Bologna · PRIVATE
30 reviewed
These are the 15 best private tours in Bologna right now, best first: what each one costs, how long it takes, and which kind of traveller it suits. Start at number one; it’s there for a reason.
Private 3-hour Parma food walk with prosciutto, Parmigiano tastings, fresh pasta, balsamic, gelato, and wine. Local guide in English.
“Requires some walking but plenty of rest stops. Great food tasting and wonderful history lessons.met my expectations.”
Private 2–5 hour Bologna walk with a local host: Piazza Maggiore, markets, Torre degli Asinelli climb, and tailored food and culture tips.
“This was an incredible experience, I couldn’t recommend it enough! This is a great way to learn about Bologna. Claudio was a wonderful tour guide. He was so warm and knowledgeable. It was such an amazing time seeing the city from a locals point of view. We definitely saw things we wouldn’t have known to see without Claudio. It felt like we spent the day with our friend, it was so nice!”
A private Bologna food tour for 6 or 10 tastings, led by a local guide, with classic bites around Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero.
“Wow! We are so glad we did this tour with Frederik. His love for food is only matched by his passion for the city. He is too modest, but he could easily be teaching history classes at University. I am by no means a history buff, but understanding why foods in Bologna are the way they came to be is equally as interesting as the food itself. My advice would be to do this tour on the front end of your trip so you have time for all the recommendations you will receive. The local knowledge alone is enough to justify any financial hesitation. Do note that the tasting amount…”
Private local-guided walk in Bologna with practical navigation tips, great food and shopping leads, and off-the-beaten stories.
“A good tour visiting places that were interesting with sufficient information provided without being overwhelming. Alessandro was very personable and a good guide. He was very informative and helpful in explaining how to get to places to revisit after the tour or to additional places we may wish to visit. He was also very considerate of my needs as I walk with a stick and I am a little unsteady and slow. Overall an excellent tour.”
Bologna at walking speed with a private custom local guide. Main sights, museum exteriors, and smart food tips.
“Our guide Leo was extremely kind and knowledgeable. He made our first day in Bologna a memorable one, and I strongly recommend booking this tour if you’d like to learn about the well known and hidden gem sites. Thank you for this amazing experience, 11/10!”
Private 4-hour Parma Food Valley tour: hand-made Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma tastings plus Torrechiara views.
“Monica was an outstanding tour guide and well-informed! She took the time to go into detail on every facet of parmigiana reggiano and Parma ham!”
Private full-day Emilia Romagna food tour from Parma with Parmigiano, Parma ham, traditional balsamic tastings, plus lunch with wine.
“We loved spending the day with Sara. She was an exceptional guide who managed to keep our family engaged throughout the whole day.”
Private Parma food tour with Parmigiano-Reggiano, Parma ham, lunch with tortelli d’erbetta, and a family-run balsamic vinegar visit.
“This tour was amazing!!! Our tour guide Lesa was from Parma and her English was perfect. She was so knowledgable and really fun to spend the day with. i would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to experience Italian food at its best!!”
Private fresh pasta class in Bologna at a local’s home. Learn 3 regional recipes and dine with wines in about 3 hours.
“Roberta was the most wonderful and kind person! She is an excellent chef and so precessional. Her house was absolutely gorgeous and what a treat to be welcomed into her personal kitchen. We were amazed by her talent and her heart warming presence. She was an excellent teacher and was just an incredible person to spend the morning with. She served us delicious wine to pair with the incredible pasta dishes she taught us to make. To top it off she surprised us with home made gelato and preserved cherries native to Bologna. Would 100% recommend.”
Private Bologna food and market tour with 6 tastings, wines, gelato, and espresso. Old-town sights plus a flexible foodie guide.
“Caterina was a brilliant guide, highly recommended . Lovely insight into Bologna history and cuisine”
Private Parma tour pairing Parmigiano Reggiano dairy and Traditional Balsamic Vinegar tastings, with aged samples and behind-the-scenes visits.
“My husband and I loved this tour (late post as we visited in Oct 2024). Cecelia was our guide and she (along with the staff at the farm and the family at the balsamic location) made the whole experience very special and memorable for us. Everyone was very friendly, knowledgeable, and the passion that they share for these respective traditions was incredible to experience. Cecelia made it feel like we were visiting an old friend and we will definitely be back to visit again to explore more. Thank you Cecilia. Xo”
Private Parma tour with Parmigiano Reggiano and Prosciutto di Parma factory visits, guided tastings, wine, and a Torrechiara photo stop.
“This is a definite tour to take. We absolutely loved our Guide, Cecelia! She was such a pleasure to be with. Our driver, Guido, was fun and comical.”
3-hour private Bologna walk with a local guide: Piazza Maggiore, Quadrilatero, Two Towers, and practical food plus route tips.
“Luanna was terrific. She is very knowledgeable and passionate about Bologna’s history. Took us to all the top sites and so much more. Would highly recommend this tour”
Private, customizable Bologna walk with a local guide. Pick your pace, interests, and even ticket bookings for a behind-the-scenes view.
“My wife is more into the history so I found myself trailing off to take pictures. Some of the guides don't actually live in the city so I didn't get a lot of my food questions answered.”
Private walking tour of Bologna’s top sights with a guide, included church visit, and market-area food tastings. 2.5 hours.
“Despite the crappy weather our tour guide did a great job of showing us the historic sites of Bologna and helped us with a few restaurant recommendations.”
