Rialto Mercato

Where Venetians buy their fruit and veg
Word to the wise: Unlike many of the world's markets, touching the produce before you buy is not encouraged here. Vendors can get quite agitated if you do.

This famous market in Rialto - one of the oldest in Europe - may be on every tourist itinerary, but it's still very much used by locals. Arrive early in the morning to see Venetians going about their day, stocking up their kitchens and congregating in little groups to swap gossip. After 10am, tourists start to outnumber the few residents of the island, but it hardly detracts from the marketplace's sheer energy.
For the local chefs and grocers, this is the most important place in the city. Chances are that, whatever culinary delights you find yourself tucking into at a restaurant later on, the ingredients came from here.