7 BEST Bologna Walking Tours (Selected by a Local!)

In this article, you’ll find amazing Bologna walking tours, selected by a local (me!) to help you enjoy the city in the best possible way. Check them out! 

Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, and the city I’ve called home for the first 25 years of my life. It is a fascinating city that has a lot to offer its visitors as it’s steeped in culture and history and offers a great variety of culinary delights (did you know Bologna is Italy’s foodie capital?!)

Bologna is not as famous as other cities such as nearby Florence, but there is a lot to visit and understand about the city and its incredible history. To truly experience all that Bologna has to offer, I recommend taking a walking tour led by a local guide.

Even more if you’re only in Bologna for one day! With the insider knowledge of a guide, you’ll be able to discover the hidden gems of the city that you might otherwise miss.

It can be hard to choose what tour option is right for you. In this article, I’ve rounded up the seven best Bologna walking tours, so you can choose one that’s tailored to your interests and budget.

From historical and private tours to culinary experiences and even an incredibly fun scavenger hunt,  there’s no shortage of walking tours in Bologna. So, put on your walking shoes and get ready to discover the beauty of Bologna with a local guide!

👉 Why should you trust me? I was born and raised in Bologna, and I know what a tour should and should not include. I only suggest tours that I would be comfortable recommending to my friends when they come to visit, so you can consider me a local friend who wants you to have the best possible experience in Bologna 🙂

I usually use Viator and Get Your Guide to book activities around the world. I especially recommend them for their fantastic cancellation policy, which allows you to cancel most tours up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. 

The BEST Bologna Walking Tour

This City Center Walking Tour allows you to explore the stunning Bologna with first-hand insights and stories about its customs, history, and secrets. 

Embark on a journey through the heart of Bologna’s old town, visiting picturesque squares and main cultural attractions along the way. Take in the heights of the Asinelli Tower, marvel at the craftsmanship of the Neptune sculpture, check out the Basilica of San Petronio, and get lost (metaphorically) in the bustling Quadrilatero Market. 

You’ll learn about the delicious food and unique products that make Bologna special while enjoying a unique introduction to the city. 

📝 This tour includes: A guided 2-hour tour. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

The BEST Historical Tour of Bologna

History buffs – and anyone curious to learn about the city’s fascinating past – will delight in this Historical Tour of Bologna. It’s a half-day experience led by a local with a passion for art, legends, and food, thoroughly prepared to guide you through ancient Bologna, exploring its art, architecture, and culinary heritage. 

You’ll visit both popular landmarks and some of Bologna’s hidden gems, including the world’s biggest sundial, impressive collections of coats of arms, and frescoes from the Medieval era. 

And of course, you’ll get to take in the towering Asinelli Tower, Piazza Maggiore, and the striking Basilica di San Petronio. Don’t miss out on this history-focused tour!

📝 This Bologna city guided tour includes: A local guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Bologna Private Walking Tours

▶️ Highlights & Hidden Gems with Locals: Best of Bologna Private Tour can be customized to your interests and guarantees the undivided attention of your local guide. It’s also eco-friendly as it offsets all CO2 emissions. 

Lace up your shoes and hit the streets of this vibrant, sprawling city to explore its lively Quadrilatero Market, check out Bologna’s major sights, discover the secret canals, and try the Bolognese cuisine. 

You’ll also get personalized tips on how to make the most of your Italian holiday, including where to find the best food and deals in the city. It’s like having a personal tour guide and friend rolled into one!

📝 This Bologna walking tour includes: A private guide, entrance to the Archiginnasio Palace, and the offset of the tour’s carbon emissions.  ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ Experience the city’s authentic side on this Bologna with a Local: Customized Private Meet-Up. This walking tour in Bologna allows you to choose your own itinerary, pace, and interests with an experience fully curated for you and your group.

See Bologna’s hidden gems, get a taste of its cultural diversity, learn about the citizens’ customs and lifestyles, and get to know Bologna through the eyes of a local. Who needs a guidebook when you have someone who loves showing off their home city?

📝 This walking tour of Bologna includes: A local guide, hotel pick-up, and a fully customizable itinerary of 2, 4, or 6 hours. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

Walking Tours of Bologna with Food Tastings & Wine

👉 You think that a food tour is the best way to explore a city? I tend to agree, and that’s why I also wrote a post about the best food tours in Bologna.

▶️ Get ready to tantalize your taste buds with one of the best foodie experiences: a Bologna Food Tour from a Local Perspective! Follow a local guide to six different historical shops and indulge in mouth-watering local specialties like tortellini, ragù, parmigiano reggiano, aceto balsamico di Modena, mortadella, regional wine, and so many others!

Along the way, you’ll explore the main spots of Bologna, visit its bustling market, and hear fascinating legends and stories. This small-group tour offers a personal experience, so let someone else plan your breakfast and lunch for the day. End the tour with an artisanal gelato to satisfy your sweet tooth!

📝 This tour includes: All food and drink tastings and a guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

▶️ Eat your way through the city’s culinary scene while discovering its rich culinary heritage and history on one of the most delicious Bologna tours: a Walking Tasting Tour with Secret Food. You’ll explore the city between tastings, and sample every Bolognese specialty under the sun, so make sure you go with an empty stomach!

You’ll start the day with pastries for breakfast, followed by a tasty pasta dish, prosciutto, cheese, and balsamic vinegar tastings paired with wine or beer, and a delicious gelato to end on a sweet note. 

During the tour you’ll get to discover the vibrant Quadrilatero Market, visit a bottega, and pass by some unique Bologna attractions…besides getting to indulge in a secret dish that will be revealed in the moment. How exciting!

📝 This tour includes: Food, wine and beer, bottled water, and a local guide. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

A Self-Guided Bologna City Tour & Scavenger Hunt

Feel like spicing up a little bit the concept of Bologna guided tours? Embark on a fabulous trip around the city…with a Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour! Combining the excitement of a smartphone game with a Bologna tour, this fun activity takes you to the city’s most important attractions as you solve riddles and uncover interesting facts.

You’ll visit ten major and off-the-beaten-path sights, each of which will propose a unique riddle for you to unlock. This tour is ideal for first-time visitors, groups of friends, and especially families with children. Start your adventure at the two leaning towers and explore the city at your own pace. 

📝 This tour includes: Self-guided tour, and the mobile app with login details. ➥ BOOK IT HERE

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