• Private Tour
• Instantly Confirmed
• Carbon Neutral

Step back in time to the heart of medieval Bologna, a city once filled with over 100 towers, noble rivalries, and students in robes. Walk under centuries-old porticoes, explore age-old institutions, and hear tales of power, conflict, and everyday life in the Middle Ages

Destination

Bologna, Italy

Category

City Highlight Tours

Duration

2.5 hours

Transport mode

Walking tour

Available languages

English, Italiano

Included

• Private Guide
• All Withlocals Tours are Carbon Neutral

Excluded

• Entrance to Attractions

What you can expect

This is the plan

Check out the plan below to see what you'll get up to with your local host. Feel free to personalize this offer with Jason.

1. Meeting point

   Meet at At the main entrance of the Basilica facing the Piazza Santo Stefano - Bologna to start your journey

   View on Maps

2. Itinerary

   This is what our experience could look like, but it’s not set in stone! Once you book, you can chat directly with your host to make small tweaks to suit your preferences.

3. Meet Up

   Meet your local host in one of Bologna’s most charming medieval squares, the perfect place to begin your journey into the city’s Middle Ages

4. Porticoes & Public Life

   Walk through Bologna’s iconic medieval porticoes and hear what life was like in the streets centuries ago — rain or shine!

5. Medieval University Roots

   Step into the university district and discover how Bologna became the birthplace of higher education in Europe

6. Storytelling Journey

   As you discover the historical side of Bologna, you’ll be able to go back in time thanks to the amazing stories and storytelling skills of your local host. Feel free to ask any questions and feel as if you are relieving history in the present time

7. Make it yours

   Want to tweak the itinerary? Book directly & chat afterwards with your host to adjust highlights, skip stops, or make small changes to fit your preferences.

   Book risk-free: Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund.

   Need something special? Personalize your experience for more time, alternative locations or a completely tailored plan.

I can personalize this tour for you

• Tell me your preferred date and group size
• Tell me your preferences and wishes so I can customize the tour for you
• Wait for my personal offer in your inbox!

Contact me

Flexible cancellation policy

• Feel confident booking

  Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund. Even up to 7 days before your experience, you’ll receive a refund, minus the service fee.

• Change of plans?

  Reschedule your experience to a date and time that works best for you.

• Loved by travelers worldwide

  Simple and flexible – your plans, your way.

Reviews from guests

Dougal

22 June 2025

I generally don't write poor reviews as mistakes happen etc etc. However, this excursion was so poor value for money and not at all authentic I have to make others aware. We have been on food tours all over Italy and always come away feeling we have had a great authentic experience and usually full stomachs! Here we felt like we had fallen into a tourist trap set up to extract money from people who do not understand food and the culture of a region. We are big foodies having travelled the world eating some of the most amazing food and worked in the hospitality industry for 25 years in the UK so understand and have a good knowledge of food! With Jason we had 5 stops; Balsamic vinegar tasting - free, anyone can walk into the shop and receive this experience. Sandwich – Nice local cheese and meat. Deep fried meat balls - street food and not authentic, Jason actually admitted this food has been made up for tourists! No where else in Bologna did we see this on a menu and we ate a lot! Pasta - Very average, I would have expected to be taken to a Trattoria, instead we were taken to a modern (McDonalds style) fast food place. This was not authentic, the taste was somewhat lacking in flavour! Fruit spread tasting - free, anyone can walk into the shop and receive this experience. And that was it, the poorest value for money I have ever received seeing we paid around £130 for the 2 of us. As balance, this is the experience we got in Rome for roughly the same money; Meat and cheese board – 4 types Glass of wine 3 types of pizza Bottle of beer 1 x suppli Bowl of pasta in a local trattoria (we could choose from 4 types of classic roman dishes) More wine Gelato - 2 x flavours Please save your money and find a different tour guide than Jason in Bologna, we were so disappointed. Bologna has such a rich history of Ragu and other food’s…. Go and discover it with someone else. We did not even get to taste Bolognese/Ragu - unbelievable! I will be contacting the tour operator for a full refund. Poor value for money and not authentic.

Brenda🇺🇸 United States

23 May 2025

Jason was very knowledgeable and provided context for interesting sites and food stops. Loved learning about and sampling local dishes from family run local businesses and was very understanding and flexible when I got delayed in meeting up with him. It was very worthwhile to spend my only free time touring with Jason!Fun walking food tasting tour!

Thea

14 May 2025

Disappointing Start to Bologna's Culinary Scene – Feeling it was definitely not worth the money We recently joined a Foodies Tour in Bologna with high expectations. As accomplished home chefs with a deep appreciation for international cuisine and fine wines, we had shared our background with the tour guide in advance, hoping for an elevated, curated experience. We imagined being led by a knowledgeable, well-presented guide who would introduce us to the true culinary heart of Bologna. Unfortunately, the reality fell short. Our guide arrived casually dressed, lacking the professionalism or enthusiasm we had anticipated. While first impressions aren't everything, they do set the tone—and this one was disappointing. Our initial stop offered promise: a tasting of local balsamic vinegars of various ages and complexity. This was genuinely interesting and informative. However, the tour quickly lost momentum. We were shown shuttered storefronts—apparently historic, multi-generational family businesses—that were closed due to the time and day of our tour. It was baffling that the tour would be scheduled at a time when key locations weren’t even accessible. After a brief history of the Piazza Maggiore and the twin towers, we were led into a side alley and given a meager snack: a small ham and cheese toastie, halved for sharing. Next came a street food vendor serving lasagne—presented on a single paper plate with four forks for the group. This trend continued with a fast-food-style pasta place offering dry, claggy tortellini—again served communally. The final stop was perhaps the most disappointing: a food court, where we were left to choose from a selection of subpar local wines. The samples were of poor quality, and the guide made no effort to assist or educate us. By this point, the experience felt more like a poorly organized food crawl than a gourmet tour. The tour left us disillusioned—not just with the experience, but with Bologna itself. Fortunately, we decided to explore the city independently. Away from the tourist trail, we discovered charming eateries and hidden gems that truly showcased the region’s rich culinary heritage. With a little effort and curiosity, Bologna revealed itself to be a city full of delectable food, wonderful wines, and warm hospitality. In the end, while the Foodies Tour was a letdown, our own exploration brought us lasting memories and a newfound appreciation for this beautiful city. Our advice: skip the organized tour, and instead, let your palate—and your curiosity—lead the way. Definitely not worth the money

Kerry🇦🇺 Australia

6 May 2025

We thoroughly enjoyed our 3 hrs with Jason. He packed a lot into the short time we had with him. Starting in the Piazza Maggiore, which is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, he gave us a fantastic overview of the history and culture of Bologna over the following 3 hrs. We visited the Basilica of St Petronius, the “unfinished church” and the collection of historic, and ancient churches that make up St Stephen’s, which were fascinating. Additionally we walked through the market/foodie area, which had all manner of specialist providers, bars and restaurants. Jason’s tour gave us a real taste of Bologna, which we could expand upon over the remainder of our stay. He also followed up the tour with a lovely message containing additional information, including restaurant recommendations in Bologna, which was appreciated . Jason’s enthusiasm for his city, and its history and culture was palpable, and we would highly recommend doing this tour with Jason. Fabulous introduction to Bologna

Claire

30 April 2025

Jason is passionate about Bologna and knows a lot about the city. It was a great introduction to Bologna, with facts about the culture, history, food. My 15 years old was also interested the whole time, but my 11 years old found it too long and not enough adapted to his age and interest.A great overview of Bologna!

JO ANN🇺🇸 United States

16 April 2025

Jason was great. very knowledgable on time kept in touch with us prior and gave a great recommendation list for after the tour Highly recommend Great experience

Danielle🇺🇸 United States

14 March 2025

Jason was an excellent guide. He brought so much interesting information to the tour. We were a group aged 13-48, and we all had an incredible time on the tour. Highly recommend. You'll gain much insight into the sites you are seeing. Excellent recommendations for food as well! Tour in Bologna

Sarah-jane🇬🇧 United Kingdom

3 March 2025

We had an incredible experience with Jason in Bologna! The food tour was a true highlight of our trip—Jason was knowledgeable, passionate and friendly. We got to taste a variety of authentic local dishes, from rich pastas to delicious cured meats, all while learning about the city’s rich culinary history. The pacing was perfect, allowing us to savor each stop without feeling rushed. It felt like a personal journey through Bologna’s food scene, and we left with a deeper appreciation for the local culture and flavors. Highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Bologna!Great intro to beautiful Bologna

Miriam🇺🇸 United States

27 December 2024

Jason was a pleasure and full of great information. My two adult sons and teenager all enjoyed his tour. It was a holiday so lots of places were closed and yet Jason figured it all out for us. Great Tour

Kim🇺🇸 United States

20 December 2024

We’ve done several tours through WithLocals both as a couple and with friends. Jason’s kickstarter tour of Bologna is the best we’ve done. It was exactly what you would expect of a kickstarter tour. Jason’s deep knowledge of the city and its history gave us the insight to know exactly where we wanted to spend our limited time in Bologna. He gave us the story behind each of the city’s landmarks and great suggestions on what to do, see, and eat while in Bologna. Don’t miss this tour!Don’t Miss Jason’s Tour

Nina🇺🇸 United States

7 December 2024

Jason was a joy to go on a walking tour with. He was incredibly informative and very knowledgeable as well. It was a very well worth it 2 hour tour!! Do not miss this opportunity.Great Day in Bologna

Els

30 November 2024

Laura🇺🇸 United States

19 November 2024

Jason was very passionate about his city and teaching us everything we needed to know. We did the food tour and it was fantastic. If you are going to understand Italian food, you must go to Bologna and do this tour. The tortellini will never be the same in the states again. I would come back to Bologna just to eat for a few days. Don't sleep on this town and don't sleep on Jason. Also - some reviewers said they didn't feel there was a lot of food - I have to disagree - go on this tour HUNGRY. I expected just a few bites but could easily make a meal out of this tour, unless you actually think that the food they serve at Olive Garden is "italian" and that their serving sides are normal... Jason was the Best

Stefany🇨🇴 Colombia

27 October 2024

Great tour with clear information and excellent restaurant recommendations. However, the pace was a bit fast, and we didn't have enough time for questions.Great Tour!

Laura🇺🇸 United States

18 October 2024

We highly recommend booking Jason’s tour at the beginning of your visit to Bologna. His knowledge of the city and information about restaurants, other tours and points of interest are invaluable to making the most of your experience. We enjoyed spending the time with Jason, and believe you will too!Excellent way to start our time in Bologna

Gregory

25 September 2024

What a delightful morning. We visited a cluster of lesser known churches with great history then many of the local hot spots. Visiting the market was great and we have enjoyed some of his food recommendationsJason is perfect for a Bologna tour

Amanda🇺🇸 United States

8 September 2024

After asking us about our interests, Jason provided an informative and entertaining tour of the Bologna city center, giving us historical background and dining tips. His love and insight about Bologna shined through as we strolled the streets and porticos. We came away much better prepared to make the most if our time in this amazing city. Perfect host for our Bologna adventure

Kim

4 September 2024

We had an enjoyable tour with Jason! He took us to try several local dishes and we had a balsamic vinegar tasting, ending with delicious gelato. Jason also left us with many additional suggestions of places to see and restaurants as well as giving us some local history along the way. Great tour by a local

Saara🇮🇹 Italy

6 August 2024

Clear communication before the tour. Funny facts, interesting sites and a great storytelling. Not a single boring moment. I also liked the after tour service, with interesting things to do. Thanks Jason 🤗10

Rebecca🇺🇸 United States

21 July 2024

Jason was very knowledgeable and flexible. Our first visit to Bologna with a limited amount of time he showed us the highlights and also made many recommendations for things for us to do on our own or when we return. Great quick tour

Andrew 🇺🇸 United States

13 June 2024

Jason was wonderful, Quick response and the tour was at a great pace and covered lots of beautiful sites and landmarks or the city. Thanks again!Awesome tour!

Nicole🇨🇭 Switzerland

7 June 2024

Jason hat uns viel erzählt und gezeigt, nicht nur Essen sondern auch tolle Orte☺️ Leider waren es nur 6/7 Tastings und keine 10. Hungrig gingen wir aber nicht nach Hause😅 Mir fehlte zu Beginn Wasser, was wir selber kaufen mussten. Auch Mal ein Glas Wein oder Aufschnitt wäre schön gewesen. Von den 3 Stunden waren wir nur 2.5 unterwegs und das in einem super schnellen Tempo. Ich wäre gerne etwas mehr geschlendert.Gut aber unvollständig

Ulrike🇦🇹 Austria

30 May 2024

Jason hat uns interessantes, lehrreiches, spanendes über die Stadt erzählt! Uns viel gezeigt, uns damit Bologna erleben lassen und uns sehr viele tolle Ausgeh und Ess-Tipps gegeben! Vielen Dank dafür! Es war großartig! Großartig!

Toni🇺🇸 United States

22 May 2024

My family (senior parents + mid-40s me) enjoyed our food tour with Jason. There was a good amount of tastings and storytelling along the way. It was a bit too much walking/fast-paced for my Mom, but overall we had a good time eating delicious food. The vinegar tasting was fun (we've made our own for decades) and unexpected. An afternoon well spent!

Joseph🇺🇸 United States

12 May 2024

Jason made the tour very interesting and fun! With his tips and favorites list afterwards really helping me get around!!Friendly and fun!

Paul🇬🇧 United Kingdom

20 March 2024

Excellent two hours on foot sightseeing old town wear trainers Jason was full of energy and knowledge he put his heart and sole into the tour also sent us what’s app with additional recommendations wish we had booked him for the food tasting tour as well however he was fully booked America Italian in Bologna

Sandra🇩🇪 Germany

13 March 2024

Die Tour mit Jason war wirklich der perfekte Start für ein Wochenende in Bologna. Die Begrüßung war herzlich. Jason hat unglaublich viel Wissen über seine Stadt vermittelt. Er hat uns die Ecken der Stadt gezeigt, die nicht so touristisch sind und uns vor Touristischen Fallen gewarnt. Sein Tipp auf den Glockenturm zu gehen, haben wir am nächsten Morgen direkt umgesetzt. Am Ende der Tour haben wir noch ganz viele Empfehlungen an Restaurants, Eindielen, Bars und Sehenswürdigkeiten für unser Wochenende bekommen. Vielen lieben Dank an Jason für das tolle Erlebnis.Perfekter Start in Bologna

David🇺🇸 United States

28 December 2023

Wow. In 2 hours we got a thorough rundown of Bolognas highlights. A perfect kickstart to our limited time in this beautiful city. Jason also gave us a list of restaurants and hot spots which we used the same nice to find a great dinner when we were having trouble finding a place with an opening. Thank you Jason!!Great fast into to Bologna

Amanda🇳🇱 Netherlands

28 October 2023

Jason was very knowledgeable about the city and was able to explain enough that it made the tour fun. The food was also really good. The only issue was that we only got about 7 tastings and not 10. The explanation provided was each person got a sandwich and it counted as three tastings. Not sure how 1 sandwich equals 3 tastings but thats what we were told. If it wasn't for this I would have given a higher rating.10 tasting review

Becky🇺🇸 United States

11 October 2023

Great way to get grounded on the food traditions and history. Jason is very knowledgeable and the variety of food really helped tell the story of the food of the city. Start your trip with this tour

Jacqueline

8 October 2023

We had a great experience seeing Bologna with Jason. Knowledgeable and Interesting

Rachel🇺🇸 United States

10 June 2023

Jason was wonderful. He showed us the key sights in Bologna and knew a lot of interesting historical facts. Highly recommend!Great intro to Bologna

Tiffany🇺🇸 United States

4 June 2023

Jason was an awesome guide! He is very knowledgeable about the history of Bologna and the food. He took us around town and explained the sites as well as letting us taste the amazing food. I would definitely recommend Jason’s tour.Amazing tour!

Dennis🇳🇱 Netherlands

20 May 2023

Jason really showed us the amazing tastes of Bologna, nice places where would we definitely return in any future visits to Bologna. His knowledge of Bologna learned us more than Wikipedia could do. We would recommend anyone to take this tour!Tasteful experience

John🇺🇸 United States

16 May 2023

We had a great time tasting local foods in Bologna; loved all the pasta and gelato! Jason is personable and made our tour fun. Food Tour

Lauren🇺🇸 United States

25 February 2023

Jason gave our family of four a wonderful tour of Bologna’s most important sites, including his top choices for food and gelato. His knowledge of the city was apparent and we learned a lot about its historical significance. He was also patient and kind with our children. We would highly recommend Jason to anyone visiting Bologna. Thank you, Jason! Great tour of Bologna!

Derek 🇬🇧 United Kingdom

29 January 2023

Jason was simply brilliant. His knowledge of Bologna and the surrounding area meant the tour was informative, interesting and great fun. I can’t recommend him enough.. When I’m back, I look forward to extending my knowledge of the stunning city. Simply, this a a must. A superb tour.

Christine🇬🇧 United Kingdom

25 November 2022

We thoroughly enjoyed Jason’s kick start city tour. He was extremely knowledgeable, generous with sharing his love for the city, welcoming and helpful with lots of useful tips for extra places to explore and restaurants to try. Highly recommend! Thanks so much for the experience! Brilliant

ann🇺🇸 United States

12 November 2022

Jason provided a terrific jumpstart to our weekend in Bologna, with historical and cultural information and insider knowledge that made our trip special.Wonderful overview

Unknown

3 November 2022

Jason is a believer, he believes in what he is doing and how he is performing his tour in order to give a nice experience of bologna, not a traditional tour but 90 min of being a real “bolognese”. A real believer

Kira🇩🇪 Germany

29 September 2022

We had a great time with Jason. He was very kind and also showed us a lot of the city. Would totally recommend!Great Bologna Experience

Andrea🇺🇸 United States

27 September 2022

Between dropping off our cars and picking up the train to Rome my family of six decided to take a quick tour through Bologna. The best way to do this? A tasting tour of course! Jason was a great guide taking us to some wonderful places for nibbles and treats as well as showing off his home town. The highlights of the tour - oldest "BYOF" bar, the parm tasting and the balsamic tasting. Jason's historical knowledge was impressive! Getting to know Bologna a bit better was wonderful and made us all want to come back to this lovely city. Great taste of Bologna

Frouke🇳🇱 Netherlands

20 July 2022

Wij deden de tour met 2 kids (10-12jr). Jason kon heel veel vertellen over Bologna. Jason spreekt perfect Engels waardoor het goed te volgen was door ons! Hij vertelde leuke weetjes waar ook de kids in geïnteresseerd waren! Dit was de eerste keer dat we zo de stad ontdekte, maar zeker voor herhaling vatbaar! Ook de lijst met allemaal tips was heel handig! Jason bedankt! Hele leuke tour!

Kenneth🇮🇪 Ireland

17 June 2022

There were 5 of us including my mum who is 81. We had a great day in Bologna. Jason gave us a great understanding of the history and we also included lunch with Jason in the tour. Great way to get to know a city with a local.Great guide and companion

Warren🇺🇸 United States

17 June 2022

Elizabeth🇬🇧 United Kingdom

8 June 2022

Very useful tour with Jason. He knows Bologna well and was able to take us to and talk informatively about each of the main sights in the city. Also gave us a list of additional places worth a visit and recommendations for cafes, restaurants, bars. Excellent introduction to Bologna.Knowledgable guide

Christine🇩🇪 Germany

7 June 2022

Not Italian by birth, but having grown up in Bologna, Jason knows how to guide you through the city in an entertaining way. This time on the culinary highlights pointed out perhaps next time the tour with the delicacies itself. Eccellent guide for Bologna

Suzanne🇨🇦 Canada

30 May 2022

It was the first time I tried this way of visiting a town. What a wonderful experience ! I will recommend this to my future traveling customers !The best idea I had !

Ellie🇺🇸 United States

25 May 2022

Jason provided us with a wonderful orientation to this magnificent city which he clearly loves. Architectural, cultural, and historical highlights that aren’t easily found in guide books. He followed up with a list of sights, restaurants, and food recommendations. We highly recommend taking a walking tour with Jason when you arrive in Bologna. Fantastic experience

Chris🇬🇧 United Kingdom

24 May 2022

Jason was a friendly and knowledgable host. Our City Kickstart tour hit the spot nicely, setting us up to explore the city over the days that followed. Jason gave us some really interesting info on some of the main city sights, explained about the city's history and culinary scene and followed up with a great, and really useful list of recommendations and follow up info. As a result we were able to enjoy the following three days of our visit, taking on some of his recommendations - I felt it really helped us make the most of our short holiday. Thank you Jason!Jason from Bologna