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Bologna - Excursions with Local Guides

A private local guide will help you explore Bologna's hidden gems, from historic towers to culinary delights. Discover the city's rich culture, art, and architecture on personalized excursions tailored to your interests and pace.
  • 71 excursions
  • Average rating of our guides 4,7 ★★★★★
  • Free cancellation and changes

Can you really see Bologna in one day?

Bologna, located in northern Italy, is a lively historical city. Its main square, Piazza Maggiore, is lined with cafes, arched colonnades, and medieval and Renaissance buildings. In San Petronio, you'll find Bologna's cathedral and the Two Towers, two leaning towers that dominate the city skyline.

City tours in Bologna offer a chance to explore the medieval heart of the city. The Piazza Maggiore, a jewel in the city's crown, has changed little since the 15th century. Other attractions of interest include the Basilica of San Petronio and the Palazzo d'Accursio, a medieval palace. You'll also see the Two Towers, which have been a symbol of the city since the 12th century. They once housed merchant guilds, shops, and city fortifications.

A city tour in Bologna offers a chance to explore the city's many highlights in the shortest amount of time. Many of them are customized to meet the interests and goals of the visitors. For example, you might want to learn more about Bologna's history, architecture, and food. You can customize your tour by picking your guide, who's knowledgeable about Bologna and is a natural storyteller.

Palazzo d'Accursio

If you're interested in art, architecture, and history, you can take a tour of the Archiginnasio Palace, which is one of the historic sites of the University of Bologna. Its walls are decorated with over 3,000 heraldic coats of arms. Its ancient anatomy classroom is called the Anatomical Theater and is known for its chair, known as the "Cattedra degli Spellati." A guided tour of the Archiginnasaio Palace also includes a stop at Osteria Ranocchi, a restaurant that serves locally-grown Italian cuisine.

Bologna, known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and culinary delights, offers a variety of exciting excursions for visitors. Our carefully curated selection of tours ensures that you experience the best of this captivating Italian city.

Popular excursions include:

  • Gastronomic Tours: Indulge in Bologna's famous cuisine with guided food tours, including tastings of local specialties like mortadella, tortellini, and Parmigiano-Reggiano.
  • Historical Walking Tours: Explore the city's medieval center, visiting iconic landmarks such as the Two Towers and Piazza Maggiore.
  • Art and Museum Tours: Discover Bologna's artistic heritage through visits to renowned museums and galleries, including the Pinacoteca Nazionale.
  • Cooking Classes: Learn to prepare authentic Bolognese dishes under the guidance of expert local chefs.
  • Day Trips: Venture beyond the city to explore nearby attractions like the Ferrari Museum in Maranello or the charming town of Modena.
  • Portico Tours: Admire Bologna's unique covered walkways, which stretch for nearly 40 kilometers throughout the city.

Each excursion is led by knowledgeable guides who bring Bologna's history and culture to life, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

The best things to do in Bologna

There are many things to see in Bologna. The Basilica of Santo Stefano, the Piazza Maggiore, the San Luca Express, and the Giardini Margherita park are just a few. You can also take a tour of the city's historic sites, including the former Jewish Ghetto. Here you'll find cool shopping, restaurants, and local culture. The area is also a great place to relax with a nice lunch.

Basilica of Santo Stefano

The Basilica of Santo Stefano is a complex of religious edifices in Bologna, Italy. It is located in the Piazza Santo Stefano and has the dignity of a minor basilica. It houses a large, impressive marble altar, and is one of the most visited churches in the city.

Basilica of Santo Stefano

The church has frescoes depicting the life of the saint and his martyrdom. There are also five ancient columns that divide the church's crypt, one of which is said to be the height of Jesus.

San Luca Express

The San Luca Express is one of the most scenic ways to travel through Bologna, Italy. The ride from San Luca train station to Bologna city center takes less than an hour, and the scenic route is perfect for families with young children. There are also several dining options within the city, including traditional trattorias. Most restaurants are open for lunch, and some offer reservations.

The San Luca Express is a tourist train that runs daily year-round. It stops at the San Luca Sanctuary before returning to Piazza Maggiore. While on board, you can take plenty of pictures of the sights and listen to an audioguide about the city and the sanctuary.

Giardini Margherita park

If you're looking for the best things to do in Bologna, you shouldn't miss visiting the Giardini Margherita park. Located near the city center, this park is great for a family day out. It has a lake, several playgrounds, and a small museum. The park is also easy to get to by foot. It's also close to two other parks: Parco Villa Ghigi, which is outside of the city center, and Parco Talon, which is just south of Casalecchio di Reno.

There are many places to go in Bologna, but if you're traveling with kids, you'll want to rent a car. A car rental is the best option for exploring the countryside, but make sure you book a reputable rental agency. While Bologna is a great city to visit with children, it's probably not a great idea to bring them during the busy tourist seasons. It's difficult to find a hotel in Bologna unless you book months in advance. During the busy times of year, the city is crowded, so you may want to avoid visiting during the trade fair or Cosmoprof week. Alternatively, you can visit Bologna in the winter or early spring, when temperatures aren't too hot and the weather is more pleasant.

Sanctuary of the Madonna

The Sanctuary of the Madonna in Bologna is a basilica church located on a hill 300 metres above the city plain. It is a popular place for pilgrimages. The church is located south-west of the city's historic center. This basilica church has been in existence since the 12th century.

Initially, the Sanctuary of the Madonna was a small hermitage chapel. It was tended by two holy women and was first assigned an icon by Gerardo Grassi in 1160. Later, in 1294, Dominican monks moved to the site. The Dominican order remained in the building until it was dissolved by Napoleon in 1799. Architects Carlo Francesco Dotti, the most famous of the Papal States in the eighteenth century, designed the interior of the sanctuary. Giovanni Giacomo built the external tribunes.

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Reviews and Ratings

Rating 4.8

Based on 2844 reviews

kiyoh

Excellent walking tour

4.9

The guide was really kind and skilled at talking in a way that piqued your interest and kept you focused on the city's attractions! I'd strongly advise it.

This tour is fantastic for everyone

4.7

We had a great day exploring Madrid. Carlos was very educated and personable, and he told us a lot of amusing stories about the area. Definitely a recommendation!

Fabulous tour

4.5

Wonderful Alhambra visit with Anna. She was very approachable, knowledgeable, and full of amusing anecdotes.

Great morning

5

We spent a great day exploring Milan's medieval districts on foot. The tour guide told engaging stories and was well-informed.

Outstanding!

4.9

We had a wonderful day and are very happy we took the 2-hour guided tour of Paris.

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