Venice Rialto Market Food Tour: Wine, Spritz & Cicchetti Experience

Venice Rialto Market Food Tour: Wine, Spritz & Cicchetti Experience

Every Friday and Saturday

2 hours

Small Group Tour

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Venice Rialto Market Food Tour: Wine, Spritz & Cicchetti Experience

Venice Rialto Market Food Tour: a Gourmet Journey through the Floating City. Discover Rialto Market Secrets, Traditional Bacari, and the Art of the Venetian Aperitivo.

šŸ‡¬šŸ‡§

2 hours

Small Group Tour

Every Friday and Saturday

Escape the tourist crowds and step into the vibrant, salt-aired heart of Venetian daily life. Our Venice Rialto Market Food Tour with Spritz and Cicchetti Adventure is more than just a food tour—it is an invitation to eat, drink, and live like a local.
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Highlights

  • Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto): Begin your Venice Rialto Market Food tour at Venice’s most iconic crossing, the historic gateway to the city’s ancient commercial heart.

  • Rialto Fish & Produce Markets: Immerse yourself in the sensory explosion of the Mercato di Rialto. Watch local chefs select the “catch of the day” and see the seasonal Sant’Erasmo violet artichokes that define Venetian cuisine.

  • Traditional “Bacari” Crawl: Wander the hidden calli (alleys) of the San Polo district to visit authentic wine bars. Here, you will enjoy a curated selection of cicchetti—from baccalĆ  mantecato (creamy cod) to spicy meatballs.

  • The Art of the Venetian Spritz: Lean into local culture at a historic tavern to enjoy a perfectly mixed Spritz (Select, Aperol, or Campari) while learning the history of this world-famous aperitivo.

  • Regional Wine & Prosecco Tasting: Sip on “Ombre” (small glasses) of fine Veneto wines and crisp Prosecco, expertly paired with your gourmet snacks.

Why book this tour

  • Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto): Meet your guide at this architectural masterpiece, the historic center of Venetian commerce and trade.
  • Rialto Fish & Produce Markets: Explore the legendary stalls of the Erberia (vegetable market) and Pescheria (fish market) to see the fresh ingredients that inspire the city’s top chefs.

  • San Polo District Exploration: Wander through the atmospheric backstreets of one of Venice’s oldest “Sestieri,” discovering hidden squares and medieval architecture.

  • Traditional “Bacari” Crawl: Visit a curated selection of authentic, local wine bars to experience the “Giro d’Ombra”—the local tradition of moving from bar to bar for snacks and wine.

  • Gourmet Cicchetti Tastings: Savor a wide array of hand-crafted Venetian tapas, including local meats, seafood delicacies, and regional cheeses.

  • The Authentic Venetian Spritz: Learn the origins and variations of Italy’s most famous cocktail, enjoying a perfectly prepared Spritz in the setting where it was born.

  • Veneto Region Wine Pairing: Taste local “Ombre” (small glasses of house wine) and crisp Prosecco from the nearby hills of Valdobbiadene, perfectly paired with your food samples.

Description

Venice Rialto Market Food Tour: a Gourmet Immersion into the Flavors of the Floating City

Leave the tourist menus behind and step into the authentic soul of Venice. Our Venice Rialto Market Food Tour is a curated journey through the flavors, aromas, and traditions that have defined Venetian life for centuries. Led by a local gastronomic expert, this small-group tour begins in the pulsating heart of the city: the Rialto Market. Here, among the 11th-century stalls, you will witness the vibrant trade of lagoon-fresh seafood and seasonal produce from the island of Sant’Erasmo, learning how these ingredients form the backbone of the Venetian diet.

As we navigate the narrow, winding calli (alleys) of the historic San Polo district, we will follow the lead of the locals to their favorite Bacari—traditional, wood-paneled wine bars tucked away from the main thoroughfares. You will partake in the quintessential Venetian ritual of the aperitivo, sampling a variety of Cicchetti. These artisanal small plates, ranging from creamy baccalĆ  mantecato to savory local cheeses and marinated seafood, are the ultimate expression of the city’s culinary heritage.

Throughout the walk of your Venice Rialto Market Food Tour, your guide will share stories of the spice trade, the history of the Rialto Bridge, and the evolution of the Venetian Spritz. Whether you prefer yours with Aperol, Campari, or the local Select, you will learn to drink like a true Venetian. This experience is designed for those who want to taste the real Venice while uncovering the hidden corners of its most historic neighborhoods.

Book our Venice Rialto Market Food Tour!

Things to know before the tour

During this tour you will taste food and drinks: if you have any allergy, please let us know

Important information

We met in Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, right in front of the Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto (the church with the large 24-hour clock). This is just steps away from the Rialto Bridge and the entrance to the market.

FAQ

Cancellation policy

To receive a full refund, travelers may cancel up to 24 hours before the experience start time in the local timezone. No refunds will be given after that time period.

Meeting point

Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

Included

2 hours tour with a local guide
Headsets
Tasting of Food (aperitivo cicchetti and bacari)
Tasting of drinks (wine, spritz)

Excluded

Tips

Food or drinks not mentioned

Values

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— About Us

Reviews

FAQs

Yes, all our Rome private tours include Skip-the-Line tickets. You will bypass the general admission queues and enter directly with your private guide, saving up to 2 hours of waiting time.

Yes, the itinerary can be adapted: wheelchair users follow an alternative route inside the Vatican Museums, assisted by an accompanying person and our guide while the rest of the group continues on the standard route. Access to St. Peter’s Basilica is not included due to architectural barriers. If you travel with a wheelchair, please contact us in advance so we can arrange the best possible accommodations.

Our tours are strictly private, meaning the experience is exclusive to your group only. There is no fixed maximum — whether you are traveling as a couple, a family, or a small group, the tour is tailored entirely to you.

Absolutely. Our guides are experienced in making history engaging for younger visitors. We adapt the pace, language and storytelling to suit families with children of all ages.

Yes. When visiting religious sites such as the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica or churches, shoulders and knees must be covered. We recommend bringing a light scarf or shawl. Comfortable walking shoes are also strongly advised.

The exact meeting point is confirmed in your booking confirmation email. Your guide will be holding a Vivicos Travel sign and will contact you directly before the tour to ensure a smooth meeting.

Yes. Our private tours are available in English, Italian, Spanish, French and German. Please select your preferred language at the time of booking. Availability may vary by date.

Our tours operate rain or shine. Rome’s main attractions are largely indoors, so weather rarely affects the experience. In the unlikely event of extreme weather conditions, you will be offered a free reschedule or a full refund.

Yes, one of the main advantages of a private tour is full flexibility. If you have specific interests — art, history, architecture, food — simply let us know at the time of booking and your guide will tailor the experience accordingly.

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