Market tours · ITALY
Good private market tours in Italy fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 14 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Explore Rialto Market, San Polo, Carampane, cicchetti, wine, and Venice’s mercantile past on a small-group walking tour.
“A excellent tour recommend to everyone that is visiting Venice”
Cook handmade pasta and focaccia with Massimo, shop Venice’s Rialto Market, and enjoy a private meal with wine in a local home.
“Massimo was very entertaining and taught us authentic pasta and focaccia recipes. We had fun and learned a lot too. Thank you Massimo for passing on family recipes.”
Taste cicchetti, seafood, cheese, spritz, risotto, and tiramisu while exploring Venice’s Rialto Market with a private guide.
“Great tour, obviously eat and drank plenty of fantastic food and wine. But it was very interesting as we got to understand about the culture of the city and the people there. Also got to see parts of the city which we would never have found if on our own. The markets were brilliant. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and easy to understand.”
Review of Bologna’s private food tour with pasta, Parmigiano, aged balsamic, wine, gelato, and local history in 3.5 hours.
“Caterina was a brilliant guide, highly recommended . Lovely insight into Bologna history and cuisine”
Taste Venice through Rialto seafood, cicchetti, Prosecco, gelato, and a small gondolino ride in this intimate six-person tour.
“Giulia was an amazing tour guide as we saw Venice and experienced the food and culture through her native eyes. The parts of Venice she was able to show us were the best because they were truly authentic, as she lives the culture every day. Seeing Venice through her eyes was a unique experience to capture the delicious foods, beauty of Venice and way of life in this beautiful city. Giulia was kind, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable in the rich history she shared as well as favorite culinary foods and stops along the tour that are true hidden treasures of Venice. If you are planning a trip to Venice, this…”
Explore Rome’s Imperial Forums and Trajan Markets on a private two-hour tour with a guide, included tickets, and personal attention.
“The guide was incredible. Very knowledgeable and friendly. Excellent information. AND it's a remarkable museum.”
Review of Bologna’s private market tour and cooking class with Giovanna, including the menu, price, timing, value, and practical tips.
“Spectacular! We loved our time with Giovanna and her family. We learned some key tips on making pasta and a bolognese sauce. We laughed, learned that Francesca is a New England Patriots fan! The family simply loved the evening. The wine just like the conversation continued to flow. Simply a must”
Shop Cefalù’s market, cook three Sicilian recipes in a local home, and enjoy wine, coffee, and sea views in a private five-hour class.
“Fantastic sea view while cooking, tasty Italian dishes, not too heavy and a very nice hostess”
Shop Lecce’s market, cook family recipes in a private home, and share three local dishes with wine during this five-hour Apulian experience.
“Wonderful experience with Carlos and Giusy at their B and B and farm. Visited a one of the oldest markets in Lecce for supplies, a local patisserie and then to their home to use vegetables from their gardens. Both shared their passion for Puglia, food and their cats. Five kittens had just been born four days ago! This is a highly recommended experience.”
Review of Rome’s private cooking class, with Mercato Trionfale shopping, handmade pasta or pizza, wine, hotel pickup, price, and practical tips.
“What a beautiful tour we had! Antoinette was absolutely wonderful. She immediately found out our cooking skill levels, asked if there was anything in particular we wanted to learn about and together we discussed what dishes would be fun to make. She suggested some of her personal favorite easy to make at home recipes and they were perfect!! As we walked through the market Antoinette took the time to show us how to determine the best quality items and price points. As someone who loves to cook and learn about our food this was wonderful. Then the recipe creations were fun, knowledgeable and even got my hubby cooking (which never…”
Review of Florence Central Market Food Tour, with tastings, local producers, private groups, pricing, logistics, and booking advice.
Shop Otranto’s market, cook three Apulian recipes in a local home, and share your meal with wine in this private five-hour class.
Review of Rome’s private Trajan’s Markets and Imperial Forums tour, with a PhD guide, Forum Pass, itinerary, value, and practical tips.
“The guide was very knowledgeable, personable and made the expert a living history lesson. Highly recommend.”
Shop at Rome’s Esquilino Market, make pasta and tiramisu with Chef Matteo, then enjoy a private meal with wine and recipes.
“Had a blast with Chef Matteo. Great hands on experience making pasta and tiramisu. It was a fun family experience with teenagers, we spent 3 hours cooking, laughing and eating. Chef Matteo was awesome and spoke great English.”
Pick a canal, a covered hall, a souk or a stove.
