Bologna Food Tour: Taste mortadella, parmigiano and tagliatelle

Walk the narrow streets where locals shop, taste what makes Bologna Italy's food capital

A guided food tour through Bologna's historic center where you taste mortadella, parmigiano reggiano, tagliatelle al ragù and other Emilia-Romagna specialties at small artisanal producers and Mercato delle Erbe, the largest covered market in the old city. You'll learn the Italian words to shop like a local, then sit down at Osteria del Sole, the oldest osteria in Bologna, for wine and coffee.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Mercato delle Erbe15m
2. Osteria del Sole15m · entry included

Explore Bologna's food and markets

• Wander narrow historical streets
• Visit the old chocolate shop
• Explore Mercato delle Erbe market
• Experience Osteria del Sole

The experience

Bologna earns its reputation as Italy's food capital on the streets themselves. You wander the narrow lanes of the historic center with a guide, stopping at small producers who make mortadella, parmigiano reggiano DOP and other regional products by hand. The guide teaches you the Italian words you'll actually use in the markets. The vocabulary that lets you shop like a resident, not a tourist passing through.

Mercato delle Erbe, the largest covered market in the historic center, is where the city's cooks buy. Beyond the fruit and vegetable stalls sit shops where you taste the typical products of Emilia-Romagna: the region's cheeses, cured meats, fresh pasta shapes. You'll taste tigelle, torta di riso and tagliatelle al ragù: the dishes that define what people mean when they say Bologna. A glass of Pignoletto wine and a real espresso in a specialty coffee bar round out the tastings.

The tour ends at Osteria del Sole, the oldest osteria in Bologna, operating since 1465. It's the place locals and travelers choose for an authentic meal, and it's where the morning's tastings become context for what you're eating.

What’s included

• Tastings of parmigiano reggiano, mortadella, tigelle, tagliatelle al ragù and torta di riso.
• one glass of Pignoletto wine.
• a real espresso coffee in a specialty coffee bar.
• a live guide in English, Spanish, Italian or German.

Options for this experience

3 options

Bologna Food TourUp to 10 people · Guide in English or Italian · 5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 17:30

German food tourUp to 15 people · 11:30Guide speaks German

Bike food tourUp to 15 people · Guide in 4 languages · 09:30, 11:30 and 13:30The meeting point can be at either of our bike rental locations: 1) Bologna, Via Treves 27/C, or 2) Castel d'Aiano, Via Bologna 38.

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 day5 departure times: the first at 09:30, the last at 17:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Youth (under 1)

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, 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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by SLOW EMOTION

Is this one for you?The tour operates in small groups and follows a fixed route through the historic center and market, so you move at the pace the guide sets and see the same stops every departure. Choose this if you want someone who knows the producers and the market to show you where locals actually shop and what makes each product worth tasting, rather than wandering on your own.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English and Italian, with 5 departure times. In Spanish and German, at 09:30, 11:30 and 13:30.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (under 1).

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.

What is Mercato delle Erbe and what will I taste there?

Mercato delle Erbe is the largest covered market in Bologna's historic center. Beyond the produce stalls, shops inside sell the region's typical products (cheeses, cured meats, fresh pasta), and you'll taste several of them during the tour, including parmigiano reggiano and mortadella.

What is Osteria del Sole and why does the tour end there?

Osteria del Sole is the oldest osteria in Bologna, in operation since 1465. It's where locals and travelers go for an authentic meal. The tour ends there so the tastings you've done through the morning become part of understanding what you're eating.

Will I learn how to shop in Italian markets?

Yes. The guide teaches you the Italian words you need to shop in traditional food markets, so you can navigate them like a local and ask for what you want at the stalls and small producers.

What specific foods will I taste on this tour?

You'll taste parmigiano reggiano, mortadella, tigelle, tagliatelle al ragù and torta di riso, along with one glass of Pignoletto wine and a real espresso coffee at a specialty coffee bar.

How long does the tour take?

The tour runs two to three hours, moving through the historic center's narrow streets, the market, and ending at Osteria del Sole.