Essential walking tour of Bologna with “Bologna Tour”
A cultural walking tour of Bologna, slowly advancing through the heart of the city. Bologna Tours organizes guided tours open to everyone, even Bolognese people like me, who want to play tourist in their own city!
Bologna is well-known for its food traditions and delicious local products that captivate everyone from the first bite. You can visit Bologna by strolling through the narrow streets of the city center, guided by the intoxicating scents from historic shops, the smiles of the locals, and their fun expressions.
But to truly understand Bologna, it needs to be told.
Being born here, I consider myself lucky. I grew up discovering its secrets day by day, the little stories behind its monuments and seemingly ordinary intersections, which have made me a proud “extra” in the story of this city.
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Visit Bologna with “Bologna Tour”
As a passionate fan of Bologna’s history (like many of my fellow citizens), on a hot July afternoon, I played the tourist in my own city. With a small group of English tourists, I let Margherita from BolognaTour guide me to rediscover the city center. If it’s your first time visiting Bologna or you don’t have much time, this essential walking tour of the historic center is perfect.
It’s a journey through history, food, and interesting facts, showing you how the determined character of its citizens has incredibly deep roots. “See you under the bottom of Neptune!”
This is a common phrase used by locals to arrange meetings in the city center. Not by chance, Piazza del Nettuno is the starting point for this walking tour.
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WALKING TOUR OF BOLOGNA
Duration: 2 hours, price 25 euros
Palazzo D’Accursio
The walking tour starts at Palazzo D’Accursio, the current town hall, just a short walk from the site of the first stone of Roman Bologna.
Margherita guides us through the most important historical periods, and since we’re talking about history, there are plenty of fun stories about architectural details we can still admire today.
All about Piazza Maggiore
Bologna is full of curiosities, and its central square, Piazza Maggiore, has always been its main square since its founding. Here, you can admire the most charming palaces, such as Palazzo dei Notai and Palazzo Re Enzo, once a prison, now a stunning venue for major events, as well as the beloved Basilica of San Petronio, the non-saint saint.
Overseeing everything is the reassuring giant, the Neptune Fountain, which has sparked many controversies for its “too sexy” details for the Pope.
The Wonderful Basilica of San Petronio
The tour moves from the profane to the sacred as we enter the massive and unfinished Basilica of San Petronio. This is just one of the unique features that make it stand out.
Inside, you’ll find the controversial painting “Mohammed in Hell,” which has put the church under constant military surveillance. Another must-see is the 1655 solar calendar by Gian Domenico Cassini, a jewel of engineering.
The two Towers of Bologna
As we continue our visit, we head towards Via Rizzoli to see the Two Towers.
In medieval times, nearly 80 towers stood in the city, which is why it was known as “Bologna the Towered.” Today, only about 20 remain. The most famous are the Asinelli Tower, the tallest, and the Garisenda Tower, which is shorter and leaning. The Garisenda is currently inaccessible due to its dangerous condition, but you can still climb to the top of the Asinelli Tower for an incredible view!
To watch Bologna in medieval times, reed this article
The Waterways and Santo Stefano
After crossing the Jewish Ghetto, a maze of narrow alleys where it’s easy to get lost, we reach Via Piella. Through a special window, you can see the only visible canal left from the old network of waterways. The tour continues to Piazza Santo Stefano, one of my favorite squares in Bologna, known for its lively nightlife and stunning architecture.
Here, you can admire the complex of the “Seven Churches,” beautiful both inside and out. As in other parts of Bologna, there are fascinating ancient stories, curses, and mysteries hiding right before our eyes, some still to be uncovered.
Tortellini bolognesi – Read where to find the best ones in Bologna city center.
Gastronomy in Bologna
The streets of the Quadrilatero area set the scene for stories mixing fact and fantasy about our famous food specialties, which are envied by everyone, much to the surprise of foreign tourists who will no longer ask for meatballs in their pasta, at least not in Italy!
To end the tour of Bologna, we had an aperitif together, tasting the “Bolognese essence,” which was a perfect conclusion to this fascinating journey.
In the capital of Italian gastronomy, finding a good restaurant can be a real challenge! There are so many, but not all live up to expectations… That’s why I’m here!
Also, if it’s summer and you want to eat outside, I’ve picked a list of super cute spots in Bologna to enjoy good food while avoiding the city’s scorching heat.
My Personal Opinion
Sure, there’s much more to tell, as Bologna is full of culture and fascinating stories. Nevertheless, this short tour is one of my favorites, both for the wealth of information and my personal pride in the city.
Before this visit, I thought I knew everything, but I was proven wrong, and that’s why I recommend it to everyone—Italians, foreigners, and even Bolognese who think they already know it all.
Here’s the link to book this amazing tour organized by Bologna Tour Official.
WALKING TOUR OF BOLOGNA
Duration: 2 hours, price 25 euros
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Personally, I loved this walking tour of Bologna. I hope you’ll want to immerse yourself in its beautiful atmosphere too!
Go on Traveling!
Lety goes on
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