Bacaro Tour in Venice: walk, eat and drink in Venice

Discover the Bacaro Tour in Venice, a perfect blend of a leisurely walk and a local food experience, priced at $131.98 per person. This 2-hour guided tour takes you through less touristy corners of Venice, focusing on authentic Venetian life rather than crowded spots. Led by a knowledgeable guide, the tour offers tastings of wine or soft drinks, cicchetti at two bacari, and a delicious homemade ice cream (summer) or traditional dessert. The small group size of up to 8 travelers ensures intimacy and personalized attention.

What really makes this tour stand out is its focus on Venetian culture and hidden gems. It’s ideal for those who want to enjoy delicious food and drinks while discovering less touristy parts of the city. The tour begins at Campo San Bortolomio and finishes close to the Venice railway station and the Rialto Bridge, making it easy to incorporate into a day of sightseeing or other activities.

While the tour offers rich insights into Venice’s stories, anecdotes, and architecture, it’s important to note that weather conditions influence the experience, and cancellations due to poor weather are fully refundable if needed. This experience provides a well-rounded glimpse of Venice’s local life, perfect for food lovers and curious explorers.

Key Points

• Authentic Venice experience in a small, intimate group with up to 8 participants
• Visit 2 bacari to taste local cicchetti and wine or soft drinks
• Includes a dessert or homemade ice cream in summer, highlighting Venetian sweets
• Exploration of lesser-known areas such as unique bridges, courtyards, and streets with stories to tell
• Duration of approximately 2 hours, ideal for a relaxed, informative outing
• Convenient meeting and ending points, close to major transport hubs and attractions

Start in Venice’s Hidden Corners at Campo San Bortolomio

The tour kicks off at Campo San Bortolomio, offering a chance to see Venice beyond the typical tourist spots. Here, the guide introduces you to the city’s more intimate, less crowded neighborhoods, passing through unique bridges and ancient buildings that seem suspended between different eras. The focus is on showing the authentic character of Venice, away from the busy main streets.

This initial stroll lasts about 15 minutes and is free of charge, giving a gentle introduction to the city’s ambiance. It’s a chance to get familiar with Venice’s narrow streets and secret courtyards, setting the tone for the more flavorful moments ahead.

Exploring Ponte de Chiodo – A Bridge Like No Other

One of the stops is at Ponte de Chiodo, a unique bridge that captures attention due to its distinctive features. This 5-minute visit is included in the tour, and it offers a chance to appreciate a Venetian bridge that’s different from the many famous ones. The guide shares insights about its history and architecture, making the stop more than just a photo opportunity.

This out-of-the-ordinary bridge exemplifies Venice’s quirky charm and timeless appeal. It’s a small, yet memorable part of the tour, highlighting the city’s hidden architectural treasures.

Wandering Through Calle Varisco – Venice’s Typical Street

Next, the tour takes you onto Calle Varisco, a classic Venetian calle (alley) known for its authentic atmosphere. Here, you get a chance to see local life unfold in a less touristy setting. The 5-minute walk allows the guide to share stories about Venetian neighborhoods, daily life, and how the city’s architecture blends history with modernity.

Strolling along Calle Varisco, you’ll observe buildings out of time and hidden corners that many visitors overlook. It’s a perfect way to immerse yourself in the everyday charm of Venice.

Visiting Two Bacari for Food and Drink Tastings

The core of this tour revolves around two visits to bacari (Venetian wine bars). At each, you’ll sample a glass of wine or a soft drink paired with a cicchetto (Venetian tapas). The guide explains the local culinary customs, making each tasting both delicious and informative.

The cicchetto tastings showcase Venice’s casual yet flavorful approach to food, giving insights into local eating habits. The wine selection is praised for being very nice, adding a relaxed, convivial element to the experience.

Indulging in Homemade Ice Cream or Traditional Dessert

The tour’s final stop offers a delicious treat: a homemade ice cream (particularly popular in summer) or a typical Venetian dessert. This sweet ending provides a refreshing or comforting conclusion to the culinary journey.

This dessert experience emphasizes Venice’s sweet side, often overlooked in favor of its architecture, but equally integral to the local culture.

Discovering Venice’s Stories and Anecdotes

Throughout the tour, the guide shares curiosities and anecdotes about the city’s history, architecture, and legends. These stories help bring Venice to life, adding context and personality to the hidden corners and food tastings.

The emphasis on less touristy areas means you get a more genuine and personal perspective of Venice, making the tour both informative and engaging.

Practical Information: Meeting Points and Accessibility

This mobile ticket tour starts at Campo San Bortolomio and ends at Calle de l’Anconeta, within 15 minutes’ walk of the Rialto Bridge and 400 meters from Venice railway station. The tour operates with confirmation upon booking and is accessible to most travelers.

Service animals are allowed, and the tour is suitable for most travelers. Note that on certain dates, visitors from outside Venice may need to pay a €5 access fee, so it’s worth checking details if arriving from elsewhere.

Weather Considerations and Cancellation Policy

Since this experience is weather-dependent, cancellations due to poor weather are fully refundable if notified at least 24 hours in advance. If the weather turns unfavorable, you will be offered a rescheduled date or full refund.

The maximum group size of 8 ensures a personalized experience, allowing ample opportunity for questions and interaction.

Why Choose This Venice Bacaro Tour?

This tour excels in offering an authentic taste of Venice, combining culinary delights with cultural insights. The small group format and local guide ensure a relaxed, personal atmosphere that makes discovering Venice’s hidden streets, bridges, and courtyards more meaningful.

The food and drink tastings are highly praised for their quality, and the narrative style of the guide makes the walk lively and informative. For those wanting a short, relaxed, and tasty introduction to Venice, this tour offers excellent value.

Who Will Love This Experience?

This experience is best suited for food lovers, history enthusiasts, and those interested in authentic Venetian life. It’s ideal for small groups seeking a personalized tour that combines walking, storytelling, and tasting.

Travelers who want to discover Venice beyond the crowds and enjoy local flavors will find this tour particularly rewarding. It’s also perfect for short stays or as a complement to other visits in Venice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this tour suitable for children or people with mobility issues?
Yes, the tour is accessible to most travelers and service animals are allowed, but it involves walking through narrow streets and over bridges, which may be challenging for those with mobility issues.

How long does the tour last?
The tour lasts approximately 2 hours, making it a manageable and relaxed experience.

What is included in the price?
The price covers guiding services, visits to two bacari, tastings of wine or soft drinks, cicchetti, and a dessert or homemade ice cream.

Can I cancel the tour if the weather is bad?
Yes, cancellations due to poor weather are fully refundable if made at least 24 hours in advance.

Where does the tour start and end?
It starts at Campo San Bortolomio and ends at Calle de l’Anconeta, near Strada Nova and within walking distance of the Train Station and Rialto Bridge.

Is this tour available on specific dates or all year round?
Yes, but most travelers book 41 days in advance. Check for local weather conditions and possible access fee if visiting from outside Venice.

What makes this tour stand out from other Venice food tours?
Its focus on less touristy neighborhoods, stories about Venice’s architecture and legends, and a small group size of up to 8 people create a more authentic and intimate experience.

Can I join with a service animal?
Yes, service animals are allowed on this tour.

Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?
Visitors staying outside Venice might need to pay a €5 access fee on certain dates, so check local details before booking.

Is there a guide or host for this experience?
Yes, a knowledgeable guide leads the tour, sharing stories, anecdotes, and insights throughout the walk.

This Bacaro Tour in Venice offers a delightful mix of culinary tasting, storytelling, and discovery. It suits travelers who want to experience Venice’s authentic side while enjoying local flavors and hidden sights in a relaxed, friendly setting.