Before dinner, glass in hand
Bologna hidden wine bars & aperitivo tour
Three hours of Spritz, local wines and tastings in the wine bars where Bolognesi meet.
- 4.9
Average guest rating
- 3 hours
Evening walk
- €63.75
From, per person (-15%)
BolognaHidden Aperitivo & Wine Bar Tour
Aperitivo, the Bologna way
Aperitivo is how Bologna moves from work to dinner: a drink, something to eat and time with friends. This tour takes you into that ritual, through wine bars and hidden corners of the old town where people gather in the early evening.
This is not a dinner tour. It is about the drinks and the places: wine bars tucked behind porticoes and side streets, where a glass comes with something small to eat and nobody is in a hurry.
Your guide shares the stories and history behind the ritual as you go, from bar to bar. One glass at a time.
Hidden Aperitivo & Wine Bar Tour
What you’ll drink and taste
From the first Spritz to something cold at the end. The wine bars themselves we keep for the evening.
- Stop 1
The first toast
Aperitivo starts with a Spritz, the way Bologna does it, with aged Parmigiano and a drop of balsamic on the side.
- Stop 2
Balsamic, properly
A side-by-side tasting that shows why traditional balsamic takes years, and how to spot the real thing.
- Stop 3
Small plates, wine bar style
Fried tortellini with a creamy dip, the kind of bite Bologna’s wine bars serve with a glass.
- Stop 4
A local red
A glass of red poured with cured meats and cheeses from around the city.
- Stop 5
A white locals order
Emilia’s own white, the bottle Bolognesi reach for at aperitivo and visitors rarely know.
- Stop 6
Something cold
Gelato to close the evening, before you head to dinner.
4.9 average guest rating
In our guests’ words
★★★★★
“Loved the visit to the wine cellar, a treasure trove. Sara has a great touch with the client and gave us a real insight into life in this beautiful country.”
★★★★★
“It felt like wandering through Bologna with a very knowledgeable local friend who knew exactly where to go, what to eat, what to drink and, most importantly, the stories behind it all.”
★★★★★
“If you want a tour that feeds both your curiosity and appetite, Domenico is the guide you want. Five stars all around!”
Good to know
Before your tour
All tours start in the historic centre, a few minutes’ walk from Piazza Maggiore.
- Duration
- 3 hours, evening
- Included
- All the food and drinks on the tour, and your guide
- Meeting point
- Piazza della Mercanzia, 40125 Bologna
- Group
- Small group with an English-speaking guide
- Not included
- Tips, hotel pick-up and drop-off
- Walking
- Short distances at an easy pace, comfortable for all ages
- Food needs
- Vegetarian options always available. Tell us about allergies when booking
- Weather
- Runs rain or shine; tastings are indoors
- Cancellation
- Free up to 24 hours before the tour
From the blog
Guides from Bologna
Bologna Food Tour: How to Choose the Right One
How to choose a Bologna food tour: group size, timing, what you should eat and drink, and the red flags to spot before you book, from people who live here.
A Bologna Food Walking Tour of the Quadrilatero
A Bologna food walking tour of the Quadrilatero: how the old guild streets work, a route through the market lanes, what to look for and when to go.
An Emilia-Romagna Food Itinerary: 4 Days from Bologna
A four-day Emilia-Romagna food itinerary based in Bologna, with days out to Modena and Parma: Parmigiano at dawn, traditional balsamic, prosciutto and pasta.
FAQ
Everything you need to know
What’s included in the tour price?
The food and drinks listed in each tour description, a guide who shares stories and tips, and stops most visitors never find. Tips and hotel pick-up are not included.
How much walking is involved?
Only a little, at an easy pace. Distances between stops are short, with plenty of breaks for food and wine. It’s comfortable for all ages and needs no special fitness.
What happens if it rains?
Tours run rain or shine. All tastings take place indoors and the walks between stops are short.
Can children, vegetarians or people with allergies join?
Children are welcome (reduced prices available) and we always have vegetarian options. The tours are not suitable for vegans or guests with coeliac disease. For other allergies or requirements, tell us when booking and we’ll adapt the menu as much as possible.
What is your cancellation policy?
You can cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour.
Can we book a private tour or a group?
Yes. Send us your date and group size with the form below and we’ll put together a private version of any tour.
BolognaMore tours
More ways to eat Bologna
Staying a few days? Each tour shows a different side of Bologna’s food.
Street Food Tour in the Historic Center
- 2 hours
- Small group
- English
- 11:30 or 18:00
A walk for curious eaters, at lunchtime or in the evening. Aged Parmigiano, tortellini with a twist, a glass of local wine and something cold to finish, through medieval alleys and markets.
From
€65-15%€55.25per person
Dinner, Wine & Tastings Walking Tour
- 3 hours
- Small group
- English
- Evening
A dinner that moves through the old town. Local wines, aged Parmigiano and a board to share across several stops, building up to Bologna’s classic pastas.
From
€89-15%€75.65per person
Private tours, groups & questions
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