Tour Details
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Product Type
- Tour
- Venues
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- Rialto Bridge
- Rialto Neighborhood
- San Marco Neighborhood
- San Polo Neighborhood
Photos & Highlights
- Visit neighborhood bars and restaurants that are favorites of the locals to truly experience the aperitivo hour like a Venetian
- Taste several distinctly Venetian types of Spritz to discover your new favorite, and raise a glass with your travel companions as the sun sets on a perfect evening in Venice
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Tour Description
Did you know that Venice has its own version of the Aperol, used in the Select Spritz? Relax and enjoy the vivid, vibrant flavors of this iconic Venetian cocktail, along with a classic Bellini and sparkling prosecco, each paired with small bites. Prepare to be ushered into the true Venetian aperitivo experience, rubbing shoulders with the locals as you sip and savor the flavors of each aperitif along the way.
Begin your aperitivo experience with the stunning backdrop of Piazza San Marco, then walk to the vibrant area surrounding the Rialto Bridge. Enjoy a Bellini served with a cicchetto of baccalà mantecato, as you taste your way through Venice with your expert guide.
Next, stop into a traditional Venetian bacaro, a local haunt brimming with atmosphere. Raise a glass of prosecco, known here as ombra, and nibble on cicchetti -the Venetian answer to tapas-, while you learn about the different types of cicchetti and their origins from your expert.
Lastly, you will sample four different varieties of Spritz, each made with a different amaro, or bitter liqueur. You will learn about the nuance of flavors as you sample each alongside a delectable charcuterie plate.
Finally, relax into your chair as the sun sets. Raise a final glass together, reflecting on your insider’s experience of the Venetian aperitivo hour. From here, the city unfolds before you. Armed with the knowledge of the city’s best spots for enjoying a drink or sharing a bite with friends, you’re ready to experience Venice like the locals do.
- Clinking glasses, sharing bites, and reveling in the magic of stunning Venetian scenery is your definition of a memory-making experience.
- You’d like to taste the flavors of Venice, indulging in Venetian specialties that can’t be found outside the city, like baccalà mantecato and Select spritz.
- You want to experience aperitivo hour like a true Venetian, visiting off-the-beaten-path bars where the locals go and skipping the tourist traps that dot the streets of Venice.
- Rialto Neighborhood and Market Area
- San Marco Neighborhood
- San Polo Neighborhood
- Bellinis - a cocktail first created in Venice, as well as prosecco and multiple varieties of amari.
- Baccalà mantecato - a signature Venetian cod dish that came from the survivors of a shipwrecked crew in 1431
- Charcuterie and cicchetti - to go along with your aperitivo stops
- These tastings can replace a meal. You may find a gelato or small snack at the end of your Venice food tour, which will round off your experience nicely.
- We are taking you to local establishments that are often family-run; hours and availability may vary.
- Dietary restrictions should be shared in advance in order to possibly adapt the tour. We don’t recommend this tour for non-drinkers or children.
Additional Trip-Planning Resources
- A few things that pair well with this tour:
- A little pre-trip prep: Food in Venice: Top Tips of Where to Go, What to Eat, and How to Order
- A pre-cocktail dive into the art, architecture, and character of the neighborhood on the Cannaregio Neighborhood Tour.
- Light, linen pants, and a carefree approach to la dolce vita
- Your best group of friends or family
I have dietary restrictions. Can I take this tour?
We will do our best to accommodate you if you are on a group tour by ordering appropriate items. Taking a private tour would allow us to tailor even more fully to your needs. Please note that if you have severe allergies, we cannot guarantee that the foods prepared in restaurant kitchens will not be subject to cross-contamination.
What does my tasting fee cover?
Your tasting fee covers drinks and snacks at three venues. This usually consists of a Bellini cocktail, a glass of prosecco or local wine, and a spritz with tastings of varieties of amari liqueur. There will also be cicchetti (small snacks to accompany your drinks) and mineral water to cleanse your palate.
This walk takes place around dinner time. Will the tastings be enough for dinner?
This walk takes place around dinner time. Will the tastings be enough for dinner?
There are various food tastings along with and complementary to the drinks we taste on this Aperitivo walk. Many guests find the tastings filling enough, although some will stop into a nearby cafe afterward for a small bite or a gelato.
I'll be going to Milan after my time in Venice. Do you have any cocktail tours there?
In Milan, you may like our tour Navigli by Night: Milan Aperitivo Tour
We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.
Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?
This tour has a light to moderate amount of walking, and we will be crossing many bridges along our route. Some of our stops are located along narrow cobblestone streets, which can be difficult for wheelchair users to navigate. Not all bars and restaurants have an accessible entrance or facilities.
Please notify us of any accessibility issues so we can adapt our tour stops accordingly.
Where You'll Start
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50 Reviews
Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.
Wendy and I spent a sweet, sublime afternoon in early April strolling through the calm and quiet back and side streets of Venice with the wonderful Rachel Erdman. We sipped aperitivi and nibbled scrumptious little bites in a half dozen or so venerable wine bars (one in operation since the 1460s). Rachel was a font of information and hilarious good cheer. The food was delicious and plentiful (you probably won't need a meal after your tour ends.) And oh, yes, the afternoon manages to pack in a wealth of fascinating historical and cultural detail. You'll like you've had a slightly tipsy ramble with an old dear friend through the most beautiful city in the world.
Wendy
Apr 17, 2025
Cecilia was personable, knowledgeable, and had valuable insights into Venetian culture, food, and wine. She shared the authentic side of Venice that can only be imparted by someone whose family has lived in the area for generations. We were able to access delicious establishments that only someone with inside access would frequent. This was the highlight of our visit to Venice! Gracie Cecilia!
Debra
Mar 16, 2025
Awesome experience! We loved having Cecilia tell us about the food and culture of Venice!
Cory
Sep 23, 2024
