Bologna, Italy 🇮🇹
#565
44.49382, 11.342632
Nomad Score:
67%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, known for its rich history, culture, and cuisine. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 390,000 inhabitants. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed of 50 Mbps, with many cafes offering free Wi-Fi. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. Banks widely available; ATMs can be found throughout the city. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable; locals consider tap water safe and it is of good quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include TIM, Vodafone, and Wind; prepaid options are available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular banks include Intesa Sanpaolo and Unicredit; Revolut is widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options range from apartments on Airbnb to local rental agencies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely; contactless payments are common. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Booking.com, and Vrbo are popular platforms for short-term stays. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels like Dopa Hostel offer affordable lodging options starting from €25 per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | COWO Bologna offers a vibrant coworking environment with various membership options. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Caffè Terzi is a popular spot among remote workers with great coffee and free Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com hosts various networking events for expats and entrepreneurs in Bologna. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Bologna Expats Facebook group organizes regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Free Now and Uber are available for on-demand transportation. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | BikeMi offers bike-sharing services, while Lime provides electric scooters. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Rimini Beach is approximately 1 hour away by train. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Ryanair operates various regional routes from Bologna. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport serves major airlines like Lufthansa and EasyJet. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E45 and A14 motorways provide excellent highway access. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bologna Centrale is the main train station, with connections to major Italian cities. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Monthly bus passes cost around €36, and single tickets are €1.50. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Regional trains and buses connect Bologna to nearby cities like Modena and Florence. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Ospedale Sant'Orsola is a major healthcare facility in the city. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Studio Bologna offers various yoga classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness Club offers various workout options and memberships to locals and expats. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wash & Dry offers self-service laundromat facilities. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Just Eat and Deliveroo are popular food delivery services in Bologna. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Tagliatelle al Ragù (Bolognese sauce) is a must-try local dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Mister Veggy offers a variety of plant-based dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pasticceria Imola is famous for its delicious traditional pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercato delle Erbe is a popular food market offering fresh produce and local delicacies. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.it and local e-commerce platforms like eBay.it are widely used. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Esselunga offers grocery delivery services in the area. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Via Zamboni is the primary nightlife area with numerous bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Birrificio Artigianale is a popular local craft brewery to explore. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Enoteca Italiana is a great spot for wine tasting and local varieties. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street food along Via Ugo Bassi is abundant and popular. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Various restaurants offering Asian, Middle Eastern, and American cuisines can be found throughout the city. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Two Towers (Due Torri) are emblematic of Bologna and a must-visit. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo di Palazzo Poggi houses fascinating exhibits on the history of science. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Piazza Maggiore features beautiful historical architecture including the Basilica di San Petronio. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Santuario di Madonna di San Luca is a beautiful church on a hill overlooking the city. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Bologna hosts 'Fiera di Bologna', one of Italy’s largest trade fairs. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The university district attracts students and is filled with cafes, bookshops, and cultural venues. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Comunale di Bologna is renowned for opera and live performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Bologna's Saturday market on Via Ugo Bassi is perfect for local crafts and foods. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Bologna has a vibrant music scene with many live music venues showcasing various genres. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Exploring the university district reveals an array of vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cucina Bolognese offers an immersive experience in traditional culinary techniques. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galleria d'Arte Moderna exhibits contemporary art and local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palazzo Comunale is an exquisite historic building in the heart of Bologna. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Bologna is known as the 'Food Capital of Italy' due to its rich culinary heritage. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Parco della Montagnola is a beautiful park for relaxation and walking. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parco Regionale dell'Abbazia di Monteveglio is a notable park about 30 minutes away. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The city's extensive network of porticoes makes walking and cycling convenient. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | San Luca hill offers scenic views of Bologna and the surrounding landscape. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The canals around Bologna’s outskirts are good spots for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Certain areas of Parco della Montagnola allow for small bonfires during gatherings. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Poste Italiane and DHL provide reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Techno City is a popular choice for device repairs in Bologna. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Various community centers often host table tennis clubs. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | The Italian Cultural Institute offers extensive Italian language courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Salaborsa is an excellent spot for reading and studying with beautiful architecture. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Sociale Punto Verde hosts various events and classes for community engagement. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gamer House offers gaming facilities and tournaments for enthusiasts. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | The Casino di Bologna offers gaming experiences, including table games and machines. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €132,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €104,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,400 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €144,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €216,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €176,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Italy operates a worldwide income tax system for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 43%. |
| 🧾 VAT | 22% standard VAT rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, there are regulations regarding taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on the catastral income with annual rates applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 10% standard rate; 2% for first-time homebuyers. |