Taste Venice: Rialto Market & Cicchetti Walking Food Tour
Walk through Rialto Market and taste authentic cicchetti with a local guide on this 2.5-hour small-group tour. Learn market lore, culinary tips, and practical local advice while sampling Venice’s best street bites.
The Experience
Before You Go
Arrive Early
Be at Campo San Bartolomeo at least 5 minutes before departure; guides wait a maximum of 10 minutes.
Comfortable Footwear
Expect uneven stone, bridges with steps, and narrow alleys—sturdy, broken-in shoes make the route enjoyable.
Know Your Diet Limits
This tour cannot accommodate vegan or gluten/dairy-free diets; vegetarians must notify in advance.
Carry Small Change
Many market stalls prefer cash for quick purchases and extra cicchetti tastings.
Local Knowledge
Hidden Gems
- •Late-afternoon Bacaro crawl in Campo Santa Margherita for a younger local vibe
- •The back alleys behind the fish market where small family shops age their cheeses
Wildlife
- •Herring gulls scavenging near stalls
- •Eurasian coots and moorhens along quieter canals
Conservation Note
Venice faces rising tides and overtourism—choose small vendors, decline single-use plastics, and follow local guidance during acqua alta to reduce impact.
Rialto Market has been Venice’s commercial heart since the 11th century; its stalls and trade routes fueled the Republic’s wealth and maritime reach.
Photographer's Notes
- • Rialto Bridge looking onto the market
- • Small bridges over San Polo canals for cicchetti-front shots
- • Campo Santa Margherita for local evening scenes
What to Bring
Comfortable walking shoesEssential
Required for uneven stone, bridges, and long standing at market stalls.
Small daypackEssential
Holds water, purchases, and any layers you remove while eating.
Light rain jacket
Useful during sudden showers or light acqua alta detours.
Reusable water bottleEssential
Keep hydrated between tastings—many stops have refill options.
Common Questions
Where is the meeting point?
Meet in Campo San Bartolomeo next to the statue; the guide holds a sign that reads Food Tour.
Can I join late or partway through?
No—guides wait no more than 10 minutes and cannot rejoin the route once it departs.
Are dietary restrictions accommodated?
This tour does not accommodate vegan, gluten-free, or dairy-free diets; vegetarians can be arranged if informed ahead of time.
Is the tour stroller accessible?
Infants and small children can use strollers, but expect stairs on bridges and narrow alleys—folding strollers work best.
What happens in bad weather or high tide?
The tour operates in most conditions; in extreme weather the operator may cancel. Routes may be adjusted during acqua alta to avoid flooded sections.
How much food is included?
Several cicchetti, a dessert, cheese samples and tasting of local specialties are included—plan on a light-to-moderate meal with additional purchases optional.
Book This Experience
Check AvailabilityDuration
2–3 hours
Location
Venice, Veneto
Difficulty
moderate
Fitness Level
Moderate—walking on uneven surfaces and short flights of bridge steps; suitable for most active adults.
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