The Bologna Foodies’ Trail is a walking food tour that stays entirely within the historic centre — no car, no transfers, no countryside driving. In around two and a half hours on foot you cover the main food landmarks of Bologna: the gourmet shops of the Quadrilatero, the anatomy theatre of the Archiginnasio, and a visit to Paolo Atti, the bread and pasta maker that has been operating at the same address since 1880.

The full, bookable version of this tour is the Taste the Tradition Bologna Food Walk — see that page for current dates, prices, and how to book.

What the Tour Covers

The tour begins with a brief introduction to Bologna’s food identity before moving into the Quadrilatero — the medieval market streets where salumerie, cheese shops, and pasta makers have operated continuously for centuries. You visit Majani, the city’s oldest chocolatier, and the food market district before finishing at Paolo Atti on Via Caprarie. The owner takes small groups into the workshop, where you can watch fresh egg pasta being made and see how the bread is produced. A pasta making demonstration is included.

The Archiginnasio and Anatomy Theatre

The tour also includes the Archiginnasio, the main seat of the University of Bologna from 1563 to 1803. The two-storey courtyard is covered in around 7,000 carved coats of arms belonging to students and professors over three centuries. The anatomical theatre on the upper floor — where public dissections were performed in front of students from the 17th century — is one of the most distinctive rooms in the city and is included in the tour.

Add a Pasta Making Class

The trail can be combined with a morning pasta making class. The session starts at a central Bologna location, visits the local market to buy ingredients, then moves to a kitchen where guests prepare a three-course Bolognese meal together — including fresh pasta made from scratch. Prices are per person; the class runs in the morning before the food trail begins.

For current availability, group sizes, and pricing, visit the Taste the Tradition Bologna Food Walk page or use the contact page to ask about combining the trail with a cooking class.