Bologna Private & Personalized Half-Day Tour with a Local Guide

Recommended by 100% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Bologna, Italy

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

3 to 5 hours (approx.)
Pickup offered
Group discounts
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Explore the historic streets of Bologna with a private guide leading the way during this walking tour. See top landmarks including Piazza Maggiore, taste espresso under the famous portici (arched colonnades), and wander through the Mezzo Market. The itinerary can be customized according to your interests.

See Bologna through a local lens with a private guide
See San Petronio Basilica, visit the market, and more
Get local tips for restaurants and bars
Personalize this private tour according to your interests

What's Included

Private and personalized walking experience with insider tips from a passionate local
Online questionnaire link sent after booking to tailor your experience and match you to a local host
Get picked up (on foot) at your accommodation if it's central
Flexible durations and start times - Pick your preferred duration when you book
Direct communication with your host for itinerary planning and local recommendations

Food, drinks and tickets to any attractions
Transportation (primarily a walking experience, public transport may be used at an additional cost)
Gratuities (optional)
Hotel drop off

Meeting and Pickup

You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Pickup details

This is a private walking tour. Your host will meet you at your chosen hotel, or you can select the central meeting point instead, which we recommend for the best overall experience. If your hotel isn’t listed, please choose the central landmark option. No private vehicle is included.

Meeting point

Comet
P.zt Giorgio Guazzaloca, 6/A, 40123 Bologna BO, Italy
This is a private walking tour. Your host will meet you at your chosen hotel, or you can select the central meeting point instead, which we recommend for the best overall experience. If your hotel isn’t listed, please choose the central landmark option. No private vehicle is included.

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Itinerary

Bologna (Pass By)

Basilica Di San Petronio (Pass By)

Mercato delle Erbe (Pass By)

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vita (Pass By)

Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinell (Pass By)

Via Zamboni (Pass By)

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Wheelchair accessible
Stroller accessible
Service animals allowed
Near public transportation
Most travelers can participate

This is a private City Unscripted experience: real people, real connections
After booking, you'll receive a short online questionnaire to share your interests, preferences, and must-sees. Your City Unscripted guide will personally reach out to craft a fully customized itinerary that suits your style—whether you love history, food, hidden gems, or cultural experiences.
This private tour is a walking experience. A private vehicle is not included.
Public transportation or local taxis may be used to transfer between sites. Exact transportation costs can be discussed with your host after your reservation is finalized.
This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

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Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

5.0

based on 22 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Amazing tour with Nicole

Kathleen_H, Jun 2026

Nicole gave such an informative tour of Bologna. Learning all of its history and observing so much of its architecture and beautiful places was so amazing. He showed pictures and videos so we could exactly imagine life in different periods! We were given so many recommendations of places to visit and restaurant to eat at which was so helpful on our arrival day. He was the perfect tour guide and so accommodating.

Response from Host, Jun 2026

We're delighted to hear that you had such an informative and enjoyable experience exploring Bologna with Nicole. It's fantastic to know that their storytelling, historical insights, and use of photos and videos helped bring the city's rich past to life and made the experience even more engaging. We're also pleased that the recommendations for places to visit and local restaurants were helpful as you settled into the city. Providing personalized suggestions and local knowledge is an important part of what makes our experiences special.

Walking through the heart...

kee_S, May 2026

Walking through the heart of Bologna and listening to Paulina on the history Bologna was totally wonderful. She knows the “secrets” and has “keys” to many Bologna’s best points of interest. Highly recommended

Response from Host, May 2026

We’re so glad you enjoyed uncovering Bologna’s hidden stories and special places along the way! It’s wonderful to hear the experience brought the city’s history to life in such a memorable way — your recommendation truly means a lot to us.

Great experience with Diego

Alan_C, Aug 2025

Diego was a perfect guide. He arrived early, and stayed longer than we had booked him for, because he was so excited to show us more. He is very passionate about his city Bologna, and his passion is infectious. We truly loved every minute of our tour with Diego, and highly recommend him. We listened to his suggestions and gave him our input, and the result was a fabulously customized and memorable experience. We left Bologna with a great understanding of its life and culture, and a hope that we will soon return for more.

Response from Host, Aug 2025

Diego’s passion for his city truly shines through, and we’re thrilled that it helped make your time in Bologna so special. It’s wonderful to know that his enthusiasm, flexibility, and local insight created a customized experience you’ll remember. Thank you so much for your lovely message! We hope to welcome you back again soon for another City Unscripted adventure, whether in Bologna or another incredible destination.

A Day in Bologna

KeithGrader, May 2025

This was a great way to get to know the city from a locals perspective. Our guide was friendly, knowledgeable and very helpful. She answered all of our questions and gave us tips on things to do after our tour.

Response from Host, May 2025

Thank you so much for your kind words! I'm thrilled to hear you had such a great experience exploring the city through a local's eyes. It’s wonderful that your guide made you feel welcome, answered your questions, and provided extra tips to continue your adventure afterward—that’s exactly what we aim for! See you on your next adventure!

That our host, Paulina,...

Daniel_N, Oct 2024

That our host, Paulina, was super good at adapting the tour to our interrests and answering our many mnay questions. Highly reccomend her.

Response from Host, Oct 2024

We're thrilled to hear that Paulina tailored the tour to your interests and answered all your questions. We appreciate your high recommendation and hope to welcome you back for more adventures soon!

Complete Satisfaction

alex_m, Apr 2024

Words can not express my appreciation for the best tour we received from Claudio in Bologna. He really went out of his way to meet All our desires and expectations. Knowledgeable, friendly, well versed in English language and kind hearted. Great Asset to the tour company's he participated with. Thank you very much.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Claudio and our Team at City Unscripted are touched by your positive review. Your encouragement is priceless! Think of us next time you travel, we have hosts worldwide!

Great learning experience.

Albert_E, Apr 2024

The history of Bologna we received from our guide. She showed us around the whole plaza and pointed out several secrets from years back. We also were able to taste the best of Bologna.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Exploring the plaza and discovering its secrets sounds like a fascinating journey. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future!

Bologna City Tour

Judy_H, Jun 2023

Gabriele did a fantastic job of showing us so many highlights of Bologna. He was extremely informative and greatly contributed to the wonderful time we had in Bologna.

bologna walking tour

lolaboba, Sep 2019

Great experience with private guide, father and son. Giacomo was very knowledgeable and passionate about his job! Real pleasure and great tour seeing the best of the city in a few hours!excellent!

Great time in Bologna

Frank D, Sep 2019

Claudia was our guide and we thought she was lovely. Very knowledgeable as she has lived in the area all her life. Took us to many great places we would have never found. She also took us to several great food spots and recommended a restaurant for dinner that turned out to be the best dinner we have had in Italy so far. The only reason I didn’t give her 5 stars is that she speaks too softly for a guide. There were only 5 of us and we all had trouble hearing her. Her English is good but not great and the combination made her a little hard to understand at noisy locations. I highly recommend this 4 hour tour. There is so much to see in this beautiful & vibrant city.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Hi Frank! Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed feedback! We’re delighted to hear that Claudia made your experience so enjoyable, sharing her local knowledge and introducing you to hidden gems and fantastic food spots. It’s wonderful that her dinner recommendation turned out to be a highlight of your trip to Italy! We appreciate your feedback regarding her speaking volume and clarity in noisy settings, and we’ll share this with her to help enhance future experiences. Thank you for recommending the tour, and we’d love to host you again for more discoveries in this vibrant city!