So fun to wander Venice's famous colorful open market, with its fresh seafood, butchers, and stalls filled with local seasonal produce and pasta. While some might disparage Mercato di Rialto as touristy, when my husband and I visited in June 2025, we were surprisingly just amongst a small handful of non-Italians. In fact, most of the shoppers were locals, and it's a great place to practice one's Italian and potentially, a photographer's paradise. If we ever return to the region and have a kitchen at our disposal, I'd love to take advantage of the beautiful heirloom tomatoes, artichokes, chicory, figs, artichokes, and seafood (fresh scallops! cuttlefish ink!) read more

Mercato di Rialto - Fishmonger: just a tiny sampling of the seafood for sale - Farmers Market Near Me - Venezia, VE

Mercato di Rialto, or the Rialto Market, is the oldest market in Venice. During Venice's golden age, merchants brought exotic goods from Asia and Africa to Rialto, making it one of the most important trading posts in Europe during its' prime. The Rialto Bridge is located by the Grand Canal and it is now still a part of Venice's daily life. Chefs and locals come here to purchase fresh quality products from the fish market, fruit and vegetable markets, and there's nearby shops for butchers and bakers too. It has been a commercial heart of the city for nearly a millennium. Unfortunately for us... they are closed on Sundays. We came before 9am and were so surprised about how empty the area was. I watched many YouTube videos recommending to come early, so I was surprised not to see many vendors out. There were a few stands for fruits and spices but it was so bare... I didn't know until afterrrrrr that they are closed Sunday. There was no other day where we were available to come over in the morning, but if I knew I would have saved time and avoided making the trek to this area. read more

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Mercato di Rialto (Rialto Market) in Venice is a fresh food market with many different items in the surrounding area. I love to check out the fruits, veggies, seafood, and delicious salami. I found many fruits and vegetables I had never seen in the United States. The salamis tasted better than those in the supermarkets. They have many different items you can find at very affordable prices in the area. They have many choices of leather bags, belts, hats, and many, many other interesting inexpensive things catching my eye. This is a great way to relax after a whole day of sightseeing in Venice. The price tag is negotiable, at least for the leather items we bought in some of the stalls. Don't expect a significantly deeper discount. But you should get a few euros in savings if you ask, especially if you purchase multiple items. Try to group the things you will buy with your friends. read more

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Yes, this is for tourists. Yes, you should still go. Look at the fresh fish, but a gondolier t-shirt. Get a hat. Lots of people, couple pick pockets. Just be diligent and enjoy your morning. I say morning becasue you NEED to go early or else it is mobbed when the tour boats show up. read more

Must see. A short stroll gives you shot of seafood adrenaline that you'll never forget. Fresh mussels, squid, clams, octopus, and every fish you can imagine. The sights, smells, colors and sounds are out of this world. Must see!!! read more

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Pros: Excellent selection of fruits, vegetables, fish, and spices. Cons: There are very few Schlitz cocktail options. read more

All of the fresh seafood and produce in Venice originates from the Rialto Market (Mercado de Rialto). Venetians have been shopping at the Rialto Market since the 11th century. After a destructive fire in the 16th century, the market was constructed to the west of the Rialto Bridge and has remained here ever since. The market is open in the morning from Monday to Saturday and the fish market is closed on Mondays. The stalls of the market are filled with fresh fish, seasonal fruits and vegetables, fresh cut flowers, and spices. Arrive early in the morning to take in the action. Most of the market is picked off by the afternoon and many of the fishmongers have already closed for the day. Buy fresh fruit from the market and ask for a plastic bag to carry your purchase in. After you purchase your fruit stop by the fountain outside the market and wash your fruit. Enjoy your purchase on the Rialto Bridge and watch boats and gondolas pass by! read more

It's hard believe this Fish and produce market is over a 1,000 years old and operates daily. Get here early and you'll see the freshest fish packed on ice. There's also a good selection of fresh produce for purchase. The open stall market is a great place for pictures and people watching. You'll find the cuttlefish for the famous black ink pasta which is only available in Venice and there is a large variety of shellfish. If you're a foodie - This a must visit in Venice! read more

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If you want to see the local side of Venezia, then wake up early in the morning to see the local market by the Rialto Bridge. Go early enough to the marketplace on the right day, and you may be among the seagulls that are following the fishing boats as you ride down the Grand Canal! Depending on the day of the week, Mercato di Rialto is either primarily seafood or produce. While I cannot vouch the seafood's price, the produce were actually fresh, cheap, and delicious! However for outsiders like me, the biggest draw of the market may be the seafood, even though I could not buy them because I had no kitchen. Caught fresh from the lagoon, vouched by the eager seagulls that followed from the lagoon, the Venetian seafood is an exotic sight! While few common fishes like salmon are recognizable, most are simply bizzare. Simply being there to see them is a feast for your eyes, and certainly gives many photo opportunities! Venezia isn't all about Piazza San Marco or canals, so even if you do not intend to buy anything, I highly recommend swinging by Mercato di Rialto to see the other side of the floating city. This market is one of the many reasons that make staying overnight in Venice worthwhile so you can see the Venice that daytrippers miss. read more

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Quite a scene. Lots of produce, fish on ice, and spice pack rolls at 3 for 3 euros that make for non-breakable souvenir gifts

nearly closed as an empty market right on sunday afternoon, yes we were late, but we have expected a little bit more end of july 2015 On the other hand we have had the right time on a place, to see the offers and also to have a deep look at the surroundings. Beautiful. read more

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Setting Up for the Day We wanted to get picnic supplies for the day, so we decided the market was the best place to get the freshest food available. Despite arriving before many of the stalls had opened for the day, there was a wide variety of everything we needed and the prices were very reasonable. The only regret was not being able to visit when the entire area was open for business. read more

One of the only places in Venice to get cheap, fresh produce. Avoid dried fruits and nuts as the prices are marked up like crazy. And keep in mind to ask before you touch the food! read more

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We walked through during the off season, so there weren't a lot of vendors, but there was still plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers to see. I'm not adequately confident in my ability to speak Italian, so I didn't make any purchases. Other vegans should know the market is first and foremost for the sake of fish, so be prepared for that in all respects read more

Fun sight and seafood is fresh fresh fresh!! Definitely worth visiting. There is also a section next to the market that sells fresh fruits, vegetables and herbs. This is a one stop shop for an awesome dinner read more

If you want an eclectic selection of funky morano jewellery and stuff from local markets, bags, baskets and some exotic fish, a good and busy market of Rialto is a good place to be in Venice! read more

This is a great place to catch some Venetian culture. There are tables of fresh fish of all shapes and sizes. Many of the shrimp and crabs are still clicking when they're sold. It disappears by midday so make sure you stop by in the morning if you want to see anything. It is an active market frequented by locals, so prepare to get some dirty looks if you stand around gawking while people are trying to buy something. They have pretty decent prices for fresh produce if you're in the mood for some strawberries or tomatoes! read more

This is the marketplace in Venezia. It can be crowded though. It still a busy market, full of people.