Hotels near Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal and was the only crossing for nearly 600 years. The current single-span stone bridge by Antonio da Ponte opened in 1591, replacing four earlier wooden bridges that had repeatedly collapsed or burned. Its 28-metre arch has to support a covered arcade of 24 shops and three pedestrian walkways - a gamble at the time that Michelangelo himself reportedly bid against. The bridge held; today it carries 30,000 people a day.

Crossing the Rialto Bridge is part of any Venice itinerary, but the area around it deserves time too. The Rialto Market on the San Polo side is one of Europe's oldest food markets - the Pescheria fish stalls open 7:30 am-12:30 pm Tuesday to Saturday with red mullet, langoustines, and soft-shell moeche crabs straight from the lagoon. The arcaded fruit and vegetable market opens earlier and runs longer. Bacari (Venetian wine bars) line the streets behind the market, serving cicchetti - small bites with a glass of ombra wine - from EUR 1.50.

Pro Tip: Stand on the bridge at 6:30 am when the only sound is gulls and the Rialto Market porters wheeling fish crates. By 10 am the whole structure is solid bodies and impossible photos.