Where to Shop and Eat: 14 Private Market Tours in Italy

1.Private Secret Venice Tour; Rialto Market, San Polo & Food and Wine tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 220 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $257Our pick

Walk from Campo San Bartolomeo through the Rialto Market, Carampane, San Polo, and past historic Grand Canal buildings. Your guide explains Venice’s mercantile past, then takes you to an osteria for cicchetti and wine. The tour lasts about two hours, uses English, and ends near the Rialto Bridge.

“Would have been great I am sure but unfortunately we missed this tour and I couldn't write a review without giving a rating. We allowed 45 minutes to make the 20 minute walk to the meeting point but Google Maps and I became very confused. I led us in a wide circle that ended no where near the starting point. When I rang the tour company to say we wouldn't make it, they very kindly tried to arrange a meeting point with the guide on the tour, but this was too hard to coordinate. I very much appreciate them trying though. I strongly suggest purchasing a 3 paper map of…”

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2.Rialto Market Tour & Private Cooking Class in the Heart of Venice

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $149Top rated

Spend about four hours with Massimo, a Venetian host and Merchant Navy officer, shopping at Rialto Market and cooking in his historic San Marco home. The private class includes handmade pasta, focaccia, seasonal dishes, wine, and a relaxed meal. You can choose lunch or dinner, with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options available.

“Fabulous experience! Creating a traditional seafood dish with mussels and tuna and making pasta and focaccia created one of the best meals we had in Venice. Other dishes and wines rounded out the meal. A lovely and delicious afternoon!”

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3.Private Venice Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $361

This two-hour private tour follows Venice’s food traditions through family-run bacari, the Rialto Fish Market, a cheese shop, fruit stand, and a final risotto meal. Guides such as Francesca, Daria, Jennifer, and Manuela explain the city’s spice trade, cicchetti culture, and local ingredients. Tastings and drinks are included, with a short gondola ferry crossing.

“This was one of the best tours I have ever done. Julia was absolutely amazing. Knowledgeable, personable and fun. I would highly recommend this tour.”

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4.Private Bologna Food & Market Tour with 6 Tastings & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $405

Spend about three and a half hours with a private local food guide in Bologna’s old town. You’ll visit the Quadrilatero market, sample Parmigiano Reggiano, fresh pasta, regional cured meats, Modena balsamic vinegar, gelato, wine, coffee, and a secret dish, finishing near Piazza Santo Stefano.

“Caterina was a brilliant guide, highly recommended . Lovely insight into Bologna history and cuisine”

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5.Semi-Private Venice Market and Cicchetti Food Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Meet your English-speaking guide at San Giacomo di Rialto for a 2.5-hour food walk through Venice. Visit the Rialto Fish Market, stop for cicchetti and Prosecco at three bars, finish with gelato, and cross the Grand Canal by gondolino. Groups are limited to six people.

“Giulia was an amazing tour guide as we saw Venice and experienced the food and culture through her native eyes. The parts of Venice she was able to show us were the best because they were truly authentic, as she lives the culture every day. Seeing Venice through her eyes was a unique experience to capture the delicious foods, beauty of Venice and way of life in this beautiful city. Giulia was kind, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable in the rich history she shared as well as favorite culinary foods and stops along the tour that are true hidden treasures of Venice. If you are planning a trip to Venice, this…”

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6.Private Tour – Museum of the Imperial Forums in the Trajan Markets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $137Best value

Meet your English-speaking guide at 4 p.m. for a private two-hour visit to the Museum of the Imperial Forums in Trajan Markets. Guides such as Vincenzo and Martina bring the excavated site and its artifacts into focus. Tickets are included, but bags must be left in the checkroom.

“Vincenzo really made this tour come alive! We had the best time with him and it’s an experience. We will never forget. I highly recommend this tour, especially for those who have been to Rome a few times and have seen most of the more famous sites.”

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7.Private Market Tour and Cooking Class in Bologna with Giovanna C

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 20 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $139

Meet Giovanna at Neptune’s Fountain for a private walk through Bologna’s old market, then shop for ingredients and cook in her home. You may prepare tagliatelle, lasagne, tortellini, or gramigna, plus a seasonal dish and dessert. Wine, family conversation, and a four-hour evening meal are included.

“Spectacular! We loved our time with Giovanna and her family. We learned some key tips on making pasta and a bolognese sauce. We laughed, learned that Francesca is a New England Patriots fan! The family simply loved the evening. The wine just like the conversation continued to flow. Simply a must”

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8.Cefalù: Market & Private Cooking Class at a Local’s Home

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 6 reviews · from $214

Spend five hours in Cefalù with a local host, shopping for ingredients at the market before preparing three Sicilian recipes in a private home. Hosts such as Rosamaria Messina share cooking tips, local life, and a sea-view setting may be part of the experience. Wine, coffee, water, and all cooking equipment are included.

“Fantastic sea view while cooking, tasty Italian dishes, not too heavy and a very nice hostess”

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9.Lecce: Market and Private Cooking Class at a Local’s Home

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 4 reviews · from $214

Join an English or Italian-speaking home cook in Lecce for a market visit and private kitchen lesson. You’ll choose fresh ingredients, prepare three local recipes, and eat them with wine, water, and coffee. Hosts may include Carlo and Giusy or Antonietta and Gianni, each offering a personal family-style setting.

“Our hosts Carlo and Guisey were AMAZING! Highlight of our stay in Lecce. Beautiful property and exceptional company and food! Highly recommend!”

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10.Private Cooking Class with Market Shopping Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $293

Spend five hours exploring Mercato Trionfale near the Vatican and cooking at Cantina del Duca. An English-speaking guide and chef help you shop, prepare pasta or pizza, and enjoy a handmade meal with Lazio wine. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included within Rome’s Aurelian Walls.

“What a beautiful tour we had! Antoinette was absolutely wonderful. She immediately found out our cooking skill levels, asked if there was anything in particular we wanted to learn about and together we discussed what dishes would be fun to make. She suggested some of her personal favorite easy to make at home recipes and they were perfect!! As we walked through the market Antoinette took the time to show us how to determine the best quality items and price points. As someone who loves to cook and learn about our food this was wonderful. Then the recipe creations were fun, knowledgeable and even got my hubby cooking (which never…”

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11.Florence Central Market Food Tour – Private Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2 reviews · from $141

Meet your guide at City Florence Tours and spend two hours inside Florence’s Mercato Centrale. Taste small portions of local foods and wine, hear where they come from, and ask for help with dietary needs. The private group accommodates up to 10 people, with English, Italian, or Spanish guiding.

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12.Otranto: Market & Private Cooking Class at a Local’s Home

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $214

Meet your local Cesarine host in Otranto, shop for fresh ingredients at the town market, then cook three regional recipes in a private home kitchen. You’ll work at your own station, learn in Italian or English, and sit down to your meal with water, coffee, and local red and white wines.

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13.Trajan’s Markets & Imperial Forums Private Tour with Special Pass & PhD Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $334

Meet at Via Quattro Novembre at 9:30 a.m. for a private 2.5-hour walk through Trajan’s Market, Trajan’s Column, and three Imperial Forums. A licensed PhD guide explains the ruins as living history, with pre-arranged Forum Pass entry and a finish near public transport on Via dei Fori Imperiali.

“The guide was very knowledgeable, personable and made the expert a living history lesson. Highly recommend.”

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14.Market tour and Private Cooking Class in Rome with roman chef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $218

Meet Chef Matteo at Rome’s Esquilino Market for ingredient shopping and tastings, then head to his cooking school for a private, hands-on class. You’ll make ravioli, tomato sauce, cacio e pepe, and tiramisu at your own cooktop, followed by a wine-paired meal, recipes, and a chef’s kit.

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