San Luca Experience Tour skip the line and Food Tasting
Overview
Available languages
2 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
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.
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
To access the Basilica of San Luca you must have appropriate clothing (covered shoulders and long trousers/skirts at least below the knee)
The audio guide is always available in Italian and English. However, for the other 8 languages, availability is not guaranteed for all timeslots. For specific requests, please contact us.
If the train is not available, it will be replaced by an alternative means.
What To Expect
San Luca, a suggestive and breathtaking basilica, dominates the city of Bologna and its wonderful and verdant hills : climbing on the train you can admire both the city and the hills, and then arrive at the church, of which you can admire the suggestive interior, beautifully decorated. A member of our staff will accompany you to the departure point of the San Luca Express, helping you with check-in, skipping the line with reserved seats and giving you vouchers for the two tastings that await you in the city at the end of your tour.
Options
San Luca + Inside city tour
San Luca Experience And Food Tasting
San Luca Pic-Nic
Picnic box: 1 Fridge Box Mix of Bolognese cured meats Diced mortadella Parmigiano Reggiano flakes Crushes Drink Waterfall Tasting Box
What‘s Included
Welcome from Bologna Tour staff
Map of Bologna
Tasting of typical local products
Multilingual audio guide
SKIP-THE-LINE San Luca Express Ticket
Entrance Basilica of San Luca
Gratuities
Guide
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
71 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Beautiful basilica, rough ride
Amywr,May 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Pros: The service provided by the tour operator was as promised with outstanding communication. They met us promptly and made sure we understood where to meet. The ride up to San Luca went well, and the site was beautiful. Fantastic views, lovely basilica. Cons: the “tour” on the ride had silly narration that could have provided much more information. It was also difficult to hear over the engine struggling up the hill. The drive down was rough because the driver continually swerved back and forth for most of the ride, despite complaints from many riders. I’m glad we made the journey to San Luca, definitely a must-see, but it wasn’t a pleasant ride.
Too much different the...
Max D,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
3.00Too much different the rates payed through Viator and the rates direct payable to the service provider. In the first case the rate is pretty much overestimating the value of the trip. Crowded train, bad audio quality, poor audio guide.
We had a great time on...
Cynthia F,Oct 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a great time on the little train learning about the area and arrived at the top of the hill to an Amazing church and view of the city.
A good way to start a trip in Bologna.
belindaw884,Sep 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Very enjoyable trip and a good start to a stay in Bolognaa. Don't worry if you can't hear the audio on the speakers on the way up because you get headphones on the way down. The food vouchers are good.
Amazing Trip 5*
Sunshine06227120613,Sep 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Trip was amazing, our guide Alessandro was a wealth of knowledge on the history of Tuscany. Lots of beautiful sites to see, the highlight for me was the farm tasting amount the beautiful Tuscan hills and Siena. Only 2 negative was there was no toilet facilities on the bus so free time exploring was taken up finding toilets, it was a long day and this would have helped. The other thing was I was told drop off and pick up would be the same point, which it wasn’t. We had to walk back to the main train station which as a solo traveler was disappointing. Everything else was 5* and well worth the money. Defiantly would book again on my next visit to Tuscany
Rip Off
Linda K,Sep 17, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
1.00If I could request a refund I would. We were a group of five thinking we should pay extra to get reserved seats and some typical food. We did not get reserved seats we were squashed into a place where they put the wheel chair. The typical food was vouchers which could be redeemed at various establishments! Visiting San Luca was good but the price we paid was far too much for what we received. Our advice to other people is to simply purchase the 13 Euro train ticket.
Beautiful Venue/Uncomfortable Transportation.
barbgeisler,Sep 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00The Sanctuary of San Luca is beautiful and well worth the visit. The transportation was a bit uncomfortable however. You are packed into the little train like sardines. I would recommend going early to avoid the crowds so that you can ride more comfortably.
Useful, good value for money and fun !
Happiboy1138,Sep 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
4.00Good fun, the weather was perfect as we were shaded from the sun but not the views as we went through the city and up the hill to the church. The speakers were difficult to hear instead of the usual headphones but against the constant traffic noise of Bologna this was hardly surprising. For those unable or unwilling g to climb the near 700 steps to the top of the colonnade it was a good idea to provide this.
Top
364celineb,Aug 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The small train allowed you to reach San Luca an about 30 min from the city center For the brave ones you can reach it on foot but it is long about 5 kilometers from below and it is only from the ascent Audio guide in several languages Helmets provided
Great!
Phoebe B,Aug 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Good little trip to the main attractions & the food vouchers are very helpful and they don’t expire which is great, means you can use them whenever around Bologna!
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Operated by Bologna Tour & Best Italy Tour