Tours & tickets
Palazzo del Podestà

Palazzo del Podestà: Our most recommended tours and activities

Bologna: Red Bus City Tour and Local Food Tasting

Bologna: Red Bus City Tour and Local Food Tasting

Discover Bologna in comfort via an open top bus, enabling you to admire and photograph all the major attractions of the city.  Upon arriving at the meeting point, staff will welcome you onboard. Choose from an audioguide available in 10 different languages to learn more about the specific landmarks as well as the general history of the city. You will then journey across the city, capturing views of some of the most famous points of interest. Hop on and off at your leisure at some popular spots such as: • Basilica San Petronio • Palazzo dei Notai • Palazzo Comunale • Palazzo di Re Enzo • Palazzo del Podestà, • Tower of Asinelli and Garisenda • Museo Civico Archeologico • Archiginnasio • Palazzo Bevilacqua • Porta Saragozza • Palazzo Bentivoglio • Fontana del Nettuno • Teatro Comunale. After the tour, enjoy a food tour in a historical market in Bologna, where you will try local delicacies.

Bologna: Guided Walking Tour

Bologna: Guided Walking Tour

Discover the historic sights of Bologna, starting on Piazza Maggiore where landmarks include the Fountain of Neptune and the Palazzo del Podestà. Learn why the city is known as "La Dotta" ("The Learned"), "La Grassa" ("The Fat") and "La Rossa" ("The Red"). See the medieval Torre Galluzzi and look inside the unique anatomical theater at the Archiginnasio. Stroll along Via Farini and walk to the magnificent porticoes of Piazza Santo Stefano. Discover the covered passageway of the Court Isolani on the way to Via Strada Maggiore. Chat to the locals in the Mercato di Mezzo about why food is so important in Bologna.

Bologna: Food and Wine Walking Tour with Tastings

Bologna: Food and Wine Walking Tour with Tastings

Uncover the soul of Bologna on a curated walking experience that blends rich cultural heritage with the city’s unmatched culinary traditions. This isn’t just a food tour—it’s an immersion into the identity of Emilia-Romagna, led by a passionate local guide who reveals what lies beyond the postcard views. Begin your journey in the heart of the historic center, where grand piazzas and medieval architecture set the stage for centuries of power, conflict, and community. As the tour unfolds, you’ll encounter curious optical illusions, forgotten acoustic tricks, and unexpected symbols of resistance that still echo through the city’s stones. Between stories, indulge your senses with tastings that reveal the flavors of Bologna—not in generic bites, but through thoughtfully selected pairings that speak to tradition and authenticity. Sip on local wines, sample regional specialties, and enjoy a warm welcome in places where locals have gathered for generations. Each tasting is an invitation to understand not only what Bolognese cuisine is, but why it is. Weaving through lively alleys and ancient market lanes, your guide shares tales of medieval customs, noble rivalries, and the deep symbolism behind Bologna’s most iconic landmarks. You'll touch the layers of history—Roman, religious, and revolutionary—that still shape the rhythms of daily life. Midway, pause for a seated tasting of freshly made pasta paired with wine, and learn how local culinary techniques have resisted change for centuries. The story behind each dish, ingredient, and method will forever change the way you see Italian food. The walk continues into one of the city’s most atmospheric corners, where silence and shadows carry stories of devotion, art, and sacred architecture. Your guide connects the past to the present with elegant clarity, giving depth to places many visitors pass without a second glance. Before closing, pass through a medieval corridor hiding signs of centuries-old legends, and look up to find traces of mystery locked in the beams above. The experience ends with a sweet note—a handcrafted dessert made just for you. This tour is designed for travelers who crave more than just sightseeing or snacking. It’s for those who want to feel the city, taste its essence, and leave with stories that stick. Join us to explore Bologna with new eyes, new flavors, and unforgettable perspectives.

Bologna: Private Walking Tour with a Guide

Bologna: Private Walking Tour with a Guide

Explore all the major highlights of the picturesque city of Bologna on a walking tour. See the stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere of the city with an expert guide. Discover the central square of Bologna, the Piazza Maggiore with many medieval buildings surrounding it. Visit the iconic Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo d'Accursio and the Palazzo del Podestà. Take a stroll through the lively streets and see remains from the past periods in Bologna. Admire the beauty of the Fountain of Neptune with the precious late Renaissance sculptures by Giambologna. Continue to the university district and see the main buildings like the Aechiginnasio Library and the Palazzo Poggi. Next, stroll through the picturesque alleys of the Mercato di Mezzo, the old market, and its fabulous food shops. Explore the narrow streets admire the tiny windows typical of the houses in this part of the city. Pop into the Quadrilatero, a bustling area of the town, and explore the unique ancient shops of the city. Your guide will tell you about the town's unique way of life. Take advantage of this tour to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of Italy. Enjoy the richness of culture and history of the picturesque town on a walking tour. 

Tuscany: Sanctuary of La Verna Day Tour Private Tour

Tuscany: Sanctuary of La Verna Day Tour Private Tour

Take a full-day trip to visit the Sanctuary of La Verna, located in the commune of Chiusi della Verna, in Tuscany. It is this place where, in 1224, St. Francis of Assisi is said to have received the stigmata. On your trip, you will be provided with round-trip transportation from your starting point. After an approximately 2-hour trip, arrive at the sanctuary, where you will have 4 hours of free time. Here you may explore the area on top of Mount Penna, and stop at the local convent to learn more about why the site is a place of pilgrimage. In the afternoon, you will be transported back to your hotel. In the afternoon visit of The Birthplace Museum of Michelangelo Buonarroti, the castle of Caprese Michelangelo; it consists of three main buildings, the Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo Clusini and the Corte Alta, and a garden with outdoor exposure.

BOLOGNA private tour: historic center, towers and mysteries

BOLOGNA private tour: historic center, towers and mysteries

The guided tour of Bologna will take you to the most hidden corners of the city full of mysteries, but also the main beauties of the historic center, the most important monuments and the most evocative views. It starts by discovering the window of Via Piella with a unique view of the Moline Canal and its history, a small Venice hidden in the streets of Bologna. We continue along the characteristic streets of the ancient Jewish ghetto where the Jews of Bologna lived from the 1500s with buildings, small windows and typical artisan shops up to the two very high towers, symbol of Bologna, clearly visible in all over the city. The Torre degli Asinelli almost 100 meters high is the highest original medieval tower in Italy, erected in 1100 by the homonymous family and with a panoramic view of the red brick roofs that characterize Bologna; next to it stands the Torre della Garisenda visibly leaning and a little lower We continue the tour by visiting the Church of S. Stefano, a set of sacred buildings that form the complex of the Seven Churches designed by Bishop Petronius who after a trip to the Holy Land wanted to reproduce the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem; it is the most interesting and best preserved Romanesque monument in Bologna. Strolling through the historic center full of colorful buildings and the famous arcades that house various types of shops, bars and restaurants where you can taste typical Emilian foods, from mortadella to tortellini, we admire the Archiginnasio, the most beautiful building in Bologna, home to the an ancient university and today the Municipal Library and a few steps away the House Museum of one of the most illustrious citizens of Bologna, the singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla. We visit the most important square, Piazza Maggiore, next to the beautiful monumental Fountain of Neptune called the Giant for its size which contains one of the mysteries of Bologna. The famous "Piazza Grande" by Lucio Dalla is the heart of Bologna with the most important medieval buildings such as the Torre dell 'Arengo, the Town Hall and the Palazzo del Podestà with the Voltone del Podestà, a large dome in which an effect is created particular acoustic, a kind of wireless phone to try! On the same square we visit the Church of S. Petronio inside in honor of the patron saint of the town, the largest brick Gothic church in the world with its particular unfinished facade. We end the guided tour between the streets of the center and the Mezzo Market, a covered market with numerous stands with the excellence of Italian cuisine.

Bologna: Guided Architecture Walking Tour

Bologna: Guided Architecture Walking Tour

Start the tour at Archiginnasio Palace, which serves as the main office building for the oldest university in the world – the University of Bologna. After, walk to Piazza Maggiore, where the Basilica of San Petronio is located, known for its imposing facade. Continue to Piazza del Nettuno, which is surrounded by three important administrative buildings: Palazzo d'Accursio, Palazzo del Podestà, and Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Afterward, continue to the base of Bologna's iconic towers, the Asinelli Tower and the Garisenda Tower. Learn about the history and features of these imposing structures. Next, continue to the wooden arch of Corte Isolani and see the Oratory of Santa Cecilia. Admire the exterior of the church of San Giacomo Maggiore, before concluding the tour in the area of Quadrilatero, which is home to many markets and shops.

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Top sights near Palazzo del Podestà

Palazzo del Podestà: Our most recommended tours and activities

Bologna: Red Bus City Tour and Local Food Tasting

Bologna: Red Bus City Tour and Local Food Tasting

Discover Bologna in comfort via an open top bus, enabling you to admire and photograph all the major attractions of the city.  Upon arriving at the meeting point, staff will welcome you onboard. Choose from an audioguide available in 10 different languages to learn more about the specific landmarks as well as the general history of the city. You will then journey across the city, capturing views of some of the most famous points of interest. Hop on and off at your leisure at some popular spots such as: • Basilica San Petronio • Palazzo dei Notai • Palazzo Comunale • Palazzo di Re Enzo • Palazzo del Podestà, • Tower of Asinelli and Garisenda • Museo Civico Archeologico • Archiginnasio • Palazzo Bevilacqua • Porta Saragozza • Palazzo Bentivoglio • Fontana del Nettuno • Teatro Comunale. After the tour, enjoy a food tour in a historical market in Bologna, where you will try local delicacies.

Bologna: Guided Walking Tour

Bologna: Guided Walking Tour

Discover the historic sights of Bologna, starting on Piazza Maggiore where landmarks include the Fountain of Neptune and the Palazzo del Podestà. Learn why the city is known as "La Dotta" ("The Learned"), "La Grassa" ("The Fat") and "La Rossa" ("The Red"). See the medieval Torre Galluzzi and look inside the unique anatomical theater at the Archiginnasio. Stroll along Via Farini and walk to the magnificent porticoes of Piazza Santo Stefano. Discover the covered passageway of the Court Isolani on the way to Via Strada Maggiore. Chat to the locals in the Mercato di Mezzo about why food is so important in Bologna.

Bologna: Food and Wine Walking Tour with Tastings

Bologna: Food and Wine Walking Tour with Tastings

Uncover the soul of Bologna on a curated walking experience that blends rich cultural heritage with the city’s unmatched culinary traditions. This isn’t just a food tour—it’s an immersion into the identity of Emilia-Romagna, led by a passionate local guide who reveals what lies beyond the postcard views. Begin your journey in the heart of the historic center, where grand piazzas and medieval architecture set the stage for centuries of power, conflict, and community. As the tour unfolds, you’ll encounter curious optical illusions, forgotten acoustic tricks, and unexpected symbols of resistance that still echo through the city’s stones. Between stories, indulge your senses with tastings that reveal the flavors of Bologna—not in generic bites, but through thoughtfully selected pairings that speak to tradition and authenticity. Sip on local wines, sample regional specialties, and enjoy a warm welcome in places where locals have gathered for generations. Each tasting is an invitation to understand not only what Bolognese cuisine is, but why it is. Weaving through lively alleys and ancient market lanes, your guide shares tales of medieval customs, noble rivalries, and the deep symbolism behind Bologna’s most iconic landmarks. You'll touch the layers of history—Roman, religious, and revolutionary—that still shape the rhythms of daily life. Midway, pause for a seated tasting of freshly made pasta paired with wine, and learn how local culinary techniques have resisted change for centuries. The story behind each dish, ingredient, and method will forever change the way you see Italian food. The walk continues into one of the city’s most atmospheric corners, where silence and shadows carry stories of devotion, art, and sacred architecture. Your guide connects the past to the present with elegant clarity, giving depth to places many visitors pass without a second glance. Before closing, pass through a medieval corridor hiding signs of centuries-old legends, and look up to find traces of mystery locked in the beams above. The experience ends with a sweet note—a handcrafted dessert made just for you. This tour is designed for travelers who crave more than just sightseeing or snacking. It’s for those who want to feel the city, taste its essence, and leave with stories that stick. Join us to explore Bologna with new eyes, new flavors, and unforgettable perspectives.

Bologna: Private Walking Tour with a Guide

Bologna: Private Walking Tour with a Guide

Explore all the major highlights of the picturesque city of Bologna on a walking tour. See the stunning architecture and vibrant atmosphere of the city with an expert guide. Discover the central square of Bologna, the Piazza Maggiore with many medieval buildings surrounding it. Visit the iconic Basilica of San Petronio, Palazzo d'Accursio and the Palazzo del Podestà. Take a stroll through the lively streets and see remains from the past periods in Bologna. Admire the beauty of the Fountain of Neptune with the precious late Renaissance sculptures by Giambologna. Continue to the university district and see the main buildings like the Aechiginnasio Library and the Palazzo Poggi. Next, stroll through the picturesque alleys of the Mercato di Mezzo, the old market, and its fabulous food shops. Explore the narrow streets admire the tiny windows typical of the houses in this part of the city. Pop into the Quadrilatero, a bustling area of the town, and explore the unique ancient shops of the city. Your guide will tell you about the town's unique way of life. Take advantage of this tour to visit one of the most beautiful cities in the whole of Italy. Enjoy the richness of culture and history of the picturesque town on a walking tour. 

Tuscany: Sanctuary of La Verna Day Tour Private Tour

Tuscany: Sanctuary of La Verna Day Tour Private Tour

Take a full-day trip to visit the Sanctuary of La Verna, located in the commune of Chiusi della Verna, in Tuscany. It is this place where, in 1224, St. Francis of Assisi is said to have received the stigmata. On your trip, you will be provided with round-trip transportation from your starting point. After an approximately 2-hour trip, arrive at the sanctuary, where you will have 4 hours of free time. Here you may explore the area on top of Mount Penna, and stop at the local convent to learn more about why the site is a place of pilgrimage. In the afternoon, you will be transported back to your hotel. In the afternoon visit of The Birthplace Museum of Michelangelo Buonarroti, the castle of Caprese Michelangelo; it consists of three main buildings, the Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo Clusini and the Corte Alta, and a garden with outdoor exposure.

BOLOGNA private tour: historic center, towers and mysteries

BOLOGNA private tour: historic center, towers and mysteries

The guided tour of Bologna will take you to the most hidden corners of the city full of mysteries, but also the main beauties of the historic center, the most important monuments and the most evocative views. It starts by discovering the window of Via Piella with a unique view of the Moline Canal and its history, a small Venice hidden in the streets of Bologna. We continue along the characteristic streets of the ancient Jewish ghetto where the Jews of Bologna lived from the 1500s with buildings, small windows and typical artisan shops up to the two very high towers, symbol of Bologna, clearly visible in all over the city. The Torre degli Asinelli almost 100 meters high is the highest original medieval tower in Italy, erected in 1100 by the homonymous family and with a panoramic view of the red brick roofs that characterize Bologna; next to it stands the Torre della Garisenda visibly leaning and a little lower We continue the tour by visiting the Church of S. Stefano, a set of sacred buildings that form the complex of the Seven Churches designed by Bishop Petronius who after a trip to the Holy Land wanted to reproduce the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem; it is the most interesting and best preserved Romanesque monument in Bologna. Strolling through the historic center full of colorful buildings and the famous arcades that house various types of shops, bars and restaurants where you can taste typical Emilian foods, from mortadella to tortellini, we admire the Archiginnasio, the most beautiful building in Bologna, home to the an ancient university and today the Municipal Library and a few steps away the House Museum of one of the most illustrious citizens of Bologna, the singer-songwriter Lucio Dalla. We visit the most important square, Piazza Maggiore, next to the beautiful monumental Fountain of Neptune called the Giant for its size which contains one of the mysteries of Bologna. The famous "Piazza Grande" by Lucio Dalla is the heart of Bologna with the most important medieval buildings such as the Torre dell 'Arengo, the Town Hall and the Palazzo del Podestà with the Voltone del Podestà, a large dome in which an effect is created particular acoustic, a kind of wireless phone to try! On the same square we visit the Church of S. Petronio inside in honor of the patron saint of the town, the largest brick Gothic church in the world with its particular unfinished facade. We end the guided tour between the streets of the center and the Mezzo Market, a covered market with numerous stands with the excellence of Italian cuisine.

Bologna: Guided Architecture Walking Tour

Bologna: Guided Architecture Walking Tour

Start the tour at Archiginnasio Palace, which serves as the main office building for the oldest university in the world – the University of Bologna. After, walk to Piazza Maggiore, where the Basilica of San Petronio is located, known for its imposing facade. Continue to Piazza del Nettuno, which is surrounded by three important administrative buildings: Palazzo d'Accursio, Palazzo del Podestà, and Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo. Afterward, continue to the base of Bologna's iconic towers, the Asinelli Tower and the Garisenda Tower. Learn about the history and features of these imposing structures. Next, continue to the wooden arch of Corte Isolani and see the Oratory of Santa Cecilia. Admire the exterior of the church of San Giacomo Maggiore, before concluding the tour in the area of Quadrilatero, which is home to many markets and shops.

Other Sightseeing Options in Palazzo del Podestà

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What people are saying about Palazzo del Podestà

Overall rating

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1
(689 reviews)
5
5 out of 5 stars

Tour was great, excellent food and our guide Leonardo was fantastic. Very knowledgeable and the history was interesting.

5
5 out of 5 stars

Great way to get an overview of Bologna and it's history. Hop on and off option is excellent 👍. thank you so much!

5
5 out of 5 stars

Leonardo was a very nice guide. It was a lot of fun in the small group. The food and wine were delicious. 😊

5
5 out of 5 stars

Very nice guide. Good selection of locations—the quantities were also good and well balanced.

5
5 out of 5 stars

Excellent. Leo was fantastic so knowledgeable and welcoming