Mercato di Rialto: The Rialto Fish Market in Venice

You’ve taken the obligatory photographs. The view of the Grand Canal in Venice from the top of the Rialto Bridge is certainly a classic sight.

You’ve meandered your way past the Mercato Turistico with souvenir stalls selling anything from Venetian masks to Murano glass jewellery. The Rialto Mercato di Frutta e Verdura, or produce market has lured you with a colourful array of fruit and vegetables you don’t find at home. Now you find yourself face to face with an exotic fish.

This is the Mercato del Pesce, or the Fish Market. Located along the Grand Canal just behind the Rialto Bridge, it is dubbed as Cuore della Città, or the heart of the city.

Through the arched entrances, the market is buzzing with life.

There are tiny eyes staring at you,

and yawning shells with shy scallops or cappesante.

Fish are pouting beside a giant octopus,

one that is almost throbbing with life.

Little crabs, or masanette, are eager to crawl out of their basin.

Crab claws make friends with a lonely fish.

Venetians are set about their daily lives and the merchants do not mind the odd inquisitive visitor with a camera.

They call their John Dory fish S. Pietro.

Whelks are sold by the bagful,

while the shrimps await their turn.

The range of calamari and squid is enticing,

as are the red-tinged barbounia you find in the Mediterranean.

According to a recent report, the Rialto Fish market is in danger of being closed. So if you’re planning a trip to Venice, take the opportunity to visit this historical market before it is relocated.

The Rialto Fish Market Useful Information

• Mercato del Pesce, or fish market, is located along the Grand Canal just behind the Rialto Bridge.
• Mercato di Frutta e Verdura, or produce market, is located adjacent to the food markets.
• You can access it from the vaporetto stop, Rialto Mercato.
• You can also reach it from the Rialto vaporetto stop by crossing the canal over the Rialto Bridge.
• The best time to visit is very early in the morning or before lunch.
• The markets are open Tuesday to Saturday.