Where to Shop and Eat: 4 Private Market Tours in Venice

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 $149Best value

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.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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