Bologna is located in northern Italy and is considered one of the gastronomic capitals of Italy. And given the culinary reputation of Italy, this must say something.
The food attracts most of the visitors here (it’s what attracted me there). I had heard that this is the perfect place for gourmets in Italy, and I was not disappointed.
Not surprisingly, there are a lot of good food tours here, where you can meander around the city and at the same time experience the traditional cuisine of the region. There are also tons of drink tours and many history-filled tours to make sure you learn more about the past of this foodie-oriented city.
In short, Bologna is the perfect place for a walk. And since I love hikes of all kinds, I took a few of them while I was in the city. Some were great, some were fine, some were terrible. Here are the best hikes I’ve done in Bologna to help you plan your visit:
Although these are my favorite paid and free tour operators in the city, Bologna offers many other tour operators on foot. Here are three more companies that I really like:
1. Eat superior
If you still have an appetite, join the eat superior traditional food tour. This 3.5-hour tour is led by an experienced local guide and stops at four hand-picked restaurants where you can enjoy fresh pasta, artisanal ice cream, local meat and much more (you will definitely be full). I think it’s especially great that you can not only taste fantastic traditional food, but also smack the crowd off the smack track. It is a must for gourmets.
2. Bologna drink
If you are like me and love drink, you should book this guided vineyard tour. It is run by a sommelier and offers a wide selection of drinks from the Bologna region. You will visit lesser-known places, taste unique vintages and develop a deeper appreciation for the drinks of the region. They will also stop at the oldest tavern in the city, which I think is really nice. The tours last 2-3 hours (depending on what you book) and include 2-5 glasses of drink (again depending on the tour). The guides really know their work, so you will learn a lot on this tour.
3. Voyagehoo
Take a guided bike ride with Travelhoo to burn off all the good food you enjoyed. For 2.5 hours you will get to know the long history of Bologna and visit the most important sights such as Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica of San Petronio and the Neptune Fountain. It’s a solid introduction to the city and how it became the food and drink center it is today.
Although it is an active tour, the guide will guide you at a leisurely pace, so you don’t have to be particularly fit to enjoy it.
Bologna may not attract the attention of Rome or Venice, but when it comes to food, it holds. Take one of the above-mentioned hikes and learn more about its history and culture and enjoy the incredible food that has put the city on the map for centuries!
And although these are my favorite tours in the city, the GetYourGuide website offers a lot more options, so check it out if you are looking for additional tours!
