2 hour(s) 30 minute(s)
English
Included
€ 40
€ 36.80
Free cancellation and unlimited rescheduling leads to total flexibility while you plan your travels
Lowest Price Guarantee — no other provider offers this tour for less
Embark on a unique journey aboard the San Luca Express train, a charming tourist line that connects the historic heart of Bologna with the breathtaking Basilica of San Luca, perched high on the Bolognese hills. As you travel, enjoy a scenic ride through the hills, offering beautiful views of the surrounding landscape and the city below.
The train takes you along the longest portico in the world, stretching an impressive 3.8 kilometers from the Bonaccorsi Arch to the Basilica. Along the way, you’ll learn about the rich history of this remarkable architectural feat with the help of informative audio guides available on board. This portico, with its 666 arches, is a testament to Bologna's architectural legacy and provides a fascinating backdrop for your journey.
Once at the Basilica, take time to explore this iconic site, which has stood as a symbol of Bologna for centuries. The basilica is home to the famous San Luca Sanctuary, a place of pilgrimage and peace, offering panoramic views of the surrounding hills and the city below.
After your visit to the Basilica, return to the city center where the adventure continues with a delightful food tasting experience. Savor some of Bologna’s finest local delicacies, from fresh pasta to traditional cured meats and cheeses, giving you a true taste of the region's culinary richness. This tour offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and gastronomy, making it an unforgettable experience for visitors to Bologna.
Type in your hotel/accommodation to see how far the attraction or departure point is.
Loading pick up points...
Loading pick up points...
Don’t believe the website. It said sold out for next 3 days so we turned up at Piazza Maggiore and there were plenty of spare places. This aside, it’s well worth it. Really interesting to travel through the streets and then up to the Basillica. A life saver to avoid the uphill climb. Very worthwhile.
If you buy a ticket online make sure to change it to a paper ticket at the train meeting point before lining up for the train. It's worth taking the train to Basillica de San Luca.
I was a little nervous given the reviews but we had no issues. It was a comfortable and convenient way to get to San Luca without walking the whole portico. The audioguide on the way up was nice, and we were given the option on the way back to go slightly quicker in a bus by the same company. Yes, it's a bit pricey, and the train was at full capacity, but that's the cost of convenience. We were glad to have done it.
Good little tour, yes it's a tight squeeze onboard (I'm 182cm & wife 177cm) squeeze but we enjoyed it. View from up top of the hill is worth it, the monastery was very nice, audio commentary was informative.
Train was almost 100% full going up to the cathedral. Driver amazingly took us through a maze of streets and through large city gates while the streets were fully car parked. Language on tape was bilingual with Italian followed by English. A few unintelligible moments occurred as the train travelled on bumpy pot holed city streets. Drop off at the top was uneventful. We did our customary 20 minute walk. It was windy and please be advised that there are many steps to climb in order to get to see the inside of the cathedral. Lots of tourists taking pictures. We came up on the red train and back on the white train. I would certainly recommend this trip. Return trip was 13 euros each. Money well spent. Photos from train trip going up, have been added, so that it is clear that is a must excursion for one and all.
