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Venice > Sightseeing > Top 11 free sights > Rialto food markets

Rialto Food Markets

From: Venice's Top 11 Free Sights

Rialto food markets

ABOVE: Porcini mushrooms are a fall specialty in the Erberia.

The Rialto Food Markets are working markets where Venetian homemakers and restaurant owners do their shopping six days a week.

There are two markets, both slightly to the north of the Rialto Bridge in the district of San Polo:

Erberia vegetablesThe Erberia sells fruit and vegetables, with wholesalers arriving early and retailers setting up their stalls by mid-morning. By noon, most of the action is over, so arrive early for shopping and discreet picture-taking.

PescheriaJust beyond, in a building with arches that overlooks the Grand Canal, vendors in the Pescheria or fish market sell fish, octopus, squid, clams, and other aquatic edibles.

FishTourists love the Pescheria (and the Erberia, for that matter), but before bellying up to the crushed-ice trough to take a snapshot, remember that the person you're elbowing out of the way may be a chef who's trying to buy the sardines or cuttlefish that you'll be eating for dinner.

Related article:

Next page: Venetian Ghetto


Top 11 Free Sights in Venice:
Introduction
1. Piazza San Marco
2. Basilica di San Marco
3. Venice Waterfront (St. Mark's Basin)
4. Grand Canal
5. Rialto Bridge
6. Rialto Food Markets
7. Venetian Ghetto
8. Canali, Campi, Calli (canals, squares, back streets)
9. Churches (Salute, Carmini, and others that don't charge admission)
10. Shopping Streets
11. Islands (San Michele, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Lido)
Printable 'Top 11 Free Sights' List

About the author:

Durant Imboden photo.Durant Imboden has written about Venice, Italy since 1996. He covered Venice and European travel at About.com for 4-1/2 years before launching Europe for Visitors (including Venice for Visitors) with Cheryl Imboden in 2001.

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Top photo copyright © Plus.
1st inset photo copyright © Calvio.
3rd inset photo copyright © Richard Goerg.
4th inset photo copyright © D. Huss.