Bologna
Kickstart your trip to Bologna
City Essentials: First Day • 2 hours
5.0
(344)
Kickstart your trip to Bologna
The perfect 2-hour experience for your first day in Bologna. Get oriented and gain tips from your host to make the most of the rest of your visit.
What makes this experience special
Key highlights
- Spend a few hours with a host in Bologna and get to know the city in a way you’ll love - orientating yourself is crucial to having a fun, stress-free holiday
- See Bologna’s iconic attractions as well as a few ‘off the beaten’ path spots your host recommends
- Discover the highlights of the area or neighborhood you explore through the eyes of your host
- Get advice from your host and ask any questions you might have about exploring the city
- Familiarize yourself with the best ways to navigate the city
- Don’t waste time getting to the parts of the city you most want to see
- Chat to your host about life in Bologna and what it’s like to live there
What to know before you go
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
2 hours
Fully tailored to your preferences
English Other languages may be requested
What’s included
Private and personalized experience
2 hours with a host
Walking experience
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)
What’s not included
Food and drinks
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)
Meeting point
Your hotel/apartment or any other central locationCancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experienceWhat to bring
- We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and carrying a light bag for your essentials.
- Public transport may be used during the experience - please bring a travel card or small amount of cash for fares.
How your day could unfold
A flexible, unscripted experience designed entirely around your interests. Your host will adapt the day based on what excites you mostWhat you’ll do
You’ll spend a wonderful few hours with one of our local Bologna hosts getting yourself orientated in what many consider to be Italy’s food capital. Bologna is somewhat off the beaten tourist track with Venice, Rome, and Florence just a hop, skip, and jump away, but its beauty lies in being so undiscovered.
Your host can’t wait to show you what makes this medieval stronghold so spectacular, and you will spend your time together strolling through the arcaded streets, known as porticos, ambling over piazzas, taking in some of the city's best-known sites like the Two Towers and marveling at the red roofs from your high vantage point (once you’ve climbed one of the towers) - all of which will help you map out the city.
Tell your local Bologna host what interests you, and they’ll be sure to fill you in on all the must-sees and hidden gems they feel you’ll love during your trip.
There can be no better way to kickstart your trip to Bologna!
1. Select a date
2. Select start time
3. Tailor your experience
Answer a few quick questions to help your host craft the perfect day tailored to you.
1. What’s your preferred hosting style?
2. How would you like the pace of your day?
3. What’s your walking comfort level?
4. Are you celebrating something special?
Real Stories, Real Connections
See our hosts and guests creating memories
A Local’s Embrace in Bologna’s Backstreets
Flavours and Friendships in Quadrilatero Market
A City of Layers and Laughter
Under the Porticoes: Timeless Bologna Comes Alive
Family Explorations at Sala Borsa
Through the Secret Window: Discovering Hidden Bologna
Medieval Echoes and Modern Joys
Locks of Memory, Stories of the Canal
Sun-Kissed Streets & Big Smiles: A Local Welcome in the Quadrilatero
Through the Secret Window: A Rainy Glimpse into Bologna’s Hidden Canal
Chic Stops: Exploring Fashion & Architecture in Galleria Cavour
Scoops & Stories: Sharing Gelato Outside a Historic Bologna Gelateria
Legends & Laughter: Posing Proudly at the Fountain of Neptune
Evening Flavors: A Twilight Stroll Through Bologna’s Market Alleys
Fountain of Neptune, Moments of Marvel
Sunlit Stories in Piazza Maggiore
17,500+ 5-Star Reviews and Counting
Trusted and recommended by travelers worldwide, including 99% on Google and TripAdvisor.
recommended by 99% of travelers on google
recommended by 99% of travelers on tripadvisor
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What travelers think of this experience
Mark
Apr 2025
Although I had visited Bologna several times Nicola gave me an understanding and insight about history, culture and lifestyle to expand my appreciation of the city.
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Michael
Apr 2025
Excellent tour, our guide Jonathan is a local with detailed knowledge of his town. He is an excellent guide as well as person! Very insightful tour.
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Lisa
Apr 2025
Nicola was a fantastic guide and host for his beautiful city. We gained knowledge that we would not otherwise learned on our own. I highly recommend this tour!
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David
Apr 2025
Giulia was our guide for a walking tour of Bologna. She was very personable and friendly. She explained what we would see and then described each area of the city to us as we walked. She was aware of our preferences (fewer stairs) and guided us around them. At the end of the tour, she showed us to a very nice restaurant.
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CARRIE
Apr 2025
Paolina was a great host and very engaging. My young son was the only child on the trip, and she made him feel very welcome. Her enthusiasm for the City of Bologna was evident. We cannot wait to go back for a visit.
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Janet
Apr 2025
Paolina personalized the tour with a lot of history and stories to tie in the surroundings so it all came together. She is also originally from the US, so it was easy to bond with her and understand it all from a different view.
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