a standard 3-bed private room. It's not the cheapest hostel in Bologna, but given its central location and free services and facilities, it's safe to say that Hostel Dopa is great value for your money.

Combo Bologna

If you're looking for a cheap hostel that's within walking distance of both the main train station and Piazza Maggiore, then this is just the place. Featuring a few common areas, including a lounge, a TV room and a large garden area, Combo Bologna is the closest to being a party hostel out of all Bologna hostels. The place comes to life, especially during summer, when the garden hosts DJ sessions, live concerts and plenty of cultural activities and events to entertain guests.

The hostel offers laundry services, air conditioning, a coffee bar, a communal kitchen, free wifi, and 24-hour reception and there are lifts and disabled-friendly rooms. Combo Bologna hostel offers shared and private accommodation for a maximum of four people, which is great for people who prefer a bit more privacy.

What makes Combo Bologna unique

Some of the qualities that make Combo Bologna special are its superb location, excellent facilities, cleanliness and friendly staff. Though breakfast is not included, there is a delicious and cheap breakfast buffet every morning.

Combo Bologna pricing

Pricing at the Combo Bologna starts at $38.50 for a basic 4-bed female dorm with an ensuite bathroom. Hostel prices in Bologna can vary depending on a few factors, including the date of travel. This means that prices could be much lower during shoulder season. Also, keep in mind that this hostel is very popular, and it's almost always booked, so make haste before they completely sell out.

Il Nosadillo

Located in the medieval center of Bologna, close to Piazza Maggiore and Via Del Pratello, this place is the best hostel in Bologna for budget travelers who don't want to walk too far to eat, get a drink, or get a feel of an authentic Bolognese night out. Il Nosadillo also makes it possible to do all the sightseeing on foot, which is ideal for backpackers looking to explore the city on a budget.

Some of the free services and facilities you get to enjoy here are coffee, towels, wifi, city maps, access to a computer, and a delicious breakfast included. Guests can relax in the lounge equipped with books or watch a movie on a projector with free Netflix.

This Bologna hostel has shared accommodation, one female, and three mixed dorm rooms. Each bed has a socket, a reading light, and a shelf.

What makes Il Nosadillo unique

Il Nosadillo has many facilities and amenities that guests appreciate, starting with the free wifi and free breakfast to its top location, warm atmosphere, and cheap accommodation.

Il Nosadillo pricing

There are a few cheap hostels in Bologna, and Il Nosadillo is one of them. Pricing starts at $38.00 for a single bed in a standard 5-bed female room with a private bathroom and $50.00 for a standard 5-bed mixed dorm with a shared bathroom.

I Falchi Pellegrini - Bungalow e Tenda

If you're an adventurer looking to make the most out of your trip to Bologna, then this is the right place for you. It may not be the conventional Bologna hostel with all the facilities and perks, but this accommodation has its own charm and character. Located in Monzuno, in a quiet area and only a 45-minute ride from Piazza Maggiore and Guglielmo Marconi Airport, the property features bungalows with bunk beds and tents for more privacy. The bungalows have a shared bathroom, a mini bar, a fridge, mosquito nets, drying racks, towels, and linen.

I Falchi Pellegrini boasts endless garden and mountain views and has everything you need for people on the go or those hiking the Via Degli Dei, from towels and heating to warm showers, simple breakfast, free wifi, and free parking. You'll also receive a warm welcome and dinner from the hosts upon arrival.

What makes I Falchi Pellegrini - Bungalow e Tenda unique

If a central location is not your priority while in Bologna, this is one of the best places to connect with nature, far away from the city noise. It's also affordable and clean, and you have lovely hosts who will make sure you're well taken care of.

I Falchi Pellegrini - Bungalow e Tenda pricing

Pricing at the I Falchi Pellegrini starts at $15.00 for a tent with two futon beds or $41.00 for a bed in a bungalow with a garden view. The property is fairly new, but it's quickly becoming popular among backpackers and nature travelers.

Hotel Maggiore

When you run out of hostel options in Bologna, the second best bet is budget hotels. Hotel Maggiore is a 3-star hotel located about 2 miles from the airport and within a short walk to a bus station. You can also take advantage of the free bikes to explore Bologna on your terms.

The hotel is equipped with all the amenities and facilities necessary for a good stay, from free wifi, coffee, and tea makers to free parking and delicious breakfast. Rooms at the hotel sleep between 1 and 3 people.

What makes Hotel Maggiore unique

The hotel's proximity to the airport is ideal for people with an early flight. Besides, it's within a 20-minute walk from the city center and top attractions. You get to use bikes for free and enjoy the comfort of spacious rooms and big beds.

Hotel Maggiore pricing

The average price per night at the Hotel Maggiore is $59.00 for a single room, $69.00 for a double room, and $110.00 for a triple room. It's one of the cheapest hotels in Bologna, and it sells out fast, so hurry up if you want to secure your spot.

ResArt Iacomus

This Bologna hotel is in the historic old town area, situated near famous attractions like Piazza Maggiore and Quadrilatero Bologna, making it easy to spend time out and about in town. In fact, the Museo d'Arte Moderna di Bologna is steps away. Although not a Bologna hostel, it's a clean, comfortable option with some rooms featuring balconies to enjoy the views.

Traveling with a pet? There is no extra cost to bring them along. Services include air conditioning and heating, a lift, family rooms, and more. All in all, it's the perfect hotel for all travelers who want to save money.

What makes ResArt Iacomus unique

ResArt Iacomus is right in Bologna City Centre, and has multiple points of interest within walking distance. From piazzas to parks, you'll enjoy plenty of opportunities to walk and see the sights.

ResArt Iacomus pricing

This lodging option is one of the cheapest hotels in Bologna, with prices starting at $100.00 for a double room with a balcony. Prices vary depending on the season, with the tourist season being understandably more expensive.

Zanhotel Tre Vecchi

Looking for more privacy and comfort during your stay in Bologna? This 4-star hotel will surely fit the bill. Located in the real heart of Bologna, in a historic building on a main street, and near the main train station, Zanhotel Tre Vecchi offers clean and comfortable rooms, doorman service, free breakfast, a lift, and an easy connection to many points of interest. You may also appreciate that the place is surrounded by many restaurants, shops, cafes, and bars, making it impossible to be bored.

The rooms range from single, double, and triple, ideal for solo travelers, couples, and families. All rooms are air-conditioned and come with a mini bar, a flat-screen TV, a safe, an ensuite bathroom, and landmark views from some. There is also a lounge bar where you can chill at night.

What makes Zanhotel Tre Vecchi unique

Besides being a low-cost 4-star hotel that offers free breakfast, Zanhotel Tre Vecchi is one of the best hotels in Bologna for its location.

Zanhotel Tre Vecchi pricing

Pricing at the Zanhotel Tre Vecchi starts at $87.00 for a single room and $145.00 for a triple room. This property is in high demand, so make sure to reserve your room in advance.

The best hostels in Bologna for backpackers and budget travelers

Hostels in Bologna are not many, but they have everything for people on the go, whether they're families, groups of friends, solo travelers, digital nomads, backpackers, or couples. When looking for the best hostel in Bologna, it's important to consider a few key factors, such as location, price, privacy, and wifi, among others. Choosing hostels over hotels in Bologna helps you save some money, and it's the perfect way to meet people from all around the world.

If this is your first time in Bologna, you may want to get familiar with the city. We recommend that you read our informative guides Best Time to Visit Bologna: The Ultimate Guide and 3 Days in Bologna: Everything You Should Know.