Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Big Ben to Tower Bridge
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Tortellini, tortelloni & trattorias in ‘La Grassa’
Big Ben to Tower Bridge

What you'll do

Duck into a small salumeria - specialist food stores which sell cured meats, cheeses, and regional ingredients - your host knows exactly which ones make the best mortadella, a smooth textured pork sausage, salame, parmigiano, and pecorino cheese.

Celebrate local flavors, and genuine ingredients, and get a sense of the food culture in an authentic and historical environment at a traditional osteria. 

Visit a generations-old, specialty pasta store and sample a few varieties - it’s important to know your tortellini from your tortelloni! Admire the biggest covered market in town, the Mercato delle Erbe, for a true taste of Bolognese tradition where everything is made with ‘zero-kilometer ingredients’, from silky tagliatelle alla ragù to freshly-baked focaccia.

Where you’ll go

Weave your way under porticoes and through the earthy-red streets of Centro Storico, the historic center and heart of Bologna. Peruse the Quadrilatero, a pocket of lanes between Piazza Maggiore and the Due Torri that’s been home to a gastronomic market since the Middle Ages, and stop by Osteria del Sole, the locals’ favorite, a no-frills eatery that’s hidden nearby.

Amble further west and sneak into a foodie’s paradise, the Mercato delle Erbe - far enough away from the main tourist trail to be free of selfie-stick-wielding tourists but still within the historic walls of the center. Bliss out at gelateria Galleria 49 - still known locally by its old name, “Stefino” - a humble-looking kiosk that serves some of the creamiest gelato in town. 

  • Private & 100% personalized tour

  • 3 hours

  • Matched to your ideal host

  • Walking tour (may use public transport)

  • Hosted in English (On request: Bengali, Catalan, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Spanish)

  • Meet at your accommodation or a central location

Experience outline

  • Explore the Centro Storico, the historic center, and visit its best local markets, eateries and food shops
  • Visit Mercato delle Erbe to sample regional and seasonal produce and freshly made pasta
  • Stop for a drink and a dish in one of the market restaurants or wine bars
  • Taste specialty regional produce in a salumeria - like cheeses and cured meats - in the Quadrilatero
  • Visit a local osteria which the locals love, but most tourists would never find
  • Indulge in creamy gelato at a generations-old gelateria

Things to know

What’s included

  • Private and personalized experience
  • 3 hours with a host
  • 7-8 tastings of various Bolognese specialties
  • A coffee, craft beer, glass of regional wine or a soft drink
  • Walking experience
  • Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s not included

  • Food and drinks (additional to the ones included in the experience)
  • Tickets to any attractions
  • Transportation costs
  • Gratuities (optional)

Cancellation

  • Cancel 14 days before the experience for a full refund
  • Worry-free cancellation terms: book with peace of mind knowing that you can cancel for free up to a day before the experience and receive a full refund.

Photos taken by our hosts and guests

City Unscripted guests photos

Reviews

    Gabriele was a great guide, he was informative, warm and welcoming. He gave a good overview of the city and the history, the restaurants were great and the food delicious. He took the time to give me tips for the rest of my stay and provided excellent restaurant reconditions.

    October 2022

    Amina S

    Elisa was a brilliant guide with a clear passion for her city, history, culture and food. She gave a good overview of Bologna explaining how it was founded and changed over the years. Elisa was very friendly and went out of her way to make sure the tour was personalised. The highlight was stopping to pick up meats and cheeses to enjoy with a glass of wine. A fantastic way to see the city.

    October 2022

    Amina S

    Elisa has a lovely personality and her knowledge and passion for her city came through in a very pleasant way.

    September 2022

    Kim F

    We have a great time with Gabriele in the beautiful city of Bologna! He showed us all of the main sights. Highly recommended!

    August 2022

    Peter K

See more reviews

Meet our local hosts in Bologna. One of them will tailor this experience to your wishes!

We’ll expertly match you to your best suited host based on your interests, personality and the experience vibe you’re after.

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