For me, visiting a bacaro while in Venice is somewhat of a religion.
Let’s be honest, it’s not at all unusual for most visitors to Venice to be busy all day visiting must-see attractions such as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Rialto Bridge.
Not as many people as you’d think take the time to experience some the most authentic parts of Venice. To do that, is there anything better than a bacaro tour?
Doing a bacaro tour in Venice means going bacaro hopping. During the tour, you’ll eat cicchetti (small savoury snacks), a glass of wine or spritz then move to the next!
If you’re in the market for a bacaro tour, or just learning what a bacaro is for the first time today, keep reading this guide to see what I have (literally!) in store for you.
Bacaro tour Venice (self guided)
The Venetian bacaro is a traditional tavern characterised by low ceilings, dim lighting, rustic wooden furniture and deliciously-fresh food prepared right behind the bar.
This is where Venetians gather to enjoy a glass of wine, known as the ‘ombra de vin’, and get some cicchetti—delicious, bite-sized snacks.
There are different theories behind the origin of the name ‘bacaro’.
One says that the word ‘bacaro’ finds its roots from the dialectal expression ‘far bacara’ which means ‘go partying’. Another theory claims that it originates from the cask wine sellers that used to sell wine in St. Mark’s Square that were called ‘bacari’.
Today, as a visitor to Venice you can choose to join a guided bacaro tour led by a local guide or it you want, self-explore the bacari scene at your own pace!
I’ve personally created 6 bacari walking maps (1 for each neighbourhood in Venice) that you can simply buy for a few dollars, download and view at anytime, anywhere!
These are my 6 bacari walking maps:
- San Marco bacari walking tour map
- San Polo bacari walking tour map
- Dorsoduro bacari walking tour map
- Castello bacari walking tour map
- Santa Croce bacari walking tour map
- Cannaregio bacari walking tour map
Each map is designed to take you a self guided bacaro tour around the Venetian neighbourhoods. You can purchase them individually, or as a bundle.
Who are these bacaro maps for?
Did you know that many of the best bacaros in Venice are hidden? These bacari walking maps are perfect for anybody that wants to experience the real Venice.
The bacari I list are for visitors that want to totally immerse themselves in the incredibly tasty but no-frills Venetian food scene and maybe connect with locals too.
The bacaro tour is a ritual and a much beloved tradition by locals. When locals meet at the bacaro, they forget about their daily life and struggles and spend quality time with friends while sipping on a glass of wine and eating freshly prepared cicchetti.
These bacari walking maps are for you if you want to:
- Explore Venice’s street food scene at your own pace;
- Mingle with locals over a small plate of cicchetti (believe me after a couple of ‘ombre’ is a breeze!);
- Get to know the best places for the freshest traditional foods to try in the form of ‘cicchetti’;
- Try the best regional wines and Spritz for a couple of euros;
- Eat well while staying on a budget. A cicchetto can cost you as little as 1 euro and same for the ‘ombra de vin’!
Why do a Bacaro tour of Venice without a tour?
If you like the idea of having total flexibility and freedom to follow your own personal bacaro tour path, then a self-guided bacaro tour is for you!
Want to see more reasons why a self guided Bacaro tour is worth it?
- Flexibility and Freedom: A self-guided tour allows you to explore the bacari scene at your own pace. You have the freedom to spend as much (or little) time as you want at each bacaro. You can start and end your tour whenever you like, fit it into your travel schedule without the constraints of a set itinerary.
- Personalised Experience: With a self-guided tour, you can tailor your bacaro tour to your own preferences and interests. Whether you want to explore certain neighbourhoods, or take detours to visit attractions along the way, you can do what you wish, to suit your travel style and embrace the unexpected.
- Cost-Effective Adventure: Doing a self-guided bacaro tour in Venice is much more affordable since you’re not paying a guide. This means you can allocate more of your budget to food and drinks!
If you’re travelling to Italy soon and don’t know where to start this little foodie adventure in Venice, then my bacari walking maps are exactly what you need.
Keep reading below to understand what you get by purchasing them.
Who am I?
My name is Maddy and I’m the face (and hand) behind Venice Travel Tips, a travel blog all about travelling to Venice and the Veneto region in Northern Italy.
If you’ve read my about page you’ll know that Venice holds a special place in my heart. I’ve been lucky enough to visit Venice countless times since I was a little girl.
My hometown, Castelfranco Veneto, is only 45 minutes by train away from Venice and over the years I would keep travelling back and forth, getting to know the city.
My goal was always to learn more about the city on a deeper level by hanging out in neighbourhoods and places frequented mostly by locals (and locals only).
Even though I live abroad now, I travel to Venice on a regular basis because I’m still in love with the city, its people and of course the exquisite Venetian cuisine as well!
What are some of the things I will personally never get tired of in Venice?
- Exploring new corners of the city;
- Trying new restaurants;
- nice plate of cicchetti at the bacaro!
- Ordering a glass of Venetian Spritz!
Why did I decide to create these self-guided cicchetti maps?
With so much going on in Venice, I decided to create these self-guided bacari maps to give you the best chance to try food and drinks from the best bacari in the city.
I thought they would come very handy to anyone that doesn’t necessarily want to join a food tour but still want to have an authentic experience of the Venice bacaro.
After visiting Venice and its bacari for many years, I wanted to offer a tool (like a map) that allows you to explore the city like a local, taste the best Venetian food and drink and enjoy the lively atmosphere of the bacari featured in each neighbourhood map.
What does each Bacaro map include?
Each bacari walking map takes you through the streets of the Venice neighbourhoods called ‘sestieri’ and their best bacari I personally tried and locals love!
Once inside my Map/Guide, you will find:
- A list of the best bacari in the neighbourhood.
- A short description written by me covering each bacaro.
- A link to the walking map.
You can download the bacari PDF guide to your smartphone before or during your trip to Venice and have my recommendations right at your fingertips.
You can also save the map to your Google Maps and use it while in Venice.
Bacaro tour Venice
Are you ready to explore the food scene in Venice with sheer confidence?
Whether you’re simply not in for a street food tour, want to have a flexible schedule or just want to savour the best food in Venice for a few euros, I’ve got your covered.
These bacari walking maps are designed to save you time and money.
So, what are you waiting for? Download your map by visiting my shop today!
I wish you a wonderful time in Venice!
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