Bologna
Your Perfect First Day in Bologna: Porticoes, Markets & Local Flow
City Essentials: First Day • 2 hours
5.0
(404)
Your Perfect First Day in Bologna: Porticoes, Markets & Local Flow
Get your bearings in Bologna with a flexible walk that blends local rhythm, insight, and easygoing discovery, your way.
What makes this experience special
This isn’t a sightseeing sprint, it’s a soft landing. On this guest-led half-day, you’ll ease into Bologna the way locals live it: unhurried, open-ended, and full of small delights.
Key highlights
- Navigate Bologna’s porticoes like a local, whether wandering or window-shopping
- Get the stories behind the Two Towers, or skip them for courtyard calm
- Taste and talk your way through the Quadrilatero, Bologna’s historic market heart
- Pause at Santo Stefano to take in centuries of layered history, or just the quiet
- Discover local rituals, from chalk art to mid-morning wine breaks
- Ask questions, change course, or stop where it feels right—this walk flexes with you
- Leave with practical tips and personal favorites, not a checklist of stops
What to know before you go
Here’s everything you need to know before your day unfolds.
Fully tailored to your preferences
Walking experience may use public transport for long distances
English Other languages may be requested
What’s included
Tailored itinerary based on your preferences
A knowledgeable host who knows the hidden gems
Flexible start times to fit your day
What’s not included
Food, drinks and shopping expenses
Transport fares or attraction entry fees
Meeting point
Piazza Maggiore, Piazza Maggiore, 40124 Bologna BO, ItalyCancellation
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 (coins or small notes) for bus fares, as tickets must be purchased before boarding.
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 mostHere’s what your experience could look like
These are just suggestions from our hosts to inspire your day. Your host will tailor the experience to suit your interests and tastes
Meeting point
Piazza Maggiore, Piazza Maggiore, 40124 Bologna BO, Italy
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
We don’t make deals with businesses - giving you unbiased and authentic local experiences.
Ian
Aug 2025
Our guide paulina made us feel very special by spoiling us with kindness making our wedding anniversary memorable. Paulina made sure our tour showed wonderful history and lifestyle of the people of Bologna. One of the best days of our holiday.
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Karen
Aug 2025
Andrea was a wealth of information of "the history of Bologna old city" (specifically what I was interested in). We talked about many other topics as well. His presentation welcoming and informative. The development of the city throughout the ages including transportation of goods and materials, building styles and modernisation. I very much enjoyed his tour.
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Lukasz
Aug 2025
Claudio Natale was a great tour guide and host. He has a lot of interesting stories about Bologna to share, was very flexible and focused on our points / areas of interest. He accommodated the itinerary to our requests. He is a very nice and friendly person. It was a great few hours which allowed me and my wife to discover a lot of interesting things about Bologna. Highly recommended to spend some time with Claudio in Bologna :)
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Alan
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.
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Cathy
Jul 2025
Claudio a été un guide exceptionnel et très sympathique, avec des connaissances incroyables sur sa ville! Nous avons passé de superbes heures ensemble et le referons à notre retour. Claudio was an exceptional and very friendly guide, with incredible knowledge of his city! We spent a wonderful time together and will do it again when we return.
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Morgan
Jul 2025
Our tour was a fantastic intro to our visit to Bologna. Nicola was our tour guide and his passion for history was evident as he shared all the background of our stops along the way. He did a great job curating the tour to our family’s interests to keep it interesting for everyone, as well as giving us so great recommendations for gelato and dinner. We appreciate Nicola’s time and highly recommend him and this tour!
Show moreFAQs
Your questions, answered
Is this a traditional tour?
No. Our experiences are unscripted and designed around you. Instead of following a rigid itinerary, your host will plan a personalized journey that feels natural, immersive, and unique.
How does personalization work?
After booking, you’ll complete a short questionnaire about your interests and travel style. We’ll match you with the best host who will tailor the experience to you. You'll have the opportunity to chat with them before the experience and agree on a plan.
Will I see famous landmarks or just hidden gems?
Both! Your host will take you to iconic sights if you want to see them, but they’ll also introduce you to places and stories most travelers miss.
What if I don’t know what I want to explore?
That’s completely fine! Select an experience theme or a flexible discovery experience, and after booking, answer a few questions so your host can design the perfect experience for you.
Can I mix different themes in one experience?
Absolutely! Whether you want a blend of food, history, local culture, or nightlife, your host will seamlessly weave them together into one immersive experience.
Will I know my itinerary in advance?
Yes, you will have the opportunity to chat with your host directly and agree on a plan for the day. However, there’s always room for spontaneity and local surprises!
Can I request specific places to visit?
Yes! After booking, you will receive a questionnaire where you can highlight must-visit spots and anything else you’d like to include, and your host will craft your experience around them.
Can I adjust the plan on the day?
Of course! Your experience is flexible, so you can explore at your own pace and make changes along the way.
What kind of stories and insights will my host share?
Each host has their own personal relationship with the city. You'll experience the city through their eyes—hearing stories about places they love, discovering hidden gems, and learning what makes their city special in a way that goes beyond a typical tour.
How much walking is involved?
This depends on the experience, but your host can adjust the pace to suit your comfort level.
Can my host meet me at my accommodation?
Hotel meet-ups are available upon request in central areas. If you're staying outside the city, your host will recommend the best meeting spot and guide you with directions.