Bologna's porticoes link Piazza Maggiore, the Quadrilatero market and the university streets. Choose a hotel by your main route: the station for rail connections, the center for sights, or Saragozza for the walk toward San Luca.
Piazza Maggiore is the main square, with San Petronio on one side and the Fountain of Neptune close by. The Quadrilatero's food streets are just east. Stay near either and the markets, restaurants and Two Towers are a short walk. Some streets are pedestrian, so a taxi may not reach the door.
Via Indipendenza runs between Piazza Maggiore and Bologna Centrale. A hotel at the station end saves a long walk with luggage, and a second transfer after the Marconi Express from the airport. It is a busy shopping street with traffic and evening noise, so ask which way the room faces.
University buildings, museums and student bars fill Via Zamboni on the northeast side of the old town. Piazza Santo Stefano quiets down after the busiest hours, and its church complex is close to the center. To the southwest, Via del Pratello has late dinners and bars. Saragozza leads to the long covered route to San Luca.
Bologna's UNESCO-listed porticoes cover many city walks, but they do not make every street traffic-free. Summer afternoons average about 88 °F. If you drive, get your hotel's route and parking details before entering the limited traffic zone in the historic center.