Best of Bologna in one day : Food, architecture, art and history

About this experience

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!

What to expect

1. Stop 1 · 40min

   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.

2. Stop 2 · 20min

   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".

3. Stop 3 · 20min

   Baroque church with the splendid Lamentation of Nicolò dell'Arca, a Renaissance terracotta masterpiece.

4. Stop 4 · 20min

   Ancient Renaissance and Baroque palace of the University of Bologna, with splendid frescoes, books, historical library and wooden anatomical theatre.

5. Stop 5 · 40min

   Visit one of the most important museums of painting and ancient art in Italy, from Giotto to Raphael, from Titian to Guido Reni, from Ercole de Roberti to Carracci and Guercino, from Vitasle da Bologna to Parmigianino.

6. Stop 6 · 40min

   A place of history, art, and gastronomy : the ancient market of Mezzo di Bologna, among historic stalls, taverns, and traditional shops, a true medieval Temple of Emilia Romagna RICH GASTRONOMY

7. Stop 7 · 40min

   Great art gallery church, with the famous Bentivoglio Chapel, a masterpiece of the Emilian Renaissance, Oratory of Santa Cecilia with frescoes and musical venues.

8. Stop 8 · 5min

   Towers, arcades, medieval houses, palaces, extravagant architecture, hidden canals, noble staircases, frescoed halls, oratories, places of the oldest university in Europe

9. Stop 9 · 40min

   Basilica treasure trove of art and architecture, from the Ark of Nicola Pisano, Nicolò and Michelangelo, to the alchemical wooden choir, from Mozart's favorite organ to the Renaissance cloister.

10. Stop 10 · 40min

    Visit to a medieval and early medieval complex of inestimable value, built in the image and likeness of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem.

11. Stop 11 · 1h

    Tastings of : Figs and PArma ham, CULATELLO, salami, Mortadella, Pasta, Meatballs and peas (Bologna style), Tagliatelle with ragout, PARMIGIANO REGGIANO (3/4 YEARS aged ), TRADITIONAL GREEN LASAGNE BOLOGNESI, Traditionalò MODENA BALSAMIC VINEGAR (up to 24 years of aging)...much else!

12. Stop 12 · 30min

    A little COOKING CLASS for PASTA alla BOLOGNESE (pasta with egg, for tagliatelle, tortellini, lasagna, balanzoni, tortelloni, passatelli...)

Tour & ticket options

Options may have different inclusions and meeting points. Choose your option when booking on Viator.

Meeting & pickup

• Reach Piazza Maggiore, the central square of Bologna, The meeting point is right next to the Neptune fountain.

End point

• Reach Piazza Maggiore, the central square of Bologna, The meeting point is right next to the Neptune fountain.

Before you go

• 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.