Absorb the Venetian larder at the Rialto Market

The Rialto Market “has been whetting appetites for seven centuries,” says Lonely Planet. “The Rialto area was the first part of Venice to be developed,” explains Italy Heaven, and the market moved here at the end of the 11th century. Trading of all kinds took place, and this was where Venetians and merchants could buy and sell exotic imported goods. The markets are open in the mornings from Monday to Saturday, although the fish market is closed on Mondays. “To see it at its best arrive in the morning with trolley-toting shoppers and you’ll be rewarded with pyramids of colourful seasonal produce like Sant’Erasmo castraure (baby artichokes), radicchio trevisano (bitter red chicory) and thick, succulent white asparagus,” advises Lonely Planet.  

Rialto Market is one of Venice’s benchmarks, says Filippo Muraro at Spotted by Locals -- “I love this place because of its incredible atmosphere – it brings me back to the past every time that’s still echoing strong between the sellers’ claims and the ancient colonnades.” The city’s inhabitants, retailers and curious tourists “mix themselves into the crowd to buy any kind of vegetable and fruit and enjoy the colors and smells.” Most of the products come from Sant Erasmo island, Venice’s vegetable garden, he explains. At the Pescheria (fish market), “you’ll find stalls selling a vast selection of fish and seafood straight from the lagoon, ranging from inky-black squid to writhing eels and silvery swordfish,” notes Sotheby’s. “Many stalls open at dawn, and most close by midday, so arrive early and enjoy wandering  among chefs and restaurant owners as they haggle for the best of the day’s catch.”