Two Towers, Bologna

Evening bites & drinks

Take a classic walking tour through the streets of the Bologna city center. With this guided tour, discover the history of Bologna and its major cultural attractions. Make stops at the Asinelli tower, Neptune fountain, and the Basilica of San Petronio. Meet your guide and walk through the city streets admiring the architecture and discovering the most-famous cultural attraction. See the towers of Bologna and marvel at their height and significance. Then, stroll through the Quadrilatero Market, and learn important historical facts. Make a wish at the Neptune fountain and see if it comes true. Then, gaze at the Basilica of San Petronio, as your guide shares its story and welcomes you into the city of Bologna.

Get to know Bologna at your own pace on this interactive scavenger hunt walking tour that is played on your phone. Decipher riddles, interact with the most important attractions of the city, and unlock interesting facts and legends. Enjoy an ideal outdoor activity for first time visitors, couples, groups, families, and children which can be used as a great team-building activity. Solve puzzles outside of ten Bologna attractions. Use clues at each attraction to find your next destination. Enjoy the challenge of using logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to complete the game. Feel the satisfaction of solving each riddle. At each stop, learn about the attraction and solve a location-based riddle that can only be solved if you reach the specific location. Use logic, imagination, observation, and team spirit to unlock the correct code and reveal the next destination of the city sightseeing game. Have the freedom to pause or resume the tour whenever you want. Admire the city at your own pace. Uncover interesting information and facts about the city. Snap as many pictures as you want.  You can start playing anytime, the schedule is indicative. Start your tour at Towers of Bologna. Visit the Biblioteca Salaborsa with its unique archives. Photograph the municipal complex of Palazzo d'Accursio and the chapel and admire the Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita with its original Gothic style and lifelike sculptures. Then head to the Salina Palace and Osteria Le Sette Chiese for some unbeatable photo opportunities. Admire the beautiful Piazza Minghetti and the interior of Basilica di San Domenico. The small but miraculous Oratorio dello Spirito Santo is well worth your time, and the icing on the cake is the Church of the Holy Savior.

Go on a gastronomic journey with a local in Bologna and explore hidden gems that only locals know about. Taste cold cuts, different types of cheeses and wine, and discover what makes Italian cuisine special. Upon meeting your guide, experience what a local's daily life in Bologna is like. Start with a proper Italian breakfast in the best pasticceria in town, before moving on to purchase and try cold cuts, cheeses, and breads. You also get to taste some local wine. Then, walk through the old town center and hear some historical anecdotes about the city and its cuisine. Try two iconic homemade pasta in a classical Osteria Bolognese, paired with local wine, along with a surprise local dish. Conclude your gastronomic journey with the best gelato in town.

Explore the reasons behind the many names of Bologna. Admire the red roofs of the city that are the reason for it being called "the red city." Feast on the delectable cuisine that gives Bologna the name "the fat city." Marvel at the forest of over 100 towers that once dotted the landscape of the city, also known as "the towered." Walk the ground of the world's oldest university, the reason that Bologna is sometimes referred to as "the cultured". Learn about each facet of the city on this walking tour, as well as its history and stories, like how the rebellious Bolognese stopped the city from becoming the Vatican. Discover how the Fountain of Neptune's sculptor got away with making Neptune seem particularly well-endowed despite prohibition from the church while at the Piazza del Nettuno. Gaze up at the Whispering Gallery under the Torre dell Arengo while being told about how star-crossed lovers were able to murmur sweet nothings to each other without their other romantic partners knowing. Hear about the legends of Le Tre Frecce and catch a glimpse of how Bologna once resembled Venice with its network of canals and rivers while passing Canale delle Moline. Then, walk down Via Indipendenza and see what it would have been like in the post-Risorgimento period. Have the opportunity to see San Petronio, the largest and most important church of the city before strolling down Via Rizzoli, named after a 19th-century physician. Hear about Giuseppe Garibaldi, the hero of two countries. Pass by Il Pincio, the entrance to Parco della Montagnola, a French style garden commissioned by Napoleon. Take in Garisenda and Asinelli, Bologna’s Two Towers. Stand beside Porta Galliera, where a retreating Austrian army left the city following a rebellion by the Bolognese in 1848. Learn about the city’s history from the Etruscans and the Lombards, including the chaotic factional fighting between the Guelphs and Ghibellines. Discover the Quadrilatero neighbourhood with its cafes and restaurants, and find out about the seven churches of Santo Stefano. Finally, explore the culinary wonders of the city responsible for iconic dishes like lasagna, ragu, and tagliatelle. These recipes were born and fiercely guarded in the chamber of commerce. Then see the cafés, restaurants and shops where you can allow your tummy and taste buds to be tempted by these culinary marvels.

Walk through a beautiful route of the city, discover hidden gems and visit 10+ of the most important attractions and spots. Learn some introductory information about each place and interesting stories about the city in general. Download the ‘World City Trail ‘app from the store and login. Read the instructions and head to the starting location. Unlock photos of the exterior and the interior of the location. Read some information regarding the attraction and continue walking to the next checkpoint. Note what you liked and did not like and create your bucket list for the next days! Start your walk any time, without a schedule. Pause it for lunch, have a drink, visit an attraction of your choice, and continue later or even another day. With the maps feature, you will never get lost. Start your tour at Towers of Bologna. Visit the Biblioteca Salaborsa with its unique archives. Photograph the municipal complex of Palazzo d'Accursio and the chapel and admire the Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita with its original Gothic style and lifelike sculptures. Then head to the Salina Palace and Osteria Le Sette Chiese for some unbeatable photo opportunities. Admire the beautiful Piazza Minghetti and the interior of Basilica di San Domenico. The small but miraculous Oratorio dello Spirito Santo is well worth your time, and the icing on the cake is the Church of the Holy Savior. Download the ‘’World City Trail ‘’ app from the store. Then start your tour and enjoy!

We will begin to explore the landmarks of Bologna. Then we'll dive into the city's most delicious, the oldest food markets. I'll introduce you to Bologna's traditional dishes. This tour is for learning interesting facts, discovering Bologna's fun secrets and getting to know its food culture! All my life, I've believed the culture, history, and lifestyle understand better through the food :) If you are solo or a party of two, and the tour is fully booked, feel free to contact me. Additionally, for those seeking a more personalized experience, private tours are available upon request, allowing you to tailor the journey to your specific interests and pace.

Bologna is home to some of the best food, the most sublime beauty, and the richest history in all of Italy. Yet it’s rarely on the tourist radar. On this walking tour, award-winning author Frank Bures will give you a taste of authentic Italian culture, show you the city’s many historical sites, and tell you the stories most travelers don’t hear. Throughout the walk, he’ll share anecdotes from the time he spent in Bologna as an exchange student in the 1990s, where he came of age as a global citizen. Starting at the Neptune Fountain, you’ll walk through Piazza Maggiore to San Petronio Basilica where you’ll see the world’s largest sundial. You’ll then make your way to the Two Towers, one of which garnered a mention in Dante’s Inferno, and stroll beneath the famous porticos that became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021. En route to the city’s culinary epicenter, the Quadrilatero, he’ll show you where the 1902 murder that dominated world headlines for three years took place. He’ll also tell you about the case of a 1980 train station bombing by right-wing terrorists that killed 85 people, before you walk back to San Petronio to learn about Michelangelo’s lost statue of Pope Julius II. Finally, you’ll loop past Piazza Galvani to hear about scientific experiments that electrified frogs before heading back where you started. Along the way, you’ll also have the chance to: • Hear about the different Italian dialects Frank encountered while studying here, including Bolognese • See the Roxy Bar, which was featured in the Italian superstar Vasco Rossi’s song Vita Spericolata (The Reckless Life) • Discover how the world’s oldest university got its start • Take in the “Seven Churches” of Santo Stefano • Find out how an ancient painting once saved the city • Learn the secret to cooking good Italian food • Be transported back to the time Aerosmith visited the city • Relive the glory of Bologna’s canals which once rivaled Venice’s • Understand why the poet Gabriele D’Annunzio called Niccolò dell’Arca’s Lamentation for the Dead Christ sculpture a “scream in stone” Join Frank Bures for this lighthearted 60-minute stroll through the ancient – and more recent – past of Bologna, a place that art critic John Berger once called “an improbable city.” PHOTO CREDITS: Photos of San Luca, Piazza Maggiore, Piazza Maggiore at night, Neptune at night, Santo Stefano and “Speaking Bolognese" courtesy of Bologna Welcome. All other photos by the author.

Important the tour have to been booked 24 hours in advance or you have to call us for a definitive confirmation. Did you know that there is a network of underground canals running below the city? And that the oldest university in the world was founded right here in 1088? Get on your bike and follow us to discover Bologna’s highlights with our 2.5-hour bike tour! The first stop is Piazza Maggiore, in the heart of the city, overlooked by some of Bologna’s most famous buildings and monuments: the Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo Re Enzo and the Neptune Fountain. Follow our guide to the Archiginnasio, once home to the University of Bologna, the Two Towers as well as the Prendiparte Tower, one of the few towers still standing in the historical centre. In the Manifattura delle Arti district you can find out about the origins of the ancient port of Bologna and the canals that still flow under the road surface, so important for the economic development of the city in the Middle Ages. Speaking of canals, another must-see place is via Piella, where you can see the water of the Moline Canal flowing open-air from a little window. The last stops of our Bologna bike tour are the wonderful Basilica di Santo Stefano, also called Sette Chiese (Seven Churches), and the Basilica San Domenico, which houses a work by Michelangelo. The tour will start with a minimum of 4 partecipants

Important the tour have to been booked 24 hours in advance or you have to call us for a definitive confirmation for a definitive confirmation. Travelhoo's Bologna bike experience is a good idea if you wish to discover the city with a local, in a sustainable and fun way. Pedaling between churches, monuments and historic buildings, our tour leaders will provide you with some explanations of the city's most and least known attractions, but without lingering in lengthy explanations. This way you will be able to see many different landmarks in a short time, as well as fully enjoy the atmosphere of this vibrant city. Needless to say, the bike experience includes a stop in Piazza Maggiore. You’ll see the Basilica of San Petronio, famous for its unfinished facade, and the nearby Neptune Fountain, as well as the Archiginnasio - the city's oldest university seat - and the former Jewish Ghetto, located just a few steps away from the Two Towers. Together with our cicerone you will also head for Via Zamboni, the university street par excellence in the city, and Via del Pratello, a lively street hosting pubs, restaurants and beer gardens. At Cavaticcio Park you will also discover that Bologna once had a river port, and that the city is home to one of Europe's most important film libraries. Should you have any questions at the end of the bike ride, our tour leaders will be happy to give you hints and tips on activities you can do in Bologna, and of course on the best places in town where you can taste our traditional cuisine. The tour will start with a minimum of 4 partecipants. If you prefer to take part in a classic bike tour of Bologna led by a tour guide, check out our Bologna Bike Tour.

Welcome to the enchanting city of Bologna, a place where history, culture, and culinary delights seamlessly intertwine to create an unforgettable experience. This self-guided tour is your passport to explore the rich tapestry of Bologna's past, discover its architectural marvels, and savor the flavors that have earned it the title of Italy's culinary capital. As you embark on this journey, you'll stroll through the narrow medieval streets, where ancient secrets whisper from the timeworn buildings. Bologna, often referred to as "La Dotta" (The Learned), "La Grassa" (The Fat), and "La Rossa" (The Red), is a city that proudly wears its titles. Each nickname reflects a facet of its character – the wealth of knowledge accumulated in its prestigious university, the sumptuousness of its gastronomy, and the warm hues of its historic architecture. This self-guided tour is meticulously crafted to lead you through Bologna's most iconic landmarks, providing historical insights, anecdotes, and recommendations along the way. From the iconic Two Towers that dominate the skyline to the bustling markets, where the aroma of fresh produce and local specialties fills the air, you'll discover the essence of this captivating city at your own pace. Whether you're a history enthusiast, a food lover, or simply someone eager to immerse yourself in the unique charm of Bologna, this self-guided tour is designed to cater to all interests. Learn more about the top 14 tourist attractions in Bologna. Its history, culture, myths, architecture, and other important facts are in this audio commentary which starts from the city's central station then the itinerary gradually moves one by one. 1. Bologna Centrale 2. Via dell'Indipendenza 3. Cattedrale Metropolitana di San Pietro 4. Biblioteca Salaborsa 5. Fountain of Neptune 6. Piazza Maggiore 7. Santuario di Santa Maria della Vita 8. Mercato di Mezzo 9. Basilica di San Petronio 10. Teatro Anatomico 11. Biblioteca Comunale dell'Archiginnasio 12. Basilica of San Domenico 13. Basilica Santo Stefano 14. Two Towers of Bologna So, lace up your walking shoes, grab your map, and get ready to uncover the hidden gems and vibrant culture that make Bologna a true gem in the heart of Italy. Enjoy the journey!