The best markets in Venice

Venice has long been one of the world’s busiest centres for trade and commerce, which is still evident today in its famous markets. The most popular market in Venice is Rialto, located near Rialto Bridge. But there are plenty of smaller farmer’s markets around the city selling organic produce, too!

So, what better way to spend a morning in Venice than exploring the markets? Whether you’re looking for artisan produce, wine from the Veneto region, fresh local seafood to cook a delicious meal, or antiques and souvenirs, you’ll find it at Venice’s markets.

Our guide to the best markets in Venice will help you plan your visit. Find out more about opening times and locations, how to get there and what you can expect to buy.

What’s in this guide?

• Daily markets
• Weekly markets
• Farmers' markets
• Organic and fair-trade markets
• Getting around Venice

Markets of Venice

For locally sourced produce, including fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese and more, visit these markets in Venice:

• Rialto market
• Burano market
• Mercato di Rio Terà San Leonardo
• Mercato di Sacca Fisola
• Mercato di Via Garibaldi
• Mercato dell’Altra Economia
• Orto delle Meraviglie

Looking for a souvenir from your trip or want to find some treasures? Try these locations:

• Mercatino dell’Antiquariato
• San Michele market
• Mercato Agricolo Coperto di Venezia

Daily markets

No matter what day of the week you’re visiting Venice, you’re bound to find a market happening. Travelling on a budget or prefer to cook at home? These are the best daily markets in the city to find fresh local produce, so you can still experience the flavours of Venice without the restaurant price tag!

Rialto market

Rialto market is open every day, apart from Sundays. Saturday mornings are usually the busiest time when many locals do their grocery shopping. Here you’ll find local seafood, seasonal vegetables, meats, cheeses and more.

Mercato di Rio Terà San Leonardo

Although much smaller than the Rialto market, the stalls on Strada Nova are the ideal place to buy fresh fruit and vegetables if you’re staying in Cannaregio. You can sometimes find clothing, homeware and other items here too, so it’s worth a browse on your way into Venice’s centre.

Mercato di Via Garibaldi

Located in Castello, this market is popular with locals buying groceries, including fruit, vegetables and fish. If you’re visiting the Arsenale exhibition hall during Venice’s famous Biennale, why not stop by this market on your way?

Burano market

Whilst this is not a working market anymore, it’s a must-see location in Burano, thanks to the stunning sunset views over the lagoon of Venice. You can still see the tables from the island’s fish market. It’s now known as the Pescarìa Vecia (old fish market) by locals.

San Michele market

Visiting Mestre for a day? The recently-renovated San Michele market offers a modern take on a traditional indoor market. Here you’ll find stalls selling fruit, vegetables and other fresh produce.

Weekly markets

Hoping to find souvenirs, clothing and homewares? Try Venice’s weekly markets. If you’re visiting Venice on a day when these markets are on, be sure to stop by!

Mercato di Sacca Fisola

This market in Giudecca is unusual for a city that does not permit traffic, as items are sold from the back of trucks brought across from the mainland by ferry. Expect to find a mixture of things on sale here, including fresh produce, clothing, homewares and more.

Monthly markets

Less frequent than most of the markets in Venice, though not to be missed, these are the best monthly markets in the city.

Mercatino dell’Antiquariato

If you’re lucky enough to be in Venice on a day when the famous Mercatino dell’Antiquariato (antique market) takes place, there’s no better place to find treasures. Scour the stalls selling maps, stamps, art, furniture, homewares and more to find a unique souvenir from your trip.

Farmers’ markets

What better way to discover seasonal produce from the Veneto region than a farmers’ market? These are the best locations to visit in the city.

Mercato Agricolo Coperto di Venezia

This small market in Mestre sells produce from farm to table, where you can chat with the growers as you browse their stalls. The Mercato Agricolo Coperto are a national farming co-op, enabling farmers across Italy to sell directly to the consumer.

Organic and fair-trade markets

Support Venetian social enterprises and local growers by shopping for organic and fair-trade products. Whether you want to buy fruit and vegetables farmed without pesticides or find ethically made souvenirs from your trip to Venice, these are the best markets to shop at.

Orto delle Meraviglie

Orto delle Meraviglie (Garden of Wonders) is a small stall selling organic produce farmed by women from the Casa di Reclusione Femminile (women’s prison) in Giudecca. Find it right outside the prison walls, on Thursday mornings only.

The women also produce toiletries and leather goods, which you can buy from the green kiosk in Campo Santo Stefano, in the San Marco neighbourhood.

Mercato dell’Altra Economia

The Rio Terà dei Pensieri co-op is behind the Orto delle Meraviglie social enterprise. They also champion organic, ethical and fair-trade shopping at their weekly market in Santa Croce. Find locally-grown, organic fruit vegetables alongside a wide range of fair-trade products from other vendors.

Getting around Venice

The best way to reach Venice’s markets is on foot or by vaporetto (waterbus), depending on which area you’re staying in. Most markets in Venice start early in the morning, so plan your visit to get the most up-to-date routes and journey times.

Venice city centre

Arriving in Venice by train? From Venezia Santa Lucia station, the famous Rialto market is an 18-minute walk. Or get there in just 16 minutes by vaporetto, departing from Ferrovia B outside the station.

Mercato dell’Altra Economia and Mercato di Rio Terà San Leonardo are between 8-11 minutes’ walk from the station, making great places to stop for groceries on your way into Venice.

The markets in San Marco and Castello are around 20-35 minutes away, with a ferry journey and walking required.

The Venetian Islands and Mestre

Planning to watch the sunset from the old fish market in Burano? Take the number 3 vaporetto to Murano Faro from Piazzale Roma D stop, then change at Murano Faro for the number 12 ferry to Burano. The journey takes around 1 hour 15 minutes in total.

Heading to Giudecca to visit the Orto delle Meraviglie or Mercato di Sacca Fisola? Take the number 2 vaporetto from Zattere stop in Dorsoduro to Giudecca Palanca, a 4-minute journey.

For the markets in Mestre, the 4L bus departs from Piazzale Roma, arriving at Mestre Centro in just 20 minutes.

Looking for more inspiration on where to shop in the city? Check out our dedicated shopping guide or discover the best things to do in Venice.

Travelling by train to Venice?

If you're planning to visit Venice, why not travel by train? Travelling to Venice by train is easy due to the high-speed rail connections operated by Trenitalia and Italo. You can travel to Venice from some of the most popular locations in Italy, including Peschiera del Garda to Venice (1h 16m), Verona Porta Nuova to Venice (1h) and Trieste Centrale to Venice (1h 37m).

Need more information about travelling to Venice by train? Check out our dedicated page to trains to Venice.