Venice Like a Local Rialto and Hidden Bacari of San Polo
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation up to 24h before
- Guided in English
- Instant confirmation
Highlights
Discover the authentic soul of Venice far from the tourist crowds. Led by a local guide, this private walking tour immerses you in the everyday life, history, and culinary traditions of the San Polo district—the city's historic trade heart. Begin at the famous Rialto Bridge and historic market, where locals have gathered for centuries. Wind through a maze of quiet calli (alleys) and hidden campielli (squares) as your guide shares captivating stories of Venetian merchants, culture, and architecture. Along the way, experience the beloved local ritual of "bacaro hopping." Step into authentic, family-run wine bars (bacari) hidden in quiet corners to enjoy a classic Venetian Spritz or glass of wine (ombra), paired with delicious handmade cicchetti (traditional tapas like baccalà mantecato). Perfectly combining history and local flavor, this experience reveals Venice as seen through the eyes of those who live here.
Inclusions
What's included
- 2 hours private local guide
- Venetian Spritz
- Tastings of cicchetti and a signature closing feast
- Visits to 3 hidden, family-run bacari in San Polo
- Always-private guided food and wine tour
What's not
- Tips
Itinerary
Step into the vibrant, centuries-old heart of Venetian trade, where locals have gathered since the Middle Ages to buy fresh fish, produce, and spices. Bustling with energy along the Grand Canal, it offers an authentic glimpse into everyday Venetian life and culinary heritage.
As one of Venice’s oldest and most charming neighborhoods, San Polo is a maze of picturesque alleys, historic squares, and authentic local life. Beyond its famous market, the area is renowned for its quiet residential corners, historic churches, and traditional bacari (wine bars).
Cancellation
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.
Know before you go
- Meeting point
- We meet in Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, right in front of the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto (the church with the large 24-hour clock). The spot is just a few steps from the Rialto Bridge and the entrance to the market. Please look for the guide holding a sign with your name on it.
- Pickup
- Everyone meets at the starting point; there is no pickup.
- Ticket type
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Operated by
- Prime Tours and Travel
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
How it compares in Venice
- Its from-price is 96% above the median of the 1991 experiences we list in Venice.
- Its length is typical for the group.
- The operator lists free cancellation on it.
About Venice
Venice floats on a lagoon of more than a hundred islands, a city of canals, palaces and bridges with no cars, where every walk ends somewhere unexpected.
The Grand Canal sweeps through the city in a great reversed S, lined with palaces and crossed by the Rialto Bridge. Near its mouth, Piazza San Marco gathers St Mark's Basilica with its golden mosaics, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the tall brick campanile. Water buses and gondolas show the city from the angle it was built to be seen.
Top-ranked sights in Venice: St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), Grand Canal.
Special offers in Venice
Was/now prices come from the operator, never from us.
