Why a Food Tour Is the Best Way to See Venice

I’ve been to Venice several times now, and it’s one of those cities I don’t think I’ll ever tire of visiting. There’s always another little street to wander down, another canal to cross and another corner that makes you stop for a moment and take it all in. As with every city, one of the main reasons I travel is to TASTE another place. One of my favourite ways to experience Venice isn’t just by sightseeing, it’s by eating my way around the city.

I’ve done the LivTours Venice Food & Wine Tour before, and I enjoyed it so much that it was an experience worth revisiting. As much as I love seeing the famous sights, I think there’s something really special about discovering a place through its food, especially when you have a local guide to show you things you might otherwise walk straight past.

From the bustling Rialto Fish Market to traditional Venetian bars and a little gondola ride across the canal, this tour offers a different way to experience a city that has so much more to it than its picture postcard views.

Seeing a different side of a city I already know

When you’ve visited somewhere several times, it’s tempting to think you’ve already seen most of what it has to offer. You know the famous landmarks, you’ve wandered around the main streets and you’ve probably taken more photographs of the canals than you could ever need. However, I think there’s always something new to discover, and that’s one of the reasons I love experiences like food tours.

Venice is beautiful, of course, but it’s also a living, breathing city with its own traditions, food culture and everyday routines. Taking the time to explore those things gives you a different perspective.

Our tour began at the Rialto Fish Market, one of the oldest markets in Venice. It’s a lively place, filled with fresh fish and seafood, and offers a glimpse into a side of Venetian life that can be easy to miss when you’re busy visiting the main attractions.Having a local guide explain the history of the market and its importance to the city made the experience even more interesting. Our guide was on hand to answer any questions, translate all of the names of fish and bring this place to life. We learnt about fish caught locally in the lagoon and also how they cook them. It’s one thing to wander around somewhere and admire what you see, but it’s another to understand a little more about the people and traditions behind it.

A small group makes all the difference

One of the things I really like about the LivTours experience is that the group is limited to six people.

Venice (like any major city) can get incredibly busy, particularly around the most popular sights, and its narrow streets aren’t always the easiest places to navigate in a large group. A smaller tour feels much more personal. There’s more opportunity to chat with your guide, ask questions and take in what’s happening around you without feeling as though you’re being hurried along. Our guide shared stories about Venetian culture and food as we walked, helping bring the city to life in a way that you don’t necessarily get from exploring alone.

I also think it’s a lovely way to discover places you might not have thought to visit. When you’re wandering around by yourself, you can easily end up following the crowds or sticking to the routes you already know. Having someone local lead the way opens up the experience a little more.

Discovering Venetian cicchetti

Now, let’s get to the food!

One of the main highlights of the tour is discovering Venice’s cicchetti culture. If you’re unfamiliar with cicchetti, they’re traditional Venetian snacks, usually served in small portions and enjoyed with a drink in one of the city’s local bars, known as bacari. Our guide compared it to Tapas, and I like that they have their own version.

Think little bites of fish, vegetables and other local specialities, accompanied by a glass of wine or prosecco. It’s a wonderfully relaxed way of eating, and I love the idea of stopping at different places, trying a few things and enjoying the atmosphere rather than sitting down for one big meal.

As part of the tour, you visit three different cicchetti bars, each with its own character and feel. It’s a great way to sample Venetian food while exploring different parts of the city.

Oh and if you’re wondering…my favourite stop? Cantina Do Mori.

Cantina Do Mori: a little step back in time

Of all the places we visited, Cantina Do Mori really stayed with me.

There’s something about this place that feels as though you’ve stepped straight back in time. It’s all wood, from the dark wooden interiors to the wonderfully old fashioned atmosphere, and it has so much character. You can almost smell the history.

It’s the sort of place that makes you want to slow down and look around properly, taking in all the little details rather than simply popping in for a drink and moving on. It feels wonderfully old world, with a sense of history that you just can’t manufacture.

Venice has no shortage of beautiful places, but it’s these characterful little spots that can make a visit feel particularly memorable. I think I could happily spend time exploring places like Cantina Do Mori, soaking up the atmosphere and imagining all the people who have passed through its doors over the years.

It’s also a lovely reminder that some of the best travel experiences aren’t necessarily the big, expensive attractions. Sometimes they’re found in a small bar tucked away among the winding streets, with a glass of something lovely and a little taste of local life.

A little prosecco or wine, a few snacks and plenty of atmosphere

The cicchetti stops are a big part of what makes this tour so enjoyable. You’ll stop in a few different locations sampling wine/prosecco and some different snacks. Your guide will talk you through each of them and why that particular wine is there.

Along the way, you get to sample traditional Venetian snacks and enjoy a glass of local prosecco while learning more about the city’s food culture and because you’re stopping at several bars rather than just one restaurant, you get a little variety along the way.

What about dietary requirements?

This is something I particularly wanted to mention because I don’t eat red meat anymore, and I know that trying a destination’s local food can sometimes feel a little tricky when you have dietary requirements.

Thankfully, LivTours accommodated my needs, which meant I could enjoy the experience without worrying about whether there would be suitable things for me to eat. I really appreciated that. When you’re travelling, the last thing you want is to feel awkward about explaining what you can and can’t eat, especially when you’re joining a group experience.

Venetian food offers plenty to explore beyond red meat, for example they have a huge seafood and vegetable based rota, so there are lovely options to discover.

If you have dietary requirements of your own, I’d recommend mentioning them when booking. LivTours allows you to add your food requirements to the additional notes, giving them the opportunity to accommodate you.

Crossing the canal in a gondolino

Just when you think you’ve had a lovely few hours exploring Venice, there’s another little experience thrown in.

As part of the tour, you cross the canal on a gondolino, a type of gondola used to get from one side to the other. Think of your usual gondola but this fits more people and is operated by two.

It’s a simple crossing, but somehow it feels rather special when you’re in Venice. There’s something about being on the water, surrounded by the city’s beautiful buildings, that never really loses its charm.I love that the tour incorporates this into the experience rather than simply taking you from one food stop to the next on foot. It adds another little glimpse into the way Venice works, where waterways are such an important part of everyday life.

After this delightful crossing, of course, there’s dessert.

Depending on the weather, you’ll finish with gelato or a warming hot chocolate. It’s a lovely way to round things off after an afternoon of exploring and tasting your way around the city.

Why I think a food tour is one of the best ways to explore Venice

I’ve been to Venice many times, but experiences like this give me another reason to fall in love with the city all over again. They encourage you to slow down, look beyond the obvious sights and appreciate the little details that make a place unique.

The LivTours Venice Food & Wine Tour includes the Rialto Fish Market, three cicchetti stops, wine and prosecco, a gondolino crossing and a sweet treat to finish. With a small group and a local guide, it feels like a lovely combination of sightseeing, food and cultural discovery.

Whether you’re visiting Venice for the first time or returning for another trip, I’d definitely recommend considering a food tour as part of your itinerary.

My final thoughts

Venice is one of those destinations where it’s easy to get caught up in the beauty of the canals, bridges and famous landmarks. And rightly so, because it really is a special place.

From the atmosphere of the Rialto Fish Market to the traditional cicchetti bars, it offers a glimpse into the city’s history and food culture that goes beyond simply looking at the sights.

The fact that I’ve enjoyed the tour more than once says a lot. Even in a city I’ve visited many times, there’s still something wonderful about discovering it through its food and the stories of the people who know it best.

So, if you’re planning a trip to Venice, make a little room in your itinerary for a food tour. Go with an appetite, take your time, ask questions and enjoy the chance to see another side of this beautiful city.

*ad: This food tour was a pr experience, but all words and opinions are my own.