Things to Do in Bologna

Discover Bologna through its flavors, stories, and symbols, seen through the eyes of those who live it every day... and through details that often go unnoticed.

In this free walking tour, I will lead you into the vibrant heart of the city: the narrow streets of the Quadrilatero, the ancient arcades, and authentic places tied to Bologna's rich gastronomic tradition.

We will explore historic shops, markets, and characteristic corners, where food tells the story of the area better than any book.

This is not a typical guided tour, but a relaxed and authentic walk, designed as an introduction to the city, among curiosities, hidden symbols, and small details that most people do not notice when they pass by.

Bologna should be savored slowly, with curious eyes... and with the right appetite.

During your stay in Bologna, I will also provide you with useful tips on what to see and where to eat.

If there are no more spots available, don't worry: write to me and I will try to find a solution. I will be happy to welcome you and share a lovely moment together.

P.S. This tour is an introduction to the city: no tastings or samples are included, but during the tour, I will share tips on what and where to eat to best experience Bologna.

• All-inclusive food adventure with tastings, winery visit, coffee, and a traditional Modenese lunch—plus round-trip transport from Bologna.
• Step inside a Parmigiano Reggiano cheese factory for a guided tour and tasting of this iconic Italian cheese.
• Discover the secrets of traditional balsamic vinegar with an exclusive cellar visit and sensory tasting session.
• Sample local Lambrusco wines at Emilia-Romagna’s oldest winery, soaking up regional flavors and stories.
• Led by a local guide, this tour offers authentic insights into Bologna’s culinary heritage and vibrant food culture.

The places that we are going to see are all placed in the center of Bologna.  We will talk about food, lifestyle, history, some people and how Bologna developed itself. 

Bologna offers much more then just tasty food and wines. 
City its full of resturants, bars and beautiful spots. 


Places where we will have a walk in town:
-Archiginnasio (First University in Europe) and Square Galvani
-Piazza Maggiore
-Quadrilatero district (Food area) 
-Square Santo Stefano 
-2 Towers 

Lets discover it together and lets have some fun!

Tour just in English and only with direct booking!

Let's discover together the most beautiful and evocative squares in the center of Bologna!
From piazza Maggiore with San Petronio and the Palazzo Comunale, passing through the piazza dell'Archiginnasio where the seat of the ancient University is located.
We will visit Piazza Santo Stefano and admire the complex known as the "seven churches".
Did you know that in the heart of Bologna there are some monumental trees that exceed 45 meters in height?
In Piazza Minghetti, next to the famous Quadrilatero and its typically Italian food shops, there is the large centenary plane tree that embraces us with its branches.
And in Piazza San Giovanni in Monte, a rarity, a church with a Venetian-style facade surrounded by houses in pure Bolognese style.
Our stages:

• Piazza del Nettuno (departure)
• King Enzo square
• Piazza Maggiore
• Piazza Luigi Galvani or of the Archiginnasio
• Piazza Cavour
• Piazza San Domenico
• Piazza de 'Calderini
• Minghetti Square
• Piazza San Giovanni in Monte
• Piazza Santo Stefano
• Piazza della Mercanzia
• Piazza di Porta Ravegnana
• Due Torri (end of tour)

Travel on board the San Luca Express and reach the majestic Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca, perched atop the Bolognese hills.​ You'll love it!

Bologna is called the Red, the Learned, the Fat…but above all, Bologna is the city of porticoes.
Since the Middle Ages, these structures, first made of wood and then of masonry, have characterised the urban evolution of the city.
Present from the 11th century until today, they are a private space but open and public at the same time.
About 45km of porticos just inside the city walls and about 60km in total, make Bologna the city with the most porticos in the world.
Bologna is officially the "City of Porticoes" with the nomination of UNESCO World Heritage , arrived on July 28, 2021, directly from Fuzhou in China. The inscription constitutes a new recognition by UNESCO for the city of Bologna which, in 2006, was declared Creative City of Music .
In this tour, we will walk together to admire the most significant examples of Bolognese porticoes.
Where we will go:

• Neptune Square
• Porticoes of the Palazzo del Podestà
• Porticoes of the Town Hall
• Archiginnasio porticoes
• Main Square

Arcades on Farini Street

• Arcades of via Ugo Bassi
• Porticoes of Galliera Street
• Porticoes on Independence Street

On the Hunt for the Towers!
Did you know that in the Middle Ages Bologna had almost 100 towers? Some nearly 100 meters high, like the Torre degli Asinelli, others lower and used as fortified houses.
Today we can admire about 23 towers, incorporated into the modern city.
We will hunt down a dozen of these, and explore the historic center with our noses in the air!
At each stage, we will see 1 or more medieval towers.

Where we are going to go:

• Piazza del Nettuno
• Main Square
• Galileo Galilei Square
• Piazza dei Celestini and Catalani Tower
• Court and Galluzzi Tower
• Galvani Square and Archiginnasio
• Via Marchesana (mezzo market)
• Minghetti Square
• Santo Stefano Square
• Piazza della Mercanzia
• Asinelli and Garisenda Towers
• Vicolo Mandria
• Piazzetta Prendiparte
• Altabella Tower
• Piazza del Re Enzo
• Voltone del Podestà
• Main Square

Taste the delicious cuisine of Emilia-Romagna with this food tour of the Quadrilatero Market, one of the most important markets in Bologna. Don't miss it!