Bologna Walking Tour: Private Guide to Arcades & San Petronio

The world's largest sundial sits inside a church you'll actually enter.

A two-and-a-half-hour private walking tour of Bologna's historic center with a certified guide in your choice of language. You'll see Piazza Maggiore, the Basilica of San Petronio (which holds the largest sundial in the world), the Anatomical Theatre courtyard, Piazza Santo Stefano, and the university quarter market, ending with a food tasting voucher to use in the city center. Dress code applies for the basilica: covered shoulders and long trousers or skirts below the knee.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Piazza Maggiore15m
2. San Petronio Basilica20m · entry included
3. Anatomical Theatre of the Archiginnasio20m
4. Bologna University Quarter20m · entry included

Explore Bologna's historic center

• Visit Piazza Maggiore
• Tour Basilica of San Petronio
• See Archiginnasio courtyard
• Visit Piazza Santo Stefano
• Explore Quadrilateral Market
• Enjoy food tasting in city center

The experience

Piazza Maggiore anchors this tour, and from there your guide walks you through the arcades (covered walkways declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to show you how they shaped daily life in Bologna. The Basilica of San Petronio dominates the piazza. It's the fourth largest church in Italy, and inside it houses a functioning sundial that spans the floor. You'll also see the Statue of Neptune and the Two Towers, landmarks that mark the city's medieval power.

The route takes you to Piazza Santo Stefano, a quieter square with its own cluster of churches, then through the Bologna University Quarter where the market still operates much as it has for centuries. Your guide explains the history and traditions woven into each stop rather than rushing between them. At the end, you get a tasting voucher to use at a food vendor in the city center: a chance to try something local without the tour ending abruptly at a shop door.

You'll choose your guide's language at checkout: English, Spanish, Italian, French, or German. The tour works for all fitness levels and strollers are welcome, though the basilica requires covered shoulders and legs below the knee. A map of Bologna and a welcome from the tour staff round out what's included.

What’s included

• A certified private guide in your choice of language.
• a map of Bologna.
• tasting vouchers to use at food vendors in the city center.
• and a welcome from the Bologna Tour staff.

Options for this experience

4 options

Tours in English10:00 and 15:00

Tours in Italian10:00 and 15:00

Tours in Spanish10:00 and 15:00

Tour in French10:00

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 10:00 and 15:00

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (5 to 11 years) · Infant (under 5): free

GroupPrivate

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.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Bologna Tour & Best Italy Tour

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a guide who can explain the history and culture behind each stop rather than simply pointing them out. The private format means the pace stays yours, and the food tasting at the end gives you a real taste of local eating rather than a rushed photo stop.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

In English, Spanish and Italian, at 10:00 and 15:00. In French, at 10:00.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 11 years); Infant (under 5): free.

What is the Basilica of San Petronio and why does it matter to this tour?

The Basilica of San Petronio is the fourth largest church in Italy and sits on Piazza Maggiore, the heart of Bologna's historic center. Inside it holds the world's largest sundial, which you'll see as part of the walking route. It's a major stop on the tour, though you'll need covered shoulders and long trousers or skirts below the knee to enter.

How long does the tour take and what's included in the price?

The tour runs two and a half hours and includes a certified private guide, a map of Bologna, tasting vouchers for food in the city center, and a welcome from the tour staff. Gratuities are not included.

What neighborhoods and landmarks will I actually walk through?

You'll start at Piazza Maggiore and the surrounding arcades, then visit the Basilica of San Petronio, the Anatomical Theatre courtyard at the Archiginnasio, Piazza Santo Stefano, and the Bologna University Quarter where the market operates. The route stays in the historic center and covers the city's main points of interest.