The Ultimate Bologna Soccer Travel Guide

At Soccer Trippers, we’ve explored the world’s greatest stadiums, matchday cultures, and fan experiences. This soccer travel guide combines expert knowledge and local insights to help you plan the perfect football trip to Bologna.

Why Bologna is a Top Destination for Football Fans

Bologna is a city of identity and independence—values that echo in its football club. With seven Serie A titles and a deeply rooted fan culture, Bologna FC is a proud club with passionate support.

The city itself is walkable, welcoming, and full of culinary and architectural delights. A football weekend here can include matchday at a vintage stadium, pasta at a trattoria, and aperitivo under the porticoes.

Insider tip: The ultras section in the Curva Andrea Costa is known for some of the most poetic and politically engaged chants in Italy.

Must-Visit Football Stadiums in Bologna

Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

Opened in 1927, this 38,000-seat stadium is one of Italy’s oldest. Set against the backdrop of Monte della Guardia and known for its historic Maratona Tower, it offers a classic Italian matchday experience.
Read our full stadium guide to Stadio Renato Dall’Ara

Hidden gem: Visit the Arch of Triumph at the south end—part of the original 1920s stadium design.

Where to Stay in Bologna as a Football Fan

Bologna offers central and convenient hotel options for all budgets:

• Hotels near Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
• Luxury Hotels in Bologna
• Budget-Friendly Hotels in Bologna

Best Neighborhoods for Football Fans

• Saragozza: Historic and close to the stadium.
• Centro Storico: Heart of the city, with easy bus access to the ground.
  Explore Bologna’s best neighborhoods for football fans

Pro tip: Stay in Saragozza for a true local vibe and walkable matchday experience.

Best Sports Bars & Places to Watch the Match

While Bologna’s café culture often merges with football, these bars are reliable for watching matches:

• Macondo: Artsy bar with Serie A and European coverage.
• Bar Edison: Close to the stadium, filled with locals pre- and post-match.
• Caffè Zamboni: Central and lively, great for Champions League nights.

See our full list of Bologna sports bars

Top bar for Bologna fans: Bar Edison—perfect for beers and Bologna FC banter near the stadium.

How to Get Around Bologna

Bologna is compact and best explored on foot or by local bus:

• Bus Line 21 or 14: Connects city centre to the stadium in ~15–20 minutes.
• Train: Bologna Centrale connects to all major Italian cities.

Read our guide to Bologna’s public transport system

Local tip: Buy your bus ticket in advance at any tabaccheria or newsstand.

Other Must-Visit Landmarks for Football Fans

Combine your football trip with a dose of local history and color:

• Bologna FC Store (Via Andrea Costa): For official gear.
• Certosa di Bologna: Cemetery near the stadium—serene and full of historic figures.

Check out our football landmarks guide to Bologna

Where to Eat with a Football Vibe

• Trattoria Meloncello: Near the stadium, a pre-match tradition.
• Da Cesari: Old-school Bolognese dishes in the city centre.
  Explore more restaurants for football fans in Bologna

Conclusion & Call-to-Action

Bologna offers a football trip like no other—steeped in history, rich in flavor, and full of pride. Whether you come for the club or the cuisine, calcio in Bologna is always served with passion.

Have you experienced matchday in Emilia-Romagna? Share your story or explore more guides:

• Stadium guide: Stadio Renato Dall’Ara
• City guide: Florence
• Best football cities in Italy beyond the big three

In Bologna, football is culture—and culture is everything.