The 9 Private Market Tours in Italy That Earn Their Price

1.Private Secret Venice Tour; Rialto Market, San Polo & Food and Wine tasting

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 220 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $257Our pick

Start at Campo San Bartolomeo with a guide such as Cristina, Barbara, or Frederica, then explore Rialto Market, San Polo, T Fondaco dei Tedeschi, and the Grand Canal. Finish with wine and cicchetti at an osteria. The tour lasts about two hours and runs in English.

“Christina, was outstanding. One of the best tours ever. Would have missed so much had we not taken her tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

2.Rialto Market Tour & Private Cooking Class in the Heart of Venice

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 106 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $149Top rated

Spend about four hours with Massimo, a Venetian host, chef, and Merchant Navy officer. Add a guided Rialto Market visit to shop for seafood, then make pasta and focaccia in his historic San Marco home. Choose lunch or dinner, with wine, prosecco, and dietary adjustments available.

“We met Massimo & did a short walk to his home. We learned a lot about Venice & his background while we made pasta. He had prepared some delicious sides in advance and we enjoyed the conversation. Will be bringing these recipes home to enjoy!”

Check availability →Read our full review

3.Private Venice Food Tour with Rialto Market Visit

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 103 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $361

Follow a private English-speaking guide through Venice’s Rialto district for cicchetti, baccalà, seafood, cheese, seasonal fruit, spritz, risotto, wine, and tiramisu. You’ll visit family-run food spots, see the Rialto Fish Market, and cross the Grand Canal by gondola traghetto.

“What a wonderful experience! Not only did we eat delicious food we also learnt about the history a Venice and architecture! I highly recommend this tour.”

Check availability →Read our full review

4.Private Bologna Food & Market Tour with 6 Tastings & Wine

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 102 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $405

Explore Bologna’s Quadrilatero with a private foodie guide, tasting Parmigiano Reggiano, handmade pasta, Parma ham, Mortadella, Modena balsamic, gelato, wine, coffee, and a secret dish. The tour begins near Via Zamboni and ends in Piazza Santo Stefano.

“Caterina was a brilliant guide, highly recommended . Lovely insight into Bologna history and cuisine”

Check availability →Read our full review

5.Semi-Private Venice Market and Cicchetti Food Experience

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 62 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $179

Start at San Giacomo di Rialto at 11 a.m. with an English-speaking guide and a six-person maximum. Visit the Rialto Fish Market, taste cicchetti and Prosecco at three stops, finish with gelato, and cross a canal by gondolino. Guide Giulia may add especially personal local insight.

“Giulia was an amazing tour guide as we saw Venice and experienced the food and culture through her native eyes. The parts of Venice she was able to show us were the best because they were truly authentic, as she lives the culture every day. Seeing Venice through her eyes was a unique experience to capture the delicious foods, beauty of Venice and way of life in this beautiful city. Giulia was kind, friendly, and extremely knowledgeable in the rich history she shared as well as favorite culinary foods and stops along the tour that are true hidden treasures of Venice. If you are planning a trip to Venice, this…”

Check availability →Read our full review

6.Private Tour – Museum of the Imperial Forums in the Trajan Markets

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 37 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $137Best value

Spend about two hours with a private English-speaking guide at Trajan Markets and the Museum of the Imperial Forums. You will study archaeological finds, trace how this central Roman area changed, and get personal guidance from experts such as Vincenzo or Martina. Tickets are included, but you must leave bags in the checkroom.

“Vincenzo really made this tour come alive! We had the best time with him and it’s an experience. We will never forget. I highly recommend this tour, especially for those who have been to Rome a few times and have seen most of the more famous sites.”

Check availability →Read our full review

7.Private Cooking Class with Market Shopping Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $293

Spend five hours exploring Mercato Trionfale near the Vatican, then prepare handmade pasta or pizza at Cantina del Duca with a professional chef. Antoinette may lead the market visit and tailor recipes to your skill level. Hotel pickup, lunch, wine, and return transport are included.

“What a beautiful tour we had! Antoinette was absolutely wonderful. She immediately found out our cooking skill levels, asked if there was anything in particular we wanted to learn about and together we discussed what dishes would be fun to make. She suggested some of her personal favorite easy to make at home recipes and they were perfect!! As we walked through the market Antoinette took the time to show us how to determine the best quality items and price points. As someone who loves to cook and learn about our food this was wonderful. Then the recipe creations were fun, knowledgeable and even got my hubby cooking (which never…”

Check availability →Read our full review

8.Market tour and Private Cooking Class in Rome with roman chef

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $218

Meet Chef Matteo at Mercato Esquilino, shop for fresh ingredients, then cook at his school in a private class for up to three people. You’ll make ravioli, cacio e pepe, tomato sauce, and tiramisu, with wine, a chef’s kit, recipes, and a certificate included.

“My family and I had the most amazing experience today with chef Matteo at his cooking school. Started out with shopping at the largest market in Rome for the ingredients. Made 2 types of pasta and tiramisu. And can’t forget about the wine. Also received the hat and apron as a souvenir. This was a High light of our trip.”

Check availability →Read our full review

9.Trajan’s Markets & Imperial Forums Private Tour with Special Pass & PhD Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 2 reviews · from $334

You’ll tour Trajan’s Market, Trajan’s Column, and three Imperial Forums with a licensed PhD guide. The private format keeps the pace personal, while the Forum Pass saves time at the entrance. Meet near public transport at 9:30 am.

“The guide was very knowledgeable, personable and made the expert a living history lesson. Highly recommend.”

Check availability →Read our full review