Rialto Market Venice
The Rialto market has been the commercial heart of Venice since the city's founding. The current market buildings date to 1907, but trading on this bend of the Grand Canal goes back to the 11th century. The complex is divided into two main sections: the Pescheria, a neo-Gothic covered fish market where fishermen and wholesalers sell the morning's Adriatic and lagoon catch, and the Erberia, the open-air fruit and vegetable market that spills across the surrounding stalls and campo. On a typical morning you will find crates of canoce (mantis shrimp), baskets of caparossoli (clams), piles of cuttlefish, mounds of radicchio tardivo from Treviso, and in spring, the prized castraure (baby artichokes) from the island of Sant'Erasmo. The best bacari in Venice cluster within a two-minute walk of the market, and many source their cicchetti ingredients directly from the Pescheria stalls.
Must Try
- Fresh Adriatic fish at the Pescheria
- Castraure artichokes (spring only)
- Canoce (mantis shrimp)
- Radicchio tardivo di Treviso
- Cicchetti at nearby bacari after shopping
Frequently Asked Questions
3 QuestionsWhat are the Rialto market opening hours?
The market is open Tuesday through Saturday from approximately 7:30 to 13:00. The Pescheria (fish market) is closed on Sunday and Monday. For the best experience, arrive between 8:00 and 10:00 when the stalls are fully stocked and the vendors are in full swing. By noon, many stalls begin packing up.
How do I get to the Rialto market?
The market is on the San Polo side of the Rialto Bridge, along the Grand Canal. The nearest vaporetto stop is Rialto Mercato (Line 1 or Line 2). Walking from San Marco takes about 10 minutes via the Rialto Bridge. From the Santa Lucia train station, it is a 20-minute walk or a vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal.
Is the Rialto market worth visiting as a tourist?
Yes. Even if you are not buying ingredients, the Rialto market is one of the most atmospheric spots in Venice. The Pescheria's neo-Gothic columns frame views of the Grand Canal, and the displays of lagoon seafood and seasonal produce are visually stunning. Combine the visit with a giro d'ombra (bar crawl) through the bacari in the surrounding alleys.
