Venice Attractions

Venue: Rialto Bridge    When: Daily; not Sun

Venice welcomes a staggering 20 million tourists every year. So where does the food come from to feed them all? Look no further than the bustling early-morning Rialto market.

Rialto has been supplying the city's food for centuries. In its heyday it also served as one of Europe's leading commercial centres for cloth, cotton, cereals, gold and silver. Barges sneak in at daybreak, brimming with fresh vegetables and seafood. By 8am porters, vendors and wholesalers are out in full force, buying and selling the food in time for lunch.

The market also provides a good alternative for visitors who do not want to pay extortionate prices in the city's restaurants.