Bologna
Kickstart your trip to Bologna
City Essentials: First Day • 2 hours
5.0
(341)
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
Paolo_Di_Capua_Bologna_GYG997V8MXQG
BR-806428114_host_Lorenza_Ungarelli_Half day_Bologna
CU-35278_host_Lorenza_Ungarelli_Tortellini, Tortelloni_Bologna_2
CU-35278_host_Lorenza_Ungarelli_Tortellini, Tortelloni_Bologna_1
CU-35278_host_Lorenza_Ungarelli_Tortellini, Tortelloni_Bologna
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.
What travelers think of this experience
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
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.
Show more
Emily
Apr 2025
On our first day in Bologna, we had the pleasure of taking a 3-hour personalized tour with Lorenza, and it truly set the tone for the rest of our trip. She was incredibly warm, welcoming, and knowledgeable—bringing the city’s rich history to life through engaging stories and fascinating insights. Throughout our stay, we kept recognizing places she had shown us, often recalling the fun facts she shared with a smile. Thanks to Lorenza, we experienced Bologna through a much deeper and more meaningful lens. One of the highlights was learning about the history of the porticos and how they symbolize the city’s spirit of hospitality—something she herself embodied with her magnetic personality and thoughtful approach. An outstanding experience from start to finish. 5 stars—highly recommend!
Show more
John
Apr 2025
Claudio was friendly and patient with our many questions. He answered all of our questions, and offered recommendations to many other things we could do and see in Bologna! He’s fabulous!!
Show more
Brian
Apr 2025
We LOVED our tour with Nicola! He has a masters degree in history and was able to satisfy all my nerdy curiosities! He really helped the city come alive and give it context. He showed us many little things that even locals don’t know. He also knew we were on a trip focused on cars (for my 16yo fan boy) and he took us out of the way to show us the founding location of Maserati!
Show more