Eating Bologna Food and Wine Tour
Description
Welcome to Bologna, where medieval streets lead to bustling markets, and every meal tells a story. With its rich history and world-famous cuisine, this city is a dream for food lovers. On this three-hour food tour, you’ll explore the Quadrilatero, Mercato di Mezzo, and the lively University District. Taste fresh pasta with rich Bolognese sauce at family-run trattorias, enjoy aged Parmigiano Reggiano, artisanal cured meats, and exquisite balsamic vinegar—each bite packed with tradition. Pair it all with local sparkling wines, and you’ll see why Bologna is called “La Grassa” (The Fat). Depending on your departure time, your experience will feature a unique highlight: morning tours offer a visit to a pasta workshop for a tortellino-making class, while afternoon tours stop at a 600-year-old tavern (the oldest in the city) for drinks and a bite to eat. Join us for 10 delicious tastings, great wine, and the fascinating stories behind Bologna’s incredible food scene.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Piazza Maggiore, the heart of Bologna since 1200, is surrounded by historic landmarks like the Basilica of San Petronio and the Neptune Fountain. Once a hub for trade and civic life, it remains the city's main gathering place.
We'll visit a traditional delicatessen, a local institution known for its top-quality cured meats, where you'll try different types of Parmigiano Reggiano cheese with Balsamic Vinegar.
Nearby, we’ll see skilled ladies, the 'sfogline', making pasta by hand, and you'll also try it yourself! Note: this stop is only included in morning tours.
Step inside a historic Bolognese deli rooted in family tradition and craftsmanship. Discover high-quality local products and enjoy a tasting of classic mortadella paired with homemade local focaccia.
Mercato di Mezzo has been a hub of flavors and trade since medieval times. Transformed into Bologna’s first covered market after Italian unification, it was revitalized in 2014 and now offers local food and wine specialties.
One of Bologna’s oldest bakeries, family-run since the late 19th century and still preserving its original charm. Discover a long tradition of artisanal baking and enjoy a tasting of their classic rice cake, a beloved local specialty.
The Two Towers are iconic symbols of Bologna, marking the ancient Via Emilia’s entrance. Built in the 12th century, they reflect Bologna’s past power and prestige, with one offering panoramic views and the other famed for its dramatic tilt.
At a neighborhood pillar for three decades, we'll taste true local flavors. Savor a tasting of rich Friggione and traditional tigella (or crescentina) topped with delicate prosciutto, along with Lambrusco wine.
Soak in the rich past of Centro Storico, from papal births to student confraternities, and from ancient frescos to the lively spirit of Bologna. Enjoy a tasting of tagliatelle with Bolognese sauce, tortelloni in sage and butter, with Pignoletto wine and finish with an espresso and a chocolate tortellino.
Visit the 600-year-old traditional Bolognese tavern, the oldest in the city. Enjoy a relaxing drink while experiencing the social heart of Bologna Note: this stop is only included in afternoon tours.
Since the 18th century, this area of Bologna has become a cultural hub, with the University of Bologna moving its Dean's offices to Palazzo Poggi in 1803. Today, it's the city's student district, blending historic buildings with contemporary street art and graffiti.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This activity requires a minimum of 2 guests. Should this not be met, we will contact you directly to help you get rescheduled or reimbursed.
- Children under 4 years old do not need a ticket and can join the tour for free. However, food is not included. Paid tickets with food included are available for ages 4 and up.
- Please note that the tastings mentioned are a selection of the delicious foods we often feature. Both offerings and tour stops may vary by day or season, but you're sure to enjoy a delightful array of local flavors!
- Have dietary requirements? Simply email us or add a note at booking, and we’ll do our best to accommodate vegetarians, gluten-free guests or other dietary needs where we can. For guest safety, this experience isn’t suitable for those with severe or life-threatening food allergies to ingredients found on the tour, and the company cannot take responsibility for any food allergies or intolerances.
Reviews(159)
What a great food tour! Highly recommend to anyone wanting to know more about the delicious food Bologna has to offer. Crowd size was 6 + guide. Our guide was very knowledgeable about the food and history of Bologna.
Our guide Ela was great! Very knowledgable and the choices were amazing.
Learned a lot on this excursion! Our guide Ela was very knowledgeable about the culture and cuisine of Bologna. Would definitely recommend to anyone in town!
Our guide was fun, patient and knowledgeable. A deep dive in a few hours. What fun!
Very good! Alot of good food and wine. One of the best experiences 😁👍🏻 Ela was an amazing guide! If u ever in Norway we will have pinnekjøtt ready ✨
Wonderful walk around Bologna with stops at many food places. Elena was an amazing guide and shared many stories about the history of tue food and of the city. Highly recommend!
Great sampling of Bologna foods.
Elena was a terrific tour guide - very friendly and knowledgeable! All of the stops and all of the foods were phenomenal.
Kid friendly, fun, personable. 3 hrs but felt quick.
Short, sweet, and to the point—we love it! Time really does fly when you're having delicious fun! Whenever you're ready for another culinary adventure, we'd love to see you again in Bologna or in one of our other Eating Europe cities like London or Amsterdam. Cheers!
The tour was very good. We had so much fun tasting all the foods, and our guide was so kind.
Thank you so much for your lovely words! We are so happy to hear you had a wonderful time tasting your way through the city and that your guide made you feel so welcome. We truly believe that food brings people together, and we would love to have you back at our table—either right here in Bologna or on any of our other European food tours. 🍷
