Bologna, the culinary capital of Italy, is a must-see for food lovers. The city earned one of its nicknames, “La Grassa” (the fat one), due to its delicious cuisine, consisting mainly of egg pasta, meat, and parmesan. Therefore, it’s not an exaggeration to say that tasting Bologna specialties is one of the best things to do on this side of Italy. So in this article, you’ll find the best food tours in Bologna and their prices.
Now, although some travelers want to immerse themselves in the local cuisine, most people would like to combine Bologna sightseeing and food tasting. Therefore, this article is split into two sections for more straightforward navigation. In the first section, you’ll find Bologna food tours that combine sightseeing and tastings. On the other hand, the second section is all about food, and you’ll see strictly culinary experiences.
So, let’s start with the best food tours in Bologna, Italy, and what to expect from them.
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The best food tours in Bologna for explorers
In this section, you’ll find the top food tours in Bologna, combining sightseeing and food tastings. These tours are ideal for people willing to explore the city’s rich history and monuments without missing the opportunity to taste the delicious local cuisine. In other words, food is an integral part of every tour but not its primary focus.
Bologna local specialties on a guided walking tour
The Torre degli Asinelli is one of the most iconic Bologna landmarks—and so is the Quadrilatero Market. Built between 1109 and 1119, the Torre degli Asinelli is the tallest medieval tower worldwide. On the other hand, the market is one of the most iconic spots in town. This tour is among the most famous in Bologna because it combines a guided tour of the city’s main landmarks with a fantastic selection of food to enjoy. Specifically, three dishes and a glass of wine are included in the price.
Wear comfortable shoes for strolling around the town. Due to its price, the tour sells out fast; therefore, book your place in advance.
Duration: 2 hours.
Price: from 60 euros per person.
How to book: Book here the Local Specialties walk.
Bologna: Red Bus City Tour and Local Food Tasting
If you’re on a tight schedule and only have 1-2 days in Bologna, that’s one of the best ways to enjoy as much as possible. An open-top bus might sound touristic, but the truth is it’ll bring you everywhere around the city. After embarking on the red bus, you can choose an audio guide (available in 10 languages) and learn about the landmarks you see. Among the attractions, you’ll see Basilica San Petronio, Palazzo Comunale, Palazzo die Re Enzo, the Tower of Asinelli and Garisenda, and the Museo Civico Archeologico. You can hop on and off at any of these spots.
After the tour’s conclusion, you will also enjoy a food tour of Bologna’s historic market. Local delicacies will wait for you in a stunning atmosphere.
Duration: Valid for 1 day.
Price: 35 euros per person.
How to book: Book here the Red City Bus.
Self-Guided Food Tasting Bologna Tour with Vouchers
Now, if you prefer exploring cities at your own pace, this is one of the best food tours in Bologna. You’ll buy a map and several vouchers for local food tastings, and all you have to do is walk from place to place. This self-guided food tour takes you through the narrow streets of Bologna and under its porticos. You can stop wherever you want, shoot photos and selfies, and spend time at places that interest you. Every place will be marked on the map, and a voucher will point you in the right direction whenever you need a break.
The vouchers can be exchanged in specific restaurants and cafes, and you can taste several Bologna specialties. For example, you can enjoy delicious ice cream, try handmade chocolates, or enjoy the local Tigellone with traditional ragù sauce. Of course, coffee is included, as well as wine, parmesan, and Crescentina with mortadella. QR codes will help you find the tasting location, and the map is handy for discovering Bologna one step at a time.
Duration: Valid for 1 day.
Price: 42 euros.
How to book: Book here the Self-Guided Tour with Vouchers.
The best food tours in Bologna for gourmets
Here is everything about delicious food and immersion in the culinary culture of Bologna. The tours you’ll discover below are perfect for food lovers: some are private cooking classes, while others are masterclasses. If you’d like to cook Italian recipes for family and friends when you return home, look no further.
Bologna Home Cooking Class
If you have always wanted to learn how to cook traditional Italian food, that’s your best chance to make this dream come true. The concept is fantastic: a cozy apartment in Bologna will host you for a couple of hours, and a chef will guide you through preparing a traditional meal.
Specifically, you will start by preparing the dough for your fresh pasta, and then everything becomes even better. You’ll learn to make tortelloni and fill them with ricotta cheese, garlic, Parmigiano Reggiano, and parsley. Of course, the traditional ragù (Bolognese meat sauce) can’t be missed, and that’s the next step of this home cooking class. Finally, after preparing your Italian food, you’ll enjoy it with some delicious regional wine and a dessert.
If you enjoy cooking and eating, look no further: that’s one of the best things to do in Bologna, and it tends to sell out fast.
Duration: 3 hours.
Price: 79 euros.
How to book: Book here the Home Cooking Class.
Guided traditional food tour in Bologna
If you’d rather not cook and prefer to enjoy a guided walking food tour through the city, here’s the best choice. The Bologna traditional food tour will take you to the city center and uncover the secrets of Italian cuisine. In addition to taking you to five different restaurants, your food guide will share the story behind each dish and secrets about its preparation.
The tour aims to offer you a wide selection of Bolognese delicacies. Specifically, you’ll taste various styles of bolognese, cured meats, local cheese, and handmade bread. Of course, the famous “brazadela” (a local dessert) is part of the food experience, and so is a cup of espresso. That’s an action-packed walking food tour, combining tastes and local sights. Plus, you’ll avoid tourist traps.
Duration: ~3,5 hours.
Price: 89 euros per person.
How to book: Book here the guided traditional tour.
Bologna Wine Tasting Tour
You should not miss the chance to taste Italian wines. While this is not strictly a food experience, it’ll be a pity not to taste some local wines. If you are not heading towards the famous Chianti region (see, for example, the best wine tours from nearby Siena), this Bologna tour is your best chance to enjoy top-class wine.
This tour is even more special because it takes place in one of the oldest inns in Bologna. Your guide will share the secrets of local grape varieties, and you’ll taste three delicious wines. The wines are produced in the Bologna Hills, the Imola Hills, and the Rhine Plain. White wines like Trebbiano or Pignoletto and reds like the Barbera and Sangiovese are part of the wine tasting. Of course, you’ll also try local mortadella and salami, cheese from the region, and bread.
Duration: 2,5 hours.
Price: 65 euros.
How to book: Book here the wine tasting.
A gastronomic tour of the Parma Food Valley from Bologna
So, the final food tour from Bologna is actually a day trip. That’s definitely the priciest option in this article, but if you want to combine a day out of the city and the best of Italian cuisine, this private food tour is for you.
As its name suggests, this fantastic day trip from Bologna will take you to Parma, a fascinating city famous for two iconic products: the Parmigiano Reggiano and the Parma Ham. After your guide picks you up from your accommodation, you’ll drive to the countryside and stop at the historic Parmigiano Reggiano factory. Apart from seeing the production of the famous cheese, you’ll also taste as much as you want. Afterward, you’ll see up-close the production of Parma Ham; again, you’ll have the opportunity to taste it paired with delicious wine.
Finally, after the Parma Ham factory, you will visit one of the most famous restaurants in the region, known for its dishes. You’ll enjoy a traditional lunch, including wine, before heading back to your hotel in Bologna.
Duration: 7,5 hours.
Price: 470 euros.
How to book: Book the Gastronomic tour.
What to eat in Bologna
The five things you should taste when visiting Bologna are:
- Tagliatelle al Ragù: fresh pasta made of egg paired with meat.
- Prosciutto: the iconic high-quality ham.
- Tigelle: an ancient Italian flatbread filled with ham, cheese, or pesto.
- Balsamic vinegar: the famous dark and intensely flavored vinegar.
- Tortellini en brodo: a traditional Emilia Romagna tortellini dish filled with meat and parmesan.
Best Bologna food tours: final thoughts
Bologna is probably the most cultivated Italian city, which is why it is also called “La Dotta” (the learned one). The iconic porticos, the red roofs, and the delicious tastes create a magnificent experience that’s hard to find elsewhere in Europe. Joining a food tour in Bologna will give you an overview of why Italians take food so seriously and how much they enjoy preparing it.
For food lovers, the city is an absolute must-see for your Italian journey. Moreover, it’s a great starting point before traveling to the Chianti region to enjoy the area’s world-famous wines. So, choose one of the food tours in Bologna and enjoy some unique tastes in the capital of Emilia Romagna.
More in the region: Florence art tours, Chianti wine tours, San Gimignano guide, Florence wine tours, Visit Pienza, Arezzo
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Last Updated on May 21, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos