EIMA International: Hotels & Where to Stay
10 Nov – 14 Nov 2026 BolognaFiere 346,000 attendees
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EIMA International is one of the world's largest trade fairs for agricultural and gardening machinery, staged biennially in even-numbered years at the BolognaFiere exhibition centre in Bologna, Italy, typically in November. Organised by FederUnacoma, it fills dozens of halls with tractors, harvesting and tillage equipment, components, and precision-farming technology, drawing several hundred thousand visitors and thousands of exhibitors worldwide. Attendees include farmers, dealers, importers, manufacturers, and agricultural engineers. For a hotel-booking traveller, Bologna is well placed: a major rail and motorway hub in the Emilia-Romagna region, with BolognaFiere located in the Fiera district just northeast of the historic centre, a short ride from both the airport and the central station. Staying near the fairgrounds or in the walkable city centre gives easy access to the halls plus Bologna's famous food scene and arcaded medieval streets.
Popular areas for attendees: Fiera District / San Donato · Bologna Centro Storico · Stazione Centrale.
- EIMA fills Bologna's hotels fast during the fair week; booking early through this hub secures rooms near BolognaFiere before they sell out.
- Choose accommodation in the Fiera district for a short walk or single bus ride to the halls, cutting daily commute time.
- Central-Bologna options let you combine the show with the city's food, culture, and nightlife within a compact, walkable core.
- Verified locations and clear transit distances help business travellers plan reliable daily arrivals across the multi-day event.
Event at a glance
- Dates
- 10 Nov – 14 Nov 2026
- Venue
- BolognaFiere
- City
- Bologna, Italy
- Airport
- BLQ
- Attendance
- 346,000
Recommended Hotels for Business Travellers
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Rates shown for the event window, Mon, Nov 9 → Sun, Nov 15 (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
- Where to host clients for dinner near the halls
- How to beat the sold-out fair-week rooms
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Where to eat during EIMA International
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 EIMA International — 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's Guglielmo Marconi Airport sits about 7 km from BolognaFiere and is the main gateway for international arrivals.
- The Marconi Express monorail links the airport to Bologna Centrale station in roughly 7-8 minutes, running frequently throughout the day.
- From Bologna Centrale, city bus lines (such as 35 and 38) reach the fair entrances at Piazza Costituzione and Viale Aldo Moro in about 10 minutes; free shuttle services often run during EIMA.
- Taxis from the airport reach the fairgrounds directly in around 15-20 minutes depending on traffic.
By train
- Bologna Centrale is a major high-speed rail hub with fast connections to Milan, Florence, Rome, and Venice.
- From the station, buses 35 and 38 or taxis reach BolognaFiere in about 10 minutes.
- By car, BolognaFiere is served by the A13 and A14 motorways with dedicated fair exits and on-site parking.
Getting around during EIMA International
Public transport
- Bologna's TPER bus network connects the airport monorail terminus, Bologna Centrale, and the Fiera district efficiently.
- During EIMA a combined multi-day travel ticket is often available covering the Marconi Express plus urban buses.
- The historic centre is compact and largely walkable, so many visitors stay central and bus out to the fair each morning.
Taxi and rideshare
- Official white taxis wait at the airport, Bologna Centrale, and the fair entrances; app booking is available.
- Free EIMA shuttle buses frequently link the airport and central station with the fairgrounds during the event.
- Allow extra time at peak opening and closing hours when demand for taxis near the halls is highest.
Visa & entry
Visa-free and Schengen entry
- Italy is part of the Schengen Area, so travellers from the EU/EEA and Switzerland can enter with a national ID card or passport.
- Visitors from visa-exempt countries (such as the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and Japan) can enter for short stays without a visa.
- The EU's ETIAS travel authorisation is expected to apply to visa-exempt non-EU travellers once in force; check its status before you travel.
Travellers who need a visa in advance
- Nationals of countries not covered by Schengen visa-waiver rules must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before travelling.
- Apply through the Italian consulate or an authorised visa centre well ahead, as EIMA week is a busy period for business travel.
- Bring an EIMA invitation or exhibitor/visitor documentation to 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 EIMA International?
- BolognaFiere is large with many pavilions; grab a printed or app map and plan halls by product category before you arrive.
- Wear comfortable shoes and allow a full day or more, as the outdoor and machinery displays cover significant distances.
- Buy the combined Marconi Express plus urban transport ticket to simplify daily travel between hotel, station, and fair.
- November in Bologna can be cool and damp, so pack a warm layer and a rain jacket for walking between pavilions.
Insider tips from repeat attendees
- Stay in or near the Fiera district if you want the shortest daily commute; central hotels trade a longer trip for evening dining and sights.
- Arrive early in the day to beat the busiest bus and taxi crowds at the fair entrances.
- Book restaurants in the centre in advance during EIMA week, as the city fills with trade visitors.
- Use Bologna Centrale as a base for a quick side trip to Modena or Florence on the high-speed rail if your schedule allows.
EIMA International travel FAQs
Which airport should I fly into for EIMA International?
Bologna Guglielmo Marconi Airport (BLQ) is the closest and most convenient, about 7 km from BolognaFiere. Larger hubs like Milan can also be used with an onward high-speed train to Bologna Centrale.
Where is the best area to stay for BolognaFiere?
The Fiera district near the exhibition centre offers the shortest commute to the halls, while the historic centre gives easy transit access plus dining, culture, and walkable streets.
How far is the venue from the airport and how long does it take?
BolognaFiere is about 7 km from BLQ. Via the Marconi Express monorail to Bologna Centrale and a connecting bus it takes roughly 25-30 minutes; a direct taxi is about 15-20 minutes.
Do I need a visa to attend EIMA in Italy?
Italy is in the Schengen Area. EU/EEA nationals and visa-exempt visitors do not need a visa for short stays, while travellers from other countries need a Schengen short-stay visa arranged in advance.
How often is EIMA International held?
EIMA International is a biennial fair, taking place in even-numbered years, generally in November at BolognaFiere in Bologna.
EventEscapes is an independent travel platform and is not affiliated with EIMA International or its organizers. Dates and venues can change — verify with the official event site before booking travel.