Bologna Fiera
Bologna, Italy
BolognaFiere Group is a leading international exhibition organiser who boasts one of the most advanced exhibition centres in the world. The Bologna Exhibition Centre covers 375,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor areas. The venue has 20 halls, and its 5 independent entrances allow several events to be held simultaneously. The Bologna Fairgrounds host an average of 28 events each year. The centre is unique in many aspects, but there is one particular thing that no other fairgrounds have. BolognaFiere is the first exhibition centre with its own motorway tollbooth, along with a dynamic third lane. It was added to reduce congestion by providing direct entrance to the venue, thereby avoiding the Bologna ring road.
The history of trade fairs in Bologna goes back to 1888 when the first “Great Emilian Exposition” took place. On the occasion, the venue, Giardini Margherita Park, was electrically illuminated for the first time. In the following years, trade fairs were organised in different venues. With the construction of LITTORALE in 1927, the most modern site in the city at the time, the Exhibition Centre began its activity.
As the need for a bigger and permanent address grew, the foundation stone for the halls was laid on May 8, 1964. Leonardo Benevolo, Tommaso Giuralongo, and Carlo Melograni designed the building, and it opened as soon as the following year. The creation of the regional exhibition system of Bologna, Modena and Ferrara in the years 1986-1990 marked a continuous development.
Today, BolognaFiere continues to grow and aims to strengthen its position on the global market. BolognaFiere is the leader in Italy with a constant foreign development, measured by foreign sales in key markets such as Asia, Russia and North America. With an important presence in East Asia, BolognaFiere was the first exhibition company to open a branch in China. The Group has a significant presence in Europe as well, as it acquired Health and Beauty in 2018.
Getting around
Bologna Exhibition Centre is easily reachable from many Italian cities, as the nearby ring road is a crossroad of major highways. If you are driving from Florence, Milan and Ancona, you can take the “BOLOGNA FIERA” exit directly on the A14 motorway. If you are coming from Padua, take the ring road exit 8 for the north entrances, Michelino, Moro and Parking Michelino, and the ring road exit 7 for Constitution Entrance and Parking.
The trip of those travelling to BolognaFiere by helicopter is made easy by the fact that the trade fair complex has its own heliport located on the roof of Halls 16-18.
On the occasion of some trade fairs with a large number of visitors, the Guglielmo Marconi International Airport is directly connected to BolognaFiere. The BolognaFiere railway station handles special trains for exhibitions, and a convenient AEROBUS BLQ shuttle service is at your disposal.
Bologna Centrale Station is one of the largest railway hubs at national and European level. It is just 10 minutes away from BolognaFiere and is connected to the Piazza Costituzione and Viale Aldo Moro entrances. The Bologna Exhibition Center can be reached every day with the TPER bus line 28 to and from the city centre, 35 and 39 to, as well as 35 and 38, from the central station.
Where to stay
Bologna Fiere District is, naturally, where the exhibition centre is positioned. Located near the railway station and to the northeast of the city centre, it is a working-class neighbourhood. Being a commercial and business centre, the area is mostly frequented by business and congress travellers, and the hotels are usually business-style. There are plenty of affordable and high-quality accommodation options. Bologna’s main train station is approximately 2 km away, and public transport is reliable and convenient when moving around the city.
The most multicultural area of Bologna is Bolognina or Little Bologna. Located right behind the central station, Bolognina is home to a gorgeously mixed group of immigrants, young families, students and artists. It is a pleasant and quiet neighbourhood, offering a diverse and inexpensive experience.
Bologna Centrale Station is one of the busiest stations in Italy and has direct connections with most of the major cities of the peninsula. The district is located directly north of the historic centre, and Piazza Maggiore is about a 20-minute walk away. Staying in this area has its advantages, above all because it is cheaper than the central area. Plus, a myriad of lines ensures efficient transport throughout the entire city. It is an excellent area to stay in Bologna if you are looking for a budget and relatively central option.
However, considering the high number of visitors to the city and especially on the dates of international exhibitions, it is difficult to find reasonably priced accommodation. For the biggest exhibitions like Cosmoprof, many people on smaller budgets often stay in the surrounding cities. The most popular out-of-town locations are: Modena and Ferrara.
Halls of Bologna Fiera
The Bologna Exhibition Centre covers 375,000 square metres of indoor and outdoor space, with 36,000 square metres dedicated to exhibition services. The venue has 20 halls, which are completely wired, air-conditioned and equipped with leading-edge IT systems. With 5 separate entrances, it is possible to hold several events simultaneously.
Flexibility and mobility are guaranteed by a network of moving walkways and a parking system for a total of 14,500 covered parking spaces. Vehicle owners can reserve their space in advance.
Quick info
| Year Built: | 1965 |
| Total Area: | 375,000 m2 |
| Indoor Area: | 36,000 m2 |
| Number of Halls: | 20 |
| Parking Spaces: | 14,500 |
| Official Website: | Bologna Fiera |
| Halls Map: | View map |
Important exhibitions
The following internationally renowned trade fairs are among the largest in Italy in terms of number of foreign exhibitors and visitors:
- Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, a world-class showcase of next generation products and services in the professional beauty, wellness and cosmetics industries;
- CERSAIE, the international exhibition of ceramics for the building industry and bathroom furnishings;
- Bologna Children’s Book Fair, a leading trade event for the entire children’s publishing world;
- Eima International, a leading trade show for the agriculture and forestry industry;
- Zoomark International, an extensive exhibition for the growing international market for natural products aimed at pets and the garden;
- AUTOPROMOTEC, an important launchpad for the newest advancements and models in automotive equipment and aftermarket products.
Upcoming trade fairs
