All Bologna Tours & Excursions in 2026

This was one of the highlights of our trip to Italy! Both the instructor and her assistant were warm, patient, and made the class so much fun. Everything was hands-on, interactive, and easy to follow. What made this experience truly unforgettable was how incredibly kind they were to my son, who is on the autism spectrum. They naturally adapted to his needs, made him feel included, and gave him an experience he absolutely loved. As a mother, that meant more than I can express. Highly recommend this class to anyone visiting Bologna!

We had more fun than expected on this trip! The tour guide and the group of people that went with us made the experience very enjoyable. And the activities we did were each different so we felt like we got to do a lot of different stuff in one trip, and really experience the area. The Parmesan Factory was really interesting and it was fun to be so close to the process. Then we did a balsamic tasting and learned a lot about the way true balsamic artisans make the product. Next was a unique wine tour where we learned all about the local wine. It was extra interesting because we got to taste multiple samples of the same grape that were made into different wines so it really helped us understand the impacts of the process. It all culminated in a fun lunch with authentic food and more wine. We loved each spot that we visited so much so we bought something from each stop. We would highly recommend this to anyone staying in the area. We even made it a day trip and took the train early that morning from Florence!

We had Roberta driving and supporting and Julia giving information. They were an amazing pair, Julia was knowledgeable and had great energy, we loved seeing the Parmeggiano being made, the balsamic and prosciutto. The breakfast and lunch were delicious and well surpassed our expectations plus all the different wines. We had a wonderful day trip and highly recommend this tour and thank Julia and Roberta for the fun, their enthusiasm and interesting information.

The 2 hour walking tour of the city in the morning was very enjoyable and very educational. Bologna is a fascinating city with a rich (and old) history and our tour guide was excellent in presenting a wealth of information in a very engaging manner. Really new her stuff and was pleasant and funny as well. Also recommend the additional hour in the afternoon which visited the Archiginnassio (old seat of the University). Again, the guide was extremely knowledgeable and professional and the buildings provided a fascinating look at the first university in the world.

We've taken food tours all over the world, and this one ranks among the very best. If you're visiting Bologna, don't hesitate—book it. And if you're lucky enough to get Darren as your guide, you've hit the jackpot. Darren is an Australian who now calls Italy home, but what truly sets him apart is that he's a professionally trained chef with more than 20 years of culinary experience. This wasn't simply a walking food tour—it felt like spending a few hours exploring Bologna with a chef who knows the city inside and out. He explained why Bologna's cuisine is so revered, how traditional dishes are made, what distinguishes authentic ingredients from lesser versions, and the history behind the foods that define the region. His knowledge, storytelling, and enthusiasm elevated every stop along the way. Exploring Mercato delle Erbe gave us a wonderful glimpse into everyday life in Bologna. One of my favorite moments was peering into a traditional pastificio, where the sfogline—the legendary women of Bologna who have mastered the art of hand-made pasta—worked with incredible speed and precision. It felt like watching living history. Watching generations-old techniques being used to create perfect tortellini and tagliatelle by hand was mesmerizing and gave us an even greater appreciation for Bologna's culinary heritage. Darren then wove us through the bustling Quadrilatero, Bologna's historic market district, navigating its maze of narrow streets lined with artisan food shops and family-run businesses. We stopped at the legendary Salumeria Simoni, where he hand-selected an incredible assortment of regional cured meats for our tasting. The display cases alone were enough to make any food lover's jaw drop—an absolute feast for the eyes, with rows upon rows of beautiful mortadella, prosciutto, salame, coppa, and other local specialties. Watching Darren thoughtfully choose each item while explaining what made it special made us appreciate that this wasn't just lunch—it was a carefully curated culinary experience. We also stopped at a charming family-run trattoria, where we enjoyed a glass of local wine and a generous slice of traditional lasagne verdi alla Bolognese. Darren explained that authentic Bolognese lasagna is made with delicate green pasta, colored naturally with spinach, layered with rich ragù, silky béchamel, and Parmigiano Reggiano. It was a perfect example of how the city's most famous dishes are rooted in simple ingredients, time-honored techniques, and generations of family tradition. Our favorite stop was without question Osteria del Sole, one of Bologna's legendary wine bars. Darren transformed what could have been a simple charcuterie tasting into a fascinating masterclass on Italy's incredible world of salumi and affettati. As he unpacked an abundant spread of locally sourced specialties—including the exceptional meats he'd selected at Simoni, fresh rustic bread, handmade crackers, regional cheeses, sweet fig spread, and the iconic Bolognese friggione (a slow-cooked onion and pepper relish that's a beloved local specialty)—he explained what made each item unique, how it was traditionally produced, and the best ways to enjoy it. Every bite came with a story, and Darren's depth of culinary knowledge made us feel less like tourists and more like guests at a private tasting hosted by a chef. We walked away with a much deeper appreciation for Bologna's food culture—and a shopping list of local delicacies we couldn't wait to seek out before leaving the city. We finished the tour at Maritozzi e Gelato, a charming artisan gelateria known for its exceptional small-batch gelato made with carefully sourced ingredients. Darren insisted we try the pistachio, promising we'd remember it forever—and he wasn't exaggerating. It was one of the creamiest, most intensely flavored pistachio gelatos we've ever tasted, with the unmistakable flavor of real pistachios rather than artificial flavoring. It was the perfect finale to an afternoon celebrating Bologna's extraordinary food culture. What we appreciated most was how authentic every stop felt. These weren't places catering to tourists—they were neighborhood favorites and hidden gems that we almost certainly would have missed on our own. Darren's generosity didn't end when the tour was over. He happily recommended restaurants and wine bars based on our interests, and when one place proved difficult to reach, he even helped us secure a dinner reservation for that very evening. That level of hospitality was completely unexpected and speaks volumes about how much he genuinely cares that his guests have an outstanding experience in Bologna. One piece of advice: book this tour on your first day in Bologna. Not only is it a fantastic introduction to the city's food culture, but you'll leave with a list of outstanding restaurants, wine bars, and specialty food shops to enjoy throughout the rest of your stay. If you love authentic food, passionate local experts, and experiences that go far beyond the typical tourist itinerary, this tour is worth every euro. Darren made an already excellent tour truly unforgettable. Highly recommended.

What a fantastic way to get introduced to Bologna, through food and history. We made four stops throughout the old town for way larger than expected dishes - definitely a full meal. We sampled tortellini, tagliatelle, tigella, and ⁠cotoletta. We walked, learned amazing stories, and interesting history by our fantastic guide Valentina G. She was personable, professional, informed, and delightful. She gave great tips and recommendations and brought the dishes to life with stories and images from her family! Highly recommend!

The trip was well organized, the driver was professional, van was comfortable, and the tours were all amazing. Impossible to be hungry after this tour. The Lambrusco tour was great, very friendly and knowledgeable staff. Cheese and Parmesan farm were incredible, and eating lunch in the vinegar producers home was a surreal homey experience.

Claudio was a great guide to everything Parmesan Reggiano and Balsamico, giving us access to the dairy where milk was turned to wheels of cheese in 12 - 36 months, and taking us to the small production balsamico producer in the hills was fantastic as well.