Bologna Private Walking Tour
About this activity
Highlights
- Piazza Maggiore exploration
- Visit to the Two Towers
- Discover hidden courtyards
- Learn about Bologna's history
- Experience local culture
Full description
Included / Excluded
- Expert local guide
- Personalized itinerary
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Meals and beverages
Itinerary
On this enchanting private walking tour through the city of Bologna you will visit numerous, interesting and off-the-beaten-path places. A network of porticos along the streets of the center makes this city unique. Walking under the porticos, protected from the sun and the rain, makes it possible to reach many important museums, galleries, main squares and religious buildings, which holds an unexpected patrimony of works of art.
The tour commences in the largest square, Piazza Maggiore, located in the ancient part of Bologna. Its medieval buildings have witnessed Bologna’s vibrant public life and intense economic activity for centuries. Nowadays, these historical sites are combined with the latest functional places: Sala Borsa Public Library, the Municipal offices, shops and Cafés.
This walking tour will obviously be visiting the Basilica of San Petronio and the two "leaning" towers of Bologna. One of the towers was the first seat of the University of Bologna: the Archiginnasio, which still contains unique frescoes and an Anatomic Theater that we also will visit.
The evidence of Bologna's prestigious history is spread out in many places throughout the center. On the Bologna Walking Tour you will also get the chance to explore the Quadrilatero area with its maze of small streets, and the historical market with its colors and flavors, bringing us back to the ancient times. Let our passionate and knowledgeable guide show you the beauty and captivating history of Bologna.
Meeting point
Start Location
Unknown location
Important information
Know before you book
- Tour is conducted in English
- Hotel pickup and drop-off are included
- Meals and beverages are not included
Know before you go
- Wear comfortable walking shoes
- Bring a bottle of water
- Be prepared for varying weather conditions
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair Accessible
- Stroller Accessible
- Easy Public Transport
Good to know
- A minimum of 2 people per booking is required
- Offered in: English, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian. Please specify under “Additional notes” if you wish to book the tour in a language other than English.
- Places of worship have strict dress code requirements for entry. All participants are required to have shoulders and knees covered (no tank tops or short dresses) to enter.
- Comfortable walking shoes recommended.
Traveler reviews
Amazing tour experience with Emmanuel
Amazing experience! Emmanuel was our guide and was the best. So knowledgeable about the history and background and was the best story teller! Would highly recommend Emmanuel!
Our guide was excellent....
Our guide was excellent. Well versed on the history, food and culture of Bologna. Terrific walking tour.
An excellent tour!
Elisa gave me my private tour and I had a wonderful time. She was very pleasant, very knowledgeable, and she teaches history like me, a match made in heaven! She began the tour by saying Bologna must be seen from the inside to appreciate the outside and I couldn’t agree more. We saw ruins and churches, and even sat in a dissection suite from a medieval medical school. It was amazing. Then we walked the porticos and discussed the long fascinating history of this beautiful, busy city. I could have walked for another hour! She was a fantastic tour guide and I would highly recommend her.
Absolutely best city tour of Bologna
Excellent communication on where to meet Easy to find guide Good english and easy to understand Historical knowledge excellent Great personality of guide We loved both the old library and seeing the walls and walls of books by famous people ( like Galileo). My favorite part of the tour was the “dissecting theatre” where the professors of the medical school and the artists would learn from a dead body. Our guide Sandra was incredible in her knowledge of the oldest university in the world ( and med school) …still functioning today … and her knowledge of Bologna. She showered us with information and we left the tour feeling like we really understood the city from the old families architecture, the church and its history ( fabulous to learn) and the towers etc. We learned why Bologna is considered the best Italian food in Italy! Bologna was such a great city because it offers everything that the popular cities have to see, yet it is not crowded with tourists. Our tour guide showed us so much in 2 hours and suggested local places to eat and I have to say we ate the best meals of our 2 week trip, all in Bologna. Thanks to Sandra! This tour group is reliable and the service and knowledge is guaranteed to be the best! I HIGHLY recommend spending the money on a livitaly private tour. Seeing tours holding flags and microphones with crowds is not the same attention we got. Private tour was the best thing we did as we felt we could then walk and see the city on our own later and get a great perspective from what we learned from Sandra!
The Pyramid Di Caio Cestio was fascinating to see !
David was so fun and knowledgeable His explanations of the history kept you interested to want more !!! ******