Bologna Tour: Culture, Art, and Gastronomy

Experience the best of Bologna in just one day! Immerse yourself in the city’s rich history, indulge in delicious Bolognese cuisine, and explore its stunning art and architecture.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Piazza Maggiore - Explore the hidden gems and magnificent artworks of the square, including the terracotta creations by Nicolo’ dell’Arca, the Fountain of Neptune, Palazzo Comunale, and San Petronio. Enjoy a tour of the beautifully frescoed rooms of the Palazzo Comunale, the grand staircase of Bramante’s horses, and other exquisite features of…
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
Additional Information

This tour offers an incredibly detailed exploration of the enchanting city of Bologna. Enjoy a day filled with culture, art, and culinary delights as you visit the city’s top attractions. The itinerary has been thoughtfully crafted to highlight Bologna’s exceptional gastronomy, featuring tortellini, mortadella, exquisite cured hams, rice cake,…

Location
Bar Vittorio Emanuele
Piazza Maggiore
Reach Piazza Maggiore, the central square of Bologna, The meeting point is right next to the Neptune fountain.
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(32 Ratings)
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Stacie_p
Jun 1, 2026
Riccardo is One of a Kind Jewel in the Bolognese Crown! - My husband and I are Italian-Americans who have traveled rather extensively through Italy, and Riccardo is by far one of the best guides we have had the pleasure of meeting. He brought Bologna to life and taught us so much about history, art, architecture, Bolognese culture and food. He is very high energy, so have a caffè and wear good walking shoes, and enjoy the absolute pleasure of the day!
Review provided by Viator
Aileen_l
May 24, 2026
Riccardo made our trip to... - Riccardo made our trip to Bologna unforgettable! His high-energy, fast-paced walking tour is the perfect mix of art, history, and incredible food, and the 6-7 hours went by so quickly. He is a wealth of historical knowledge and effortlessly shares facts and dates. We especially loved the tastings at Bruno e Franco - La Salumeria and the sweet treats at Paolo Atti & Figli. Riccardo truly went above and beyond for us—an absolute 'Best of Bologna' experience. Thank you Riccardo!!
Review provided by Viator
Agnes_b
May 9, 2026
We had a wonderful time... - We had a wonderful time in Bologna . Our guide was Riccardo, whose erudition and enthusiasm was amasing. We are grateful!
Review provided by Viator
Jayne_g
Apr 19, 2026
Fascinating insight - Very comprehensive and hugely informative day with Riccardo. He has vast knowledge of the history of Bologna, it's buildings, art and frescoes.
Review provided by Viator
Svetlana_s
Apr 7, 2026
Fantastic deep dive into centuries of Bolognas rich history - Ricardo is the most knowledgeable guide I have ever had, in any country well beyond the standard history and dates, his depth of architectural knowledge, relative history from around the world, historical foods etc There was a lot to take in but we understood in advance it was going to be an intensive day and it was worth it I would recommend this tour for anyone who doesn’t have issues walking and the desire to learn a lot about Bologna, the uniqueness and influence its architecture had and its prominent role in Italian history I would try to use Ricardo again for any other tour I plan in this region
Review provided by Viator
Jessica_a
Feb 17, 2026
Riccardo is extremely... - Riccardo is extremely knowledgeable and passionate about medieval history. He’s enthusiastic and shows you a lot of wonderful sites. Only thing to know is that because he is a true expert, there may be times things go over your head —- you really have to listen on this tour to absorb it all and be an active participant. If that’s you, then this is the perfect tour for you!
Review provided by Viator
Ingolfur_k
Feb 4, 2026
Riccardo Bacchi is a very... - Riccardo Bacchi is a very intellegent and verbal man. His knowledge about art, arcitecture, religion and history of Bologna and Italy was very inspiring. I think I have never had á better guide.
Review provided by Viator
Emmy_p
Oct 18, 2025
Brilliant art historian leads one heck of a tour - This 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!)
Review provided by Viator
Breezeedeck
May 13, 2025
An amazing day in Bologna! - This 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.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nancy_s
May 7, 2025
Fantastic Tour! - This 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!
Review provided by Viator
From $104
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).