The Rialto Bridge and market
Rialto was where Venice began and where it did its business. The stone bridge, the market for fish and vegetables beside it and the narrow streets of bars around them are still the busiest part of the city.
- What it is
- Walk
- Time to allow
- 45 to 90 minutes
- Cost
- Free to walk
- Best time
- The market in the morning, the bridge at dawn or late at night
Venice this week
Why the Rialto is worth it
The first settlements of Venice grew up on the islands of the Rivo Alto, the high bank, and the city's market and banks were here before St Mark's Square was paved. For centuries a wooden bridge crossed the canal; the stone one that replaced it, by Antonio da Ponte, was finished in 1591.
The market, for fruit and vegetables and in the arcaded Pescheria for fish, still opens every morning except Sunday, and the bacari of the streets behind it serve its catch as cicchetti.
What to see
The bridge
A single stone arch with two rows of shops on it, and the view down the Grand Canal from its top.
The Pescheria
The fish market under its neo-Gothic hall of 1907, at its best early in the morning.
San Giacomo di Rialto
The little church with the big clock, held to be the oldest in Venice, at the heart of the market.
The bacari
The old wine bars of the streets around the market, for a glass of wine and cicchetti at the counter.
How to do it well
- Go to the market before ten. The fish market is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
- Cross the bridge at dawn or late in the evening to have it almost to yourself.
- Eat cicchetti standing at a bacaro rather than sitting at a café on the canal.
Where it is
Address
Between San Marco and San Polo, on the Grand Canal
Nearest station
Rialto or Rialto Mercato, on the vaporetto
Museums and sights nearby
- St Mark's Basilica500 m
- Ca' Pesaro500 m
- St Mark's Campanile500 m
- Teatro La Fenice500 m
Distances are in a straight line.
Tickets and tours: The Rialto Bridge and market
The Rialto Bridge and market: common questions
- When is the Rialto Market open?
- In the mornings, Monday to Saturday for fruit and vegetables. The fish market closes on Sundays and Mondays.
- How old is the Rialto Bridge?
- The stone bridge was finished in 1591. Wooden bridges stood on the spot before it.
- How much time do you need for the Rialto?
- Allow 45 to 90 minutes. That is this site's estimate for an unhurried visit.
What visitors say about the Rialto
Rating from Google
Things to do near the Rialto
The nearest of this site's best things to do in the city. Distances are in a straight line.
- 17Eat cicchetti standing at the bar of a bacaro200 m awayWalk, 2 to 3 hours, what you eat, or a food tour
- 2Stand under the golden domes of St Mark's Basilica500 m awayChurch, 45 to 90 minutes, ticket with a time, sold by the basilica
- 14See modern art and Japanese armour at Ca' Pesaro500 m awayMuseum, 1 to 2 hours, ticket
- 11Ride a gondola through the canals500 m awayOn the water, 30 to 45 minutes, a shared or private ride
Artists to see near the Rialto
The museums nearest to here, and the most famous artists on show in each.
Ca' Pesaro, 500 m away
Doge's Palace, 600 m away
Where to eat near the Rialto
The nearest of the famous tables this site lists in Venice. Distances are in a straight line.
- Trattoria alla Madonna3.9Trattoria, Rialto100 m away
- Cantina Do Mori4.4Bacaro, Rialto200 m away
- Cantina Do Spade4.4Bacaro, Rialto250 m away
- Trattoria Antiche Carampane4.4Trattoria, Rialto400 m away
Hotels near the Rialto
The five-star hotels closest to it, of those this site lists in Venice. Distances are in a straight line.
- Aman Venice4.8Five-star hotel, Grand Canal350 m away
- Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel4.5Five-star hotel, Riva degli Schiavoni650 m away
- The St. Regis Venice4.6Five-star hotel, Grand Canal700 m away
- The Gritti Palace4.6Five-star hotel, Grand Canal700 m away