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Bologna Culture & history

Our most recommended Bologna Culture & history

From Bologna: Roundtrip San Luca Train Ticket & Food Tasting

1. From Bologna: Roundtrip San Luca Train Ticket & Food Tasting

The Basilica of San Luca is one of the symbols of the city of Bologna. Situated on the Monte Guardia, the Sanctuary connects to the city center through the longest continuous portico in the world, made up of 666 arcades. At the meeting point, you'll receive a map and a timetable of the return train, which is available every 45 minutes. You’ll also receive a voucher for the food tasting.  This tour departs every day and will help you discover the city from aboard the San Luca Express train, where the audio guides, available in 8 languages, will tell you about the city until your arrival at the Basilica of San Luca. Here, you can visit the Basilica at your own pace and decide what time to return by consulting the schedules on the map. On board, you will find a member of staff who'll welcome you and provide any information you may require. When you return, you will get to taste typical products in one of the historical markets.

Bologna: Ferrari VIP Experience with Test Drive and Museum

2. Bologna: Ferrari VIP Experience with Test Drive and Museum

Live a whole day immersed in the Ferrari legend. This incredible tour will take you to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello, where you will have the opportunity to relive the history of the Prancing Horse and experience the Ferrari F1 Simulator. Followed by a guided shuttle tour of the Ferrari Citadel in which the guide will share information about the factory, the history of the Fiorano racetrack and the entire Ferrari Citadel, which still retains the original entrance door to the factory. After this journey through the history of the brand, it's time to feel the power of the Prancing Horse! Enjoy a test drive with a Ferrari on the streets of Maranello for an unforgettable experience. To conclude the day, enjoy a complete lunch at the "Cavallino" restaurant, by the renowned chef Massimo Bottura.

Bologna: Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour

3. Bologna: Highlights Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt and City Tour

Get to know Bologna at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour that is played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. Enjoy an ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children which can be used as a great team-building activity. Solve puzzles outside of ten Bologna attractions. Use clues at each attraction to find your next destination. Enjoy the challenge of using logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to complete the game. Feel the satisfaction of solving each riddle. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. Have the freedom to pause or resume the tour whenever you want. Admire the city at your own pace. Uncover interesting information and facts about the city. Snap as many pictures as you want.  You can start playing anytime, the schedule is indicative. Start your tour at Towers of Bologna. Visit the Biblioteca Salaborsa with its unique archives. Photograph the municipal complex of Palazzo d'Accursio and the chapel and admire the Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita with its original Gothic style and lifelike sculptures. Then head to the Salina Palace and Osteria Le Sette Chiese for some unbeatable photo opportunities. Admire the beautiful Piazza Minghetti and the interior of Basilica di San Domenico. The small but miraculous Oratorio dello Spirito Santo is well worth your time, and the icing on the cake is the Church of the Holy Savior.

From Bologna: Lamborghini & Ferrari Museums Private Day Tour

4. From Bologna: Lamborghini & Ferrari Museums Private Day Tour

Embark on a private tour of the Lamborghini and Ferrari museums from Bologna. Start with pickup from your hotel in Bologna. Discover the history of the iconic cars made in Italy on a tour in the Lamborghini Museum, from the first models such as the Miura and the Countach to the ultimate and exclusive ones like the Aventador SVJ. To follow, visit the Ferrari Museum in Maranello and enjoy a guided tour of the Cittadella Ferrari, in which the guide will share information about the factory, the history of the Fiorano racetrack, and of all the Cittadella Ferrari, which still preserves the original factory entrance door. At the end of the tour, stop at a local restaurant for a tasty lunch with typical products. Afterward, relax on the journey back to Bologna.

Best of Italy: 5-Day Escorted Tour from Rome

5. Best of Italy: 5-Day Escorted Tour from Rome

Over the course of five days, visit the most enchanting locations of Italy, soaking up art, culture, cuisine and the famous Italian romance. Led by a friendly guide, depart from Rome and visit Assisi, Siena, Florence, Pisa, Bologna, Padova, Venice and Montepulciano. See masterpieces from the likes of Michelangelo, Giotto, and Cimabue. Roam ancient cobbled streets, marvel at magnificent cathedrals, and taste delightful wines. This tour aims to inform and entertain you at the same time. Staying in comfy accommodation and traveling by deluxe bus, touring Italy couldn’t be easier. With 4 meals provided for you, plus an excellent itinerary and knowledgeable guides, sit back, relax and "get Italian". Day 1 Depart from Rome at 7:15 AM heading towards Assisi. Explore this tiny town dating back to the Middle Ages. Visit the Basilica of St. Francis and see works by Giotto and Cimabue. Afterwards drive towards Siena, whose highlight is Piazza del Campo. Continue to Florence where you will check in at your hotel before enjoying dinner (included) and a well-deserved night of rest. Day 2: Florence After breakfast, spend the day exploring Florence, the cradle of the Renaissance. Visit the Duomo, the Campanile Tower, Palazzo Vecchio and the Basilica of Santa Croce. Lunch (for free) in a typical Tuscan restaurant in Piazza Santa Croce. In the afternoon, wander the cobbled streets or take a short, optional trip to Pisa where you could enjoy a tour of the Square of Miracles, the Leaning Tower and the Duomo. Dinner is at your leisure. Back in Florence rest in your hotel and recharge your batteries for the next day. Day 3 Depart for Bologna after breakfast in Florence. Wander through the city’s 38 kilometers' worth of elegant arcades, for which it is famous. From Piazza Malpighi, walk to Piazza del Nettuno and Piazza Maggiore in the heart of the city. In the afternoon, continue towards Padova, with its original Sant’Antonio Basilica. Later, you will arrive in Venice, famous for its quaint gondola boats and intricate architecture. Check in at your hotel and enjoy your first Venetian dinner (included) and overnight stay. Day 4: Venice Hit the water and board a private waterbus to enjoy a cruise through the canals of Venice. Stop off at Murano to learn about the ancient art of glass blowing. Continue on to St. Mark’s Square for an exterior visit of the splendid cathedral. See the Doge Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. Enjoy a spritz or Prosecco with your guide to cap off a day of discovery. Spend the afternoon roaming along Venice’s canals at your leisure and then return to the hotel and overnight. Day 5 After breakfast, departure from Piazzale Roma heading to Tuscany, world-known for its landscapes, its churches, castles and its delicious wines. Proceed to Val di Chiana with a stop in Montepulciano, a medieval town rich in history and art. Known for its “Noble” wine, on purchase in local wine houses, Montepulciano also hosts an annual jazz and wine festival every July. Lunch in a typical restaurant included! Spend the afternoon discovering Montepulciano at your own pace, enjoying free wine tastings in many wine shops and free time for shopping. In the evening, you will arrive in Rome, where the tour ends.

Bologna: Clock Tower Audio Guide and Food Tasting

6. Bologna: Clock Tower Audio Guide and Food Tasting

This unique experience will let you discover Palazzo d'Accursio, one of the most iconic and impressive places in Bologna. The Clock Tower acts as the beating heart of the city, and you'll explore it using a handy audio guide. While listening to facts and stories on your smartphone, you'll make your way through the various parts of the tower until you finally reach the inner mechanism that makes the clock work. You'll also get to admire the Municipal Art Collections, full of artistic treasures that reveal the history of Bologna, and hear anecdotes about how the building has functioned over the centuries. Finish your day with a tasting of typical products in the city center to get the full Bologna experience! 

Bologna: Tour Ferrari,Parmesan,Vinegar,Wine,Lunch+Transfer

7. Bologna: Tour Ferrari,Parmesan,Vinegar,Wine,Lunch+Transfer

During this full-day experience, you will be able to become familiar with some well-known Italian brands and delicacies. We will start our tour with a guided visit to a cheese factory and learn how aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is produced. Dive into the most authentic making of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO: from the curdling into the typical copper heaters to the salting and the final aging in the so-called wheel cathedrals, you will be a privileged witness of almost all the steps of production of this out-and-out food icon. Tasting at the end. After we proceed with a visit to the Ferrari Museum in Maranello with cars, images, and trophies that have marked the history of the brand, you will be able to experience the places where the most beautiful cars in the world are designed. Then we will continue with a visit to an “Acetaia” and discover the production of the famous “black gold”, the precious traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena, which you will be able to taste at the end of your guided tour. We will have lunch in a picturesque estate situated among the gentle hills of the Modena area. On our way back home, we will enjoy a visit to a local winery and take a guided tour of the facilities to learn about Lambrusco, a sparkling wine from northern Italy. Private transfer is included in the tour and is available from Bologna, Modena.

From Bologna or Modena: Parma Gastronomic Tour with Lunch

8. From Bologna or Modena: Parma Gastronomic Tour with Lunch

Discover the production of two excellences of Italian cuisine, Parmigiano Reggiano and Parma Ham, on a gastronomic tour from Bologna. After being picked up from your accommodation in Bologna or Modena Learn more about Parma and its local cuisine that is so popular that it often ends up dominating conversations among locals. Visit a historic Parmigiano Reggiano factory where an expert guide will show you the stages of production, and you'll be able to taste some of the cheese made by the factory. Then, discover more about the production of Parma Ham. Learn the secrets of this Italian delicacy followed by a tasting paired with a glass of local wine.  Following your visit to the Parma Ham factory, enjoy a light lunch at a prosciuttificio with typical products and dishes. Finally, head back to your accommodation in Bologna or Modena.

Bologna: Parmesan, Vinegar, Lambrusco, Ferrari with Lunch

9. Bologna: Parmesan, Vinegar, Lambrusco, Ferrari with Lunch

You will start your day with a guided visit to a cheese factory and learn how aged Parmigiano Reggiano cheese is produced. Dive into the most authentic making of Parmigiano Reggiano PDO: from the curdling into the typical copper heaters to the salting and the final aging in the so-called wheel cathedrals, you will be a privileged witness of almost all the steps of production of this out-and-out food icon. Tasting at the end. What is the most famous supercar brand of all time? Of course, it is Ferrari. It was born just nearby, so you can't help but visit the Ferrari Museum in Maranello with cars, images and trophies that have marked the history of the brand, where you will be able to experience the places where the most beautiful cars in the world are designed. After, you will continue with a visit to an “Acetaia” and discover the production of the famous “black gold”, the precious traditional balsamic vinegar of Modena, which you will be able to taste at the end of your guided tour. Enjoy a typical Emilian lunch including cured meats, the ever-present pasta and a homemade dessert. Finally, visit a local winery and take a guided tour of the facilities to learn about Lambrusco, a sparkling wine from northern Italy. Please note, that the tour is offered only in a SELF DRIVE OPTION (=without transfer), you have to travel with your OWN car. NO TRANSFER is included.

Bologna: Inside city tour, San Luca Express, & Tastings

10. Bologna: Inside city tour, San Luca Express, & Tastings

Visit the city of Bologna and San Luca with this tour that in one day will let you discover the city comfortably without walking too much. You will meet in Piazza del Nettuno with our welcome staff who will explain all the details and will accompany you to the start of the new Inside city tour aboard the electric minibus where you will be able to see the most hidden sides of the center by listening to the audio guides. Afterwards you will be able to enjoy tastings of typical local products and then board the San Luca express train which will let you discover the famous arcades of San Luca on the way that takes you to visit the famous basilica while listening to the audio guides.

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What people are saying about Bologna

Overall rating

4.8 / 5

based on 149 reviews

In general many friends are asking us for everything company name tour activity ect. We fell like family in the activity. We laugh a lot. Every one shares memories and situations that’s each country have. Ours tour director Antonio & Bus driver Franco was the best the best of the best. GRAZIE MILE! ARRIVEDERCI En general muchos amigos nos están preguntando por todo, nombre de la empresa, actividad turística, etc. Nos sentimos como en familia en la actividad. Nos reimos mucho. Todos comparten recuerdos y situaciones que tiene cada país. Nuestro director de gira, Antonio y el conductor del autobús, Franco, fueron los mejores, lo mejor de lo mejor. GRAZIE MILE! ARRIVEDERCI

A little chaotic getting on the train on a busy day but once you’re off it’s magical and fun. The basilica is really beautiful and the views are astounding on a good day. If it’s clear it’s 100% worth it to pay extra at the top to climb to the dome viewing deck. The free lunch tickets are great but they may not fill you up too much! Relax, enjoy and have a laugh at the buffoons who ran all the way up the portico.

This was a non-stop Italian extravaganza. All stops were architectural gems. Highly recommend this five day tour. Splurge on the optional tours, well worth the cost. Particularly enjoyed the Venice at night. Make sure to bring your walking shoes, this tour requires walking uphill and heavy walking endurance. Not for the faint of heart. Enjoy!

Interesting tour full of history and local food. Our guide took us to her favourite spots where locals prepared special treats and we sampled some of the famous local products. Our guide willingly bought extras she talked about for us to try as well. I would highly recommend Sara as a guide and host. Well done!

A great trip, my children are satisfied :) the driver picked us up from the hotel on time. Everything smoothly and on schedule. I recommend!