Comparison · Bologna vs Florence · Italy
Bologna vs Florence
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Fabio Ciminelli, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Bologna for Tagliatelle al ragù, Porticoes, lower day-to-day costs and free sights; choose Florence for Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome. Bologna is generally less expensive, and the two are about 81 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 81 km
- Less expensive
- Bologna
- Best time for Bologna
- April–June and September–October
- Best time for Florence
- April–May and September–October
Side by side
| Bologna | Florence | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Italy | Italy |
| Known for | Tagliatelle al ragù, Porticoes and Two Towers | Renaissance art, Brunelleschi's dome and Michelangelo's David |
| Best time to visit | April–June and September–October | April–May and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 3 days | 4 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $150–$260 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Moderately priced | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 31°C (88°F) | July, 32°C (90°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 6°C (43°F) | January, 11°C (52°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 11 | 5 |
| Day trips in our guide | 6 | 7 |
| Beaches | — | — |
| Airports | BLQ | FLR, PSA, BLQ |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Bologna for…
Tagliatelle al ragù, Porticoes, lower day-to-day costs and free sights. Bologna, the capital of Emilia-Romagna, has a university traditionally dated to 1088, a red-brick medieval centre and more than 60 km of arcaded porticoes, listed by UNESCO in 2021, that keep you dry in rain and shaded in summer. It is one of Italy's great…
Choose Florence for…
Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome. Florence fits the Duomo, the Uffizi, Michelangelo's David and the Ponte Vecchio into a historic centre you can cross on foot in about 25 minutes. Most visitors stay between Santa Maria Novella station and Santa Croce, with the Oltrarno across the Arno for…
Top sights compared
| # | Bologna | Florence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Piazza Maggiore and the Neptune Fountain | Florence Cathedral (Duomo) |
| 2 | Basilica of San Petronio | Uffizi Gallery |
| 3 | Two Towers (Asinelli and Garisenda) | Galleria dell'Accademia |
| 4 | Santo Stefano (Seven Churches) | Ponte Vecchio |
| 5 | Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca | Piazzale Michelangelo |
Food compared
| Bologna | Florence |
|---|---|
| Tagliatelle al ragù | Bistecca alla fiorentina |
| Tortellini in brodo | Lampredotto |
| Mortadella Bologna | Ribollita |
| Lasagne verdi alla bolognese | Schiacciata |
Which is cheaper?
Bologna is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $150–$260 per person there, against $180–$320 in Florence (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Bologna on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Bologna and Florence are about 81 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 3 days in Bologna and 4 in Florence.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Bologna or Florence cheaper?
Bologna is usually less expensive: about $150–$260 a day mid-range against $180–$320 (estimates).
+Is Bologna or Florence better for a first trip?
Pick Bologna for Tagliatelle al ragù, Porticoes, lower day-to-day costs and free sights, or Florence for Renaissance art and Brunelleschi's dome.
+How far is Bologna from Florence?
About 81 km in a straight line.