
Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 21 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C worth booking?
Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C is a 4-hour experience in Bologna, Italy, from $139 per person. It scores 73 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 21 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 73 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (21)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $139 per person
Enjoy a private and authentic market tour and cooking class in a local Bologna home with your host Giovanna, a native who has lived in Bologna for over 60 years. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Start with a memorable tour of one of Bologna's markets. Depending on the day, visit the Mercato del Quadrilatero (a market with medieval origins) or del Erbe where Giovanna buys her seasonal fruit and vegetables. Here, you can buy local and regional produce, from fruit and vegetables to meat, cheese, and salami. Return to Giovanna's home kitchen where she will teach you 2-3 traditional Italian dishes from family recipes - a pasta, sauce and a side or dessert. After cooking, enjoy your meal together with your host, a warm and gentle retired history and philosophy teacher who lives in an apartment in a large villa with her daughters. Giovanna loves cooking particularly enjoys introducing guests to traditional Bolognese culture and cuisine.
What you get
About this experience
Enjoy a private and authentic market tour and cooking class in a local Bologna home with your host Giovanna, a native who has lived in Bologna for over 60 years. This is a perfect experience for anyone looking to connect with local culture over food. Start with a memorable tour of one of Bologna's markets. Depending on the day, visit the Mercato del Quadrilatero (a market with medieval origins) or del Erbe where Giovanna buys her seasonal fruit and vegetables. Here, you can buy local and regional produce, from fruit and vegetables to meat, cheese, and salami. Return to Giovanna's home kitchen where she will teach you 2-3 traditional Italian dishes from family recipes - a pasta, sauce and a side or dessert. After cooking, enjoy your meal together with your host, a warm and gentle retired history and philosophy teacher who lives in an apartment in a large villa with her daughters. Giovanna loves cooking particularly enjoys introducing guests to traditional Bolognese culture and cuisine.
What's included
Included
- Private market tour and cooking class with your host Giovanna
- Alcoholic beverages
Not included
- Hotel pick up and drop off
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Bologna
Meet your host Giovanna at the Fountain of Neptune, located in the square, Piazza del Nettuno which is close to the market. Giovanna will be holding a piece of paper with your name on it.
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Meet your host Giovanna at the Fountain of Neptune, located in the square, Piazza del Nettuno which is close to the market. Giovanna will be holding a piece of paper with your name on it.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, it
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Group size
- Up to 3 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Traveling Spoon
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Please note that, as is common in many Italian homes, this residence does not have air conditioning.
- Giovanna can accommodate a vegetarian diet, if informed in advance, at the time of booking.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 21 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Food and drink
8 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
4 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
The guide
2 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
21 verified traveler reviews for Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Tortelloni Dinner
My husband and I made pasta with Giovanna and her daughters. We learned how to make tortelloni and bolognese. Everything was delicious! Giovanna was a great guide through the market and we really enjoyed cooking with her and her daughters!
via Tripadvisor
Dinner with family.
Giovanna, Laura and Francesca gave us the best experience of kindness, friendship and family! The market tour with Giovanna was lovely as she shared her love of Bologna and her knowledge of local fare. As we arrived at her home we were greeted by her daughters like longtime friends. The cooking class was like a lesson from your favorite grandmother and cousins. The food was amazing but the fellowship was the highlight. Definitely an experience I will treasure for years to come.
via Viator
Cooking and conversation with Giovanna and family
This was an incredible experience and one of the highlights of our trip so far. Giovanna and her family were warm and welcoming and great teachers. We learned a lot walking through Bologna and going to the market with Giovanna and I was able to practice my Italian with her. Loved learning how to make ragu and tortellini and the food was delicious. Sitting down to enjoy the meal together and have wonderful conversation made the night even better. This is such a treat and I would definitely recommend it to anyone wanting to learn these dishes and have more of a one on one experience. If I could give this more stars I would. Grazie!
via Viator
Felt like cooking with a good friend
Honestly, it felt less like a class and more like cooking with a friend who happens to be great chef. I’d 100% recommend this to anyone looking for a fun day out or wanting to learn something new.
via Tripadvisor
Great cooking and insight into Italian family lifestyle
After touring the old market area in central Bologna we went back and cooked a delicious 3-course supper. I've never really nailed making pasta, let alone filled pasta, so to be guided through it by an expert was great! Giovanna was generous with her time and knowledge, and sharing how she and her family live (very different to our lives in Australia).
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri
- Price range
- $139 to $169
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 7
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Traveling Spoon, who run 283 experiences we rank across 116 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 57.3.
See everything Traveling Spoon runsWhy this scores 73
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Bologna.
How much does Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C cost?
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Prices start at $139 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 Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C take?
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Plan for about 4 hours 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 Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 73 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 21 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Bologna, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C?
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Around 7 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 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C 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 Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C?
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Included: Private market tour and cooking class with your host Giovanna; and Alcoholic beverages. Not included: Hotel pick up and drop off. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C?
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Meet your host Giovanna at the Fountain of Neptune, located in the square, Piazza del Nettuno which is close to the market. Giovanna will be holding a piece of paper with your name on it. Hotel pickup is not included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C 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 Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C?
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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.
Is Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C 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: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C?
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Across 21 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include food and drink, knowledge and storytelling, good for families. The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
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