Bologna E-Bike Tour: San Luca Sanctuary & Local Tastings

Ride the world's longest portico to a hilltop sanctuary, then taste what Bologna does best

You ride an e-bike along the UNESCO-listed portico toward San Luca Sanctuary, stopping at historical sites and a hydraulic landmark while your certified guide shares local stories. The tour includes aperitif tastings of mortadella, parmesan, and other traditional products at typical spots, with e-bike rental and all logistics handled. The electric assist means the uphill climb is manageable, and you're back in the city center in time for lunch.

Step-by-step itinerary

Guided tour of Bologna landmarks

• Walk along the longest portico
• Visit Sanctuary of Madonna of San Luca
• Explore symbolic resistance site
• Admire hydraulic work in Parco della Chiusa
• See UNESCO World Heritage Sites

The experience

So you're pedaling through Bologna on an e-bike and your guide is pointing out how the portico just keeps going, and going, almost four kilometers of it, all the way up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna of San Luca on the Colle della Guardia. It's the longest continuous portico on earth, and UNESCO recognized it in 2021, which means you're literally riding through a World Heritage Site. The e-bike takes the climb out of it, which matters because you're not just going uphill for the views. You're going to a place that's been sacred here for centuries, and the approach is part of why.

The guide knows the territory deeply, and it shows. You'll stop at places most visitors miss: the Parco della Chiusa, where an ancient brick hydraulic structure still channels the Reno river toward the city, a piece of infrastructure so old it fed the industries that built Bologna. There are moments of real historical weight mixed in with the ride itself: sites of resistance in Emilia-Romagna that matter to the people who live here, not just to tourists passing through. The e-bike tour visits these spots without the exhaustion of a full day on foot, and the pace lets you actually absorb what your guide is telling you instead of just breathing hard.

Then comes the aperitif. You stop at typical places, not tourist traps, and taste what they've been making here for generations: tigelle, parmesan, mortadella, maybe an artisanal gelato if the timing works. It's not a fancy tasting. It's the kind of thing locals eat, and the guide knows which places do it right. You're not just riding through Bologna's history and landscape. You're tasting it.

What’s included

Your tour includes a certified guide who knows Bologna's history and landscape in depth, e-bike rental with electric assistance, and an aperitif with tastings of traditional products like mortadella, parmesan, tigelle, and artisanal gelato at typical local spots. The guide handles the route and timing, so you focus on riding and absorbing the stories.

Options for this experience

4 options

Groups of 7 to 12 peopleUp to 12 people · Guide in 5 languages · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00

Groups of 5 or 6 peopleUp to 6 people · Guide in 5 languages · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00E-bike

Groups of 3 or 4 peopleUp to 4 people · Guide in 5 languages · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00E-bike route: Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, Monument to the Fallen of Sabbiuno, Park of the Chiusa, and Casalecchio di Reno, all in Bologna

Groups of 1 or 2 peopleUp to 2 people · Guide in 5 languages · 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00Tasting stops: the tour pauses along the way for tastings of local products.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 09:00, 12:00 and 15:00

Book up to14h before

AgesAdult (18 to 75 years) · Child (10 to 17 years) · Under 10: can't be booked

GroupUp to 12

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German and Italian

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical effortInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by SLOW EMOTION

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see Bologna's main historical and natural highlights (the sanctuary, the portico, the river infrastructure) without arranging transport or spending the day on foot. The e-bike and the guide's knowledge are what make it possible to cover this much ground and actually understand what you're seeing.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German and Italian.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (10 to 17 years). Children under 10 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Is the e-bike suitable if I'm not very fit?

The e-bike provides electric assistance, which makes the uphill climb manageable. Moderate physical fitness is recommended, and the tour is not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

What's included in the aperitif?

Tastings of traditional Bolognese products including mortadella, parmesan, tigelle, and artisanal ice cream at typical local spots.

Do I need to know how to ride an e-bike?

E-bikes are straightforward to operate. Your guide will brief you on the bike before you start. No prior e-bike experience is required.

Is the portico really a UNESCO World Heritage Site?

Yes. The portico leading to San Luca Sanctuary was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. It's nearly 4km of uninterrupted covered walkway.

What if I'm pregnant or have a spinal injury?

This tour is not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries due to the e-bike riding and terrain.

Are there public transport options nearby?

Yes, public transportation is available near the tour starting point and ending location.