bacaro tour maps

What Is A Bacaro? + A Local’s Self Guided Bacaro Tour Itinerary

Last updated on December 28th, 2023

Chances are that if you have looked into coming to Venice you have come across the term bacaro or even seen others talking about or offering a bacaro tour.

If you are wondering what a bacaro and a bacaro tour are, you are in the right place. And if you already are a pro and are ready to take the leap to a self-guided bacaro tour in Venice, stay with me. 

After traveling to Venice for years and eating a heck of a lot of cicchetti at the most famous bacari in Venice, I have come down to the absolute best self-guided bacaro tour itinerary to follow as a foreign traveler to Venice.

Seeing Venice through the lens of their unique culinary traditions is one of the most authentic and fun ways to learn about this magical city. 

In this article, I will explain:

• What a bacaro is, and how to pronounce it
• What bacaro tours consist of, and why you should go on one
• My self-guided bacaro tour itinerary
• Tips for having the best experience on a bacaro tour
• Alternatives to a self-guided bacaro tour

Jump to Section

What Is A Bacaro?

So what is a bacaro?

A bacaro, pronounced bah-cah-roh in Italian, is a Venetian bar serving alcoholic beverages and small snacks known as cicchetti . 

Listen to the pronunciation of bacaro here:

A bacaro is a place of gathering for Venetians throughout the day to catch up, take a break and dampen their hunger. 

Bacari usually open in the morning and close later in the evening or even late at night, breaking all rules of other Italian eateries , which hold specific hours in relation to eating times . 

What Are Cicchetti?: To learn more about cicchetti , read What are Cicchetti?

At a bacaro , Italians will take a break with a small glass of wine known as an ombra and a small nibble known as a cicchetto (or two!). This happens at any time of the day from early in the morning when fishermen are just finishing their daily catch to early into the evening when younger crowds come out for an aperitivo .

The atmosphere of a bacaro is casual while providing an intimate and authentic culinary experience.

Eating cicchetti and drinking wine at bacari is a fast affair, something quick, that perhaps lasts no more than 20 minutes (generally speaking). It can also be like downing an espresso at an Italian bar at the counter – quick and satisfying. 

Spending time at a bacaro as a local can be longer as you linger, bump into comers and goers and not purposefully end up with three glasses of wine instead of one! 

What Is A Bacaro Tour?

A bacaro tour is the idea of making a whole evening of eating cicchetti and drinking by hopping from one bacaro to the next, tasting small nibbles and trying different wines all the while meeting new people, chatting to locals and catching up with old friends. 

Venetians may do this with friends or just do it on their own, making time to chit chat with other locals doing the same. 

Many people compare a bacaro tour to a pub crawl (in fact, some people call it a bacaro crawl), spending the evening trying different venues, foods and wine. In fact, you might even hear a bacaro tour called a bacaro crawl. 

Usually, a bacaro tour will take place over the course of a couple of hours and may include 5-7 bacari . You may or may not travel to different sestieri or districts in Venice, depending on where you are and how comfortable you are with walking longer distances. 

Where Is A Bacaro Tour In Venice?

So where are you going in Venice on your bacaro tour, you ask? That depends on where you are. 

In my self-guided itinerary below, I have covered ground in San Polo and San Marco, where the best cicchetti bars are. Below are the top neighborhoods to visit with my bacari recommendation should you have time for further exploration of these neighborhoods:

• Cannaregio: Check out El Sbarlefo 
• Santa Croce: Check out Bacareto da Lele
• Dorsoduro: Check out Panini and Vini Da Babbo or Cantina del Vino già Schiavi
• Castello: Check out Osteria alla Scuela or Basegò

More Cicchetti: To learn about the best places to eat cicchetti in Venice read Best Cicchetti in Venice.

Why Go On A Bacaro Tour?

Taking yourself on a bacaro tour is one of the best ways to experience Venice from a local, authentic perspective. You will find yourself elbow to elbow with Venetian locals, students and international travelers hoping for the same experience.

After visiting the best bacari in Venice and eating the absolute best cicchetti on the Venice food scene, it has remained one of my favorite ways to see the city and share my love for it with my friends and family.

My top 10 reasons for going on a bacaro tour:

• Best way to try an array of traditional Venetian food without breaking the bank
• Best way to try an array of local Venetian wines
• Affordable ( cicchetto cost €2-5 each and ombra €2-7)
• Meet new people
• You can do it on you own without a guide
• You can do it at anytime of the day
• Alternative to a full course meal at a restaurant in Venice
• Break up the main sites and tourist attractions in Venice by working in a bacaro tour into your Venice itinerary. 
• Kid friendly dinner alternative 
• It’s fun! 

Travelers With Special Diets: If you have a special diet or allergy, fear not! There are plenty of cicchetti for gluten-free travelers , vegans and vegetarians .

Self-Guided Bacaro Tour Itinerary

Keep in mind that you can really do this bacaro tour at any time of the day, however, you need to be sure you choose a day in which all the bacari are open. 

I suggest you follow my itinerary for a self-guided bacaro tour on either Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. If you go on one of these days, all the bacari I recommend will be open. 

A bacaro tour can be as short or as long as you like but I usually recommend first time travelers to really take their time and make it a whole event. You can either do the bacaro tour all at once or split your cicchetti and wine up with other top attractions and activities in Venice. It’s up to you!

Below, I will outline my two hour bacaro tour with the best places to eat cicchetti in Venice , including 6 bacari in two neighborhoods.

Since we are on a bacaro tour, I suggest you linger a bit at each location but not too long or you will be out all night! Try and enjoy each bacaro for 20-25 minutes or so, whether this means sitting down or eating your cicchetti standing is up to you. 

Map Of Self-Guided Bacaro Tour In Venice

Stop 1: Bacarando Corte dell’Orso

Sestiere di S. Marco, 5495, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy

Open: Daily

Bacarando Corte dell’Orso is one of the most famous bacari in Venice for a wide array of cicchetti with ample indoor seating. 

They have one of the largest selections of cicchetti in all of Venice including classics such as polenta squares with sarde in saor, larger tortini, savory quiches and a wide selection of seafood skewers.  

Order at the counter and bring your cicchetti to one of the large wooden tables in the next room over. If not, choose to eat and drink standing at the counter or outside on one of their benches. 

Tip: For a longer bacaro tour, think about adding SEPA or Osteria Al Portego (one of my favorite places in Venice for after-dinner drinks ) to your tour before heading over to Osteria Bancogiro. Both are right around the corner from Bacarando Corte dell’Orso, making it easy to swing into without going out of your way. 

Stop 2: Osteria Bancogiro

Campo San Giacometto, Ponte di Rialto

Closed: Monday

Osteria Bancogiro, located just off the Rialto Bridge, has one of the best locations in all of Venice with  tables spilling out on the backside onto Campo Erberia.

The cicchetti they serve are more chic and plated with a modern touch. They are well known for their curried shrimp salad and their raw fish selection. 

Eat your cicchetti standing indoors or outdoors or ask if they have a table on their terrace outside to sit down at for a short time. 

Stop 3: Al Mercà

Campo Bella Vienna, 213, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

Closed: Sunday

Al Mercà is just next door to Osteria Bancogiro next to the Rialto Market , serving up some of the best spritz and cicchetti sandwiches in the area. 

Al Mercà is literally a window on the street with one small bench, catering primarily to locals and nearby fishermen and produce vendors who have just finished their morning at the market (although I have found it to become quite popular with tourists over the years as well). 

Stop 4: Bar All’Arco

S. Polo, 436, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

Closed: Wednesday

Bar All’Arco is arguably the most famous bacaro in all of Venice with just a few tables lining the walls and standing r oom only indoors. 

The selection of cicchetti is traditional but they are always fresh and worth the wait. Their crostini cicchetti are my favorite in the city. 

If you can, sit down at one of the few tables outdoors. I have never been here when a table was free so here’s to trying! 

Stop 5: Cantina Do Spade

San Polo, 859, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

Cantina Do Spade is the most famous bacaro in Venice for fried nibbles including their famed fried meatball.  

Cantina Do Spade is a bacaro but also a restaurant, so there isn’t much space to sit down for cicchetti, just three small tables indoors. If these are occupied (they probably will be), quickly eat your fried meatball and €1 bicchierino of wine at the bar standing or outside. 

Stop 6: Acqua E Mais

Campiello dei Meloni, 1411/1412, 30125 Venezia VE

Acqua E Mais is a favorite bacaro for all sorts of Venetians including students, serving up some of the best seafood cicchetti as well as some of the best takeout in Venice and street food .

Acqua E Mais is tiny with no seating. Plan on sipping your wine and eating your seafood skewers and smoked salmon cicchetti on the street with the crowds. 

Planning Tip: If you happen to be on the other side of town and  you want to start your bacaro tour, feel free to reverse the order. It makes no difference!

Tips For Having The Best Experience On A Bacaro Tour

• When ordering wine, ask for a bicchierino , meaning small glass for just a sip of wine. This is different from a full 6 oz glass of wine. Some bacari will serve this size, some will not. 
• Feel free to order a plate of several cicchetti to share, allowing you to sample several different kinds.
• Try the same kind of cicchetto at different bars. This is my favorite way to analyze the bacari and tell which ones I like the best. I usually do this with baccalà mantecato . Every bar does it slightly differently. Which one do you like best?
• Don’t be afraid to ask for cicchetti on a slice of polenta if you don’t want bread. They often can do this for you (great for gluten-free travelers in Venice .
• Don’t feel obliged to finish your wine. If you take yourself on a bacaro tour and visit up to seven different bacari , it may be too much alcohol for you. No one will shame you for not finishing.

Alternatives To A Self-Guided Bacaro Tour

While heading out on a self-guided bacaro tour is easy, I am completely sympathetic with travelers who don’t want to think about getting from place to place, especially if you have been touring all day and your brain has turned to jelly. 

Alternatively, you can opt to sign up for a guided bacaro tour offered by local guides in Venice. If you fall into this category and want a guided bacaro tour, consider the following tours.

Foodie Travel: Are you interested in planning an itinerary revolving around eating in Venice? Read 24 Hours in Venice and 48 Hours in Venice .

Venice bound? Get prepared with all of our Venice posts: 20+ Must-Try Foods And Drinks In Venice – And My Favorite Places To Eat Them What Are Cicchetti? + Where To Eat Them In Venice What Is A Bacaro? + A Local’s Self Guided Bacaro Tour Itinerary My Favorite Cicchetti In Venice – The 10 Best Bacari To Try Best Restaurants in Venice + Nearest Cicchetti Stops Best Gelato In Venice – My Italian Family’s 10 Favorite Gelaterie 7 Food Markets In Venice Worth Your Time Where To Get Coffee In Venice Where To Eat Breakfast In Venice – A Local’s Favorite Breakfast Nooks 10 Amazing Bakeries In Venice – Where to Get Your Pastry On Best Spots In Venice For Aperitivo – My Top Bars & Squares for Pre-Dinner Drinks Dinner On The Water In Venice – My Top 7 Restaurants Best Pizza In Venice – My ‘Don’t Miss’ List My Favorite After Dinner Drink Spots In Venice Shopping at the Rialto Market in Venice – Tips + Printable 5 Street Foods To Try In Venice & Where Eat Them Best Places To Get Takeout In Venice – My Top Picks Where To Eat Before Catching Your Train At The Venice Santa Lucia Train Station My Favorite Food Chains To Try In Venice Eating Gluten-Free In Venice – Restaurants, Cicchetti & Gelato Gluten-Free Cicchetti In Venice – What To Order (& Avoid) and How to Order Eating Vegetarian In Venice – My Top Five Vegetarian Friendly Restaurants + Tips Eating Vegan In Venice, Italy – My Top Five Vegan Friendly Restaurants Eating in Venice While Pregnant 8+ Kid Friendly Restaurants In Venice Best Squares To Eat And Drink With Kids In Venice 24 Hour Food Guide For Venice – A Self Guided Tour For Foodies in Venice Eating Around Venice in 48 hours – 2 Day Venice Itinerary For Foodies 10 Best Food Souvenirs From Venice, Italy + Where I Buy Them

About The Author

Related Posts

How To Cook Pasta Like an Italian – Step-by-Step

Shopping at eataly in italy.

100 Quotes about Italian Food

Traditional Food of Veneto – An Insider’s Guide to Foods You Must Try

• Things to do in Venezia

Museums, Castles, Archaeological Sites...

Typical products, Fashion, Souvenir...

Pizzerias, Restaurants, Street Food, Bakeries...

Discover the wonders of Venezia

Wellness, Cocktail bar, Fun...

• Venice Pass

Discounts, museums and public transport in Venice

• Choose your accommodation

Best hotels in Venezia

Holiday Parks in Venice

Best vacation rentals in Venezia

Book your stay at discounted prices in Venice

• Tips for visiting Venezia

Info, luggage storage, useful numbers...

• Attractions
• Venetianity

Accedi gratis alle principali attrazioni di Venezia ed ottieni sconti nelle migliori attività

• Ingresso gratuito alle principali attrazioni di Venezia
• Trasporti pubblici gratis per tutta Venezia
• Sconti nei migliori Hotel, Ristoranti e Attività commerciali

The Bacaro Tour: a Venetian tradition

One of the best ways to explore Venice as a local, tasting the savory Venetian cicheti (appetisers, in italian "cicchetti") accompanied by the typical ombra di vino (glass of wine), is to have fun going from bacaro to bacaro (a typical Venetian tavern) with your friends, and it is not even expensive at all. The bacaro tour is an alternative and fun way to enjoy the city as a real Venetian. 

Join a local guide to discover Venice secrets ❯

The Bacaro Tour: discovering the bacari

First of all, what it is a bacaro ? To define it simply as a tavern would be somewhat reductive. A bacaro is a typical Venetian tavern , small in size, characterised by simple and rustic furniture, mainly made of wood, where you can enjoy glasses of wine , ombre in Venetian, or of spritz, accompanied by typical Venetian cicheti , that are small snacks of food ranging from fish balls to small stuffed sandwiches.

All cicheti are usually displayed in a glass case near the bar. But what certainly characterises a typical Venetian bacaro is the cosy and familiar atmosphere, the friendliness of the host and the presence of many Venetians that are taking a relaxing break.  

Step off the beaten track and discover hidden Venice ❯

The Bacaro Tour: what do you eat and drink in a bacaro?

Going from bacaro to bacaro certainly means drinking good wine and tasting real delicacies. As it is well known, Veneto is one of the best known Italian regions for the production of its fine wines, and for this reason in Venice you can certainly find excellent wines, even in the bacari , where they usually serve cheaper wines but still DOC (controlled designation of origin) wines. Among the red wines you can find Raboso, Cabernet, Merlot and Bardolino, whereas among the white wines Prosecco, Malvasia, Ribolla Gialla, Soave and Traminer. It is also possible to taste the authentic spritz , a typical Venetian aperitif, made with Prosecco, Aperol or Campari (or both in the case of the spritz misto, mixed), sparkling water or Seltz, a slice of orange and to put the finishing touches the olive. 

Concerning the cicheti , each bacaro offers its own options, so at each stage of your tour you can taste different specialities of the Venetian cuisine , but among the most common ones you can find the sarde in saor (fried fresh sardine fillets marinated in softly cooked white onions), baccalà mantecato (whipped salted cod served on slices of bread or polenta), meatballs, mozzarelle in carrozza (fried mozzarella cheese sandwiches), fried fish, tramezzini  (triangular Italian sandwich constructed from two slices of soft white bread, with the crusts removed) and sandwiches stuffed with cured meats.  

The Bacaro tour: what it is and where you can do it

The Bacaro Tour is the custom of going from bacaro to bacaro , around the sestieri  (districts) of Venice , to enjoy a few glasses of wine or spritz with your friends. Instead of sitting at the same bar for a long time, Venetians prefer performing this itinerant ritual. There is no exact time to go on a bacaro tour, but lunchtime and aperitif time are certainly the two most popular moments of the day. Tourists usually eat a real meal in the bacari , ordering trays of cicheti , but by doing so they miss the true essence of the bacaro tour. 

For those arriving by train at the Santa Lucia station, the first area from where they can begin their tour is the sestiere (district) of Cannaregio , in particular along the Fondamenta   (a street parallel to a canal) dei Ormesini, an area full of bacari . For those arriving instead by car or by bus, you cannot miss the Santa Croce district , an area with well-known bacari, frequented also by young people, especially university students. Another must-go area during your bacaro tour is the sestiere that includes the famous Campo  (square) Santa Margherita, that is Dorsoduro . A final district that deserves to be mentioned is the Castello district , the least tourist area in Venice and therefore full of bacari frequented by locals.

As previously mentioned, the bacaro tour is not expensive at all, the price of a glass of wine ranges from 0.60 cents to 2 euros maximum, while the price of a  cicheto  ranges from 1 to 3 euros . Those who have not yet had the chance to visit Venice will certainly not miss the opportunity to go on a bacaro tour on their first visit, and for those who have already visited it this will certainly be an opportunity to experience the city in a new way. 

Discover the hidden Venice ❯

Discover the best bacari with the Venice Pass

The Venice Pass is the Venice new tourist card with which you can visit most of the sites and museums in Venice free of charge and travel freely by all means of transport. Among the included attractions we can find the Basilica of San Pietro di Castello and the Museum Le Macchine di Leonardo.

In addition, with the pass you can get further discounts on the main tours and at some of the city's most popular historical activities. These include authentic Venetian bacari and cicchetterie. 

Thanks to the useful app you can locate all the activities and attractions included in the Venice Pass on an interactive map, so you can reach them easily. This tourist card will be able to offer you unique experiences, such as taking part in a workshop to create your own handmade Venetian mask, discovering how the famous glass manufactures in Murano are made or taking a tour of the traditional bacari , to experience Venice like a Venetian. 

Discover the Venice Pass ❯

Is Hotel Not Hotel a hotel? Or is it one of Amsterdam’s newest restaurant and bar hot spots? You decide! Autore della citazione

Los Angeles

LA is always so much fun!

La Pizza migliore del mondo

Ti consigliamo

Lascia un commento.

Scopri subito come risparmiare!

A bacaro tour of Venice

[Updated September 2021]

Venice can be a bit of a mystery. I’ve been there countless times, and I still get lost. It can feel like one giant tourist trap in some places, with no authenticity in sight. 

The first time I went to Venice, my friends and I were a bit bewildered by the lack of places to go out at night. We ended up at the same divey pub every night, wondering where all the bars were.

The answer, which I have since discovered, is this: everywhere! You just have to know what they’re called ( bacari ) and where to look for them. 

Read on for all you need to know, and for my bacaro tour of Venice, free map included .

Table of Contents

A few things to know about Venetian bar culture

Like I said, the first time I went to Venice, I wondered where the hell everyone went for a night out. The truth is that Venice has its own unique little bar culture. And by “little bar,” I mean physically little.

These bars are as much a part of the local culture as the rest of the city. Known in Venetian dialect as bacari , they’re sprinkled all over the place, and serve up cocktails, spritz, prosecco, and local wines known as ombra , which only cost about 1 euro. You can get ombra bianca (white) and ombra rossa (red). They’re like house wines, sold by the glass, so if you’re on a budget, ombra is a great option.

Note that some bacari don’t accept large groups or bachelor/bachelorette parties. Venice has a somewhat tense relationship with tourists as it is,  so make sure to be respectful of this rule and others.

Don’t forgetti the cicheti

Another specialty of the bacari are cicheti , which are usually small slices of bread with something on top. There are all sorts of different options – baccalà mantecato (dried salted cod fish with cream or milk), tuna, anchovies, cheeses, vegetables, cold cuts – you name it. Most places also offer meat and veggie balls (eggplant, zucchini, etc.), crocchette (I can’t think of any other way to describe these other than fried logs of mashed potato flecked with prosciutto, but I bet you’re getting a visual despite that unappetizing description), fried baccalà , etc.  Cicheti usually only cost a euro or two, and are the perfect accompaniment to your ombra or spritz.

Fun fact: cicchetti , with two cs and two ts, in standard Italian, refers to shots of alcohol. In Venetian dialect, cicheti  (one c and one t) are the little snacks I described above. You’ll see it written both ways in Veneto, but if you use the term “ cicchetto ” outside of Venice, people might thing you’re talking about a shot. Maybe you want to talk about shots, in which case, you’re welcome. Please send your thank you note with a five-dollar bill enclosed to my PO Box. (PS: you can also say “ uno shot ” or “ uno shottino .”)

It’s always spritz o’clock in Veneto

Let’s talk spritz for a moment. It was invented here in Veneto, but it’s recently garnered fame the world over due to a massive marketing campaign on the part of Campari .

Spritz in Venice usually cost 3 and 4 euro. If you’re paying more than that, you’re probably near Saint Mark’s or the Rialto bridge.

The basic recipe for a spritz is a bitter, prosecco, and a splash of club soda or acqua frizzante . There are lots of varieties of spritz, with the most popular being made with Campari or Aperol.

In Veneto, it’s also common to order a spritz misto , which is Aperol and Campari, plus prosecco and fizzy water. Spirtz Ugo is popular during the summer months, and it’s made with elderflower liqueur, prosecco, mint, and lime. Craving something more simple? Spritz bianco is just prosecco and water. If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also try a spritz Cynar, which is a bitter made from artichokes! Bars in Venice and the surrounding towns also do wild and whacky spritzes, adding juices and different kinds of alcohol.

If you’re outside of Veneto, you might not be able to get the funkier ones, and they might not have the same names for them. I was in Milan once and overheard a guy at the table next to me order a spritz “ mezzo Campari mezzo Aperol .” If you ordered that in Veneto, they’d probably wonder why you didn’t just say “ spritz misto .”

I think Aperol and Campari both taste like cough syrup, so I don’t partake on a regular basis, but I’d say you should definitely try one if you haven’t before and are in the region.

So, if you’re up for a local experience, try my bacaro tour of Venice! Don’t be intimidated, even if you don’t speak Italian. Just point at the cicheti you want and remember to say grazie !

Below you’ll find a list of bacari that local friends have brought me to. They’re all in Cannaregio, which is a residential area of Venice. That means that it’s not packed with tourists, like the city center is.

Pronti? Andiamo!

Luggage and Life’s bacaro tour of venice

Fondamenta dei Ormesini 2754

We’re starting our bacaro tour of Venice on Fondamenta dei Ormesini, a street that’s lined with bacari. You could really do an entire bacaro tour on this strip alone!

Our first stop is Al Timon, which serves up delicious cicheti (not to be confused with tapas, as the sign reads). Grab your snack and drink and sit outside along the canal as you fuel up for stop number two.

Fondamenta dei Ormesini 2684

This place has a classic bacaro feel. Small inside, low ceilings, and food prepped right behind the bar. 

Paradiso Perduto

Fondamenta della Misericordia 2540

Paradiso Perduto (Paradise Lost) is one of Venice’s most famous foodie joints and is known for its food and live music. It’s always packed to the rafters.

Often referred to as a “tavern,” many point out that the interior of Paradiso Perduto is like being in a ship. There are jazz concerts and other live music events weekly.

You can order mixed plates at Paradiso Perduto, for example fritti (fried things), verdure (vegetables) or carne (meat) and all sorts of fish.

The portions are hefty, so keep that in mind when ordering!

Alla Vedova

Ramo Ca’ D’oro 2912

If you say “alla Vedova” to anyone who knows Venetian bacari , they’ll probably reply with “They have great meatballs!” and they are right. 

This one is set back from the main drag a bit in a little alleyway between a McDonald’s and a store called Pylones. It’s worth the detour!

Ai Promessi Sposi

Calle dell’Oca 4367

Tucked around another corner of Cannaregio, Osteria ai Promessi Sposi has a cozy interior and an exterior courtyard.

The name – which means “the betrothed” – might look familiar to anyone who knows Italian literature, but according to their Facebook page, the Osteria is named for its two original owners: a young engaged couple who had to postpone their wedding several times for various reasons.

Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina 5402 

This place is new on my radar, but I’ve warmed to it quickly. Their beautifully displayed  cicheti  quickly made me a fan, and I like the bright decor, too.

Calle de la Malvasia 6014

I never would have found this place unless a friend had brought me there. The first time I saw it, I fell in love. It’s the perfect bacaro – hidden away from the crowds with an outdoor area that’s covered to protect you from Venice’s frequent rains.

Ostaria al Ponte

Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina

When I go to Venice with friends, we spend most of our time here. It’s my favorite, so it’s the perfect place to wrap up our bacaro tour of Venice.

They do nice little taglieri , or meat and cheese boards, the cicheti are great, and the staff are very friendly. What I enjoy most is sitting on the bridge and enjoying a glass of wine with friends as the light on the piazza changes color while the sun sets. 

Miss the map above? Here it is again !

Did you enjoy my bacaro tour of Venice? Let me know in the comments, or share your favorite spot, so I can check it out next time I’m there!

Want more Venice? Check out my post on five unique sights to see !

This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you make a booking or purchase something through one of them, I’ll earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting Luggage and Life!

Similar Posts

How to get to Alonissos, Greece

Two summers ago, I had the chance to visit Alonissos, Greece after a friend invited me, my boyfriend, and another friend to his family’s vacation home there (by “invited” I mean we dropped hints that we wanted to come for several months until said friend invited us). I had never…

Breakfast at Caffè Sicilia in Noto, Sicily

When our trip to Sicily started to materialize, I realized that we were going to be in the proximity of Noto, and I knew I just had to have breakfast at the famous Caffè Sicilia. I asked my travel mates if they’d be willing to go, and they said yes!…

Rome off the beaten path

I thought I’d follow up last week’s walking tour of the eternal city with a post about how to get off the beaten path in Rome. Normally when I go back, I go to all the same places, eat the same meals, and enjoy the memories and nostalgia. This time,…

The best cafés with wifi in Padua

I’ve got coffee on the brain, folks. Probably literally. I’ve needed a lot of it to get myself through the last few weeks, so I wouldn’t be surprised if some has leaked into my cranium and is sloshing around up there. I’ve also got coffee on the brain after reading…

The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea)

The National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rome (Galleria Nazionale d’Arte Moderna e Contemporanea) If you’re looking for an under-the-radar museum to visit in Rome, check out the city’s National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art, located just outside of Villa Borghese. I recently went on a sunny…

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)

A walking tour of Ortigia island in Syracuse, Sicily

After leaving Catania on our Sicilian road trip, we spent a few glorious days in Siracusa. I could have stayed for ages. I was utterly charmed by the sun-bleached buildings, the bright blue sky, the blazing sun, and the brilliant flowers that spilled over crumbling walls. The people were lovely, the…

• Pingback: Unique places to visit in Venice, Italy | Luggage and Life

Spritz Hugo 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of follow-up comments by email.

Notify me of new posts by email.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

• Travel with me
• Book a call
• Work with me

13 April 2022

Things to do in Venice:

Self-guided bacaro tour.

Italy has one of the richest food cultures in the world, full stop. This comes as no surprise given how the love of food is infused in every aspect of daily life – w hether you’re gathering with family or taking a stroll with friends, there’s a perfect Italian cuisine moment waiting for you if you know where to look.

Additionally, enjoying local traditions is one of the best ways to make sure you’re getting a truly authentic Italian experience. While this can get trickier and harder to find in the most touristy cities in Italy, it’s never impossible – and Venice isn’t an exception. If you’ve ever wanted to experience the typical tourist must-do’s while still immersing yourself in the soul of the city, a self-guided Bacaro tour in Venice is an absolute must!

In this mini-guide, you’ll find everything you need to know about a Bacaro Tour – what it is, how to do it, Italian words you should know, and my personal recommendations to navigate your way through a seriously delicious dining experience.

A little note before we get going:

As I’ve mentioned before, traveling doesn’t have to cost you an arm and a leg – there are plenty of ways to enjoy an authentic Italian experience on a budget. I’m all about traveling on a realistic budget and knowing what you should splurge on and what you can save on. 

With this in mind, I’m confident your time spent drinking, snacking, and chatting with locals on a self-guided Bacaro tour is well worth an evening in Venice. Although, I don’t think you’ll need much convincing ;).

Now – let’s dive in!

What is a Bacaro?

First thing first – what in the world is a “Bacaro”?!

A Bacaro is a type of traditional Venetian tavern where locals gather after a long day’s work to laugh, relax, and enjoy each other’s company.

It is a rich Venetian tradition passed down from generation to generation where you go from Bacaro to Bacaro (or bar to bar) to get something called “cicchetti” and “ombra.”

Think of it like a pub crawl – just earlier in the evening and filled with more local delicacies and traditions. Twist my arm.

Small by nature, these taverns give you an intimate, front-row seat to local Venetian culture and authentic, no frills cuisine.

As I mentioned above, part of a bacaro tour is indulging in ah-mazing food.

“Cicchetti” are small Venetian snacks, such as “crostini,” which are small pieces of bread with a bunch of different toppings like fish, meat, vegetables, or “polpette” (meatballs made of meat, cheese, or fish). Is your mouth drooling yet because mine is. 

There’s a variety of different crostini at every bar, but one of the most famous Venetian cicchetti flavors is “baccalà mantecato” – whipped salted cod. Even if you aren’t a fish person (I’m not), you should try it. It’s surprisingly delicious!

In addition to varied Italian cuisine, no bacaro tour would be complete without the “ombra” – a small glass of red or white wine.

The best parts about a Bacaro tour

One of the best parts of a self-guided bacaro tour is how affordable it is. You can literally find cicchetti at almost any bar or cafe, and they usually cost anywhere from 1.50€-3€ per piece.  Happy wallet AND happy stomach?! Sign me up. 

A glass of ombra (again, wine) is also very cheap due to the fact that the Veneto region where Venice is located is famous for wines. These usually range somewhere between €0.60-€2 per glass.

If you aren’t a wine fan, you can always opt for an Aperol or “Select” Spritz instead of ombra. In fact, Venice is famous for Spritz, so you shouldn’t expect to pay much more for a spritz in Venice if that’s more your speed.

Another one of the big reasons that I personally love doing a self-guided Bacaro tour is that you can go completely on your own and on your own time – you don’t need to do a guided tour to experience life as the local Venetians do. 

This means if you strike up a conversation with locals at bacaro A, you don’t have to rush off with a tour group to make it to bacaro B at a certain time. Dreams.

It’s traditional to either stand or sit outside of the bacaro and enjoy the company of others while enjoying your snacks. Or you can take it outside and walk around while you snack and head to the next bacaro.

My friend Maddy and I opted to take a gondola ride with our cicchetti and a spritz in hand. I hiiiiighly recommend adding this to your bacaro tour – yes, it’s touristy, but hey, you’re in Venice, and pairing the touristy things with the local traditions gives you the ultimate Venetian experience. 

Simple, delicious, and truly so much fun!

Where to go on your Bacaro tour

After living in Italy for a while and sampling my fair share of bacaro cuisine (it’s quite the sacrifice, I know), I’ve curated my own list of stops to guide you on your way!

As you’re creating your itinerary, consider adding these to the list:

• Vineria all’Amarone
• Cantine del Vino gia Schiavi
• Bacareto da Lele
• Osteria All’Arco
• Osteria Al Squero

Venice’s streets and waterways are some of the most unique in the world, and experiencing the city with a yummy snack or drink in hand is always a favorite of mine.

In summary…

A self-guided bacaro tour is cheap, easy, and fun. And it’s great for groups, families, couples, and solo travelers alike.  In my opinion, it’s one of the best ways to explore Venice like a Venetian, and I always love the warm and inviting feeling of this magical city. 

If you’re looking for other top tips for navigating Italian food culture, you can find my guide to proper coffee etiquette here . 

And whether you’re in the beginning stages of planning a visit to Italy or already have your tickets booked, I’m always happy to answer any questions you have along the way. 

To book a call with me, simply follow this link to get some time on my calendar. And if you’re planning to city-hop while you’re in Italy, be sure to check out my blog on how to spend a day in Florence , too. 

Happy traveling! ❤️

Related Articles

How to spend a day in Florence for under 25 Euro

Your full guide to trains in Italy

10 things I wish I knew about coffee culture in Italy

[email protected]

• DISCOVER VENICE
• ART & CULTURE
• SPORT & NATURE
• WELLNESS & RELAX
• FOOD & WINE
• THE CLUB – VILLE VENETE FOR YOU
• Brenta Riviera
• Asiago Plateau
• Vicenza and Berici Hills
• Treviso and Prosecco Hills
• Padova and Euganean Hills
• Verona and Lake Garda
• TAILOR MADE

Venice To See

Travel designer

Trip Type: All 100% GREEN ART & CULTURE DISCOVER VENICE EVENTS FOOD & WINE SPORT & NATURE TAILOR MADE ITALY THE CLUB | VILLE VENETE FOR YOU TOP BY V2C TOUR TRANSPORT WELLNESS & RELAX

Location: All Brenta Riviera Venice DOLOMITI Vicenza e Colli Berici Asiago Plateau Treviso and Prosecco Hills Padova and Euganean Hills Verona and Lake Garda

GUIDED BACARO TOUR IN VENICE, WINE TASTING AND CICCHETTI

Enjoy an aperitif like a real Venetian! Discover the most typical places of the city tasting wine, spritz and cicchetti.

• Trip Type ART & CULTURE , DISCOVER VENICE , FOOD & WINE
• Activities Escursione
• Group Size No size limit - No size limit
• Reviews 0 Reviews
• Locations Venice
• Trip Duration N/A
• Trip Outline
• Trip Includes
• Trip Excludes

An original way to get to know Venice in all its aspects, food and wine included!

This is a travelling aperitif lasting about 2h , among the most traditional places in Venice : the so called bacari . The latter can only be found in the historic centre of the city and they are an obligatory stop for every Venetian evening.

Our Bacaro tour includes a stopover with an aperitif in 3 bacari . The happy hour includes, for each place, a cicchetto and a glass of wine (for example a glass of prosecco or a spritz).

Cicchetti are snacks with more local flavours, they can be meatballs of tuna or meat, sardines in saor, dried cod on bread or polenta and much more. All this is then accompanied by a glass of wine, usually a spritz. This is an aperitif that takes its name from the German term spritzen, i.e. watering. This is composed of 1/3 white wine, 1/3 sparkling water and 1/3 liqueur.

Our bacaro tour is organized everyday , with departure in front of Venice Santa Lucia Railway Station at 5.00 pm . It lasts between 2/3 hours and it ends at Rialto. There is also the presence of an assistant to discover the hidden corners/tastes of the city.

On request we can develop customized solutions , for example the departure of the tour in different places/time/date.

Price: €86 p/person

Our Bacaro tour includes a stopover with an aperitif in 3 bacari . The happy hour includes, for each place , a cicchetto and a glass of wine (for example a glass of prosecco or a spritz).

Our bacaro tour is organized everyday, with departure in front of Venice Santa Lucia Railway Station at 5.00 pm. It lasts between 2/3 hours and it ends at Rialto . There is also the presence of an assistant to discover the hidden corners/tastes of the city.

• a cicchetto and a glass of wine in each of the three bacari
• tour leader
• what is not specified under “inclusions”

CUSTOMISATION

To customize this service contact us directly, within 24 working hours you will receive our feedback and the best solutions customized for you.

At the time of booking, subject to availability, you will automatically receive our feedback. Please be advised that it is compulsory to print a paper copy of the voucher issued at the end of the online reservation and bring it with you the day of the tour. It is advisable to arrive at the place of departure 10 minutes before the indicated time. Indicate in advance any problems of moving in order to ensure the best possible quality of service.

CANCELLATION

Cancellation at least 24 hours in advance is fully refundable. In case of no-show at the meeting point at the time indicated on the voucher, cancellation after the deadline (24h) or abandonment of the service before its end there is no refund. In case of adverse meteorological conditions and/or force majeure, you are invited to contact us in order to verify the feasibility of the service and assess, in case of cancellation, the best solution. This may be a refund or the postponement of the service to the first date available. Where predictable well in advance you will also receive our notice of change / cancellation service.

Related Trips

HOP-ON HOP-OFF BOAT NAVIGATION BETWEEN THE ISLANDS OF VENICE

Il Ballo del Doge – Saturday 10 February 2024

CREATE YOUR CARNIVAL MASK! WORKSHOP IN ATELIER IN VENICE

Bacaro Tour

This special tour of the “bacari”, the traditional Venetian bars, offers our guests unforgettable moments of taste, mystery and tradition.

An extraordinary culinary itinerary in the city letting you taste renowned wines and delicious, traditional ‘cicchetti’, while enjoying a fascinating tour through the legends and mysteries of Venice.

2-hour tour with three stops in typical Venetian bacari, accompanied by a local guide

Starting from the hotel and then through the streets of the city

Available all year round

 Advanced booking is required

From 2 to 5 people

Seasonal Dinner Experience

Dinner on board

Shake & Drink

< Older Post

Newer Post >

PHONE +39 0415284644 [email protected] WHATSAPP +39 0415284644

A RELEGANCE COLLECTION HOTEL

Relegance Collection is the new luxury hospitality brand that transforms every location it manages into a real destination.

—  PALAZZINA GRASSI

—  ROSAPETRA

—  PUNTA CONTERIE

Palazzina Grassi - Ramo Grassi Sestiere San Marco 3247 - 30124 Venice

Credits: HDG

LANGUAGE: PHONE +39 0415284644 [email protected] WHATSAPP +39 0415284644

— STAY

— TASTE

— LIVE

— CELEBRATE

PHONE +390415284644 -  [email protected] WHATSAPP +390415284644 - L OCATION - LANGUAGE:

CONTA CT US

SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

AMADEUS - YX VCEPAL | SABRE - YX72693 | GALILEO - YX 01668 | WORLDSPAN - YX VCEPG | PEGS ADS - GL 30586

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH

Relegance Collection is the new luxury hospitality brand that transforms every location it manages in a destination.

What is a Bacaro: let's discover the Venice experience you cannot miss

Visiting Venice you will immediately recognize these tiny places , where locals and tourists have their glass of wine and eat their cicchetti . These places, the true symbols of Venice traditions , are called bacari .

In this article, we'll explore what a bacaro truly is and, above all, we'll discover the great Venetian tradition of the bacaro tour . So, let this tasty journey begin!

Inside a bacaro tour: what are the Venetian bacari

The bacaro (also called bacareto ) could be translated as tavern . However, Bacari are not just taverns or bars . They are tiny places, part of the Venetian traditions . Here you can find all kinds of wine, spritz and food ( cicchetti , typically).

Usually there are not many seats inside and people stand outside the bacari drinking their ombre and eating their cicchetti (or cicheti) .

Nowadays, bacari are seen both as a dining place for lunch and as an aperitif place .

Tourists tend to use such establishments to make a full-fledged meal out of it (even a dozen pieces), while Venetians mostly use it as a drinking hangout , and the food is only an accompaniment.

Before telling you more about what you could call the " pub crawl ", actually "the bacaro tour", we shall share with you some more info about the Venetian terms you should use to live the experience at its best, shall we?

Quick lessons of Venetian dialect: what's a ombra ?

Ombra (or ombre if you are referring to the plural version) means " shadow " in English. Are you asking why?

Because in the past the wine vendors used to sit at the base of St. Mark's bell tower and used to follow its shadow to protect the wine from the sun!

... And why is it called Bacaro?

We are not sure about the origin of this Venetian word.

It could derive from " Bacchus ", the Roman god of Wine . However, "bacaro" could also refer to the Venetian expression " far bàcara ", which means " to have fun ", " to go and have some fun ".

Another hypothesis instead dates back to the late XIX century when the trade of Apulian wines employed to "cut" and strengthen local wines (poor in alcohol) began.

In this case, " Bàcaro" was the hard, dark and bitter wine and the term was used to distinguish this kind of local wine from the "malvasia", a valuable wine coming especially from Greece .

And what is the cicchetto?

If you are interested in the "Venetian tapas", as sometimes they are called, we have prepared a full guide to the best cicchetti of Venice .

And now, we are ready to explore the true essence of being a Venetian...

What is a bacaro tour?

We are finally ready to reveal what this great Venetian tradition actually is . In fact, you can't leave Venice without having attended a real bacaro tour!

But what is it practically?

To tell you in simple words, a bacaro tour is the expression we use to describe the tradition we have of "going bacaro after bacaro" .

You can drink excellent wines, as well as home ones, or spritz (like the famous spritz misto with Aperol and Campari) and eat your cicchetto , like polenta, crostini, and everything you like.

The atmosphere is so amazing and you can have the chance to chat with Venetians, but also workers and tourists .

Is it expensive?

Of course not!

This kind of experience is not expensive at all, but it also depends on how much you drink and which bacaro you select .

However, the price for a glass of wine ranges from 1 euro to 3 euros . The price for a cicheto starts from 1/2 euros to 3/4 euros per piece.

When is the best time to do this kind of tour?

In Italy we also organize many bacaro tours to celebrate particular occasions , like bachelor parties or hen parties .

Anyway, you can organize them whenever you like . In fact, it's a great moment, full of joy and fun, that you can spend together with your friends .

Where can you find the best bacari?

Bacari are spread all over the city. However, instead of looking for them close to the Santa Lucia train station, you could discover many of them in the Sestiere of Cannaregio, Castello and Dorsoduro .

The latter is also the most favorite area for students. Usually they gather in Campo Santa Margherita after their lessons at the local university.

Would you do a bacaro tour while in Venice?

This is certainly one of the most traditional experiences you could do while in Venice!

Let yourself wander through the city and find the best place for your aperitif . It is the typical Venetian experience you definitely won't miss !

You might also like

Discover the Best Gianduiotto Gelato in Venice

Happy Hour in Venice, Italy: savor the spirit of the city

Where to Eat in Venice Like a Local: 9 tips

The origin of Spritz: the story of Italy's favorite drink

The Feast of Santa Maria della Salute in Venice: how to celebrate November 21

Popular tags.

Account Options

Venice-Bacaro Tour

Watch CBS News

Five Boro Bike Tour takes over NYC. Here's why over 32,000 cyclists from around the world rode 40 miles.

By Kristie Keleshian , Zinnia Maldonado

Updated on: May 5, 2024 / 8:59 PM EDT / CBS New York

NEW YORK --  New York City's Five Boro Bike Tour is the largest charitable bike ride in the United States. It starts in Manhattan, then covers 40 miles across the five boroughs to end on Staten Island. 

Five Boro Bike Tour route map

The first wave of cyclists started at 7:30 a.m. from the intersection of Franklin and Church Street in Tribeca. The last wave left at 10:25 a.m.

The route then heads up into the Bronx, over to Queens, back down to Brooklyn and ends at Fort Wadsworth on Staten Island, where riders can then catch a ferry back to Manhattan.   

"It's 40 miles and I enjoy every minute of it," said Anthony Maynard, from Columbia, South Carolina. 

"It was a great destination and it was a tour, not a race, so we thought that it would be a first thing for us. We are not cyclists, so we've trained some," Nichole Muller, of Texas, said at the starting line. 

Many riders arrived Saturday to pick up their bibs and to attend the annual blessing of the bikes. 

"One of the reasons people come here, certainly not the only reason, but one of the reasons is people are aware of how dangerous this is, riding a bike in New York, and they come to pray for their own safety and ask us to pray with them for their own safety," said Patrick Malloy, Dean of Cathedral St. Catherine of the Divine. 

There is no official end time, but most riders should be done by the evening. 

"We're riding a tandem bike together, so that will be interesting just to take it to another level. We practiced yesterday in Central Park, we're good New York, we're good," added Meredith Mitsifer, of Arizona. "This is going to be amazing, I can't wait to see New York in a whole different way."

Cycling for a cause

The Five Boro Bike Tour represents all ages and abilities. 

"It feels like a microcosm of the world," said Bike New York President and CEO Ken Podziba. 

More than 32,000 cyclists take part in the charity ride, which raises money for Bike New York's free bike education programs. The nonprofit teaches children and adults how to ride, as well as bike safety.

"I'm riding on behalf of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation," said Steve Shiffman, whose wife has cystic fibrosis. 

"We wanted to bring awareness to ovarian cancer," said Nicole Moler, with the National Ovarian Cancer Coalition in Dallas, Texas. 

Participants from around the world say the event is a rare chance to explore the city in this way.

"I think a lot of people that maybe are not familiar with the city, they think of New York as just Manhattan, but there's so much more to New York, and I think doing it on a bike is probably the most unique way you can possibly do it," said Will Stafford, from Virginia.

Five Boro Bike Tour road closures

Of course, the bike tour also meant street, bridge and tunnel closures for drivers across the city. 

The Staten Island-bound lower level of the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge was closed from 2 a.m. to 7 p.m. The upper level remained open in both directions. 

The Robert F. Kennedy Bridge exit ramp to the southbound FDR Drive closed from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. The approach from the Hugh L. Carey Tunnel to the westbound Gowanus/Brooklyn Queens Expressway closed from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

See the full list of road closures here.

• Staten Island
• New York City

Featured Local Savings

More from cbs news.

Exclusive video shows Steve Buscemi moments before random attack in NYC

New York City area to see more sunshine today, highs around 70

Northern lights may be visible in New York for one more night

NYC Parks Department challenged over decade-old Queens compost site

The Bacarotour Map

• Credit Card

First Name *

Email Address *

Card Number *

Cardholder Name *

Expiration *

Visualizza la privacy policy

Donation Total: €1,49