Where to Stay for the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola

Where to stay for the Formula 1 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix 2024 at Autodromo Imola on May 17-19. The best hotels near the circuit and in Bologna, Ravenna and Rimini.

• The 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix is scheduled for May 17-19
• The Editor attended the 2022 Emilia Romagna GP and stayed at an Airbnb in Imola
• This post contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links

New for 2024! For affordable camping pitches next to Autodromo Imola with clean showers, parking and food and drink service (ideal for young groups, friends and nightlife enthusiasts), we recommend Easy Camping. For trackside camping pitches & pre-erected tents (ideal for race fans seeking a quieter experience who have their own caravan/campervan or tent, or those looking for an alternative to a hotel), we recommend GPtents. Reservations are now open!

Autodromo Imola is located on the outskirts of the pretty town of Imola. Sadly, most of the accommodation in the town itself on race weekend is snapped up very quickly, whilst the teams and F1 personnel will be staying in the best hotels nearby. The best selection of accommodation can be found in the largest nearby city, Bologna. A similar distance to the east, Ravenna is also worth considering as your base for the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. Finally, Rimini on the Adriatic coast is also within commuting distance of Imola and has a good selection of accommodation.

Accommodation near Autodromo Imola

Imola is a small town that doesn’t have a big selection of hotels, B&Bs or private apartments for rent. Unless you strike it lucky (or don’t mind paying very high prices), you’ll need to look further afield for somewhere to stay during race weekend. Well-rated local hotels that you may consider for a visit to Autodromo Imola on a non-race weekend (or for future editions of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix) include Hotel Rivazza (which is actually located within the circuit grounds!), Hotel Olimpia, Euro Hotel, Hotel Donatello Imola and Villa -Alta. The pretty rural region around Imola is also home to several well-rated farmstays.

Hotel Castello Artemide Congressi in the nearby town of Castel San Pietro Terme is also worth mentioning as this is the hotel where Ayrton Senna stayed before tragically losing his life in the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. His room at the hotel (Suite 200) has been left unchanged since, and the hotel has a small display of his memorabilia. If you are staying at the hotel (or just ask nicely), it should be possible to visit Senna’s room.

2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Camping

For those looking for a fun and lively atmosphere at Autodromo Imola, especially groups of young people, we recommend camping pitches from Easy Camping. The Easy Camping site, which is located five minute’s walk from the Gresini corner (Variante Alta), offers clean and sanitary facilities and is designed with a focus on nightlife and socializing with friends and other fans. Reservations are now open. Learn more in the video below.

For a quieter, more high-end camping experience, we recommend GPtents, who offer both camping pitches for your tent or campervan at Autodromo Imola, or pre-erected ‘hotel tents’ within easy walking distance of the circuit gates – as well as immaculately clean facilities and hot showers! Reservations open on March 1, 2024.

Details of two official campsites for the 2023 race at Autodromo Imola were only confirmed just before race weekend, and the main temporary campsite, located next to the river on the northwest corner of the circuit (a few minutes walk from the main gates), sold out quickly. Spaces in a second temporary campsite were also available, but this is located on the other side of the train station, around 40 minutes walk from Autodromo Imola. 

Please note that you are allowed to park your campervan in city car parks near the circuit and sleep in your vehicle, but without the use of tents, canopies or outdoor furniture. Details of official campsites for the 2024 Emilia Romagna Grand Prix have not yet been announced and tickets are not on sale. This post will be updated.

Bologna Accommodation

The capital of the Emilia Romagna region and the seventh largest city in Italy (population: approx. 400,000), Bologna is the most logical place to stay for the race at Autodromo Imola – unless you can secure something closer to the circuit at a reasonable price!

If you don’t have your own transport and are planning to take the train from Bologna to Imola each day, then it makes sense to stay as close to Bologna Centrale – the main train station. Luckily, this is within walking distance of the old town (Centro Storico), which is where some of the best hotels can be found, not to mention restaurants, cafes and nightlife. The Bolognina (little Bologna) district directly to the north of the train station is more suburban and less lively, if that’s what you prefer.

Bologna has a good selection of hotels to suit all budgets, as well as plenty of hostels, apartments and Airbnb rentals. At the top end of the price range, the historic Grand Hotel Majestic gia’ Baglioni is a stunning 5-star hotel in a beautiful 18th century palace in the heart of town. Well-rated international chain hotels in Bologna include the Best Western City Hotel and AC Hotel Bologna by Marriott. For clean and affordable rooms in the heart of the old city, we stayed at and recommend Hotel University.

Ravenna Accommodation

If you choose to base yourself in Ravenna for race week, you’ll be able to soak up the history of the town, which rose to prominence as a port in Roman times, and has countless examples of well-preserved ancient and Renaissance architecture. Should you have the time to explore, the early Christian-era mosaics – Unesco-protected historical artifacts – are a treasure of Ravenna. Other attractions include the Museo Nazionale, housed in a former Benedictine monastery, and replete with important religious artifacts.

There are many well-appointed hotels in Ravenna, such as the Hotel Cube, while if you prefer not staying in a chain hotel, the Hotel Marina Beach is 8km from the center of town, but allows you to combine F1 with a beach holiday. If convenience and a low price point are your priorities, consider the Hotel Roma, which is right in the center of Ravenna, and comes up as considerably less for a room than many of its competitors. 

To get to the Imola circuit from Ravenna, the best and fastest way is to use the A14, a drive that will take you around 40 minutes. Be warned: this road has tolls, however it is a picturesque route. If you don’t want to drive, there is a direct train service, which takes around 50 minutes.

Rimini Accommodation

Further south, and with all the glamor you’d hope for from a storied Italian coastal resort town, Rimini can easily be your base for the week of the Grand Prix at Imola. It’s a long journey, but it is convenient and direct by public transport, and that gives you access to the gorgeous reconstruction of the Renaissance Malatestiano Temple, along with architectural gems stretching back to 268 BC, when the Romans founded the city. 

Whether your pleasure lies in the historical curiosities of the area or the shallow azure water, the beachside Hotel Imperiale Rimini & SPA will bring you the luxury you seek, along with a fine view of the Adriatic. Grand Hotel Rimini, also sitting on the coast, has marble decadence and balconies that will recall Sofia Loren. If you’re on a lower budget, give the charming Sunflower City Youth Hotel a try. A one hour and 46-minute train ride will get you direct to the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari from Rimini or you can drive in around 90 minutes.

Been to Autodromo Imola and want to recommend a place to stay? Leave a comment below.