
Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour
Traveler rating
3.8/5
Based on 5 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour worth booking?
Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour is a 1-hour experience in Bologna, Italy, from $8 per person. It scores 50 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 3.8/5 rating across 5 reviews. This booking is non-refundable, so pick your date carefully. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 50 / 100
- Rating
- 3.8/5 (5)
- Duration
- 1 hours
- From
- $8 per person
Are you looking for a way to explore Bologna without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • Stroll through the ancient – and more recent – past of Bologna, a place that art critic John Berger once called “an improbable city.” • Hear from producer Frank Bures, an award-winning author who spent time in Bologna as an exchange student in the 1990s, • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.
What you get
About this experience
Are you looking for a way to explore Bologna without joining a tour group? Explore at your own pace with this affordable walking tour. • Stroll through the ancient – and more recent – past of Bologna, a place that art critic John Berger once called “an improbable city.” • Hear from producer Frank Bures, an award-winning author who spent time in Bologna as an exchange student in the 1990s, • Do it all in an hour or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish • Get unlimited use before your booking date and after it • Use the virtual tour option at home Once you’ve booked, you’ll receive a ticket with instructions and a unique code listed under “Before You Go”. Then simply install the VoiceMap app and enter your code. The app displays directions to the starting point, and when you’re in the right place, just pop in your headphones and tap start. VoiceMap has automatic GPS playback, with turn-by-turn directions. It also works offline.
What's included
Included
- Lifetime access to this tour in English or Italian
- VoiceMap app for Android and iOS
- Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata
Not included
- Smartphone and headphones
- Transportation
- Food and drink
What you'll see and do
Bologna
Bologna is home to some of the best food, the most sublime beauty, and the richest history in all of Italy. Yet it’s rarely on the tourist radar. On this walking tour, award-winning author Frank Bures will give you a taste of authentic Italian culture, show you the city’s many historical sites, and tell you the stories most travelers don’t hear.
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Starting at the Neptune Fountain, you’ll walk through Piazza Maggiore to San Petronio Basilica where you’ll see the world’s largest sundial.
Pass by without stopping
Piazza Maggiore
Starting at the Neptune Fountain, you’ll walk through Piazza Maggiore to San Petronio Basilica where you’ll see the world’s largest sundial.
Pass by without stopping
Starting at the Neptune Fountain, you’ll walk through Piazza Maggiore to San Petronio Basilica where you’ll see the world’s largest sundial.
Pass by without stopping
Along the way, you’ll also have the chance to see the Roxy Bar, which was featured in the Italian superstar Vasco Rossi’s song Vita Spericolata (The Reckless Life).
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You’ll then make your way to the Two Towers, one of which garnered a mention in Dante’s Inferno, and stroll beneath the famous porticos that became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021.
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Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinell
You’ll then make your way to the Two Towers, one of which garnered a mention in Dante’s Inferno, and stroll beneath the famous porticos that became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021.
Pass by without stopping
You’ll then make your way to the Two Towers, one of which garnered a mention in Dante’s Inferno, and stroll beneath the famous porticos that became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021.
Pass by without stopping
Along the way, you’ll also have the chance to take in the “Seven Churches” of Santo Stefano.
Pass by without stopping
On this tour, you'll stroll pass Santa Maria della Vita.
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On this tour, you'll see and learn about the Portici di Bologna.
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Along the way, you’ll also have the chance to discover how the world’s oldest university got its start.
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Finally, you’ll loop past Piazza Galvani to hear about scientific experiments that electrified frogs before heading back where you started.
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The tour ends back at Via d'Azeglio.
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Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Bologna
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause, or restart at any time and complete at your own pace. Detailed starting point instructions are available after downloading.
Options you can book
English Tour
Italian Tour
Before you book
- Cancellation
- All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
- Languages
- en, it
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- VoiceMap Audio Tours
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Please note: You won't be guided through any museums or other attractions mentioned en route. If you choose to enter and visit such places, you'll need to pay for it independently of this tour.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 5 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
1 mentionTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Food and drink
1 mentionThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Pace and timing
1 mentionSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
5 verified traveler reviews for Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Lacking Detail
This is simply a quick walking tour. If you are not in the right spot you will have silence - so many gaps. Churches are mentioned, but there is no further information about what you may find inside. The Duomo has a fascinating Meridian Line - the small church mentions a famous sculpture, but no info to buy a ticket. Then there is a lot of talk about soccer which could have been better filled with local info on food or traditions.
Response from the operator: Hi there, I'm sorry for the frustrating experience. It sounds like you might not have been following the route, which is why you had so many silences. The tour is designed to use your phone's GPS to trigger the audio for the various locations, so, yes, if you don't follow the route you might miss some essential stops. When you were having technical difficulties, did you contact VoiceMap support via email or telephone? We are contactable by both telephone and email, so if you have technical difficulties, please reach out to us so we can identify what is going wrong. Best, Helene
via Viator
Lacking in valuable content
Could have included a lot more value for money as the factual descriptions were quite short. The speaker seemed to enjoy speaking about his university life which wasted a bit of time when standing around at sights waiting for valuable information.
Response from the operator: Hi there, I'm sorry to hear that you felt this tour was lacking in valuable content. We will share your feedback with the tour producer and recommend that the tour be updated. Thanks for taking the time to share your honest feedback. Regards, Brent
via Viator
Amazing!
The tour was great and we enjoyed the experiance of walking among the gorgeous buildings and listening the the great stories! I wish I could live here for a year!
via Tripadvisor
Fun tour of some hidden corners.
Aerosmith in Bologna? Who knew? Lots to love in this audio tour, including the author’s stories. Also the weird history niches he gets into, like the canals of the city, music and football. Fun hour! Could have gone a little longer.
via Tripadvisor
Amazing tour off the beaten path
This was our first time in Italy, and we're so glad we stopped in Bologna! Had no idea about the city’s history, and I doubt we would have found all this ourselves—especially the Mary Magdalene. Florence was great, but Bologna felt like a real city, and we didn’t have to book every thing online two day ahead. Great tour!
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 1 hours
- Free cancellation
- Non-refundable
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $8 to $12
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 2
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by VoiceMap Audio Tours, who run 703 experiences we rank across 222 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 54.8.
See everything VoiceMap Audio Tours runsWhy this scores 50
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bologna.
How much does Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour cost?
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Prices start at $8 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Bologna usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour take?
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Plan for about 1 hour from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Bologna is not rushed.
Is Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 50 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (3.8/5 across 5 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable culture & history in Bologna, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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No. This experience is sold on a non-refundable basis, so only book a date you are confident about. Similar experiences in the city do offer free cancellation if flexibility matters more than price.
Is Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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Around 2 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Bologna can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Bologna and add a light layer if any part of the 1-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Bologna within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Bologna?
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On Outty we rank every Bologna experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Bologna Local Pasta Cooking Class, Ragu, Spritz, Wine & Gelato, Bologna Food Experience: Factory tours & Lunch By Italian Days, Small Group Bologna Food Tour – Local Food & Market Experience. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Bologna?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Bologna?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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Included: Lifetime access to this tour in English or Italian; VoiceMap app for Android and iOS; and Offline access to audio, maps, and geodata. Not included: Smartphone and headphones; Transportation; and Food and drink. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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Before arrival, please install the VoiceMap mobile app and use the code provided on your confirmation ticket. This is a self-guided audio tour that you can start, pause. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour offered in?
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It is offered in English and Italian. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Bologna. Standard cancellation terms apply.
What do travelers say about Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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Across 5 reviews averaging 3.8 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, value for money, food and drink. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Several reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
What booking options are available for Bologna's Ancient and Recent History: A Self-Guided Audio Tour?
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There are 2 options to choose from, including English Tour, Italian Tour. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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