Tours in Bologna

Join a small-group guided tour of the Archiginnasio di Bologna, one of the city’s most important historical landmarks. Located in the heart of Bologna’s historic center, this iconic building was once home to the world’s oldest university and now houses the city’s main library. During the tour, you’ll explore the stunning Teatro Anatomico, where anatomy lectures were held centuries ago, and learn about the rich history of Bologna’s academic traditions. The tour ensures a personalized experience, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the cultural and historical significance of this extraordinary site.

Experience the passion of motorsports: discover the combination of Ferrari and Lamborghini: history, power, and emotion!

Discover the best product or Emilia Romagna region and visit 3 local producers of Parmigiano Reggiano, Wine and Balsamic Vinegar. We provide an authentic experience with a local host from Bologna that will share his passion and knowledge for our food specialties. The tour starts at 7am cause Parmigiano is made early in the morning, we'll stop for breakfast along the way before reaching the Parmigiano Factory. We only hire certified tour leaders. Each place we visit there are several tasting of local products, all food and wine is included.

Giovanna is a retired teacher, she taught Italian, Philosophy and History to high school students. Currently she collaborates with the 'Love Italian Project' to offer history and Italian lessons to foreign students. Giovanna learned to cook from her mother in the countryside of Mantua. She is excited to meet new people and share with them her passion for history, cooking and good Italian food and wine! • Private Bolognese cooking lesson with a local in her beautiful apartment in downtown Bologna, in the historical center • Learn to cook traditional Italian dishes such as crostini and risotto, using family recipes • Enjoy a home-cooked Italian meal, dishes Giovanna often cooks for her friends and family • Introduction to Italian hospitality, cuisine, culture and culinary traditions • Lactose free, gluten free, vegetarian and vegan options available If you choose the market tour option - visit the Mercato di Mezzo to shop for fresh, seasonal produce for your cooking class.

Bologna Cooking Class & Market Tour with Italian Lessons! Explore Bologna’s historic market with local guides starting at the iconic Fontana del Nettuno. Learn beginner-level Italian from two native language teachers throughout the tour. Practice real conversations with local vendors while picking out fresh ingredients. Enjoy a hands-on cooking class in a cozy home kitchen, making a full Bolognese meal. Savor your creations with local wine while reinforcing the Italian you've learned.

Ready to taste the real Bolognese? Spoiler alert: it’s nothing like what you’ve been served elsewhere! Join us on a 3 hours food adventure from medieval markets to the lively University District, Bologna’s culinary secrets are waiting for you to uncover. You’ll dig into fresh, handmade pasta slathered in rich ragù, melt-in-your-mouth tortellini, and cured meats that’ll make you rethink lunch forever. We’ll also treat you to Parmigiano Reggiano aged for 18, 24, and 36 months, drizzled with balsamic vinegar that’s been perfected over generations. Sip on local sparkling wines as you stroll through the vibrant Mercato di Mezzo and Quadrilatero, sampling traditional tigella, prosciutto, and mortadella sandwiches, plus Bologna’s famous rice cake. Along the way, we’ll pass the Two Towers and Piazza Maggiore, diving into the fascinating stories behind this city’s food culture. Come hungry, because Bologna is about to show you what real food is all about!

The Basilica of San Luca is one of the symbols of the city of Bologna. At the meeting point you will receive from a member of our staff a map and a table with the timetables of the return train, available every 45 minutes. This tour departs every day and will help you discover the city aboard the San Luca Express, on which audio guides, available in 10 languages, will tell you the history of the city until your arrival at the Basilica of San Luca. You will have the opportunity to visit this sacred and very important place for the city of Bologna and you can decide what time to return by consulting the timetables on the map. On board you will find staff who will welcome you and answer your questions. On your return you can taste the specialties of Bologna with 2 typical tastings, in the welcoming setting of the historic market.

Your day in Bologna is just winding down, the sun's about to set... It's time for an Aperitivo. This glamorous Italian tradition is loved all over the world, and this is your chance to learn how to prepare it for yourself, the perfect souvenir.  Preparing the perfect aperitivo is an art; you will learn how to prepare a selection of  five elegant nibbles to pair with a refreshing glass of fizz, ideal for sharing with friends in the early evening. Your aperitivo will be a bite-size representation of its local culture, using typical regional ingredients and local wines, such as a sparkling prosecco or a light red. This experience is held by Cesarine: Italy’s oldest network of 1000+ home cooks all over the country in more than 500 cities. They are passionate and welcoming hosts that open the doors of their own homes to curious travellers for immersive culinary experiences.

Discover premium wines made with passion and care. The winery lies on the top of Bella Vista hill, in the heart of Colli Bolognesi Pignoletto DOCG wine region.

-If you come to Bologna you cannot miss a visit to the official Lamborghini museum. -A few km from the center of Bologna you can discover the entire Lamborghini automotive world. -Enjoy a visit to the museum and discover one of the best Italian luxury car brands. - Visit the best collection of new and historic cars from the Lamborghini car manufacturer, one of the most famous brands in the world -Visit the official LAMBORGHINI museum

Guided by a professional chef, you'll discover the secrets behind real gelato: from selecting quality ingredients to mixing, churning, and freezing. You'll explore seasonal flavors and classic pairings, using fresh fruit, chocolate, nuts, or spices to create different flavors. This hands-on experience is perfect for both adults and families, and suitable for curious beginners as well as food lovers. You’ll work step by step through the process, learning techniques you can easily replicate at home, even without a gelato machine! At the end of the class, you’ll taste your own creations with the group and take home a recipe booklet including everything you prepared and more ideas to experiment with in your own kitchen.

It's not a demonstration, it's a real hands-on class of 3 or more hours where you will make and understand all the steps, guided by my 19-years experience in teaching. Handmade pasta is made using only the rolling pin (never talk with me about machines!) and it a real art, maybe not immediate but challenging and you will be really proud of your work.

If you go to Bologna, you have to try the fresh pasta the city is famous for: tiny handmade tortellini!. Let a local explain the art of pasta-making to you! We are the “Cesarine”, the Emperors of the kitchen, Italy’s oldest network of home cooks. We have seen our mothers and grandmothers prepare these dishes every Sunday, we have cooked them over and over again for our families, and now we share our skills with curious travellers like you. Come to our homes and immerse yourself in a hands-on cooking class. Learn how to make an egg “fontana”, knead elastic pasta dough, stretch it until it becomes almost transparent and prepare fresh filling with local ingredients. Sip some wine while you learn and chat with new acquaintances. After the cooking class, let’s taste the fruit of our labour: We share the freshly made pasta around the table in a comfortable home and have an Italian style meal. Dessert, local wine and espresso at the end of the meal are included! Buon appetito!

Enjoy a private and authentic cooking class in a local Bologna home with your host Giovanna. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Your cooking class will take place in a local home kitchen where Giovanna will teach you 2-3 traditional Italian dishes from her family recipes, a pasta, sauce and a side dish or dessert. After cooking, you will enjoy your meal together. Your host Giovanna is a warm and gentle retired history and philosophy teacher who has lived in Bologna for over 60 years. She lives in an apartment in a large villa with her daughters Francesca and Laura. She learned to cook from her mother and grandmother and from her husband’s family. She loves cooking for family, friends and guests and particularly enjoys widening her culinary repertoire with new dishes she learns on her travels. She enjoys introducing guests to Bologna's snacks such as crescentine, tigelle and piadine in addition to its pastas, vegetables and desserts.

This is not just another city tour; this is the best of Bologna from a unique perspective! Get to know Bologna on a city tour that gives you the perfect overview, with city highlights, hidden gems, storytelling, and a local treat - this tour has it all! Forget about big touristy groups and the crowds; it's time to see Bologna at its best but from the eyes of a local. Check out main landmarks like Piazza Maggiore, Quadrilatero, Due Torri and uncover hidden gems and city secrets with the help of a knowledgeable local guide. And the cherry on top, a local treat is included. Withlocals Highlights & Hidden Gems Private City Tour™ is one of Withlocals' signature tours available in major cities worldwide. We work with passionate local guides who earn a fair fee. We support local economies by only offering local produce and prevent over-tourism with only small non-intrusive groups. Our tours are carbon-neutral and away from the standard tourist routes.

Discover the true taste of Bologna with an immersive, hands-on Lasagna alla Bolognese masterclass. Guided by a skilled local home cook, you’ll learn to make fresh pasta, rich ragù, and velvety béchamel from scratch. As you assemble your lasagna, appreciate the perfect balance of flavors that make this dish iconic. While your lasagna bakes, enjoy an aperitivo, learn about Bologna’s culinary traditions, and experience genuine Italian hospitality. Finally, savor your homemade lasagna paired with sparkling wine for a complete, flavorful experience. Hosted by Cesarine, Italy’s oldest network of passionate home cooks, this experience offers an authentic, local perspective that no restaurant can match. Join us to cook, taste, and enjoy Bologna like a true local!

Booking a ticket to the Ducati Museum in Bologna offers a unique experience by immersing visitors in the legendary history of Ducati motorcycles. From iconic racing bikes to cutting-edge innovations, the museum showcases the passion, performance, and Italian design that define the brand.

Embark on an enchanting walking tour of Bologna that unveils its hidden gems and captivating legends while indulging in the city’s iconic flavors. Guided by passionate locals, this tour takes you off the beaten path to discover secret corners and stories known only to Bolognesi. Wander through historic streets, uncovering fascinating tales behind lesser-known piazzas, charming palaces, and ancient shops. As you explore, savor the culinary delights that define Bologna’s rich food culture. Relish the irresistible flavors of tigelle paired with traditional spreads and hams from Emilia-Romagna Region, enjoy mortadella served creatively in a cone or sandwich, and delight in a local twist on the classic dessert zuppa inglese—a decadent treat that’s distinctly Bolognese. This tour offers an authentic and unforgettable way to experience Bologna, blending its history, mystery, and gastronomy into a single, delightful journey.

It is one of the few Prosciutto Factories which gives you the opportunity to enter, and discover all steps of the Productions. Products you will see are: Prosciutto di Modena DOP, Guanciale, Pork Loin, Pork belly. The degustation will take place in a unique Italian ambient to give you the best of our hospitality. You will have also the possibility to purchase a selection of fine Italian food products. Alcohol cannot be served to under 18 years old.

Think you know gelato? Think again. This Gelato Crawl is more than tasting—it’s about discovering what makes real Italian gelato special. You’ll learn how to spot authentic, clean-label gelato made only with natural ingredients—no artificial flavors, no shortcuts. Along the way, you’ll uncover its cultural importance in Bologna and see how simple, honest ingredients define Italian cuisine. You won’t just taste the difference—you’ll understand it. Perfect for families, couples, and solo travelers, this small-group tour supports local gelaterias and raises awareness about mindful tourism in historic cities. Vegan and lactose-free options available.

A scream echoes through Bologna’s historic alleys - an unsolved murder has shocked the city. You’ve just arrived, but fate has another plan: you’re the only one who can crack the case. Step into the role of detective on this self-guided murder mystery quest, designed to lead you through Bologna’s most fascinating locations. Solve clues to uncover hidden stories behind the city’s ancient streets, from the atmospheric Ghetto to the lively Piazza Maggiore. With every puzzle, you’ll peel back a new layer of the case while learning about Bologna’s art, legends, and secrets. What makes this tour unique? It’s an interactive mystery game blended with local history, giving you a thrilling, story-driven way to explore the city at your own pace. Highlights: • Solve a murder mystery through real-world clues • Visit the Old University, Ghetto, and secret city gems • Explore via a mix of history, puzzles, and storytelling • Great for families, friends, and couples

If you are tired of the city center, the best way to live a local experience is through food! we are in a quiet and wonderful countryside on the hills of Bologna, the company will give you the opportunity to carry out traditional Bolognese cooking lessons, together with a qualified chef, having fun and meeting new people from all over the world!!

Experience a day in the heart of the Motor Valley by visiting the 2 most famous museums in the world for fast cars. Every Saturday from the center of Bologna. You can visit the Lamborghini Museum and the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. At the end of the visit you can have lunch in a farmhouse surrounded by greenery and taste the typical dishes of Modena

You’ll spend the better part of a day with one of our friendly hosts in the terracotta-tiled, student-filled, food capital that is Bologna! You might begin your day with a shot of strong espresso in one of the coffee bars under the portici (covered walkways) before ambling past an exquisite theatre to the city’s medieval Mercato di Mezzo. You could see the Piazza Maggiore and San Petronio Basilica or if you’re feeling energetic, climb one of the Two Towers (Bologna’s icon) and enjoy a panoramic view of the medieval city center. Within 24 hours after booking you'll receive a short questionnaire about your personality and interests. Based on your responses, you'll be assigned a like-minded host. Your host will communicate with you directly to suggest an itinerary to help you discover what makes the city unique. You will also agree on a meeting time and place. Your itinerary is flexible, so during the experience, you can always change your mind about what you want to do.