Hidden Venice Neighbourhoods: Private Tour with Cicchetti & Wine

Venice’s unique topography, architecture and food culture make it a truly enchanting destination that has captivated visitors for centuries. ​​Its most traditional districts, known as Sestieri, ​each have their own distinct personality, so it is well worth exploring them. Navigating the winding streets of the Floating City can be tricky, so treating yourself to a private tour with a local expert is the best way to uncover the most charming corners of Venice, not to mention its tastiest bites, in the form of characteristic small plates known as Cicchetti.

On this private walking tour, you will:

• Visit the most authentic districts of Venice in the company of a passionate Venetian guide;
• Discover historic Cannaregio as you wander along the canal;
• See the serene Santa Croce, the least touristy Sestiere and one of the most tranquil;
• Stroll the vibrant streets of San Polo;
• Get a closer look at the iconic Rialto Bridge and a taste of Venetian life at the nearby Rialto Market;
• Savor Venice’s culinary heritage as you taste different varieties of cicchetti in 3 of the city’s most historic taverns;
• Accompany your tastings with Ombra, an emblematic local wine.

Travellers looking to experience the true flavours and ambience of Venetian life and find hidden gems will love the irresistible combination of history, gastronomy and culture on this tour, an exhilarating journey through winding canals, bustling markets, and historic squares with a culinary climax where you can enjoy traditional cicchetti and ombra. Your voyage of discovery begins at your centrally located hotel where your passionate local guide will come to meet you, ready to lead you through Venice’s rich cultural landscape.

Beyond the crowds of San Marco, you will proceed to explore Cannaregio, one of Venice’s most storied neighbourhoods. As you stroll along its peaceful canals, your guide will share the fascinating history of this district, home to the Venetian Ghetto and brimming with old-world charm. You will then cross into Santa Croce, Venice’s quietest and most tranquil sestiere. Here, you’ll experience a side of Venice rarely seen by tourists, where narrow lanes open up into peaceful squares surrounded by beautiful old buildings. Santa Croce is where Venetians themselves unwind, and it offers a true glimpse into local life.

From Santa Croce, you will make your way to San Polo, one of Venice’s liveliest neighbourhoods. As you wander the vibrant streets filled with artisan shops you can admire the area’s impressive architecture. Your guide will make sure to show you Campo San Polo, the city’s second-largest square and a beloved gathering spot for locals and of course the Rialto Bridge, the oldest and most famous bridge in all of Venice. There you will take in spectacular views of the Grand Canal before exploring the Rialto Market, where Venetians have shopped for fresh produce and seafood for centuries. Your guide will reveal stories of the area’s bustling trading history, providing a deeper understanding of Venice’s cultural and culinary heritage.

No authentic tour of Venice would be complete without sampling some Cicchetti, Venice’s traditional small bites, paired with ombra, small glasses of local wine. You’ll visit three celebrated Bacari (wine taverns), where you’ll enjoy a variety of Cicchetti such as baccalà mantecato (whipped salted cod), sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines), and fried polpette (meatballs) along with a crash crouse in Cicchetti culture. Each tasting is accompanied by an ombra, often sourced from a nearby wine region like Prosecco, Soave, or Valpolicella, giving you a delicious taste of Venetian viticulture at each bar.

Your guide will bid you farewell in the heart of the Rialto area where you are free to keep exploring, equipped with a whole host of personalized recommendations for the rest of your stay and a newfound appreciation for Venice’s lesser spotted neighbourhoods, having seen them through the eyes of a local.