Tour Details
Duration
2.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
- Piazza Maggiore
- San Petronio Basilica
- Archiginnasio Palace
- Anatomican Theater
- Two Towers
Photos & Highlights
- Walk Bologna’s center with a local expert who knows its layers
- Build a clear mental map of the city, without a map
Select a date
Tour Description
Bologna rewards those who slow down and look closer. With a local expert leading the way, you will see how Bolognans ruled, learned and lived throughout history, looking at intriguing fragments, details and inscriptions you might miss if you hurry. How did a medieval city become a university town that shaped Europe?
Past wide porticoes and lively squares, your guide will connect stories and stones to show how this city became both a seat of civic authority and a cradle of learning. In quiet corners and grand spaces you’ll sense a city that values reason and community, inviting questions at every turn.
Choose this tour if…
- You want a clear sense of Bologna’s city layout and history in a few hours
- You want to ask your questions and shape the pace and focus
- You want insights you would not find on your own
Experts
We begin our Bologna walking tour in Piazza Maggiore, where everyday life has always unfolded in public view. Markets, debates, celebrations, and protests all passed through here, leaving traces that still guide how locals gather and move through the city.
From here you will move on to the church of San Petronio which still surprises those who look beyond its scale. Inside, science and faith intersect along a quiet line of light that once helped redefine how humans understood the cosmos. What does it mean when a church becomes an instrument of scientific discovery?
Nearby, the Archiginnasio Palace opens a window onto the world’s oldest university. The Anatomical Theater, intimate and unsettling, speaks to curiosity, risk, and the desire to understand the human body. Knowledge here was never abstract, it was hands on.
During your walk, your guide will bring medieval politics into focus, from the soaring towers to traces of canals tucked between buildings. How did power, commerce, and learning shape a city that still feels lived in today?
Sites Visited
- Piazza Maggiore – the civic center where publics gathered for centuries from festival to protest
- San Petronio Basilica – the largest church in Bologna, famous for a meridian line of light used by scholars
- Archiginnasio Palace – seat of the oldest university and its Anatomical Theater
- Two Towers and Quadrilatero area – signs of medieval power and market conversations in stone and shadow
- Via Piella canals – a reminder that Bologna once found water in unexpected places
Tickets
You are pre-paid for the tour and the Archiginnasio tickets. Note there may be nominal site entrance costs or other fees that are not included in the price of the tour. It is a good idea to have some local currency on hand for these.
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour accessible? This tour includes a relative amount of walking and can be adjusted for people with mobility issues. Both the Archiginnasio and Basilica di San Petronio are equipped with ramps and are accessible.
Can we visit the Two Towers?
No, the famous Two Towers are not visitable because of safety reasons and they are not open to the public. The only tower in Bologna that can be visited is the Clock Tower in piazza Maggiore, not included in the tour. If you are interested in climbing the Clock Tower, you can do it after the tour independently.
No, the famous Two Towers are not visitable because of safety reasons and they are not open to the public. The only tower in Bologna that can be visited is the Clock Tower in piazza Maggiore, not included in the tour. If you are interested in climbing the Clock Tower, you can do it after the tour independently.
Can we visit the Quadrilatero Market for some food tastings on this tour?
No, due to duration and narrative, this tour is not designed to include any food tastings. We cannot include food tastings in this tour due to the itinerary and the narrative focused on the history of the city. If you prefer a more food-focused itinerary, we recommend checking out our Food Tour or our Bologna in a Day tour.
Can we bring our kids?
Absolutely! Families are very welcome, and the tour can be enjoyed by guests of all ages.
Can we see the hidden canals?
Yes, of course. Please note your interest at checkout so that we can properly inform your guide.
Can we focus on the University and University Life?
Definitely. If this is a special interest, please leave a note at checkout and we will inform your guide.
Can we go to San Luca?
Yes. Let us know in advance and your guide will adjust the itinerary accordingly.
Can we visit the Library at the Archiginnasio?
No. The part dedicated to the Library is not accessible for tourist visits.
Book with confidence — see Context's flexible cancellation policy here.
Where You'll Start
