The 11 Best Bologna Market Tours

1.Bologna Food & Market Tour with 6 Tastings, Pasta, Wines & More

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 1,328 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $118Our pick

Spend 3.5 hours walking central Bologna with a small group of up to 12. Meet near Palazzo della Mercanzia, taste handmade pasta, aged Parmigiano, Modena balsamic, cold cuts, wine, gelato, and more, then finish near Piazza Santo Stefano.

“Amazingly insightful tour of Bologna with Catalina. Just the right amount of time spent at each delish spot. Highly recommend booking this if you’re in the area.”

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2.Tastes and Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 162 reviews · from $100

Walk Bologna with an English-speaking guide and sample nine local specialties at eight stops. Begin with coffee and torta di riso, visit Mercato delle Erbe, taste mortadella, Parmigiano, tortelli, tagliatelle al ragù, and finish near the Two Towers.

“It was a great culinary introduction to the city. Benedetta was very passionate and knowledgeable! The amount of food was a bit too much for us personally, but that is because we are small eaters. We will definitely recommend this tour to friends and family.”

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3.Private Bologna Food & Market Tour with 6 Tastings & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $405

Explore Bologna’s Quadrilatero with a private foodie guide, tasting Parmigiano Reggiano, handmade pasta, Parma ham, Mortadella, Modena balsamic, gelato, wine, coffee, and a secret dish. The tour begins near Via Zamboni and ends in Piazza Santo Stefano.

“Caterina was a brilliant guide, highly recommended . Lovely insight into Bologna history and cuisine”

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4.Devour Bologna Tastes & Traditions Food Tour with Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 69 reviews · from $103

Walk Bologna with an English-speaking local guide such as Mario, Benedetta, or Ela, stopping for coffee, pastries, cheese, mortadella, wine, handmade tagliatelle, and dessert. The 3.5-hour tour caps the group at 12 and links food with Bologna’s customs and past.

“Bernadette was amazing. Funny, knowledgeable and very pleasant. All the food was amazing and fresh. I would recommend not only the tour but with her specifically.”

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5.Guided Food Markets Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 65 reviews · 2 hours · from $50Best value

Walk from Mercato delle Erbe to the Quadrilatero with an English-speaking guide such as Benedetta, Sonia, or Valentina. Learn how Bologna shops and eats, then choose and pay for the tastings you want, usually about €17 per person, with vegetarian and lactose-free options available.

“How lovely to wander the markets and try selected specialty produce with Benne as our insider guide! Lots of food, it was our breakfast and lunch. Also we followed one of her many restaurant suggestions and had a beautiful authentic dinner later close by. With so much choice it is golden to have inside tips, Grazie Mille”

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6.Small Group Food market Walking Tour with Tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 59 reviews · 2 hours · from $60

Walk Bologna’s historic center with an English-speaking guide, stopping at three food shops for local tastings and a glass of wine. You’ll see San Petronio, the Two Towers, the Loggia of Merchants, and the medieval Quadrilatero Market. Guides Emilia and Elena have led especially well-regarded tours.

“Emilia was our guide and she was absolutely fantastic! The tour was a great value offering tastings of delicious food and even a voucher for a gelato! Emilia offered interesting stories about Bologna’s rich history and she suggested several off the beaten track stops along the way. She took extra time to answer questions and even volunteered to walk us to our next tourist stop. I would highly suggest this tour - especially if you are lucky enough to have Emilia as your guide.”

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7.Food markets tour with a local!

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 39 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $50

Spend two hours with a local guide, often Benedetta, visiting Mercato delle Erbe and Bologna’s Quadrilatero. Choose and pay for your own tastings, from fresh pasta and piadina to cured meats, wine, and gelato. Groups are capped at eight, with the tour ending near the Two Towers.

“4 main stops for food, can buy half portions to manage the volume of food! Stops along the way to highlight attractions.”

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8.Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $139

Meet Giovanna at Neptune’s Fountain at 5 p.m. for a private walk through Bologna’s old market, then visit her home kitchen to make pasta, ragù, and seasonal dishes. You’ll share the meal with Giovanna and perhaps her family, with local wine included.

“I wish we could leave more stars. This was such a fantastic experience. Paola and her family were a joy to get to know. It was our favorite part of vacation. They were wonderful hosts. The food was amazing and they were helpful with giving us tips for our stay in Bologna. We hope to come back and do it again. Highly recommend booking this experience!”

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9.Cesarine: Market Tour & Cooking Class at Local’s Home in Bologna

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 19 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $226

Meet a Cesarina in central Bologna, shop for ingredients at a local market or food shops, then prepare three traditional dishes in her home. Hosts have included Oriana, Paola, Maurizio, Marzia, and Sisto. Expect fresh pasta, local wine, practical cooking tips, and a meal you make yourself.

“How do I begin to describe this cooking class. This was absolutely the best part of our entire trip. I cannot say that enough. This was more than a cooking class, it was a look into the life of a true bologian. Learning about the local markets, stopping to say hello along the streets to venders, business owners and friends. The cooking portion of this experience was excellent and so much fun but this experience was much more than just a cooking class. Oriana welcomed us into her home as strangers and we left as friends. We decided as we left that if we every come back to Italy we…”

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10.Market and Cooking Class at a Local’s Home

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 17 reviews · from $214

Shop Bologna’s local market with an English-speaking host, then cook three regional recipes in a private family home. Hosts such as Martina, Oriana, and Paola bring family cookbooks, practical kitchen tips, wine, and a shared meal to this five-hour class.

“Really loved this experience. The market part was great for getting to know food and culture and the cooking was relaxed and delicious! Am ready to try at home! Plus Martina was a great host. Good conversation, knowledgeable and proud. Having the cooking class in her home allowed for informality and was a nice touch!”

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11.Market, Cooking Demo and Meal at a Local’s Home

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $157

Spend four hours with a Cesarina in Bologna, starting at a local market and continuing in a private home. You’ll watch a family recipe demo, then enjoy four seasonal courses, local red and white wines, coffee, and Italian hospitality in a private group.

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