Icons & Secrets
5 (55)

Bologna for literature lovers

3 hours English
5 (55)
100% Personalized

Join a literature-loving host and explore the world’s oldest university, spectacular libraries, and the most famous literary spots in the city.

Giulia
Giulia
Paolina
Paolina

Match with one of our local hosts

Be matched with a host based on your interests and preferences, to tailor your perfect day.

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100% Flexible: Adapt in real time

Your host will fine-tune the experience in real time to match your mood.

Experience Overview

Time:

3 hours

What to expect:

Fully tailored to your preferences

Language:

Hosted in English (Other languages may be requested)

Meeting point:

Comet, Via IV Novembre, 6/A, 40123 Bologna BO, Italy

Cancellation:

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience

What 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.

What’s Included:

Private and personalized experience
3 hours with a Host
Walking experience
Hotel meet-up (available on request for central location)

What’s Excluded:

Food and drink
Tickets to any attractions
Transportation costs
Gratuities (optional)

Key Highlights:

  • Dive into Bologna's vibrant literary culture beyond ordinary tourist paths
  • Browse charming independent bookstores and community book exchanges
  • Discover literary landmarks where famous writers lived and found inspiration
  • Explore tucked-away libraries that reveal Bologna's intellectual character
  • Visit cozy cafés where writers, students and professors gather to discuss ideas
  • Share stories about Bologna's book world over coffee or an afternoon apéritif

What travelers think of our Bologna experiences

A
Anca 14 May 2025

Lorenza was a delightful lady and showed us the less known paths of Bologna along best sightseeing. We’ve spend 3 hours together in a personalized experience as we’ve asked for. Thanks for that .

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M
Mike 11 May 2025

Alex was great! Very knowledgeable and personable.

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Melissa 19 November 2024

I arrived in Bologna a couple of hours before my tour. I was overwhelmed by the city and did not understand or connect with it. Within the first fifteen minutes of being with Paolina that all changed. She was warm and welcoming. Her passion and enthusiasm for her beloved Bologna was infectious. Each new place she guided me to was more beautiful and interesting than the last. Each new secret she revealed to me made me love the city a little bit more. I began to appreciate and understand the character of the city and the people who inhabited it. By the end of my three hour tour I felt like I had only scratched the surface of the most beautiful city I had ever seen. I changed my travel plans so that I could return for two more days. This time, I will stay in the historic city center and explore a city that is already familiar to me. I am excited to return and that is entirely because of Paolina. I was interested in having Paolina because of her many positive reviews and was able to request her as a tour guide through City Unscripted. I highly recommend that you do the same! This tour made me realize that I should be booking tours in every new city I visit. I hope my future guides are half as good as Paolina! She even gifted me a little tortellini magnet because of my passion for pasta.

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M
Melissa 5 November 2024

I arrived in Bologna a couple of hours before my tour. I was overwhelmed by the city and did not understand or connect with it. Within the first fifteen minutes of being with Paolina that all changed. She was warm and welcoming. Her passion and enthusiasm for her beloved Bologna was infectious. Each new place she guided me to was more beautiful and interesting than the last. Each new secret she revealed to me made me love the city a little bit more. I began to appreciate and understand the character of the city and the people who inhabited it. By the end of my three hour tour I felt like I had only scratched the surface of the most beautiful city I had ever seen. I changed my travel plans so that I could return for two more days. This time, I will stay in the historic city center and explore a city that is already familiar to me. I am excited to return and that is entirely because of Paolina. I was interested in having Paolina because of her many positive reviews and was able to request her as a tour guide through City Unscripted. I highly recommend that you do the same! This tour made me realize that I should be booking tours in every new city I visit. I hope my future guides are half as good as Paolina! She even gifted me a little tortellini magnet because of my passion for pasta. A true cultural ambassador for Emilia Romagna and Italy, especially Bologna.

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T
Tima 18 September 2017

Ilaria has made our day in Bologna. Being very communicative, outgoing and knowledgeable she made Bologna accessible so one can feel and understand the spirit of the city and its people. Thank you Ilaria for all.

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S
Sharon 27 February 2017

Ilaria is a wonderful, friendly and intelligent young woman who added a lovely dimension to our visit to Bologna. Her passion for this beautiful city was immediately evident and she communicated this in a very natural and friendly way. Highly recommended!!!

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Real Stories, Real Connections

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Bright smiles beneath Bologna's striking Neptune Fountain under a clear sky.

Bright smiles beneath Bologna's striking Neptune Fountain under a clear sky.

A cozy tasting moment unfolds in a charming Bologna shop.

A cozy tasting moment unfolds in a charming Bologna shop.

Savoring the rich flavors of Bologna with shared laughter and charcuterie.

Savoring the rich flavors of Bologna with shared laughter and charcuterie.

Enjoying a sunny view of Bologna's iconic towers.

Enjoying a sunny view of Bologna's iconic towers.

Exploring Bologna's history with delight under the iconic towers.

Exploring Bologna's history with delight under the iconic towers.

Pausing beneath Bologna's warm arches for a cozy moment together.

Pausing beneath Bologna's warm arches for a cozy moment together.

Enjoying game day vibes beneath Bologna's historic towers.

Enjoying game day vibes beneath Bologna's historic towers.

Standing by Neptune's statue, absorbing Bologna's historic vibes.

Standing by Neptune's statue, absorbing Bologna's historic vibes.

A warm moment inside Bologna's grand cathedral hall.

A warm moment inside Bologna's grand cathedral hall.

Exploring Bologna's stunning architecture with smiles all around.

Exploring Bologna's stunning architecture with smiles all around.

Sharing a playful moment at a local Bologna shop.

Sharing a playful moment at a local Bologna shop.

Enjoying a sunny afternoon snack on Bologna's lively streets.

Enjoying a sunny afternoon snack on Bologna's lively streets.

A spotlight dances across Bologna's ancient, numbered stone floor.

A spotlight dances across Bologna's ancient, numbered stone floor.

Sampling rich flavors in a charming Bologna shop.

Sampling rich flavors in a charming Bologna shop.

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Beautiful memory

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Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory

Beautiful memory