Episode #311: A Perfect Day in Bologna with a local

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Curious about spending the perfect day in Bologna? Discover hidden treasures, authentic food experiences and cultural highlights that show why Bologna is so much more than Italy’s foodie capital, with insider tips on where to eat, what to see and how to explore like a local.

Contents

Summary

Get ready to dive into the heart of Emilia Romagna as Katy Clarke welcomes back Bologna local and travel designer Giulia Tamarri to the Untold Italy podcast. In this episode, Giulia, who is also the host on some of our Untold Italy Tours, takes us on a perfect day in Bologna, sharing her passion for the city’s vibrant food scene, rich history, and unique local experiences. From the bustling Quadrilatero market to quiet moments in art galleries and cozy osterias, Giulia's insider tips showcase why Bologna is much more than just Italy’s foodie capital. This episode promises both inspiration and practical advice for travelers wanting to live la dolce vita in one of Italy’s most authentic and strategic cities.

What you'll learn in this episode

Emilia Romagna is considered one of Italy’s most important food regions, with more than 40 PDO and PGI protected products, and the region rewards travellers who slow down and spend more time exploring beyond the highlights
Bologna works so well as a base for travellers, thanks to its walkable historic centre, strong sense of community, excellent train connections and international university population that gives the city energy without overwhelming it
There are many things that give Bologna its unique character, including its mix of international student energy and local warmth, with neighbourhoods defined by medieval gates, and areas like Porta San Felice and Porta Saragozza that feel so different despite being close together
You’ll gain a local perspective on how to spend a perfect day in Bologna, from wandering Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero food streets to lingering under the porticoes, visiting student hangouts and parks, heading up to a sanctuary on the hills above the city and experiencing the city at an unhurried, everyday pace
Whilst being the ultimate foodie city, Bologna offers far more than food, with insights into its cultural and academic life, including historic libraries, anatomy theatres, cinemas, contemporary art spaces and parks that capture the true spirit of the city

Timeline Overview

06:19 Giulia, Emilia-Romagna local and one of our Untold Italy tour guides, introduces her region as one of Italy’s richest food regions, with Bologna at its heart, shaped by seasonal ingredients, protected products and deeply rooted culinary traditions
14:11 The iconic walk to the Sanctuary of San Luca is explored as both a local ritual and a powerful way to understand Bologna’s landscape, porticoes and everyday life
17:28 Bologna’s markets are unpacked as living spaces where locals shop daily for fresh produce, cured meats and cheese, offering visitors an authentic way to engage with the city’s food culture
20:44 The city’s thriving cinema and cultural scene is highlighted, showing how Bologna blends historic spaces with modern creative experiences beyond food
29:43 Bologna’s slow food philosophy and passion for organic living reveal how tradition and innovation coexist, shaping the city’s values, lifestyle and sense of community

About our guest – Giulia Tamarri

Giulia Tamarri from Travel with Rezdora is a qualified Tour Manager, Food Guide, and Personal Itinerary Consultant, born and raised in Castelfranco, on the Via Emilia, halfway between Modena and Bologna.

After achieving her degree in Foreign Languages at the University of Bologna, she built an international career, living between Australia and New Zealand, working as an English teacher and events organizer before going on to work in London as a manager in the education industry.

After spending almost 10 years traveling and living abroad, she decided to move back to her region and chose the town of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar, Spilamberto, as the place to call home. The same year, she got her qualification as Tour Manager and has since led more than 40 tours around Italy and Europe and during the pandemic, she got the opportunity to attend a year's course to become an expert and promoter of food and wine of Emilia Romagna.

Giulia loves to help people discover her charming region with the same passion and dedication of a rezdora in the kitchen. Tortellini, tagliatelle, cappelletti… a rezdora is the artist of these hand-rolled works of art. From the Latin “regere“ (to direct), she is not only a good cook but the real manager of the family. Like a rezdora in the kitchen, Giulia follows the same values and practical approach to travel. After a long testing of the best “ingredients”, she owns her personal recipes for crafting unique and memorable experiences for her clients.

Follow Giulia here

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

Bologna – university city known for its porticoes and food culture
Porta San Felice – one of the 12 city gates at the medieval wall of Bologna – of which only 10 still stand
Torre degli Asinelli e Garisenda – the “due torri”, two towers of the city
Porta Saragozza – one of the medieval gates and an iconic symbol of Bologna
Santuario di San Luca – the Sanctuary of Saint Luca is a basilica sitting on the hills above Bologna. You can catch a tourist train up there from the city center, but the real experience is to walk there via the covered path, the Portico di San Luca
Piazza Maggiore – the main piazza in Bologna, surrounded by historic buildings like the Basilica of San Petronio
Quadrilatero – an area just off of Piazza Maggiore of streets full of stores and restaurants, historically boasting a tradition of handicrafts and artisan food
Via Pescheria Vecchia – known as the foodie street of Bologna
Santo Stefano complex – known as the 7 churches, this is a complex of religious buildings
Giardini Margherita – a beautiful park in the city
Serre dei Giardini – a hub in the park with cafe and events, created in the old greenhouses area
Cinema Modernissimo – beautiful, renovated historic cinema with cool cafe, Caffè Pathé
Biblioteca Salaborsa – stunning library in the heart of the city, where the top floor houses exhibitions on music
Archiginnasio Palace and Anatomical Theater – part of the University of Bologna, it includes the historical Anatomical Theatre
Manifattura delle Arti – meaning ‘manufacturing of Arts', this is an area near the train station and has in its complex the MAMbo Museum of Modern Art, with its cool cafe
Spilamberto – Giulia's hometown, famed for Balsamico Tradizionale production and its museum
Molino Dottore – artisan mill and bakery who have a stall at the Mercato Ritrovato market
Vagh in Ufezzi – tiny restaurant in Bologna that is a favorite of Giulia's

Food / Drink

DOP (Denominazione di origine protetta) – a European mark of origin which is attributed to foods whose characteristics depend on the territory where they are produced
IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) – a mark of origin that recognizes food products which have a specific quality, reputation or other characteristic that is closely dependent on the production, processing and/or preparation, developed in a specific geographical area
Parmigiano Reggiano – a cheese (the king of cheeses) from a very specific part of the region and created to exacting standards to get the stamp
L‘Aceto Balsamico Tradizionale – this vinegar is made from cooked grape must. Has to age at least 12 years in wooden barrels to be classified in this way
Tortellini in brodo – famous dish from Bologna of tortellini in broth

Words / Concepts

Lucio Dalla – famous and beloved singer from Bologna
Art City Bologna – arts event in Bologna in February
Mercato Ritrovato – Saturday morning farmer's market, which also runs on Mondays in the summer
Ciao Bella: Six take Italy – Australian media personality Kate Langbroek's memoir of her experience living in Bologna with her young family

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