Best tours of Bologna

If you are looking for the best things to do in Bologna, I recommend taking a guided tour. With these activities you will be able to explore part of the city, discover new destinations or taste the typical food of this city. There are a variety of options for all tastes and interests.

Bologna is the lively and historic capital of the Emilia-Romagna region and is located in the north of Italy. Touring with a private guide will allow you to get to the sites in less time and without getting lost. Most tours include a private vehicle, so you won't have to worry about public transport and you'll be able to get to the outskirts of the city.

When you travel to Bologna you should definitely take one of their gastronomic tours. Some of them include visits to local factories where you can see the preparation of cheese, ham, vinegar, wine and more. These usually include lunch and a small wine tasting. When all these activities are included the average cost is €180 and they last approximately nine hours.

To begin this tour your guide will meet you at your hotel in a private vehicle. From there you can drive to the local factories and see how the different products are made. You will receive a small sample of Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, prosciutto ham and even balsamic vinegar from Modena.

This type of tour usually starts early in the morning, so breakfast and lunch are included. Both meals are made in the best Italian style. At lunch time you will be able to taste some typical Italian wines. At the end of the tour your guide will take you back to your hotel.

Interesting details

• Price: about 200 €.
• Duration: about 9 hours.
• Means of transport: private car.
• Advantages of this option: includes breakfast and lunch, as well as various food and wine tastings.
• Disadvantages of this option: it can be very time consuming and is not suitable for people who will spend only one day in Bologna.

Do you like to enjoy the breeze and the scenery at your leisure? Then an electric bike tour in Bologna is your best choice. Thanks to the fact that the vehicle is electric, you will be able to move at your leisure without getting too tired. On average it can last about three hours and costs about €90.

This type of tour is done with only a few people so that everyone can follow your professional guide more comfortably. After meeting your guide and other tourists at the agreed point, you can continue to the Sanctuary of Our Lady of San Luca, the first stop. This sanctuary is located on the Colle della Guardia and to reach it you must pass through the longest portico in the world, declared a World Heritage Site in 2021.

The next stop is the Monumento ai Caduti di Sabbiuno. This is a symbolic site of Emilia Romagna's resistance. Take the opportunity to take some photos at this point along the route. Finally, you can pass through the Parco della Chiusa to see the imposing brick waterworks. Through it the waters of the river Teno are transported to Bologna.

At the end of the tour there is usually a short extra stop for lunch. You can ask your guide if this lunch is on your own or if it is just a recommendation of restaurants or cafés.

Interesting details

• Price: around 90 €.
• Duration: approximately 5 hours.
• Means of transport: electric bicycle.
• Advantages of this option: with an electric bike it is easier to cycle through the paths of Bologna, getting the fresh air and seeing the beautiful landscapes.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you do not know how to ride a bike, this tour may be complicated for you. However, electric bikes are more comfortable to ride.

Walking tours are usually a lot of fun for curious people. If you are one of them, I invite you to walk around the city in the company of a professional guide. This experience usually lasts two hours and costs an average of 20 €.

The meeting point for this type of tour is usually Piazza Galvani. From there your guide will take you through the streets of the city to admire the architecture from the Plaza Mayor, one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. There you will be able to see the Basilica of San Petronio, a key site in the coronation of Charles V. Keep in mind that your guide will tell you all the historical details of the sites you see.

The next stop is Archiginnasio, where the ancient University of Bologna used to be. It is now preserved as the Communal Library and houses about 35,000 works. You will also pass in front of the churches of Santa Maria della Vita and Santo Stefano while walking to the Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, iconic medieval buildings of the city.

The next stop is the palace of King Enzo. You will continue walking until you reach the vicinity of the Reno river canal, where the tour ends. To continue enjoying the city you can take the Bologna Hop on Hop off Bus to another destination.

Interesting details

• Price: around 20 €.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you can walk around the city without missing important places.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you are not used to walking for a long time, this may not be the right tour for you.

Are you a fan of Italian car brands? If so, the best option for you is a tour in Bologna to the factories and best car museums. This tour lasts approximately eight hours and has an average price of 350 €. Your guide will take you in a private car to at least three museums.

After meeting your guide, either at your hotel or at a pre-arranged point, you will head with your group to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello. You will be able to see different exhibits, learn about the history of this brand and much more.

The next stop will be the Lamborghini factory and museum in Sant'Agata Bolognese. Afterwards you can visit the Pagani factory and museum in San Cesario sul Panaro. At some point along the way you will have lunch, as lunch is included in the tour. At the end of the tour, your guide will take you back to the starting point.

Interesting details

• Price: about 350 ¤.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.
• Means of transport: private car.
• Advantages of this option: you can visit 3 iconic sites in one day.
• Disadvantages of this option: each stop has a time limit so you have to make the most of every moment so you don't miss anything.

Do you know how to ride motorbikes? If so, I recommend you to take a guided tour driving a Vespa from Via Caduti di Cefalonia, in the historic centre of Bologna. This experience has an average duration of three hours and an average cost of 120 €. You can feel the wind in your face as you ride around the beautiful sites of the city.

Vespa scooters are timeless fashion icons and are loved by many. Fulfil your dream of riding one on a guided tour. You'll be accompanied by a professional guide who will take you around Bologna's old town and then to the outskirts of the city.

The route also usually includes the San Michele in Bosco complex and the Monumento ai Caduti di Sabbiuno. Other notable stops include the Sanctuary of Our Lady of San Luca and the viewpoint near this point. At the end of the tour you will return to the starting point.

It is worth noting that before starting the tour you should receive some instructions from the guide. You will also need to wear a protective helmet. Please note that this tour does not include lunch.

Details of interest

• Price: around 120 €.
• Duration: approximately 3 hours.
• Means of transport: Vespa.
• Advantages of this option: you can ride an original vespa and tour the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: if you do not know how to drive motorbikes I do not recommend this tour.

Traveller tip
On this type of tour you must comply with all the safety rules that are indicated to you. Also, remember to take a few things with you so that you can ride more comfortably. Take your water bottle with you so that you can stay hydrated along the way.

Music is also an important part of a city's culture. If you like to enjoy new sounds and cultures, a music tour will be the highlight of your holiday. This tour usually lasts two hours and costs on average €40.

Usually the tour group meets their guide in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, near the Garisenda and Asinelli towers. From there you can walk to Piazza Rossini, where you will see the Giovanni Battista Martini Conservatory. This site was named after the professor who taught Christian Bach and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

After hearing the stories behind these iconic musicians, you'll continue your tour. You will pass iconic buildings such as the Bologna Theatre, the Palazzo Carrati and the Archiginnasio. The latter is home to the oldest university in the West.

Your guide will also tell you the stories of the organs in the Basilica of San Petronio. Did you know that famous composers have dedicated their tunes to Bologna? One of them was Chet Baker and on this kind of tour you will find out why.

Interesting details

• Price: about 40 ¤.
• Duration: about 2 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to see the city from the perspective of classical music.
• Disadvantages of this option: although this tour is about music, you will not hear a live performance. However, you will be able to learn all about the relevance of music in this city.

In Bologna, as in other European cities, there is a Jewish quarter. If you are interested in its history and how it originated, I recommend this two-hour tour. Although you can do it on your own, a private guide can take you through the highlights and tell you all the details. If so, the average cost is €20.

The meeting point for this type of tour is usually via Santo Stefano. From there you'll begin a walking tour to delve into the history of the Jewish community. You will visit the ghetto and its emblematic buildings, including the Malvasia palace, home to the Jewish Museum, and the Uguzzoni tower.

These tours also include the famous Hell Street. This is the main artery of the Jewish quarter. You will also pass in front of the Bocchi palace, I recommend you take a few minutes to appreciate its Renaissance aesthetics. Finally, you will visit the Bologna Synagogue.

Interesting details

• Price: about 20 ¤.
• Duration: approximately 2 hours.
• Means of transport: walking tour.
• Advantages of this option: you will get to know a part of the city that is often forgotten by tourists.
• Disadvantages of this option: the tour is steeped in history. If this theme is not your favourite, I suggest you choose another option.

Bologna is a great destination for a holiday. I recommend travelling during spring or autumn to enjoy the warmer times of the year. Be aware that summer and winter can be very harsh. Take precautions if you travel during these times.

If you enjoy learning about history, new cultures and medieval times, you will love Bologna. Bologna can be a great destination for families or solo travellers. You will find different tours to suit every group.

Bologna, also known as the Dotta, the Rossa and the Grassa, boasts Italy's oldest universities, beautiful red roofs and exquisite cuisine. As you wander around, you'll see the contrast between the modern and the ancient. If you want to enjoy all the sights, I recommend taking a guided tour.

Guided tours offer you the opportunity to tour the city usually by private car. In addition, you will have the help of a professional guide who will take you to all the sites without you having to research how to get there. On the other hand, these tours usually include different entertaining activities so you won't waste your time.