Sitting to the north of the city centre, Bologna Centrale Railway Station is a hive of activity. It’s considered one of the major gateways to Northern Italy, offering connections to Venice, Milan, Florence and more. However, most choose to stay a night or two and explore fabulous attractions like San Petronio Basilica, the Towers of Bologna and Piazza Maggiore.
Every day, more than 800 trains pass through the station. Over 58 million passengers a year flood through the gates, bound for both domestic and international destinations. There are plenty of railway hotels nearby for those simply passing through, as well as excellent connections to downtown Bologna. The station also houses a string of retail stores, as well as cafes, restaurants and fast food joints.
From Bologna’s historic core, the station is a short 20-minute stroll or just minutes by bus. Thanks to Italy’s high-speed trains, it’s possible to travel to Florence in 30 minutes, Milan in one hour, Venice in 1.5 hours, Rome in 2.5 hours and Bari in six.
While today Bologna Centrale Railway Station is a modern transport hub, it has ancient roots. Its history dates back to 1859, though the terminal has been rebuilt several times over the centuries. The current neoclassical style station was designed by legendary Italian architect Gaetano Ratti, who incorporated plenty of Renaissance Florentine flair.