---
title: Bologna historical art walking tour with hidden gems and tastings
lang: en
type: tour
city: Bologna
country: Italy
price: 145
currency: EUR
price_unit: per_person
availability: bookable
rating: 4.92
reviews: 111
duration_minutes: 180
duration_max_minutes: 240
languages: [en, it]
free_cancellation: true
guidekin_pick: Art with a local specialist
rank_in_category: 8 of 21 (Food Tours)
schedule_checked: 2026-09-29
data_updated: 2026-10-01
canonical: https://guidekin.com/italy/bologna/tours/bologna-historical-art-walking-tour-with-hidden-gems-and-tastings/
---

# Bologna historical art walking tour with hidden gems and tastings

**Guidekin's take:** An art-first walk through the medieval city with a local art specialist, mixing masterpieces with food stories and legends, with tastings along the way and step-free throughout. Fees and taxes are the only items the listing confirms as included, so ask what the tastings cover. 4.92 at €145 per person.

## Overview

A mix of art masterpieces, history, food stories, legends and secrets described by a local art lover with a great experience and knowledge of the city. Most of people get attracted by Bologna main concept "the learned, the red and , the fat," but this incredible huge medieval capital tends to hide itself, keeping its best atmospheres historical locations, and hidden gems for a handful of curious explorers. 
So...be my explorers for a 3/4 hours full immersion in the ancient city, a labyrith of little alleys, and be prepared for an overwhelming experience where art history, architecture, medieval, renaisance, and baroqe heritage seem to merge while traditions, great food and history of music seem to be no more sepatrated by conceptual barriers. You will discover how the porticoes are not just an example of specific architectural heritage (recognized by the UNESCO) but are instead mainly components of an open-air musem of sculpture and paimtings.

## Before you book

- Meeting point: I will wait for travellers in front of…
- Min. 2 to book: not for solo travellers
- Starts 09:30, 10:00: 2 departures a day
- Wheelchair accessible: operator-marked
- Strollers OK: infants accepted
- Children from €35: ages 5 to 13

## Key facts

- Price: from €145 per person
- Duration: 3h–4h
- Rating: 4.92/5 from 111 reviews (collected from Guidekin & Viator & Tripadvisor)
- Free cancellation (see policy below)
- Recommended by 98% of travellers (share of four- and five-star reviews)
- Operator: Riccardo Bacchi
- Minimum booking: 2 travellers at this price

## What's included

- All Fees and Taxes

## Itinerary

1. **Piazza Maggiore** (20m) - Old medieval buildings of the main square, the four "speaking" corners, secrets of the textile market, the renaissance fountain of Neptune, the facade with the old clock of the Council Palace.
2. **The noble rooms at first and second floor, the frescos, the private chapel of...** (30m) - The noble rooms at first and second floor, the frescos, the private chapel of the bishop, the big stairs for horses by Bramante, the room of the seniors, the earthquake's virgin by Francesco Francia.
3. **Basilica Di San Petronio** (35m; admission included) - The biggest sundial in the world, the medieval frescos of Cappella Bolognini, the four ancient crosses, Parmigianino and Lorenzo Costa famous paintings.
4. **Archiginnasio Di Bologna** (30m; admission included) - The headquarter of the oldest university in Europe, the renaissance palace with its huge collection of coats of arms, the witnesses of the secret powerful medecine, the wooden anatomical theatre, the Stabat Mater room with precious books such as Leonardo Da Vinci's "Flights...
5. **Quadrilatero** (20m) - The labirinth of the middle age market, its stalls, old food shops, ancient coats of arms and witnesses of the guilds.
6. **Basilica - Santuario di Santo Stefano** (40m) - In a single complex of churches the whole history of Bologna, since a Roman temple on a natural spring up to the Dante Alighieri's cloister surrounded by the cells of the monks and the capitals headed by animals faces.
7. **Chiesa di Santa Maria della Vita** (20m; admission included) - The terracotta masterpiece sculptured in 1470 by Niccolò Dell'Arca and its incredible avanguardist interpretation of movements and emotions.
8. **Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinell** (pass by, no stop) - A great view from street level of the symbol of Bologna: the 98 meters tall Asinelli Tower and the leaining one Garisenda Tower.
9. **Finestrella** (10m) - A rare example of medieval canals designed to supply silk and hemp textiles manifacture (UNESCO HERITAGE)
10. **Casa Isolani** (pass by, no stop) - An incredible surving exapmle of a 13th century house, maintaining its original WOODEN PILLARS
11. **Palazzo Comunale** (10m) - Beautiful renaissance amd baroque ceilings, frescoes, sculptures, Bramante staircases for horsemen

## Schedule

- Runs: daily
- Departures: 09:30, 10:00
- Schedule last checked: 2026-09-29
- These are published departures, not a live seat count; availability is confirmed at checkout.

## Cancellation

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

## Meeting point

I will wait for travellers in front of Caffè Vittorio Emanuele, next to Piazza Maggiore.
Map: https://www.google.com/maps/place/?q=place_id:ChIJv67MjpXUf0cRO0rXFv1vmeY

## Good to know

- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels

## Compared with other Food Tours

| Tour | Price | Duration | Rating | Group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| **This tour · #8 of 21** | €145 | 3h–4h | 4.92 (111) | shared |
| [Small Group Bologna Food Tour – Local Food & Market Experience](/italy/bologna/tours/small-group-bologna-food-tour-local-food-market-experience/?format=md) | €110 | 4h 30m | 4.97 (922) | shared |
| [Bologna Food & Market Tour with Local Dishes, Pasta, Wines & More](/italy/bologna/tours/bologna-food-market-tour-with-local-dishes-pasta-wines-more/?format=md) | €60 | 2h | 4.95 (1734) | shared |
| [Private Bologna Food & Market Tour with 6 Tastings & Wine](/italy/bologna/tours/private-bologna-food-market-tour-with-6-tastings-wine/?format=md) | €188 | 3h 30m | 4.97 (115) | private |

Ranked #8 of 21 in Food Tours by Guidekin score (rating weighted by review volume). Prices here run from €29 to €275, median €84; typical length 3h. 7 of 21 are private. Figures are live from the tour cards; the rubric is our handpicked set, not the whole market.

Full list: https://guidekin.com/italy/bologna/food-tours-bologna/?format=md

## More in Bologna

- All Bologna tours: https://guidekin.com/italy/bologna/?format=md
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