Tours & tickets

Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca

The Basilica of San Luca is one of the symbols of the city of Bologna. Situated on the Monte Guardia, the Sanctuary connects to the city center through the longest continuous portico in the world, made up of 666 arcades. At the meeting point, you'll receive a map and a timetable of the return train, which is available every 45 minutes. You’ll also receive a voucher for the food tasting.  This tour departs every day and will help you discover the city from aboard the San Luca Express train, where the audio guides, available in 8 languages, will tell you about the city until your arrival at the Basilica of San Luca. Here, you can visit the Basilica at your own pace and decide what time to return by consulting the schedules on the map. On board, you will find a member of staff who'll welcome you and provide any information you may require. When you return, you will get to taste typical products in one of the historical markets.

The rolling hills surrounding Bologna are a beloved escape for locals, who come here to relax in the parks, enjoy scenic walks, and savour traditional dishes in the countryside trattorias. Your guided Vespa tour begins at our agency in the heart of Bologna. Hop on your Vespa and follow us into the hills! The first stop is San Michele in Bosco, a panoramic terrace offering one of the most stunning views over the historic city centre. From there, the ride continues to the Sabbiuno Memorial, a solemn site commemorating the victims of a Nazi-Fascist massacre that occurred here in 1944. The tour concludes at the iconic Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca, perched atop Colle della Guardia and connected to the city by the world’s longest portico. ⚠️ Important driving requirements To join the tour, you must have real experience riding a scooter, whether manual or automatic. We do not rent Vespas to those with little or no experience. If on the day of the tour we determine that the rider is not able to drive safely, the full amount will be charged and the tour will not be carried out. Once the booking is confirmed, you are required to send us the full details of the driver: first name, last name, full residential address (street, city, country), mobile phone number, email address, and driving license number. If this information is not provided in advance, the contract registration will take longer on the day of the tour. The driver must have a credit card in their own name. Alternatively, we can accept the passenger’s credit card, provided that all required details are communicated in advance.

Visit the city of Bologna and San Luca with this tour that in one day will let you discover the city comfortably without walking too much. You will meet in Piazza del Nettuno with our welcome staff who will explain all the details and will accompany you to the start of the new Inside city tour aboard the electric minibus where you will be able to see the most hidden sides of the center by listening to the audio guides. Afterwards you will be able to enjoy tastings of typical local products and then board the San Luca express train which will let you discover the famous arcades of San Luca on the way that takes you to visit the famous basilica while listening to the audio guides.

Discover the famous arcades of Bologna and the Basilica of San Luca with a local guide who will tell you all the anecdotes. You will board the San Luca Express, the little train that connects the center to the famous Basilica and during the journey you will be able to admire the most famous arcades in the world, a Unesco heritage site, listening to the stories of the guide. Once in San Luca you will visit the Basilica and the surrounding area with the guide who will tell you its history while admiring Bologna from above and then you will always return on board the San Luca express together with the guide.

Hop on board a vintage Fiat 500 and get ready to embark on a unique adventure through the picturesque hills of Bologna! Take a journey through time in one of Italy's most iconic symbols, cruising through breathtaking landscapes, ancient villas, and historic monuments, all seasoned with the timeless charm of the Fiat 500. Follow our thrilling route on the green side of the city, a favorite retreat for locals during spring outings. Forget the city hustle and immerse yourself in the pleasure of a hillside excursion, made even more special behind the wheel of a vintage Fiat 500! In this engaging three-hour tour aboard your Fiat 500, you'll have the chance to admire Bologna from spectacular vantage points, starting from the San Michele in Bosco belvedere. The breathtaking panorama unfolding before you will be an unforgettable experience. Our Fiat 500 tour includes an exciting stop at the Sacrario di Sabbiuno, a place that has left its mark on the history of Bologna, surrounded by lush nature. Finally, we'll take you to the Basilica di San Luca, the city's most famous and beloved sanctuary, with its incredible portico, before returning to the starting point. Treat yourself to a unique and immersive experience – book our Fiat 500 tour now! Discover Bologna in a fun, exciting, and entirely unconventional way. Don't miss the chance to create unforgettable memories aboard one of Italy's most iconic cars! B driving licence and a credit card for the security deposit of € 500 are required for the rental. All non-EU citizens must show a driving licence as well as an international driving permit or a sworn translation of the driving licence. Experience in driving cars is mandatory. Rental will be refused to those with little experience or who have never driven a car.

The arcade that connects Porta Saragozza to the Sanctuary of San Luca is the longest in the world. Within its 3.5 kilometers there are 666 arches, each marked by a number: the first 306 connect Porta Saragozza to Meloncello Arch, while the last 360 are located in the hilly area from Meloncello to Colle della Guardia. These are spaced out by 15 chapels illustrating the mystery of the rosary. The tour starts from Piazza Maggiore with a little train ride to Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. Begin the guided tour with the Sanctuary of San Luca and its panoramic forecourt with an optional visit to the Dome of the Sanctuary to admire the panorama of the city. Enjoy the descent with a little train ride along the arcade that leads to Meloncello's Arch and then along via Saragozza. Passing through Porta Saragozza, arrive at the Collegio di Spagna and de'Carbonesi, continuing via Massimo d'Azeglio you’ll return to Piazza Maggiore.

From art to history to good food, discover Bologna in all its aspects on this private trip with round-trip private transportation from Florence. Enjoy a guided walking tour through the city, a 2-course restaurant lunch, and tickets for the iconic San Luca Express. The private transfer will pick you up directly from your accommodation in Florence and take you to Bologna’s city center, from where you will start your tour in the city. You will be greeted by a staff member upon arrival, who will introduce you to your private guide. With your guide, discover the center of Bologna, admiring some of the most beautiful and important buildings of the city. Visit the Church of San Petronio, patron saint of the city, which was the seat of some important historical events, such as the imperial coronation of Charles V in 1530. From there, move on to admire the courtyard of the Archiginnasio, one of the oldest and most relevant libraries in the city. The guide will then take you to the historic market, also known as Quadrilatero, where the street names still echo the old crafts of the past: Via Caprarie, Via Pescherie, and more. Witness time that has stopped in these history-rich spots. Continue toward the Asinelli Tower, the symbol and bulwark of the city, of which the guide will tell you stories and anecdotes. If walking also makes you hungry, after your journey through the streets of Bologna, you’ll settle in a typical inn where you can relax while enjoying a 2-course lunch in the name of tradition: cold cuts and a typical dish of your choice, accompanied by a glass of wine and water. After lunch, set out to discover the famous hills of Bologna aboard the San Luca Express. Sit back on this classic train as it takes you to the Basilica of San Luca. This imposing complex has dominated the city since 1195 and has become a symbol of home for locals. The train will then take you directly back to the city center, from where you’ll be picked up once again via private transportation to head back to Florence after your full day in Bologna.