Guided walking and bike tours, bike rental and luggage storage in the centre of Bologna, run by Walk 'n Ride and BikeinBO.
Photo © Walk 'n Ride by BikeinBO
Why go
BikeinBO began in Bologna in 2014 as a bike rental and tour business, with the aim of helping visitors discover Emilia Romagna in an easy, ecological way. Working with certified tour guides, it built a range of tours, from classic cultural routes to food tours, family-friendly outings and mountain bike excursions led by specialist guides.
In 2018 the team adapted its bike tours into walking experiences, and Walk 'n Ride Travel was born as a travel agency with a focus on slow, sustainable tourism. Today it also runs school tours, private tours in several languages, bike rental, luggage storage and a tourist information point in central Bologna.
Main services
Services from the official website.
Guided walking tours
Two-hour guided walk through Bologna's historic centre with certified guides, passing Piazza Maggiore, the Two Towers, the Quadrilatero market and the Via Piella window. Easy level, suitable for families with children.
Guided bike tours
Guided cycling tours of Bologna that include bike, radio guide and certified guide. The classic two-hour route covers the towers, Piazza Maggiore and the canals; riders need to be comfortable on a bicycle.
Bike rental
City bikes, mountain bikes, hybrids, e-bikes, road bikes, children's bikes and tandems for exploring Bologna and the surrounding hills. Staff advise on the right model and offer technical help, routes and bike delivery.
Luggage storage
Supervised luggage storage in Via dell'Indipendenza, in the historic centre and very close to the railway station. Leave your bags for a few hours or a few days while you explore the city.
Team building events
Indoor and outdoor team building for companies in Emilia Romagna: kick-offs, incentives, conferences, meetings and training, with treasure hunts or bike and walking excursions. Groups of over 100 participants are possible.
Tourist information point
Tourist information desk in central Bologna, close to the main railway station and bus station. Ask about events, attractions, city cards with discounts, guided itineraries and what is on that day.
Photo © Walk 'n Ride by BikeinBO
Services and facilities
Gallery
Photo © Walk 'n Ride by BikeinBO
Photo © Walk 'n Ride by BikeinBO
Photo © Walk 'n Ride by BikeinBO
Photo © Walk 'n Ride by BikeinBO
Photo © Walk 'n Ride by BikeinBO
Photo © Walk 'n Ride by BikeinBO
Practical information
Hours from the official website:
| Day | Open |
|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00–18:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00–18:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00–18:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00–18:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–18:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00–18:00 |
| Sunday | 09:00–18:00 |
Getting there
On foot: 970 m, about 16 min walk.
On foot: 570 m, about 9 min. By taxi: from the official rank at the station, metered fare (CoTaBo +39 051 372727 · CAT +39 051 4590).
Marconi Express monorail to Bologna Centrale in under 8 minutes (single €12.80), then about 9 min on foot. Or a taxi from the airport rank, metered fare.
The historic centre is a camera-controlled limited-traffic zone (ZTL): park outside it, and walk.
Straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors); walking times are approximate. Marconi Express time and fare from the operator.
Around the area
City Guide · Things to do
Bologna landmarks with their own Holiplanet page, nearest first.
Viewpoint
A little window onto Bologna's hidden canal
Library
Walk on glass over Villanovan huts and Roman Bononia
Monument
The skyline's twin emblems, one leaning, both under watchful care
Monument
Bologna's town hall, with frescoed halls and a clock tower
Market
Medieval guild lanes still selling Bologna's best food
Square
Bologna's living room, watched over by Giambologna's bronze Neptune
Basilica
Bologna’s great Gothic church, with Cassini’s meridian line
Museum
Guided tours inside Lucio Dalla's home on Via D'Azeglio
Church
Seven sacred spaces in one, Bologna's little Jerusalem
On the Bologna map
City Guide · Where to eat
Bologna restaurants with their own Holiplanet page, nearest first.
Emilian restaurant
Family recipes and handmade pasta since 1980
Bolognese trattoria
Pasta rolled by hand and grilled meats on Via Piella
Bolognese trattoria
Handmade pasta, cotoletta and grilled meats off Via dell’Indipendenza
Traditional restaurant
Handmade tortellini and tagliatelle in Bologna since 1948
Seasonal restaurant
Vegetable-led farm-to-table menu with house-made bread
Wine bar / osteria
Wine osteria since 1465: bring your own food
Bolognese restaurant
Family-run since 1955 near Piazza Maggiore: tortellini in broth
Chef's restaurant
Mario Ferrara's Lucanian-rooted cooking in a 1600s convent
Historic restaurant
Tortellini in brodo and lasagne verdi since 1909
On the Bologna map
City Guide · Where to stay
Hotels, B&Bs and apartments with their own Holiplanet page, nearest first.
Hotel
Palazzo Maccaferri hotel with a MICHELIN-starred restaurant
Four-star hotel
Four-star hotel on Via dell'Indipendenza with a secret garden
Four-star hotel with spa
Four-star hotel near the station with the Monrif Spa and a large gym
Hotel
4-star with 193 rooms, right opposite the main train station
B&B
Three cosy rooms with views over Bologna's rooftops
Hotel
Homely 3-star near the university district and the main sights
Hostel
A unique 99% handmade hostel in the University area
Unique stay
Sleep inside a 12th-century tower, sixty metres above Bologna
Family hotel
Small family-run hotel by the Two Towers with a panoramic terrace
On the Bologna map
City Guide · Experiences
Tours, classes and guided walks with their own Holiplanet page.
City walking tours
Licensed guides' cooperative for Bologna city and themed tours
Car museum / factory tour
Lamborghini museum and production line tour in Sant'Agata Bolognese
Balsamic vinegar tour
Free guided tour of the Giusti family museum and ageing rooms in Modena
Food valley tour
Parmigiano, balsamic and prosciutto producers in one day
Cooking class
Hands-on pasta class, small groups, near Piazza Maggiore
Balsamic vinegar producer visit
Family acetaia in Nonantola (Modena): balsamic tour and tasting, €8
Food market tour
Walking food tour through the Quadrilatero market and centre
For kids & families
Weekend museum workshops for children at Palazzo Fava
On the Bologna map
Straight-line distances from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors).
Questions
Public tours in Bologna start from the shop and show-room in Via dell'Indipendenza 69/A, close to Bologna Central Station. Public tours in Ferrara start from Ferrara Central Station.
Private tours are given in the language the customer asks for. Public tours run in English, Spanish, French, Italian or Russian, depending on the tour time.
They recommend booking at least 24 hours ahead, but for a last-minute tour you can call and they may be able to fit you in.
Walking tours are not cancelled for rain and raincoats are provided. Bike tours go ahead if the weather allows cycling; otherwise they can be moved or turned into a walking tour.
Yes, walking and bike tours are family-friendly. On bike tours, children up to 3 can ride in a child seat on an adult's bike, and older children can have their own bike. All children must be with an adult.
Multi-group public tours are confirmed with at least two participants. Private tours can be booked by a single visitor.
