Reggio Emilia Food & History Walking Tour: 3.5 hours

Three and a half hours through the birthplace of the Italian flag, tasting balsamic vinegar, gelato, cured meats, and wine

A 3.5-hour walking tour of Reggio Emilia's city center with a local guide, covering about 3.5 km of historic streets and squares. You visit the Sala del Tricolore, where the Italian tricolour flag was adopted in 1797, and taste Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia, craft gelato from a local gelateria (February to November), cured meats, cheeses, erbazzone, and regional wine. All museum admissions and tastings are included. The tour suits families and travelers of all fitness levels.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Reggio Emilia's history and flavors

• Visit Theatre Square and gardens
• Meet Alessandra for balsamic vinegar tasting
• Enjoy Italian craft gelato at Spatolata
• Walk along former Crostolo river street
• See Ghiara Basilica and photo festival info
• Visit Piazza Prampolini central square
• Explore Tricolor Museum and Sala del Tricolore
• Admire San Prospero basilica
• End with aperitivo of local foods and wine

The Experience

Three and a half hours takes you through the heart of Reggio Emilia on foot, starting in Piazza della Repubblica, also called Theatre Square, where three theatres, the Museum's Palace, and public gardens frame the city's long history. Your guide walks you through the streets where the Crostolo river once flowed, past the Ghiara Basilica built to honor a miracle, and into the Palazzo Magnani Foundation, which hosts the Fotografia Europa photo festival each spring. The route covers about 3.5 km at an easy pace, and comfortable shoes are the only real requirement.

The centerpiece is the Sala del Tricolore, the room where on January 7, 1797, the Cispada Republic was proclaimed and Italy's first tricolour flag was created. You explore the Tricolor Museum to understand why Reggio Emilia holds this place in Italian unification, then move through Piazza Prampolini: the historic heart where the cathedral, town hall, and bank once concentrated all the city's power. Along the way, you stop at a boutique balsamic vinegar shop run by Alessandra, who walks you through the history and gives you a guided tasting paired with Parmigiano Reggiano. From February through November, you visit Spatolata, a gelateria that is also a social project supporting young people with disabilities, for a complimentary cup of craft gelato.

The tour ends with an aperitivo in a relaxed setting: local cured meats, cheeses, a slice of erbazzone (a savory pie), and a glass of regional wine (Lambrusco or Spergola) that introduces you to what Emilia-Romagna tastes like. All museum admissions, the balsamic tasting, gelato, and wine are included in the price. A live guide speaks English, Spanish, or Italian depending on your booking.

What’s included

• All museum and attraction admissions.
• a guided tasting of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia with Parmigiano Reggiano.
• a complimentary cup of craft gelato from February to November.
• a glass of regional wine (Lambrusco or Spergola).
• local cured meats, cheeses, and erbazzone.
• a live guide in your choice of English, Spanish, or Italian.

Days and timesTue–Sat · 16:00

AgesAges 12+ · 5 to 11 years · Under 5

Meeting point and pickupNo pickup · ends where it startsMeeting point, per the operator: “We'll meet on the steps at the entrance of the "Teatro Valli", in Piazza Martiri del 7 Luglio. If you'll arrive in Reggio Emilia by train you can walk for about…”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 15 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by AndomYA Adventures

Is this one for you?The walk covers 3.5 km at an easy pace through the city center, so it suits families and travelers of all fitness levels. Book this one if you want history and local food flavors woven together without a rushed schedule.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Italian.

Can children come?

5 to 11 years; under 5.

What is the Sala del Tricolore and why does Reggio Emilia matter to Italian history?

The Sala del Tricolore is the room where Italy's first tricolour flag was created on January 7, 1797, when the Cispada Republic was proclaimed. Reggio Emilia is known as the city of the Tricolor because this flag became the symbol of Italian unification, and the tour includes entry to the Tricolor Museum to explore that story.

Is this tour accessible for people using wheelchairs or pushing strollers?

Yes, all areas and surfaces on the tour route are wheelchair accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller, and public transportation options are available nearby if you need them.

What food and wine tastings are included, and do they happen every month?

The tour includes a guided tasting of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Reggio Emilia with Parmigiano Reggiano, a glass of regional wine (Lambrusco or Spergola), cured meats, cheeses, and erbazzone. Craft gelato from Spatolata is complimentary from February to November. Outside those months, the gelato stop is not included.

How far do you walk on this tour, and what kind of shoes should I wear?

The tour covers about 3.5 km through the city center at an easy pace. Comfortable shoes are recommended, and the walk suits families and travelers of all fitness levels.