Venice Aperitivo Tour - Led By a Sommelier - Context Tours

Tour Details

Duration: 3 hours
Product Type: Tour
Venues: Rialto Bridge

Rialto Neighborhood

Cannaregio Neighborhood

Photos & Highlights

Visit neighborhood bars and restaurants that are favorites of the locals to truly experience the aperitivo hour like a Venetian
Create your perfect spritz with a flight of amari variations and raise a glass with your travel companions as the sun sets on a perfect evening in Venice.

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Tour Description

Did you know that Venice has its own version of the Aperol, the Select Spritz? Relax and enjoy the vivid, vibrant flavors of this iconic Venetian cocktail, along with a classic Bellini and sparkling prosecco, each paired with small bites. Prepare to be ushered into the true Venetian aperitivo experience, rubbing shoulders with the locals as you sip and savor the flavors of each aperitif along the way.

Begin with rooftop views of the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, and Rialto Market before moving into a stunning courtyard to enjoy a Bellini served with piedini di baccalà mantecato (cod skewers) and polenta. As one of only two bars in the city to offer this regional treat, you’ll be experiencing unique Venetian culture through a local dish that many tourists never taste.

Next, stop into a traditional Venetian bacaro, a local haunt brimming with atmosphere. Raise a glass of prosecco, known here as ombra, and nibble on a panino while learning about the history of cicchetti, the Venetian answer to tapas.

Finally, sample four different varieties of amari in a spritz flight. Learn about the nuance of flavors as you sample each alongside a delectable charcuterie plate.

Finally, relax into your chair as the sun sets. Raise a final glass together, reflecting on your insider’s experience of the Venetian aperitivo hour. From here, the city unfolds before you. Armed with the knowledge of the city’s best spots for enjoying a drink or sharing a bite with friends, you’re ready to experience Venice like the locals do.

Experts

Local Guide

Local Guide

Local Guide

Sommelier

Sommelier

Food Writer

Clinking glasses, sharing bites, and reveling in the magic of stunning Venetian scenery is your definition of a memory-making experience.
You’d like to taste the flavors of Venice, indulging in Venetian specialties that can’t be found outside the city, like baccalà mantecato and Select spritz.
You want to experience aperitivo hour like a true Venetian, visiting off-the-beaten-path bars where the locals go and skipping the tourist traps that dot the streets of Venice.

Rialto Neighborhood
Cannaregio Neighborhood

Bellinis, a cocktail first created in Venice, as well as prosecco and multiple varieties of amari.
Baccalà mantecato, a signature Venetian cod dish that came from the survivors of a shipwrecked crew in 1431
Charcuterie and cicchetti to go along with your aperitivo stops
These tastings can replace a meal. You may find a gelato or small snack at the end of your tour will round off your experience nicely.
We are taking you to local establishments that are often family-run, hours and availability may vary.
Dietary restrictions should be shared in advance in order to possibly adapt the tour. We don’t recommend this tour for non-drinkers or children.

Additional Trip-Planning Resources

A few things that pair well with this tour:
- A little pre-trip prep: Food in Venice: Top Tips of Where to Go, What to Eat, and How to Order
- A pre-cocktail dive into the art, architecture, and character of the neighborhood on the Cannaregio Neighborhood Tour.
- Light, linen pants, and a carefree approach to la dolce vita
- Your best group of friends

This walk takes place around dinner time. Will the tastings be enough for dinner?

There are various food tastings along with and complimentary to the drinks we taste on this Aperitivo walk. Many guests find the tastings filling enough, although some will stop into a nearby cafe afterward for a small bite or a gelato.

I'll be going to Milan after my time in Venice. Do you have any cocktail tours there?

In Milan, you may like our tour Navigli by Night: Milan Aperitivo Tour

I have dietary restrictions. Can I take this tour?

We will do our best to accommodate you if you are on a group tour by ordering appropriate items. Taking a private tour would allow us to tailor even more fully to your needs. Please note that if you have severe allergies we cannot guarantee that the foods prepared in restaurant kitchens will not be subject to cross-contamination.

What does my tasting fee cover?

Your tasting fee covers drinks and snacks at three venues. This usually consists of a Bellini cocktail, a glass of prosecco or local wine, and a spritz with tastings of varieties of amari liqueur. There will also be cicchetti (small snacks to accompany your drinks) and mineral water to cleanse your palate.

We understand that some of our valued guests may have mobility concerns, and we want to ensure you have a comfortable and enjoyable experience throughout your tour. If there are any accessibility concerns that your tour guide will need to be aware of, please let our team know at the time of booking.

Is this tour wheelchair-friendly?

This tour is not walking intensive, but it does begin on a rooftop and many of our stops are located along narrow cobblestone streets which can be difficult for wheelchair users to navigate. Not all bars and restaurants have an accessible entrance.

Please notify us of any accessibility issues so we can adapt tour stops accordingly.