Cersaie: Hotels & Where to Stay
21 Sept – 25 Sept 2026 BolognaFiere 95,000 attendees
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Cersaie is the world's leading trade fair for ceramic tile and bathroom furnishings, held each September at BolognaFiere, the exhibition centre close to the historic heart of Bologna, Italy. It gathers tile and sanitaryware manufacturers, architects, interior designers, distributors and buyers from around the globe, pairing vast product halls with a renowned programme of architecture and design lectures. For a hotel-booking traveller, Bologna is an appealing and manageable base: the historic centre is walkable and full of hotels, the fairgrounds are only a few kilometres away and reachable by city bus, and Bologna's central position in northern Italy makes it easy to reach by high-speed train. Staying in or near the centre lets you enjoy the city's celebrated food scene in the evenings while keeping a short commute to the halls. Because Cersaie draws a large international trade audience, Bologna's hotels fill and rates rise during the fair, so booking early is worthwhile.
Popular areas for attendees: Fiera District / San Donato · Bologna Centro Storico · Stazione Centrale.
- BolognaFiere is just a few kilometres from Bologna's walkable historic centre, so a central hotel keeps the commute short and evenings lively.
- Cersaie draws a large international design and tile audience, filling Bologna's hotels and pushing up rates.
- Bologna is a high-speed rail hub, making a central base convenient for arrivals and side trips.
- Booking early secures a well-located room before demand from exhibitors and buyers tightens supply.
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 21 Sept – 25 Sept 2026
- Venue
- BolognaFiere
- City
- Bologna, Italy
- Airport
- BLQ
- Attendance
- 95,000
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Rates shown for the event window, Sun, Sep 20 → Sat, Sep 26 (arrive the day before, leave the day after) — or choose your own dates above.
Hotel rates near major event venues rise as the dates approach and the closest hotels sell out first. Booking a free-cancellation rate early locks the price with no downside.
On the map
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- The best hotels within walking distance of the venue
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- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Where to eat during Cersaie
BolognaFiere is 15 minutes from the medieval center by taxi or bus, and the Fiera district has its own serious dining nearby - but most evenings you'll want the Quadrilatero's food streets and the city's storied trattorias. This is Italy's food capital: book trattorias days ahead during major fairs.
I Portici
Contemporary Italian
Via dell'Indipendenza, city center - ~15 min taxi from BolognaFiere
Bologna's Michelin-starred fine-dining room, set in a frescoed former Liberty-era theater - creative tasting menus for the most important fair-week dinners.
Tip: Tasting menus only; the five-course is enough after a trade-show day.
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Al Cambio
Bolognese classic
Via Stalingrado, near BolognaFiere
An elegant insider favorite minutes from the fairgrounds, doing the great Bolognese repertoire - tortellini in brodo, cotoletta alla bolognese - with white-tablecloth polish.
Tip: The closest serious client-dinner option to the Fiera; book during any major fair.
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Trattoria di Via Serra
Traditional Bolognese
Bolognina, between BolognaFiere and the station
A tiny, much-loved trattoria doing scrupulously traditional Bolognese cooking with local-farm ingredients - many consider it the city's best tagliatelle al ragù.
Tip: Reservations are essentially mandatory - call days ahead.
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Sfoglia Rina
Fresh pasta
Via Castiglione, city center
A modern pasta laboratory descended from a 1963 sfoglini shop - watch the sfogline roll dough, then eat tortelloni and tagliatelle at communal tables.
Tip: No-reservation lunch queues move fast; it's also a great early dinner.
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Osteria dell'Orsa
Bolognese / osteria
University quarter, city center
The famous student-quarter osteria - big plates of tagliatelle al ragù and crescentine at shared tables for remarkably little money.
Tip: Cash is handy and expect to queue; it's part of the experience.
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Caffè Terzi
Coffee
Via Oberdan, city center
One of Italy's most respected coffee bars - single-origin espressos and rare preparations served with genuine ceremony, a short walk from the Two Towers.
Tip: Ask the barista to recommend an espresso; treat it like a wine list.
Open in Google MapsAfter the halls close: Bologna
Client dinner, team night out or a free day after Cersaie — bookable experiences in Bologna, same account, same checkout.
While you're in Bologna
Bologna's sporting life centers on its resurgent Serie A football club and one of European basketball's storied names - whose arena sits in the BolognaFiere district itself.
Bologna FC 1909 (Stadio Renato Dall'Ara)
Serie A football at the historic Dall'Ara stadium - the club's recent return to European competition has made match nights the hottest ticket in town.
Find ticketsVirtus Bologna basketball
One of Europe's most decorated basketball clubs plays top-flight and European fixtures in the Fiera district - often walkable from BolognaFiere events.
Find ticketsUnipol Arena concerts (Casalecchio)
The region's big indoor arena just outside Bologna hosts major Italian and international tours.
Find ticketsFixtures recur each season; exact dates for your fair week are confirmed at ticket search.
Getting there
From Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ)
- Bologna Airport (BLQ) is about 8-9 km from BolognaFiere, roughly a 15-20 minute taxi ride.
- The Marconi Express automated monorail links the airport to Bologna Centrale station in about 7 minutes.
- From Bologna Centrale, city buses (such as lines 35 and 38) run to the BolognaFiere entrances.
By high-speed rail
- Bologna Centrale is a major high-speed rail hub with fast connections to Milan, Florence, Rome and Venice.
- From the station, reach BolognaFiere by city bus in a short ride, or the historic centre on foot or by bus.
- Rail is an easy option for attendees combining Cersaie with meetings elsewhere in Italy.
Getting around during Cersaie
City buses and the Marconi Express
- Bologna's city buses connect the centre, the railway station and the BolognaFiere entrances.
- Buy tickets in advance from tabacchi shops or via the transit app, and validate on board.
- The Marconi Express monorail is the quickest airport-to-centre link, avoiding road traffic.
Taxis and walking
- Taxis are readily available at the station, airport and fairgrounds, though queues form at peak show times.
- Bologna's compact centre is very walkable, so many attendees stay downtown and bus out to the fair.
- Allow extra time during the show as buses and taxis are busier at open and close.
Visa & entry
Schengen visa-free (short stays)
- Italy is in the Schengen Area; many nationalities including the UK, US, Canada, Australia and EU citizens can enter visa-free for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180.
- Visa-exempt non-EU travellers will need an ETIAS authorisation once that system is in force; check its status before travel.
- Carry proof of accommodation, onward travel and funds for possible border checks.
Advance Schengen visa
- Nationals of non-visa-exempt countries must obtain a Schengen visa in advance from a Italy consulate or visa centre.
- Apply early, as demand rises before major trade fairs.
- A fair invitation, hotel and flight bookings support a business visa application.
Entry rules change; confirm current requirements with the Italy embassy or official immigration site before booking travel.
First time at Cersaie?
- Stay in Bologna's historic centre and use city buses to reach the fair, so you can enjoy the food scene in the evenings.
- Buy and validate bus tickets before boarding to avoid fines.
- Cersaie's lecture programme is a highlight, so check the schedule alongside the exhibits.
- Book restaurant tables in the evening, as Bologna's dining spots get busy during the fair.
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Take the Marconi Express monorail from the airport to skip road traffic into the centre.
- BolognaFiere is compact but busy, so arrive early to beat the entrance and registration queues.
- Base yourself near Bologna Centrale for the easiest mix of bus access to the fair and rail for side trips.
- Bologna is famous for its cuisine, so plan an evening for classic tagliatelle al ragu or tortellini.
Cersaie travel FAQs
Where should I stay for Cersaie?
Bologna's historic centre and the area around Bologna Centrale station are ideal, offering plenty of hotels plus easy bus access to BolognaFiere. Staying central also puts you near the city's dining and sights.
How much do hotels cost during Cersaie?
Rates rise during the fair as international trade visitors arrive. Prices vary by location and hotel class, with central options at a premium, so booking early usually secures better value.
How early should I book hotels for Cersaie?
Book several weeks ahead. Bologna's hotel supply is finite and fills quickly during major fairs, with rates climbing as the event nears.
Which airport do I fly into for Cersaie?
Fly into Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ), about 8-9 km from BolognaFiere, connected to the city centre in minutes via the Marconi Express monorail.
How do I get from the airport to the venue?
Take a taxi directly from BLQ to BolognaFiere in about 15-20 minutes, or ride the Marconi Express monorail to Bologna Centrale and transfer to a city bus toward the fairgrounds.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with Cersaie or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.