Private Tour
Best of Bologna in one day : Food, architecture, art and history
Overview
Available languages
7 hours
Mobile ticket
This is an extremely comprehensive tour to discover the marvelous city of Bologna. A day of culture, art, and gastronomy among the city's main attractions. The program has been carefully designed to combine the great potential of Bologna's gastronomy (tortellini, mortadella, delicious cured hams, rice cake, tagliatelle, tortelloni, PARMIGIANO REGGIANO, MOodena Dop TRADITIONAL BALSAMIC VINEGAR)...
with that of its rich architectural and artistic heritage, including its splendid churches, palaces, ancient university, canals, and towers, and finally, a tunning museum rich in ancient art, the Pinacoteca Nazionale. Regarding its great famous gastronomy : most of its preparations do not need any poresentation (balsamic, parmesan cheese, pasta bolognese, lasagna, tortellini, parma ham, mortadella), but some of these delicacies are actual hidden gems for most of Italian travellers too! We ll visit also a TRADITIONAL PASTA LABORATORY for a qiuick and efficient LITTLE COOKING CLASS!
Additional Info
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
reccommandable to all categories of travellers
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Piazza Maggiore
We will discover the secrets and the great masterpieces of the square, such as the terracotta works of Nicolo' dell'Arca, the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo Comunale and San Petronio. We will visit some splendid frescoed rooms of the Palazzo Comunale, the grand staircase of Bramane's horses and other small jewels of the sumptuous building.
Piazza Santo Stefano
Large and unique complex of early medieval buildings, medieval and Romanesque interiors, Gothic palaces, specialized art museum, frescoes, medieval porticoes and spiral staircases, terrace with a view of the towers and Bologna from "high".
What‘s Included
Entrance to the Bolognini Chapel, San Petronio
Entrance to the National Art Gallery
Entrance ticket to the Lamentation of Santa Maria della Vita
Tasting of cured meats, Parmesan cheese, balsamic vinegar of Modena in the historic market
Entrance to the Archiginnasio and Anatomical Theater
Options
Best of Bologna in one day : Food, architecture, art and history
Reviews
25 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Brilliant art historian leads one heck of a tour
Emmy P,,Oct 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This tour really blew our minds. Riccardo is incredibly knowledgeable. It seemed like Everywhere we looked he had something cool to tell us about something we were seeing. We left it feeling like Bologna is one of the most valuable cultural cities in Italy — and the fact that it was not swarmed with tourists, made it all the more wonderful! We saw sculptures by 19 year-old Michelangelo and breathtaking examples of architecture from the 1100s and up. Ricardo is an art historian of the highest caliber. I really wish that I could take a whole semester long course with him, but his tour will have to do! At the end of seeing all that art, we had a lovely tasting of some real bologna delicacies. If you have a chance to do this tour, you should do it! (PS wear comfortable walking shoes!)
An amazing day in Bologna!
breezeedeck,,May 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was the most fabulous guided tour we’ve ever taken! Ricardo had extensive knowledge about the architecture and culture of Bologna and its place in Italy’s past and present. It was a rich, vibrant history lesson - he even sang a medieval song! Ask him about The Game of Towers.
Fantastic Tour!
Nancy S,,May 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00This was an amazing tour! My guide, Riccardo, was incredibly knowledgeable and really showed me some amazing sites, including some off-the-beaten track. That I learned so much more about Bologna than I could have by myself is an understatement. Grazie!
HISTORY AND ART WAS AMAZING
264mariannet,,May 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The tour was great. Ricardo was so knowlegeable and passionate about Bologna, the history and the art. He filled our heads with an enormous amount of interesting information. There was alot of fast paced walking and stairs. The little meal was cute and it came at a time that I needed a break. Highly recommend the tour and Ricardo.
Everything was great / it...
Valeriya A,,Mar 3, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Everything was great / it was a lot of information to digest! Riccardo is very knowledgeable guide!!
Wonderful Day with Riccardo!
Kevin K,,Mar 1, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Riccardo is an excellent guide for this in-depth experience. He is personable, easy to understand, and has a real passion for art, history, and his city! This was a great way to see many of the best sites in the city in a single day, but he also gave me detailed recommendations of what to do on my second day. Thanks, Riccardo!
Excellent and thorough tour.
Lisa H,,Feb 12, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Riccardo has encyclopedic knowledge of Bologna, and has access to many private sites that go beyond the usual walking tour. I learned a tremendous amount about the city, from ancient times through to the rennaissance. A surprising highlight was the anatomy school. Would highly recommend this tour and guide.
Splendid tour!
Boo W,,Feb 11, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ricardo was great, very passionate and knowledgeable. I loved finding some off-the-beaten path secrets.
One of my favorite tours ever!
hrgregorio,,Feb 8, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Ricardo was an amazing guide. He asked about my trip and preferences, and made sure to point out sights relevant to my particular interests, including a lot of science and medical history. I saw so much of the city in just a few hours, and went to places i never would have known about without Ricardo! He is very knowledgable and made sure to point out nuances or small details that I would have overlooked. He also gave some tips on photo opportunities. I definitely recommend this tour. It's a fairly fast pace so wear your trainers!
Wonderful day!!
Alwaystravel 99,,Dec 18, 2024
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fabulous tour. Well worth the cost. Riccardo has an incredible depth of knowledge of the history of this area. He is a great teacher and communicator. A pleasure to spend the day with. He has a very unique view that skillfully intertwines art, history and food. We would definitely hire Riccardo when we return to Bologna.
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Operated by Riccardo Bacchi