Bologna is one of the easiest Italian cities to cycle, a flat, compact centre of porticoed streets, squares and medieval lanes, and a guided bike tour is a good way to see more of it in less time. The two-hour tour is led by an art historian, with a radio guide system so you can hear the commentary while riding, and it includes the bike, a helmet and insurance. It covers the main landmarks and the quieter corners, linking the squares and churches by street and cycle lane, and it stops where there is something to look at. Most of the sites you pass are free to see from outside, and the one ticket that is not included is for the Palazzo Comunale. It suits people who find walking tours slow, or who want a lighter, more active introduction to the city, and it gives you a sense of how the medieval street plan fits together. It runs in all weather, which suits the city’s rainy spells.
How it works
The tour starts and ends at Via dell’Indipendenza 67/2 in the city centre and lasts about two hours. The price covers an art-historian guide, a radio headset, the bike and helmet, and insurance. Bookings are limited to fifteen people each, though more may be on the same tour. Start times are shown when you book. The tour runs in all weather, and if conditions make cycling unsafe it becomes a walking tour or is rescheduled, so you do not need to cancel for drizzle.
What to expect
Bologna’s centre is flat, and the guide leads at an easy pace. You stop to look at churches, squares and palaces, and learn how the university, the porticoes and the city’s waterways shaped the town. Because you ride between sights, you cover more ground than on foot, including areas that are a little further from Piazza Maggiore. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, and take a layer for cooler days.
Making the most of it
Ride early in your visit, so that you can return later on foot to places that caught your eye, such as the Archiginnasio or the Quadrilatero. The tour is a good alternative for travellers who have already done the usual walk, or for families with confident older children. If you are nervous about traffic, tell the guide at the start. Afterwards, reward yourself with a coffee and a pastry in the market lanes, and remember to check the Palazzo Comunale separately if you want to go inside.
What to expect
The experience
A guided ride in a group with an art-historian guide and a radio headset, with the bike, helmet and insurance provided.
Best time
Early in your stay, in the morning, so that the ride gives you an orientation for the rest of your visit.
How long
About two hours.
Tips
Wear comfortable clothes, tell the guide if you are nervous about traffic, and note that the Palazzo Comunale ticket is not included.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Active travellers and first-time visitors who want an overview of the centre without too much walking.
- Families
- Suitable for families with confident older children, as the centre is flat.
- Couples
- A fun, shared activity that covers more of the city than a walking tour.
- Pair with
- A visit to the Archiginnasio, or a coffee stop in the Quadrilatero.
- Time needed
- Two hours.
Good questions
Where does the bike tour start?+
It starts and ends on Via dell’Indipendenza, at number 67/2, in the city centre.
What is included?+
An art-historian guide, a radio guide system, a bike and helmet, and insurance. The Palazzo Comunale ticket is not included.
What happens if it rains?+
The tour runs in all weather. If cycling is not possible, it becomes a walking tour or is rescheduled.
How long is the tour?+
About two hours.
Is Bologna good for cycling?+
The historic centre is flat and compact, which makes it easy to ride, though cobbles and traffic need care.
