Discover tons of amazing things to do in Bologna! From the iconic Two Towers to the lively Piazza Maggiore, and the beautiful Basilica of San Domenico. Also explore some of the lesser known, equally impressive hidden treasures with your local host.
Discover tons of amazing things to do in Bologna! From the iconic Two Towers to the lively Piazza Maggiore, and the beautiful Basilica of San Domenico. Also explore some of the lesser known, equally impressive hidden treasures with your local host.
Always private. It’s just you and your local host. No strangers, no groups.
More you, less checklist
Let your local host tailor the experience completely to your wishes.
Travel that feels good
Our tours are designed with people, places, and the planet in mind.
Top 10 things to do in Bologna
Make your stay in Bologna complete with these things to do
1
Choose your favorite local
The 10 Tastings of Bologna
469 reviews
3 hours | food tours | Bologna
Ready to taste the best food in Bologna? Satisfy your cravings for local food and culture with highlights along the way, together with a foodie host. Enjoy 10 delicious and typical tastings—from sweet to savory—as well as drinks, including flavorful bites at a lively local market. Get ready for a true taste of Bologna on this delicious food tour!
Want to see the best of Bologna? We got you covered. But as you can expect from a Withlocals experience, the real excitement is its hidden gems. Join your favorite local and get a feeling of the city's real vibe on a tour that has it all, so you can say: I experienced the real Bologna!
Make your trip a wholesome experience by seeing what other cities outside of Bologna have to offer. On this private day trip, you don’t need to worry about anything! Follow your local host to Ravenna and be back in Bologna the same day but with more unforgettable experiences than before.
Picture this, a night out in Bologna hopping from hot spot to hot spot, discovering local nightlife while tasting typical local drinks perfectly paired with delicious local bites. Sounds like a fun night? Join a local nightlife expert and discover how the locals unwind in Bologna.
Welcome to Bologna! Want to know the best places to eat? Cool events in town? Which places to go to and which to avoid? Or simply get some help to navigate the city? Book this private tour with a local and get the perfect introduction to Bologna to start your city trip on the right foot.
Make your trip a wholesome experience by seeing what other cities outside of Bologna have to offer. On this private day trip, you don’t need to worry about anything! Follow your local host to Verona by speed train and be back in Bologna the same day but with more unforgettable experiences than before.
The way to a city's heart it's through its food! And on this private food tour, you'll get to know Bologna through its cuisine and the tastings favorite of the locals. A local food expert is ready to give you a taste of the real Bologna satisfying your cravings for local food and city highlights.
Make your trip a wholesome experience by seeing what other cities outside of Bologna have to offer. On this private day trip, you don’t need to worry about anything! Follow your local host to Modena and be back in Bologna the same day but with more unforgettable experiences than before.
Ready for a jam-packed tour, full of history, culture, stories, and sights? Checkmark from your travel bucket list all your must-sees of Bologna, because if there’s a Withlocals tour that shows you all the city's ins and outs, it’s this complete and personalized tour of Bologna.
Withlocals Your Way! Bologna Day Trip Outside the City
138 reviews
8 hours | day trips | Bologna
How do you imagine the perfect day trip from Bologna? Now you can make it a reality! Hire a local guide and set off on a fully personalized journey beyond the city limits. Explore the stunning surroundings by car, and you get to decide where and when to stop. From famous landmarks to hidden treasures in the countryside, the choice is yours!
"Margherita is great! She’s very knowledgeable and was everything we could have hoped for in a guide. She tailored the morning to our interests but also took us to places we would never have thought of! It makes a big difference to be able to spend time with a local and talk about what it’s really like to live in a place. Thanks Margherita."
NicolaAbout local Margherita Bologna, May 30, 2025
5.0
Very friendly and knowledgeable
"Riccardo is a fantastic tour guide. He knows so much about medieval history and the mosaics at Ravenna. I have a PhD in history and I walked away with so much new knowledge! He also structured the tour perfectly, showing me the most impressive mosaics last so they are still in my mind. We had a lovely lunch with lively conversation. Wonderful person, great guide, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!"
"We had Giuseppe as our local tour guide and he was perfect! The passion he has for the foods of Bologna really shines through and made everything come to life for us. Everything we tried was delicious. Absolutely loved going to the Osteria and have wine while eating what was bought for us to try. The gelato at the end was delicious. "
"We had a lovely afternoon with Giuseppe. He is very welcoming and warm, has a lot of knowledge and a very very generous man.
We ate soooo much and everything was delicious. He took us to places we wouldn’t have known otherwise.
I highly recommend!"
"My boyfriend and I had never visited Bologna. We chose to do a food tour because of Bologna’s reputation… and we booked the BEST! Giuseppe was kind, knowledgeable, friendly, and introduced us to food we would have overlooked otherwise that was simply delicious! We also had the privilege of sitting and enjoying a true Osteria. We wanted the traditional experience dating back centuries, and Giuseppe delivered! And we found a delicious new wine we hope to find back in the United States. Salud to Giuseppe and the incredible tour he provided. "
"Truly our favorite part of our Bologna trip. Paolo was incredible from his knowledge of history and cuisine to his friendliness with all those we met at each shop as well as his general, fun demeanor. We learned, we ate, we laughed. I couldn’t have asked for a better food tour or guide. Grazie, Paolo! "
"We spent an amazing 3 hours with Guiseppe (Pino) on the 10Tastings of Bologna Tour. Being a retired pasta maker, Pino has an absolute passion for the local food, and he imparted his knowledge of Bologna, and its traditional food and culture, in a captivating way. Our tour started at the historic Mercato dell Erbe, with its specialist shops and stalls. We tasted a variety of foods from artisanal shops and enjoyed a glass of Prosecco. Cheese, meats, olives and marinated vegetables were bought in the market, and traditional breads elsewhere, to provide for our lunch at the historic Osteria del Sole, an unassuming historic tavern that only serves alcoholic beverages…no food! As we traversed the old city, Pino talked about the culture and traditions of Bologna, whilst stopping to talk about historic buildings also. Our tour finished with tasting some of the local gelato. This tour was a wonderful local experience. Pino was warm and engaging, and was the perfect guide for sampling the local Bologna cuisine. Highly recommend this tour with Pino. "
"This is my favorite Riccardo moment—entering a nondescript residential building and showing us a 16th century circular staircase designed in the mannerist style—then walking us to the top of the steps to take in a breathtaking view of the city. We were the only people there.
Riccardo’s story to tell is that Bologna is one of the most well-preserved cities in Europe, and that one didn’t need to go to a museum to see these wonders—they were everywhere, on the streets, in the buildings where people live and work. Medieval houses with original wood frames? Medieval towers? Look around you. Want to see a painting by Fillipino Lippi, not on a museum wall, but hanging in the exact location where it was painted for? Here you go.
He knows his history, art history, and had boundless energy. Bologna really came alive with his tour—a living city with a rich history.
Highly recmmend. "
"Riccardo was one of the most passionate and knowledgeable guides we've had. Having been a professor, his level of expertise was unmatched, and he was very diligent about taking good care of his customers. We had a lovely day learning about the beautiful art, architecture, and history of Bologna."
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
Tailored to your wishes
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Chat before you book
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Travel that supports locals
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
Feel good about where your money goes
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Trusted by millions
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Secure & flexible booking
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Private & Personal
Your tour is just for you. No strangers, no groups.
You’ll experience the city one-on-one (or with your own travel group) in a relaxed, personal way. No rushing, no scripted group tours.
Tailored to your wishes
From highlights to hidden gems, your host adjusts everything to fit you.
Want to skip a museum, add a food stop, or focus on street art? Just ask. Every experience is shaped around your pace, preferences and interests.
Chat before you book
Message your host directly to customize your experience.
Ask questions, get local tips, or make special requests. Our hosts are real people, ready to make your day unforgettable.
Travel that supports locals
Every booking supports independent locals and their communities.
We believe tourism should benefit the people who live there. Your host earns directly and often invests it right back into their neighborhood.
Feel good about where your money goes
You’re choosing meaningful travel, not mass tourism.
Withlocals is built on fair pay, human connections and travel that leaves a positive mark for both you and the places you visit.
Trusted by millions
Loved by over 1,000,000 travelers all around the world.
Withlocals hosts consistently earn 5-star reviews for their kindness, knowledge and the personal stories they share.
Secure & flexible booking
Book with peace of mind: safe payments and easy changes.
Your plans can shift and that’s okay. We offer flexible cancellation and real support when you need it.
Witness the Fantastic Things to Do in Bologna
See all the amazing things to do in Bologna! From medieval architecture to foodie gems, the charming streets of Bologna will take your breath away. Magnificent Churches & Palaces When searching for what to do in Bologna, kickstart your tour by visiting the stunning architectural treasures of the city! The Basilica di San Petronio and Basilica of San Domenico are two proud churches that contain beautiful works of art inside. Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca sits atop a hill overlooking Bologna and you can take a lovely walk through its portico that connects the church to the city. Then, admire the historic Palazzo d'Accursio and Palazzo del Podestà and learn how they became two of the most important palaces in Bologna. Fascinating History The history of Bologna can be told through its fascinating landmarks! The iconic Two Towers are the most prominent structures that overlook the city. Then, learn the interesting story behind the marvelous Fountain of Neptune and its symbolic meaning. Discover Bologna’s past as another Italian canaled city by viewing the often overlooked Finestrella di Via Piella. Foodie Attractions You cannot mention Bologna without talking about its world-class cuisine! Watch it all come to life at FICO World Eataly and learn everything there is to know about Italian culinary tradition. If you are not through shopping for all your gastronomic delights, wander to Mercato Delle Erbe for fresh produce, cheese, wine and more. Customize Your Tour Your local guide will show you all the wonderful things to do in Bologna! Personalize your itinerary based on the highlights you wish to see most. Just inform your local host of your interests and they got you covered!