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Take a DIY walking tour of Venice, Italy

  • August 22, 2019

Venice, Italy surprised me. You always hear about people saying how crowded it is, how un-Italian it is (because there are too many tourists), and so on. We had it in our heads that we wouldn’t enjoy it, but you know what? We shouldn’t have listened.

This is a sponsored post, but all opinions are my own.

We found plenty of lovely spots on the main island of Venice and the other nearby islands. A lot of that was thanks to using the Marco Polo Venice guidebook to have our own walking tour of Venice. We’ve used their guidebooks before when we (very uncharacteristically) visited Hong Kong and Singapore. The way I see it is that you can’t have too many insights into a place you know NOTHING about! We always tend to find good restaurants, viewpoints, and areas we wouldn’t have gone to otherwise.

Giudecca island, Venice, Italy

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Why do a DIY walking tour of Venice?

For this trip, we focused on getting away from the crowds. We did such a good job that we didn’t even see Saint Mark’s Square. We stayed in the Castello neighborhood which was great because we were in between 2 water-bus (Vaporetto) stops Celestia and Arsenale

Since we weren’t trying to be around everyone else on the island, we decided to take the “In the footsteps of Palladio” walking tour that Marco Polo has in their book. I actually wanted to do the “Exploring the lesser-known islands” one but wanted something a little shorter. When we go back (ohhhhh yesssss we are definitely going back!) we’ll be doing the other tour to see even more of what most visitors don’t see.

Guidebook research

The thing about Venice is that it can feel overcrowded at times. There are cruise ships that dock and lets thousands of people disembark and they all want to see the same things. That’s why these self-guided walking tours of Venice are the best! Whether you are staying in Venice for a day (from a cruise ship or for another reason), or you are staying on one of the islands for a few days, this is a great way to feel something that many don’t take the opportunity to feel — a little peace and quiet.

Take the Vaporetto to San Giorgio Maggiore

Make sure you have a public transportation ticket. You only have to validate (tap in) once unless there are barriers, then you’ll have to tap to get through them. As we usually do, we opted for a multi-day ticket so it’s less to worry about on a day-to-day basis.

You’ll need to find the number 2 Vaporetto from the San Marco-San Zaccaria stop. There are a lot of Vaporetto stops in this area, so make sure you find number 2 going in the direction of San Giorgio! Not that it’s a horrible thing if you got on the wrong one (unless you are short on time).

Anyway, back to the task, the tour! Though, I could ride those Vaporettos all day 🙂

Sean and Jessica at Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

You’ll pull up to this small island and hop off into the vast open space before you which still doesn’t get enough room to fit the whole church into a photo without an ultra-wide lens. It is massive and beautiful. This is where you start to understand the name of the tour because Andrea Palladio created this masterpiece for the Benedictines in the 16th century.

Head on inside to check out the scale of the building. When we visited there was an art exhibit that had a colorful square tower in the middle that you could walk in. I must say, it was a bit strange to see in that setting, but it also gives it a cool new vibe.

Art in Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

The thing to do here is to wander through the church and the monastery, then go up into the tower where the views are unreal. I just wanted to cry because it was so beautiful. There are spots in all corners of the tower and, although there were plenty of people, you didn’t feel overly crowded. That’s the funny thing about taking the time to go somewhere a little different. You aren’t fighting for a spot.

View of Giudecca

The view is what did it for me. I don’t appreciate the church setting as much as Sean, but I know he did enjoy that visit.

Next, it was time to catch the next Vaporetto to Giudecca. Just hop on the next one headed in the same direction you came in, and go one stop. The vibe is so different but you can still see across the water into the main part of Venice.

Jessica in the hotel gardens

Secret gardens to explore

Ohhhhh this is my FAVORITE part!! I was a little apprehensive because the secret gardens mentioned in the Marco Polo Venice guide are part of a hotel…a bit of a fancy one, at that. But it was easy peasy. We walked in and asked the guy who looked like a guard if we could go look at the gardens, and he was fine with it and pointed us in the right direction. If you are able to dine in this hotel, I would recommend it. It’s stunning.

Head out back and experience something else that brought tears to my eyes. There are four gardens and each with a different personality. I was SO happy. Even thinking about them now makes me smile. Whether you want a wide-open space with the shade of a tall tree, or a pergola covered in greenery and flowers, or a rustic garden with a maze-like feel, it’s all here. They are perfectly kept and I actually wanted to run around like a child at that moment. It felt so freeing and so different from any other part of Venice we encountered.

Gardens on Giudecca

We probably spent more time than we realized in these gardens. I didn’t want to leave and I instantly looked up the property to see if we should stay there next time. If you are interested in booking that property, here it is on Booking.com . It’s called Palladio Hotel & Spa. Fitting for this tour, huh? 🙂

Il Redentore

Visit the Il Redentore

Another Palladio piece, the Il Redentore, a 16th century Roman Catholic church is stunning from the outside. He built it as a votive church and is a thank you to God. It’s also at the heart at one of the biggest Venetian festivals, the Feast of the Redentore.

Il Redentore is a major Renaissance masterpiece and if anyone loves this kind of architecture, this is a must-visit place to go. It’s not very crowded (similar to most places on this tour), and you’ll likely be in awe the entire time.

water bottle fill station

This might be random, but it’s good to know, there’s a water bottle fill station just outside the church, so it’s a good time to fill ‘er up! Stay hydrated, especially on hot days.

Snacks waterside in Venice

Have an afternoon snack

In the Marco Polo guidebook, they suggest stopping at La Palanca. That was such a good idea!! They do run on reservations, but it was after the lunch rush, so we got a table right away outside and one table away from the water’s edge. The staff was so nice (not sure why, but I wasn’t expecting that). We asked for recommendations and ended up with a platter of local favorites.

Lunch on Giudecca

So, yeah, we were eating Venician favorites, with wine, next to the water, across from the San Marco’s Square area. Life is so good and chill.

It was a moment of pure bliss. The saying of “Eat, drink, and be merry” is one of my favorites and totally fits here. Venice is so special. I get it now. But, you might just have to get a little away from the crowds to feel it.

Canals on Giudecca

Order your Marco Polo guidebook for Venice , or wherever you are planning to travel next !

View from rooftop bar on Giudecca

Treat yourself to a late afternoon drink with a view

Who am I kidding? Seeing Venice is a treat in itself. However, I’m a big fan of getting up high to see everything you can see. I know the PERFECT place for you to do that, get a drink, and let the time pass.

Walk on along the water. It’s a theme on this island. Just keep walking. Just keep walking.

Walking along Giudecca

Just over one of the bridges, you’ll see the Molino Stucky Hilton Hotel. Walk in and head straight to the back. You’ll see a sign for the Skyline Rooftop Bar.

Hilton on Giudecca

Be sure to check their hours ahead of time. You can walk around on the roof area by the pool which also has breathtaking views…add this hotel to the list of hotels I want to stay in while in Venice. If you can afford it, book it here .

Grab a drink and a snack and marvel at Venice from above. The rooftops are beyond gorgeous. I wonder when they built Venice, did they know how beautiful it was? I can’t get over it.

Sean and Jessica at the Hilton rooftop bar on Giudecca

Seriously, though. Venice has stolen my heart and part of that is because of this guidebook that helped us discover areas we probably wouldn’t have found otherwise.

We can’t wait to visit again! They do have a problem with too many tourists, but as with similar cities, spreading people out will really help and taking a walking tour like this one will actually, in a small way, help you be a more responsible traveler.

Jessica on Venice canal

Until next time, Venice, arrivederci! Wishing you all joy and travels!

Jessica C.

Hi! I’m Jessica, an American who made Amsterdam her home in 2014. I share European gems through food and memorable experiences. Want to know more? Head to my about page or check out my YouTube channel .

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Venice in 1 day – Self-guided walking tour + Google maps route

To visit Venice in 1 day, here is my self-guided walking tour (free) with a map of the route to follow in pedestrian GPS mode. This is a tourist circuit that tours the most beautiful sites of Venice in 1 day.

Venice in 1 day sightseeing tour

My itinerary with the map below will allow you to discover the most beautiful monuments of the Venetian capital on foot and will end with a short romantic gondola ride at dusk.

How to visit Venice in 1 day?

If you want to visit Venice in one day without staying 1 night, consider paying in advance. new access tax to Venice .

That said, to visit Venice in 1 day, you have several choices depending on your desires:

  • Guided group tour of central Venice + Doge's Palace + Saint Mark's Basilica
  • Private tour of Venice with a guide just for you
  • Discover Venice by boat
  • Venice walking tour by following my self-guided tour which takes a full day and allows you to see the essential of Venice . See itinerary details below.

What to visit in Venice in 1 day?

The trap to avoid when you only have 1 day to visit a city like Venice is to go to the heart of the city and go a little randomly without any particular program. Indeed, there is nothing like wasting time, struggling while looking for a site or traveling miles and not seeing half of the things.

To optimize my day and make it pleasant, I established in advance the list of the most interesting sites to visit in 1 day. Then, I organized them to do a nice circuit on foot but not at a run. Indeed, it is possible to visit all the emblematic monuments of Venice in one day, provided you are well organized.

For this day of discovery, I had to eliminate visits to museums and many churches. The majority of the stages of this route are to be visited from the outside because to visit them in depth, it would be necessary to pass at least 2 days in Venice especially because of the endless queues, even with a pass or a skip the line.

Visit Venice in 1 day following my tourist circuit

My self-guided tour allows you to visit Venice in 1 day by following the steps below:

  • Place de Rome (start of the tour);
  • Venice Santa Lucia Station;
  • Church of San Stae;
  • Rialto Bridge;
  • Saint Mark's Clock Tower;
  • St. Mark's Square;
  • St. Mark's Basilica;
  • Bridge of Sighs ;
  • Doge's Palace ;
  • Pont della Paglia;
  • Sant Giorgio Maggiore viewpoint;
  • Danieli Gondola Station for a romantic gondola ride .

Where to park your car, what parking in Venice?

If, like me, you arrive in Venice by car via the liberty bridge , you can park for the day in the car park on the Piazzale Roma , which is a central square from where all the bus and vaporetto lines leave and from where my walking tour .

Venice tour in 1 day - Itinerary map

From the Piazzale Roma , you can follow my itinerary step by step, the interactive map of which you will find below.

Click on "More options" in the map to follow the GPS

If you follow my self-guided tour, you will need to walk between 3 and 4 kilometers during the day. This is quite little because you can do 2 kilometers in the morning and 2 kilometers in the afternoon. It all depends on your pace but it's very easy.

Self-guided walking tour to visit Venice in 1 day

Once you arrive in Venice, either you leave like me from the Piazzale Roma , (departure of my walk), either you start from my 2 nd stage (from Venice-Santa-Lucia station).

So from the Piazzale Roma car park, you have to go to the avenue Santa Chiara Foundation  and turn left towards the Constitution Bridge that the Italians call Calatrava Bridge named after the architect who designed it.

By taking this bridge, you cross the Grand Canal and continuing straight on, you will come to the Venice Santa Lucia Station .

From the station, you will have to continue to the left to take the Degli Scalzi bridge ou Pont des Déchaussés (2nd bridge which crosses the Grand Canal).

Continue to San Stae Church where you can take a short break and have a coffee ... From there, it will take you 10 minutes to walk to the Rialto Bridge (the oldest and most famous of the bridges in Venice). You can climb to the top to admire the view of the Grand Canal and take beautiful photos!

Rialto Bridge IN MY VENICE WALKING TOUR

After crossing the rialto bridge , you will walk about 5 minutes to reach the Saint Mark's Clock Tower which is one of the essentials of the St. Mark's Square .

Saint Mark's Clock Tower which is one of the must-see places in Saint Mark's Square.

Since the St. Mark's Square which is one of the most famous squares in the world, you will go straight to the St. Mark's Basilica which is opposite.

St. Mark's Basilica

The famous bridge of Sighs is located just behind the Basilica. It represents the compulsory passage of the Gondola ride (see the end of the article). Legend has it that if two lovers passed in a gondola under the Bridge of Sighs at sunset, their love would be eternal. But in reality, its name comes from the sigh of the prisoners who crossed the bridge before being locked in prison ...

Bridge of Sighs stage of my Venice tour in 1 day

After Saint Mark's Basilica , you will turn left to reach in 2 minutes the Doge's Palace which is an example of simply magnificent Venetian Gothic architecture. It was the residence of the Doges of Venice until the end of the XNUMXth century. The palace also housed a prison which would have once housed a certain Casanova ...

Now, it’s time for romance with the unmissable gondola ride.

 If it is in the district of San Marco that we find the most gondoliers, in particular at the stations Orseolo basin and near the Campo San Moise bridge , I preferred to go through the della Paglia bridge to the gondola station opposite the Danieli hotel . Thus, I was able to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of Venice ( Sant Giorgio Maggiore viewpoint ).

Note that the prices of gondolas are the same everywhere in Venice regardless of where you board. It's 80 to 85 Euros for 30 minutes during the day and 100 € at night.

Unless you book in advance via the Internet: Gondola ride on the canals

Must-see gondola tour in Venice in 1 day

  Other must-see places in Venice

If you have a little time left and by taking a vaporetto, do not miss:

  • The church Saint Mary of Health which is located in the district of Dorsoduro almost at the tip of the island on the other side of the Grand Canal. With its imposing size and white walls, it thrones in splendor facing the Grand Canal.
  • The palace Ca'd'Oro with its elegant and majestic facade which houses an art museum. It is one of the most beautiful Gothic palaces in Venice!

Which hotel in Venice, where to sleep in Venice?

Obviously, I would have dreamed of spending a night in a real Venetian palace and I know that there are magnificent ones transformed into luxury hotels or Palaces…

But my small budget did not allow it. So I opted for a nice hotel but above all very well located in the historic heart of Venice and at a price that I would qualify as reasonable for Venice!

The rooms are small, but well equipped and clean. In addition to its perfect geographical location in the most beautiful district of Venice .

The biggest advantage of this hotel is its roof top from which you can see the Doge's Palace! For my budget, it was the hotel at the best value for money that I have found and that I allow myself to recommend.

See this hotel on Booking

Fancy another city tour in Europe? So stay in Italy and visit Rome on foot ou Florence in 1 day Why not a little weekend in Lisbon?

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10 thoughts on “venice in 1 day – self-guided walking tour + google maps route”.

self guided walking tours venice

Bo dia! Vi que ficou num hotel bem localizado, porém, para quem está com malas, dizem que é ruim a locomoção, correto? Acho que por isso vou preferir ficar num hotel próximo a estação. O que me diz? Thank you!

self guided walking tours venice

Good morning, Tudo depende está to procure de conveniência or prazer. Estar a 50 metros da Ponte dos Suspiros e mesmo ao lado dos mais belos monuments de Veneza é, na minha opinião, mais agradável do que ficar ao lado da estação. Mas esta é apenas a minha opinião. But whatever stay or hotel you have, there will be an optimal estadia in Venice! Desfrute your future life!

self guided walking tours venice

For the walking tour of Venice, the return is the same as the outward? So it takes twice the time?

Hi Melanie, For the return, I advise you to walk back to the Rialto station (Riva del Ferro). There you can take vaporetto line 2 (to be checked locally) which will take you directly along the Grand Canal to Piazzale Roma (stop 5031). The journey is done in 15 minutes and will save you a little fatigue. Have a nice trip !

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The Best Self Guided Walking Tour of Venice | Sherpa Tours

Table of contents.

A self guided walking tour of Venice is one of the best ways to discover the sights, sounds, and canals of The Floating City.

Venice is one of the most romantic and alluring destinations in Europe. Palaces, ornate buildings, and gothic churches sit atop a lagoon, spread across islands etched with canals plied by gondolas. The city is like a museum; you could easily spend your entire trip on the water, admiring the gorgeous architecture.

But it’s inside the buildings where Venice really comes to life. This city has a rich history as the heart of a vast trading empire, and the museums are suitably impressive. Also enticing are the art galleries hiding away a wealth of Venetian art and the remarkable churches with intricate interiors.

When you’ve worked up a hunger, you’ll quickly realize that the Venetians know how to put on a feast. The most popular way to indulge is to sample a range of cicchetti , the city’s take on tapas. Wander from bar to bar, sipping on wines and wolfing down different creations, before setting up at a waterside restaurant to sample the city’s incredible seafood.

Get your bearings in this magical city with our self guided walking tour of Venice before striking out to discover its art, palaces, and incredible beauty.

History of Venice

The First Settlement

Although there aren’t any records, historians today widely agree that Venice first began around the 5 th century AD. Refugees from Roman cities on the mainland were fleeing invading forces, retreating to the islands on the lagoon that make up Venice. As the population grew, so too did their need for more space. The inhabitants decided to drive wooden stakes into the ground, build platforms, and began to construct their buildings on top. From their outpost in Ravenna, the Byzantine Empire soon took control of the growing city. As soon as the Lombards conquered Ravenna, Venice installed its own Venetian Doge , or ruler, chosen by the wealthy merchant families that had emerged.

Expansion to a Trading Empire

Venice saw incredible growth from the 8th century onwards thanks to its strategic position and wily trade deals. Money poured in from both the Islamic world and the Byzantine Empire; Venice even struck a deal with the latter that saw the city’s merchants grow even richer. Soon, as the Byzantine Empire began to fade, Venice took control, using Crusaders to seize and sack Constantinople. A flourishing navy fleet also made Venice near-invincible, and they established a trade empire throughout the eastern half of the Mediterranean.

The City’s Decline

Centuries later, in 1453, Constantinople fell to the invading Ottoman Empire, which would continue to capture Venice’s trading outposts. The city’s power began to wane as new trade routes around the Horn of Africa were discovered, and Venice was regularly challenged by forces like the pope and the Turks. By the 17 th and 18 th centuries, Venice’s fearsome naval fleet was soon outgunned by the British and the Dutch, and their days as a trading power were well behind them.

The Kingdom of Italy

The Republic of Venice fell when Napoleon successfully conquered the city in 1797, forced into a pro-French democracy. Soon, the city would fall under Austrian rule; afterward, it passed between French, Italian and then back to Austrian rule. After a brief stint of independence, Venice finally was merged into the new Kingdom of Italy, of which it remains today.

Venice’s history is one of the most fascinating in Italy. Delving into this beautiful city’s story is a must while visiting; luckily, Sherpa offers the best walking tour of Venice there is. If you’re not in the destination but still want to try it out, our walking tour is also available as a Venice virtual tour, letting you discover the city from the comfort of home.

Self Guided Walking Tour of Venice

Where to Stay in Venice

The 5 Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Venice

San Marco is a fantastic choice for visitors to Venice. Home to the famous Piazza San Marco, this is the neighborhood where our walking tour of Venice takes place. Filled with canals, restaurants, bars, and the city’s most famous sights, this is the heart and soul of Venice as a destination. Winding through the labyrinth of streets reveals churches, intricate architecture, and of course, the romantic sight of gondolas plying the canals.

Across the river to the northwest of San Marco is where you’ll find San Polo, another central downtown area in Venice. It’s a neighborhood filled with history, more churches, restaurants, and bars, and it is within an easy distance of the main attractions of San Marco. Prices up here are also a little bit more affordable than across the river – but not by much.

Dorsoduro is the area further to the south, a large neighborhood that’s great for travelers of all types. There’s art, history, culture, food, and more to discover, all of it without the hectic crowds found in San Marco and San Polo. The area is also just a 15 – 20-minute walk to San Marco and the beginning of the tour.

Castello is the largest neighborhood in Venice, and as such, can be quite varied depending on where you stay. Its western edge borders San Marco, so if you’re staying closer to that side, you can expect more facilities for tourists, such as restaurants, bars, and shops. As you move closer to the eastern end, things start to feel more local and less overrun, with it turning into a residential-like area.

Finally, Cannaregio is in the north of Venice, a great spot to stay if you’re looking to save some money on accommodation. More affordable due to the distance from the city center, this area has a very local feel. Historically, it has been one of the last remaining bastions of local life as the city’s population has continued to decline. It’s relaxed, friendly, and filled with great restaurants and bars where you’ll rub shoulders with actual Venetians.

What to Eat in Venice?

5 Must-Try Dishes in Venice

  • Bigoli in Salsa
  • Baccalà Mantecato
  • Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia
  • Sarde in Saor

Cicchetti is to Venice what tapas is to Spain. These small dishes of food are best enjoyed as a pre-dinner aperitif, with a big variety of different types. There could be deep-fried olives, slices of baguette topped with seafood or cured meats, or something else entirely. Each plate costs between 1 and 3 euros, meaning you can easily sample several dishes before sitting down for your main meal.

One of the mainstays of menus around Venice is bigoli in salsa . This simple pasta dish features a noodle that’s a little bit fatter than spaghetti, cooked in a rich and delicious sauce made from fresh sardines and onions. The seafood flavors are perfect for recharging after a Venice self guided walking tour.

Another seafood-based anti-pasta is the baccalà mantecato. This is a popular starter dish, where creamed cod paste seasoned with olive oil, salt, and pepper is spread on fresh bread. It can also sometimes be served alongside grilled polenta, another popular Venetian food.

Squid ink Pasta in Venice

Daring foodies will want to try the spaghetti al nero di seppia , another seafood pasta dish. Squid ink is the star of the show, mixed in with wine, onions, and tomatoes to create a delicious sauce. The black can be off-putting, but the flavors are sensational. It’s also possible to find risotto al nero di seppia, as rice is a popular ingredient in Venice.

Finally, sarde in saor has been around since the Middle Ages and is one of the most popular dishes in Venice. Sardines are fried with onions and balsamic vinegar and then sweetened with raisins and pine nuts. It lives on today and is often found as either a cicchetti or a starter at restaurants.

Insider Information

Is venice sinking.

The waterways and canals of Venice make it one of the most romantic destinations in the world. But every year, it slowly sinks into the ground, thanks to a combination of factors. The muddy lagoon on which it is built is by no means adequate to support such a city; groundwater was being pumped out from underneath the city, and the gradual rise of ocean levels worldwide all combine to make this destination one to see before it’s too late.

Gondola Rides in Venice

Gondola Ride in Venice

Enjoying a gondola ride on the canals is one of the classic tourist experiences of a trip to Venice. But there are a few things to know before you go. The first thing is that gondola rides are quite expensive; 80 euros for a daytime ride and 100 at night. Rides last 40 minutes, but a gondola can hold up to 6 people making the cost a little easier to bear. The Grand Canal is more crowded, so we recommend going for a ride in the quiet back canals of the city.

Responsible Tourism in Venice

Venice has been hitting the headlines across the world lately, but for all the wrong reasons. Overtourism has become a big problem in the city, as over 100,000 visitors arrive each day, crowding around the main tourist areas. But there are ways to be a responsible traveler in Venice.

How to Be a Responsible Traveler in Venice

  • Stay as long as you can
  • Visit in the off-season
  • Eat in the local restaurants
  • Buy local arts, crafts, and goods

Venice is a wonderful destination in Italy and should be high on your bucket list of places to visit. For a wonderful introduction to this fabulous city, check out our self guided walking tour of Venice below. And remember, our app provides virtual tours of Venice as well.

self guided walking tours venice

Essential Venice

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For many people, Venice is the most enchanting city on Earth. Seeing it for the first time is a breath-taking experience. From a distance its palaces, houses and basilicas defy reality, appearing to float above the city’s natural lagoon. Like something from a fairy tale or fantasy, daily life is organised around the water: over 400 bridges span the canals, while many front doors open straight onto them.

Urbs' audio tours of Venice are the ultimate way to see the sights, including the many hidden gems dotted throughout the city. Whether you’re visiting for a day trip or longer, there’s no better way to take it all in than a self-guided walking tour of Venice.

The Urbs Way

Listen & discover.

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Enjoy 4+ hours of audio content written by cultural experts Explore 60+ fascinating cultural locations Discover 80+ restaurants, cafes, bars and shops recommended by local writers

Plan your route

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Plan your perfect day with our unique route plotting function You can also use one of our curated routes which can be amended according to interests, schedule and budget

Book tickets

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Find out which locations require tickets Book attractions and activities in advance to avoid the queues

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Viva Venice!

With its canal waterways, marbled buildings and exquisite architecture, Venice is an extraordinary city that comes to life in the summer months. Its beauty is something to behold in person - perhaps by gondola ride, or maybe on a walking tour.

With so much content and information available, simplify your trip with an audio tour of Venice. It’s the best way to get around and take in the sights as you go. No more having to Google your way around, or navigate an out-of-date map. Urbs it the modern way to access the city and make the most of your visit. Best of all, it’s easy to make your own travel guide with the accessible dashboard. All you need is a mobile, some headphones and a holiday to look forward to!

Venice uncovered

It’s one of the most famous waterside cities in Europe, so when in Venice, Italy there are a few places you need to check out. All of these places and regions (plus more) can be found on the Urbs app, which you can even access offline on your self-guided walking tour of Venice.

World-famous architecture

The most breathtaking architecture awaits you on an audio tour of Venice. Perhaps one of the most famous of these is St Mark’s Basilica, an ornate church right next to another hotspot, the Doge’s Palace. Located in the uber-famous St Mark Square, also known as Piazza San Marco, this is a wonderful place to amble about, with a heady mix of locals, tourists, students and visitors from all over the world.

As well as St Mark’s, there are many squares and piazzas to enjoy during your day out in Venice. Great as a spot for a time out, to sip a coffee and watch the world go by. Campo Santo Stefano and Campo Santa Maria Formosa are both picturesque places to add to your viewing list on your audio tour of Venice.

There are an astonishing 300 bridges in Venice, so don’t forget to pack your iPhone for all those photos you’ll be taking. In the heart of the city you’ll find the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) - this is one of the most famous and oldest to explore. Take a moment to capture the iconic red and white masts as gondolas glide below.

​ Another must-visit for culture lovers is the Bridge of Sighs - distinguished by its white limestone material. Rumour has it that couples that kiss going under the bridge will enjoy everlasting love! If that sounds up your street, add it to your audio tour of Venice!

With 188 islands making up Venice it’s easy to see why boat is the best way of getting around the canals, many of which can be found in St Mark’s Square. The Grand Canal is the most famous to tour, its spellbinding views make it a popular way to travel. Dare to get off the beaten track and there’s so much to marvel at outside the heart of the city. One of these is the quaint island of Torcello. It’s one of the best kept secrets to enjoy during your audio tour of Venice, with plenty to see and sample – including great local seafood.

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Explore Venice by App

Aside from being your very own pocket tour guide, Urbs has a host of benefits that have helped travellers from all around the world. You won’t want to leave home without it – here’s why:

Navigate the city

​ Why take the same old tourist route, when you can make your own self-guided walking tour of Venice? Using the Urbs app, you can build your dream trip, from the hundreds of events, attractions and places available. Alternatively, you can tap in to pre-selected walking tours to get the best out of your trip.

Get your tickets

Great news if you’re planning to visit the many attractions within the city. Urbs allows you to book tickets in just a click. It’s the perfect way to keep all your bookings in one easy to find place.

Handpicked by experts

We’ve teamed up with local experts based in Italy, to bring you the very best of Venice. It’s the perfect way to visit the city and soak up all the sights, from the most popular, through to hidden gems that only the locals (and now you) know!

Plenty of choice

​ Did you know that there’s over 130 different places on our app, which you can add to your audio tour of Venice? Mix and match your itinerary, so you can make the most of your time during your route.

Download the app

Planning a trip to Venice? Then don’t miss the chance to access the city in this audio feast, now available to download on Android and iOS devices.

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Once you’re ready to put your audio tour together, download the App to your iOS or Android device, get some headphones and you’re all set. Ciao, as they say in Italy!

Valentina's Destinations

comprehensive tourist maps for busy professionals

Essential walking map of venice.

This walking map of Venice includes all the best things to see in Venice , and more! Use this Venice walking tour map to explore top-rated tourist attractions at your own pace and preference.

walking map of venice pin

Venice is an iconic European city. It’s winding canals, quaint bridges and living history are legendary. Venice is a romantic city for couples. Many parts of Venice have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage sites . 

venice at sunset, gondolas on the water

Popular activities in Venice include taking gondola rides, visiting museums, and eating freshly-caught seafood . If you are saying in Venice for 1 day or 10 days , you’ll need a walking guide…

Interactive Walking Map of Venice

Table of Contents

Rialto Bridge

Grand canal , bridge of sighs, saint mark’s square, scala contarini del bovolo, burano & murano, doge’s palace, correr museum, gallerie dell’accademia, peggy guggenheim collection, ca’rezzonico, saint mark’s basilica & clocktower, church of san zaccaria, church of saint julian, basilica san maria della salute.

This Venice Map is interactive, adjustable, and available for offline use . There are many ways you can use this walking map of Venice. 

There are a few layers to this Venice Tourist Map. The best things to do in Venice are marked by blue pins. That includes famous landmarks, museums, and churches (in Italy, churches are museums).

woman in venice

This interactive map of Venice also includes recommended restaurants . You’ll find those are marked with a green knife & fork icon. G elaterie can be identified by the pink ice cream icon. You can even find rooftop bars in this Venice attractions map! Those are indicated by purple drink icons.

How to Use This Map: If you click the tab at the top left corner, you’ll be able to select specific layers. Click the checkmark to select or hide specific categories.

Save This Map: Click the brackets in the top right corner to expand the map in full view. It will open in a new tab. Under the map title, right of the map description, there is a star. Click this star and the map will be saved to your Google account  in Google Maps. You can access it later from your computer or device. On desktop, go to Google Maps and click ‘Your Places,’ and ‘Maps.’ On app view, select ‘Saved, scroll down and click ‘Maps.’

Walking Map of Venice

This map of Venice Italy includes a lot of paid attractions. Venice isn’t a cheap destination! Although, if you choose not to enter inside any of the museums or churches, you can use this walking map of Venice Italy to enjoy a completely free experience! 

If you’re visiting with a special someone, make sure to check out our Venice guide for couples .

colorful photo of Venice from a canal

Famous Landmarks

This free Venice walking tour map includes all the famous landmarks you won’t want to miss. Including some famous bridges. Venice is known for its bridges — there are over 400 of them after all! Under those bridges, some 300 gondolas roam about among the winding canals. 

Enjoying the waterways and bridges is one of the best free things to do in Venice Italy. Make sure to hit these famous landmarks when you use this Venice self-guided walking tour map! 

The Rialto Bridge is one of the Venice main attractions. It is one of four bridges on our sightseeing map of Venice that spans the famous Grand Canal. This is the heart of Venice.

Walking across the Rialto Bridge is one of the best free things to do in Venice. It’s an incredible piece of history — built over 400 years ago! The Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge to span the Grand Canal.

Venice, Italy - July 1, 2018: Panoramic view of Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. Landscape of summer sunny day and blue sky

In the present day, it’s usually very busy with tourists. There are many interesting shops on either side. It’s a densely packed, high-traffic area . The real estate surrounding this bridge is some of the most pricey in all of Venice!

If you’re walking in Venice Italy, you can’t skip the Rialto Bridge. Nearby, you can get authentic gelato at Grom or La Boutique Del Gelato . Great places to eat nearby are Baci & Pasta and Osteria alle Testiere . 

Rialto Bridge in Venice

Baci & Pasta is another great joint near the Rialto Bridge that you’ll find on this tourist map of Venice. It’s a casual, budget, option. Osteria alle Testiere is a formal dining restaurant nearby serving authentic Venetian fare. 

Experience Venice through food.

Grand Canal in Venice

Take a tour of the legendary Grand Canal. 

Along the Grand Canal, you can find buildings in Venitian Gothic, Venitian Baroque, and Venitian Byzantine. Hundreds of years ago, the wealthiest and most prestigious families built homes along the Grand Canal. Many of the top sights in Venice today are still lining the Grand Canal.

The Grand Canal isn’t exactly Venice off the beaten path… it’s pretty touristy! Although, it’s an important part of the city and one of the must-do things in Venice. 

couple on a gondola ride in Venice

Book your gondola ride today.

A gondola ride through the Grand Canal is one of the must-do things in Venice. There are many gondola operators in this area.  A gondola ride is the best way to experience the Grand Canal and it’s one of the most romantic experiences in the city!

If you want romance on a budget, visiting the Grand Canal is one of the best free things to do in Venice at night. You can watch the sunset over the city from the top of this historic bridge. Couples may also consider a romantic photo shoot in Venice.

The Bridge of Sighs is another one of the popular places to visit in Venice. You can’t walk along the Bridge of Sighs, you can only see it!

The best place to view the Bridge of Sighs is from the Bridge of Paglia ( Ponte della Paglia ). The Bridge of Sighs is one of the famous Venice attractions. Its purpose was to link Doge’s Palace with a prison. Legend has it that prisoners would sigh on this bridge as they got their final glimpse of beautiful Venezia .

The famous Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy

The Bridge of Signs is an enclosed in white limestone . It has windows with stone bars through them. The designer of this bridge was the nephew of the man who designed the Rialto Bridge –adding fame to these Venice tourist attractions. 

In reality, not many big-time criminals passed through this bridge. By the time it was built, inquisitions and executions weren’t happening anyone. Also, it wasn’t possible to see much through the tiny barred windows. 

Bridge of Sighs in Venice

Although, it’s still a beautiful spot and visiting this bridge is one of the top things to do in Venice. Another reason that this is one of the best things to do in Venice is that it’s completely free to visit! 

Saint Mark’s Square is one of the best places for Venice sightseeing. This is where everyone in Venice comes to see and be seen. It may be the largest and most important square in Venice, but it’s also considered one of the most famous squares in the world.

St. Mark's Square in Venice, St. Mark's clock tower is visible

St. Marks Square offers the best views of St. Mark’s Basilica and campanile. This is a common stop on any Venice itinerary and a meeting place for many tour groups. Doge’s Palace and Museum can also be accessed from Saint Mark’s Square. Visiting Doge’s Palace is another one of the activities you must do in Venice.

St. Mark's Square in Venice

Explore the legendary St. Mark’s Basilica. 

St. Mark’s Square is a must see in Venice! The square’s history dates all the way back to the 9th Century. This is a lively and busy part of the city. Stopping by for espresso and dessert at the nearby Caffè Florian is one of the recommended things to do in Venice at night. It’s considered the oldest cafe in Europe! 

The Scala Contarini del Bovolo —roughly, “ staircase of the snail ” is one of the best places to visit in Venice. It’s a photographer’s dream! As you climb the staircase, you’ll notice the staircase’s unique design . It has features from a few different architectural styles.

Beautiful renaissance spiral staircase in the center of Venice, one of the most famous tourist attraction in the city, seen from below

The staircase ascends into a tower. Once at the top, you’ll find amazing views of Venetian rooftops. This is one of the most amazing things to see in Venice Italy. 

This staircase was originally built in the 15th Century . Entering does require a small fee, or you may choose to visit with an organized tour. No matter how you choose to visit, this is one of the top things to see in Venice for first-timers. 

Burano and Murano are Venitan islands on our downloadable map of Venice that aren’t connected by a bridge. Visiting these other islands by boat is one of the adventurous things to do in Venice. 

Each island has a unique vibe and atmosphere. Burano is known for its distinct, brightly painted houses. It’s very magical looking. Lacemaking and fishing are the common trades on Burano. You can shop around for handcrafted goods.

Burano in Venice, colorful homes and buildings

Find out how you can visit Burano & Murano.

The Lace Museum in Burano is one of the famous places to visit near Venice. 

Murano island is another one of the Venice top attractions. Murano is well-known for glassmaking. Glass has been made on Venitian islands for over 1,000 years! If you are lucky enough to visit Murano with a guided tour, you’ll likely get to witness the glassmaking process. Make your own glass in Murano. 

Murano in Venice

Sign up for an unforgettable glass-making workshop in Murano.

These islands are some of the less touristy places to visit in Venice Italy. 

While you enjoy a Venice walking tour, you’ll have to stop at some of the legendary museums. Venice is highly regarded for the art collections and history you can find. 

Some of the popular spots on our free map of Venice include Doge’s Palace, the Gallery of the Academy, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and the Museum Correr. We will discuss these main highlights.

If you’d rather do art than see art, check out this painting class in Venice.

view of St. mark's square and Dodge's palace from the water

Other museums you can find on the map of Venice with attractions include a music museum at the San Maurizio Church and the Museum of Glass. This Venice walking guide also includes numerous churches (that might as well be museums) because they contain priceless art and artifacts. 

Doge’s Palace is one of the top sites in Venice Italy. Doge’s facade is an excellent example of Venetian Gothic architecture . The palace was destroyed, rebuilt, and restored several times since its original construction in the 9th Century by Doge Agnello Participazio.

Dodge's Palace

In the 17th Century, the palace served as the seat of g overnment, the city’s courtrooms, and a jail. It was an important base of power for the Venitian Republic. One of the important things to know about Venice is that Venice was an independent republic for over 1,000 years!

Doge’s Palace is impeccably lavish. Including gilded ceilings, frescoed walls, and grand staircases . Visiting the Doge’s apartments and prison cells is one of the things you must do in Venice. 

Doge's Palace in Venice

Check out this top-rated tour of Doge’s Palace.

Doge’s is an important landmark and one of the best places in Venice Italy for art lovers. There are many admirable paintings and sculptures to explore. The building itself is an artistic marvel. It’s a must-visit in Venice! 

The Correr Museum is one of the most interesting places in Venice. It’s highly regarded Napoleonic Wing dates back to the early 19th Century. During this time, Napoleon held power and Venice remained part of the Kingdom of Italy.

This museum is also located in the bustling St. Mark’s Square. It’s one of the most popular places in Venice. Guests can explore neoclassical residences of Kings and emperors. 

Correr Museum in Venice

This is one of the Venice main attractions because you’ll find unimaginable treasures . The Correr Museum displays paintings, sculptures, furniture, instruments, and much more! 

Cross the Bridge of the Academy and you’ll be in front of the Gallery of the Academy . This bridge is less crowded and maybe a good place to take a traditional canal side photo. It’s one of the places of interest in Venice for art and history lovers. 

The Gallery of the Academy is one of the top sites in Venice because it has an impressive collection of 19th Century art. The root institution behind this museum was one of the first to adopt art restoration practices in the 18th Century. 

Leonardo da Vinci's drawing of the Vitruvian Man

You can find many masterpieces in the Gallery of the Academy of Venice. The collection includes Leonardo da Vinci’s drawing of the Vitruvian Man which is occasionally displayed. This is one of the best sights in Venice. 

Let’s not forget that dining and drinking are also some of the best activities in Venice Italy. Near to the Gallery of the Academy are a few great dining opportunities. Cantine del Vino già Schiavi is a wine bar off the beaten path. Osteria Al Squero is a local favorite known for authentic bites in a modest setting. Then, stop by Gelateria Nico for dessert.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is one of the most important 20th Century art museums in Italy. Visiting this place to appreciate American and European art is one of the fun things to do in Venice.

The modern art of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is housed in an opulent 18th Century palace . Peggy Guggenheim lived in this palace for over 30 years. It’s one of the best things to see in Venice!

Peggy Guggenheim was an American heiress and socialite . She later became a prestigious art collector and traveler. Interestingly, her father died during the sinking of the Titanic. 

Peggy Guggenheim loved Venice and established her most famous museum there along the Grand Canal. Viewing examples of surrealism, cubism and abstract expressionism at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum is one of the top things to do in Venice Italy. It’s also one of the romantic things to do in Venice for couples.

Surprise, Surprise…another museum inside a waterfront palace. The Ca’Rezzonico Museum was built in the 17th Century for a noble Venitian family . This is one of the most visited Venice tourist spots.

Interestingly, the family that originally commissioned this palace ran out of money before its completion . Also, the architect who designed it perished before it could be complete. The palace was finally completed over 100 years after the project was initially started ! 

The facade of the museum is a notable example of Venetian baroque and rococo architecture. Even if you decide not to stop inside, viewing the facade of this glorious building is one of the cool things to do in Venice. This is one of the best places to go in Venice for architecture lovers. 

Inside the museum, you’ll find plenty of works by Venetian painters of the 18th Century. It’s a living time capsule into the 18th Century . There’s seemingly endless frescoes, sculptures, carved figurines, and other impeccable accents and artifacts. 

Ca’Rezzonico Museum is one of the best museums & top places to visit in Venice. 

While you’re walking in Venice, you may notice many churches. We’ve included several churches in this tourist map of Venice Italy because churches are essentially museums. 

Quick Note About Churches: You don’t have to be Catholic, or even religious, to appreciate the history, culture, and architecture of Roman Catholic churches. While you should be respectful while inside, churches in Venice are open to visitors of all faiths and backgrounds.

Venetian Fresco

So, while you’re walking around Venice, stop inside a church or two. While they are treasure troves of art and history, admission into churches is much cheaper than that to museums.

Gaining entry allows you access to beautiful frescos, elaborate tombs, and unique stories . Although, entry is by no means necessary. Seeing these churches from the outside is worth your time.

Venetian Sculpture

The following discussion focuses on some of the most important religious buildings on this map of Venice.

St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the most popular Venice sites to see. It is a cathedral style church , and it is considered one of the best examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture .

The facade of St. Mark’s Basilica has over 500 columns . Even if you don’t venture inside, St. Mark’s Basilica is one of the famous sites in Venice that you need to appreciate. 

St. Mark Cathedral Basilica In St. Mark Square Of Venice, Italy

Inside Saint Mark’s Basilica, there are over 850,000 square feet of mosaics ! Wow. Many of these mosaics were added over 800 years ago . Much of the tile inlay of these mosaics are made of gold . Much of the treasures you’ll find inside come from the Crusades. So, it’s no wonder this is one of the best Venice Italy tourist spots. 

The grounds of St. Mark’s Basilica also include a Renaissance style Clocktower and a prominent public square. Visiting this place is one of the legendary activities to do in Venice Italy.

The Church of San Zaccaria is one of the lesser-known famous things in Venice. This 15th-century Gothic church has somewhat a simple façade. However, it holds renowned paintings and precious artifacts. 

Church of San Zaccaria in Venice Italy

This church is significant for being one of the earliest monastic foundations in the city. It was first established in the 7th Century! For this reason, it’s one of the best attractions in Venice. 

Despite its small size, the marble facade of this church is quite stunning. One of the noteworthy pieces you’ll find within is Giovanni Bellini’s Madonna and Four Saints . This is one of the top places in Venice for the off-the-beaten-path traveler. 

The Church of Saint Julian is one of the important religious sites to see in Venice. The facade of the Church of Saint Julian follows th e traditional flattened temple style . 

The consecration of this church was made possible by a local scholar and physician. You’ll see the statue of Tommaso Rangone above the door to the Church of St. Julian. Rangone grew his wealth by selling herbal remedies to Syphilis and yellow fever.

The Church of Saint Julian is one of the interesting places to go in Venice to view masterpieces and living history. These are incredible frescoes, sculptures and marble works inside.

The Church of Saint Julian is not far from the Church of San Salvador –another one of the must see things in Venice. As you walk from one church to the other, you’ll be in the main shopping street in Venice. This is a great spot to grab a magnet, leather goods, or other local trinkets. 

Visiting historic churches is one of the unusual things to do in Venice . There’s no better Venitian church than the Basilica San Maria della Salute.

You can view this church while you’re enjoying the sightseeing in Venice Italy at Saint Mark’s Square. Look out past the Grand Canal, and you’ll be able to spot it! 

night shot of the Basilica San Maria della Salute.

The facade of San Maria della Salute is remarkably baroque . It was built during a devastating outbreak of the plague, and many references to the Black Death can be observed in this church. 

These are the best places to see in Venice. The top museums, churches & famous landmarks. They’re all mapped for you to enjoy. 

areal view of Venice Italy

Learn more about how to use this map while you navigate around to the best tourist attractions in Venice Italy. 

Think I missed something on my map? Comment below.

walking map of venice pin

This post may contain compensated links. Please read our disclaimer for more info.

self guided walking tours venice

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St. Mark's Square Venice

self guided walking tours venice

In this post, we list the 12 must-see thing in St. Mark's Square in Venice.

We also include directions on how to get here, a map to help you explore on your own, as well as recommendations for guided tours.

St. Mark's Square Map

self guided walking tours venice

Click the map to enlarge or download it to your phone.

1. St. Mark’s Square

This public square is lined with several historic buildings, cafes, shops, and other notable sites.

At around 2 ½ acres, St. Mark’s Square is quite large and there are a lot of interesting things to see in the area.

St Mark's Square

St. Mark’s Basilica is located at the far end of the square, and you’ll find its 92 meter (300 ft.) tall bell tower to the right of the structure.

Between the basilica and the bell tower, you will see the Doge’s Palace in the distance.

The buildings surrounding the square are mostly former government offices that were in charge of Venetian trading outposts.

Napoleon once called St. Mark’s Square “the most beautiful drawing room in Europe,” and it’s not hard to see why.

This is a great place for people-watching during the day, but after dark, the lamplight really reveals how little has changed about this location throughout the centuries.

2. Caffe Florian

There are a few different cafes in the area of St. Mark’s Square, and each offers the same types of food at the same general price, often with local musicians performing classical music.

Caffe Florian

Caffe Florian, located on the Southern end of the square, has been around since 1720, and famous people such as Casanova and Charles Dickens have all dined here.

3. Caffe Quadri

Caffe Quadri is on the opposite side of the square, and they have also hosted several notable guests including Stendahl and Richard Wagner.

These are the two most notable cafes on the square, but there are others you can visit if you’re just looking for a quick bite or something to drink.

4. St. Mark’s Basilica

This is one of the oldest churches in all of Europe, dating back to 1063.

It is named after St. Mark, who wrote the story of Jesus in the bible.

Mark’s remains are said to be buried under the main altar in the basilica.

Despite its age, this is actually the most recent church founded in Venice.

St. Mark’s Basilica

The architecture on display here reflects the history of trade in Venice, with influences from Roman, Greek, Byzantine, French-Gothic, and even Muslim architectural styles.

Many consider this one of the most interesting churches in Europe.

And with all the different artistic approaches that were taken in its development over the years, it’s clear that this is one basilica that can’t be compared to any other.

You can enter this church and see the interior for yourself, and there’s even a free audio tour of St. Mark’s Basilica as well.

venice walking tours

5. Torre dell'Orologio

You’ll find this structure to the left of St. Mark’s Basilica, and it dates back to about 1500.

If you look at the top of the tower, you’ll see two bronze Moors.

These were initially intended to be giants, but after the metal darkened over the centuries, they were given a different cultural background.

Torre dell'Orologio Venice

At the top of each hour, the moors swing their clappers. The dial of the clock shows all 24 hours, the zodiac, and even the phases of the moon at its center.

Look above the traditional dial to see the first digital clock in the world.

The clock tower also has a winged lion, the symbol of St. Mark, which holds an opened book reading “peace be with you, Mark.”

You can find this winged lion symbol all over the square if you look closely enough.

Shops & Crafts

With Venice’s history of trade, it should be no wonder there are several shops in the area where you can find a variety of items for purchase.

Some of the most popular items for sale in this city include glass products, masks, lace, and more.

You’ll find shops either up and down Mercerie street or under the arcade on the Northern side of the square.

6. Campanile/Bell Tower

Located near the center of the square and opposite the clock tower, the campanile was once actually the lighthouse which guarded the entrance to the Grand Canal.

Campanile Venice St. Mark's Square

The bell tower you see today is not the original structure, as the first campanile fell in 1902.

That said, it was faithfully rebuilt 10 years later, and it’s a much stronger building today.

There is a lift which will take you to the top for excellent views of the city.

Floods at St. Mark’s Square

This square floods quite frequently, and when it does, you will hear warning sirens to let you know that the area is no longer safe.

Floods at St. Mark’s Square

Keep an eye out for puddles forming from the round white stones in the pavement.

During strong tides, the water flows like a river to the lowest areas of the square.

Although many doorways are designed to avoid flooding, it doesn’t always help.

This problem is expected to get worse as a result of rising sea levels.

7. Doge’s Palace

Located to the right of St. Mark’s Basilica, this pink Venetian Gothic building housed the government of the Venetian empire and has also served as the home of the Duke (or Doge).

Doge’s Palace

It is said that from 1150 - 1550, this was the most powerful location in Europe, despite its lacy and unprotected surroundings.

The palace was intentionally built this way to show that the Doge was an elected official and he had nothing to fear from his citizens.

Tickets are available to enter the palace, and its walls are lined with beautiful works of art from famous artists, so it’s definitely worth a visit.

8-9 Piazzetta

This is the small square between St. Mark’s Basilica and the San Marco Basin.

You’ll find the Doge’s Palace on one side of the Piazzetta and the Campanile on the other.

Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs

There are many small things to see in this area, including the Tetrarchs at the gate of the Doge’s Palace, the 7th Column of the palace, the San Marco Column, and the San Theodore Column.

Those last two columns were once taken from Constantinople and in the past they were used as execution sites for criminals.

You’ll find this stop just south of the Piazzetta.

It’s the site of a special celebration in which the Doge would board a boat and head out to the lagoon to perform a ritual in which he would toss a ring into the water.

Lagoon

The ring was a symbol of the marriage between Venice and its waters, an offering to reaffirm that connection.

The lagoon is 212 sq miles, and it’s home to many other islands.

Although it is big, it is also quite shallow, and you could technically walk across most of it.

12. Gondolas

As you stand and look out at the lagoon, chances are you’ll see a few of these boats in the area.

These gondolas are one of the most popular ways to get around the city.

These boats use just one oar, which is used both to thrust the boat forward and turn it one way or another.

They typically travel at about 3 miles per hour and take about as much energy as walking.

Today, there are only around 500 gondolas in Venice, and they are only available for tourists.

It can cost €100 or more to ride a gondola, so it’s probably a good thing you’re saving money on this tour!

We have a post explaining how to take a gondola ride .

13. Bridge of Sighs

Head to the bridge just beyond the Doge’s Palace to get a good look at this historic site by looking inland to the next bridge on the canal.

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace with the prison.

It is said that after criminals were sentenced, they would be walked across the bridge, where they could take one last look at Venice before heading to jail.

The reality was likely far different than this romanticized version of events.

But, leave it to a poet like Lord Byron to give this bridge a wistful name despite its dark history.

And be sure to check out our other free walking tours of Venice .

This free self-guided walking tour will serve as a companion piece to a free audio tour of St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco).

Whether you don’t have headphones to enjoy the audio version or you just prefer reading about the location, this is an excellent alternative.

How to Get to St. Mark’s Square

This public square is located on the southern end of Venice at the bottom of the Grand Canal. There are two main methods for getting here: on foot or by boat.

If you’re on the other end of the Grand Canal, the easiest way to get here is by hopping on a gondola or boat and enjoying a trip down the winding waterway.

Vaporetto Venice

Public Vaporetto

One of the most affordable options is the Vaporetto, a public waterbus that will take you down the entire length of the canal.

This option typically takes around 35 minutes to complete the journey.

It’s also worth noting that there is actually a free audio tour you can take which covers some of the more notable sites you’ll see on a boat ride down the Grand Canal.

The stop for St. Mark’s Square is at the end of Calle Vallaresso.

Walk up this road and turn right when you reach Piazza San Marco road, which will lead you directly to the square.

TIP: If you’re interested in this option, it’s worth noting that transportation on the Vaporetto is included at no extra cost with the Venice City Pass , which also includes admission to Doge’s Palace!

Alternatively, you could also take a Gondola ride down the canal , because there's actually a very active gondola stop right at St. Mark's Square!

If you’re planning to walk and you’re coming from the west, use the Ponte dell’Accademia to reach the eastern side of Venice.

For visitors coming from the city center, the Rialto Bridge will be the easiest way to cross the Grand Canal to the east.

Anyone coming from the north likely won’t need to cross any major bridges to reach St. Mark’s Square.

TOUR OF ST. MARK'S SQUARE

We will cover important details about the most notable sites in St. Mark’s Square below.

The tour takes approximately 60 min (unless you go inside St. Mark's)

We based this route on the free audio tour from Rick Steves . Our content is unique, but we recommend listening to his well-produced tour.

You can also download his free tour wherever you get podcasts or simply download his Audio Europe app.

self guided walking tours venice

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About The Author

self guided walking tours venice

Stephen Pickhardt

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The Creative Adventurer

A Free Self-Guided Walking Tour of the Haunted Canals of Venice

self guided walking tours venice

The city of Venice , the Queen of the Adriatic , the Drawing Room of Europe , is one of the most highly-rated destinations on any tourist’s bucket list. And while most people come here for the incredible canals, iconic gondoliers, Byzantine architecture and masked figures of Carnival, those seeking a darker side of the city won’t be disappointed. A night approaches, Venice seems to transform itself as the sun sets against the rippling waters. So many day-tripping tourists or those from the cruise ships head back for the night and the city is home to mostly locals and the local spirits.

self guided walking tours venice

A city as old and as raucous as Venice is bound to have its fair share of dark histories. Along with these ghoulish tales are bound to come stories of ghosts and haunting! I have laid out in the map below all the spots where you can go ghost hunting to see if you can spot a spectre! But even if you’re not lucky enough to see a ghost for yourself, these shadowy stories of Venice’s mysterious history are all the most enjoyable when walking through the real places late at night.

About the Walking Tour

All but one of these spots can be visited so you can touch the same stones the characters in our stories would have walked on themselves. While not all these stories are directly connected to ghosts, they all have a macabre theme and you never know when you might be the first to see a spectre from one of these famous tales.

self guided walking tours venice

Map of Walking Tour

Riva de Biasio

We start our tour at the northernmost point on the island, at the Riva de Biasio Vaporetto dock. This was the spot in the 15th were the butcher of Biasio plied his trade. The butcher was known for his delicious sausages, that he served in the inn he ran on the canal. He was known all over Venice for his superior tasting sausages. Until one day, a woman discovered a small piece of a human finger inside, including the fingernail!

When the police raided the butcher shop they found pieces and bones of various children he had killed, and we can assume, turned into food for his restaurant. Biasio was beheaded in St. Mark’s Square and his house was torn down because the memories of what he had done haunted the residents of the area. Residences have been known to hear the voices of crying children late into the night echoing along the canal.

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Death in Venice

Before the construction of the San Michele Cemetery, rich aristocrats were buried inside churches in burial tombs. But the cost of being buried inside a church was high and only for the very upper crust of Venetian society. Middle-class people “rented” their final resting place. These people could not afford a single tomb of their own so instead, groups of people would be buried together in a private chapel for a certain period of time. Once their time was up, their living family members could either pay up for another few years or have the corpses removed. There was even a school dedicated to the management of burials in Venice called the Scuola della Buona Morte , or School of the Good Death.

Campo Dei Morti

The poorest of Venetian society were buried in open-air cemeteries or mass graves. The street Campo dei Morti translates into the Street of the Dead. This was where once you’d find one of the largest open-air grave sights in Venice. This graveyard would have been overflowing when the plague first came to the city. And you can only imagine the smell! But in addition to the smell, it was literally unsafe as diseases would spread from the dead bodies to anyone living close by. So in the 19th century, an edict was formed that these cemeteries would be moved off the island for sanity purposes. But walking on these streets today still feels like you’re walking over someone’s grave.

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Palazzo Mastelli

The best place to see the Palazzo Mastelli is opposite the house on the other side of the canal (as marked on the map). The most curious part of this building is the carving on the lower right corner which depicts a man in a turban standing beside a large camel. The legend says that this man in the bas-relief is actually the petrified former owner of the palace. The owners were rich silk merchants who made their money by selling low-quality fabrics at high prices to unsuspecting Venetians. When they pulled this scam on an old widow, she was furious.

She cursed the money she used to buy the fabric so that whenever the merchants touched it they would turn to stone. Look closely on the faces of both the merchant and the camel and see if in the moonlight of the night, you can hear them screaming for help!

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Casino degli Spiriti

The Casino degli Spiriti (the House of the Spirits) is made up of a vast complex of buildings consisting also of the Palazzo Contarini Dal Zaffo . In the 16th century when this building was first constructed it began its life as an intellectual meeting place. Philosophers and artists would come from far and wide to meet here. People like Tintoretto, Veronese and Titian were popular attendees. But over the years the palace was abandoned although some locals say that it wasn’t really abandoned after all. They claimed that cults began using the large annex in the Palazzo for dark rituals late at night. After this point in history, it seemed like the spot was cursed.

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Pietro Luzzo da Feltre

Strange noises were heard at night, and voice carried across the canal. Pietro Luzzo da Feltre , a painter of little repute, bought the land since it was cheap. The painter was a romantic soul and was madly in love with one of his models. When she turned down his advances, the love stuck painter threw himself off the building and died in the water. A few days later the painter’s ghost appeared in one of the windows and is still frequently seen wandering the halls. The palazzo was later used as a hospital for plague patients where hundreds of people died. Their bodies were given autopsies here as well and only rowed out to the nearby San Michele Cemetery when they had been torn apart by doctors.

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In the 1920s new owners discovered four bodies inside the building, all of which were missing their heads and right hands. This quickly put them off the property. The last gruesome story from the building’s history comes in 1940 when a rich woman was killed, dismembered and placed in a trunk which was later submerged into the lagoon. The trunk was discovered nearby by some local fisherman who had already known about all the other mysterious events which had occurred near the palazzo. All these spooky incidents have meant that no fisherman will even fish near the Casin degli Spiriti for fear of being its next victim.

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Campo de l’Abazia

The Campo de L’Abazia is where you might find one of the most theatrical ghosts of the city. On May 13th, 1437 there was a terrible fire that spread across the neighbourhood. Families were trying to get these children out of the fire. When Bartolomeo Zenni was asked by his neighbours for help he refused them in order to instead save his jewels and gold. But this cruel action condemned his soul for life. Today, if you see an old man, with a large sack on his back, in the square begging for money – don’t speak to him. People have been known to approach the man, only to have him turn into a burning skeleton in front of their eyes!

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Fondamente Nove

Standing on the main island looking out at the San Michele opposite, see if you can spot a floating casket on the water, lit by four candles. This is thought to be the ghost of a little girl who died in the water in 1904. On a particularly foggy night, a Vaporetto captain and two gondolas set out from the main island to Burano and Murano respectively. Due to the thick fog, the Vaporetto crashed into the gondolas sending almost all the passengers into the water. Despite their best attempts, four women died that night but one little girl remained lost at sea. The floating casket with candles is said to be the ghost of the little girl who was never found and never given a proper burial.

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San Michele Cemetery

Most obviously haunted places in Venice is the  San Michele Cemetery . The new cemetery was established in 1807, by filling the canals of the then two separate islands (San Michele and San Cristoforo), to create one larger one. Bodies were carried to the island on special funeral gondolas. The island was formerly used for prisoners, which in itself imbues the island with a storied past. The cemeteries are guarded by large cypress trees whose branches ache and moan with the wind. Thousands of people are now buried on the island, under some of the most lavish monuments you’ll find anywhere in the world. The cemetery is divided into different sections; Catholic, Greco/Orthodox, Protestant, Victims of War, and gondoliers. 

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Campiello del Remer

Here in Campiello del Remer square, you might catch sight of a tormented jealous lover. In the 16th century, a nobleman named Loredan fell in love and married the niece of the Doge. But wracked with jealously, accused her of adultery. She repeatedly denied it but unable to free himself from his jealous rage, beheaded her. Not wanting a nobleman’s blood on his hands, the Doge told the Loredan to go to the Pope and ask for forgiveness. But one caveat, he had to bring his wife’s beheaded head with him on the long journey. Loredan obeyed but the pope would not see him. He carried his dead wife’s decaying head back to Venice and, now wracked with madness, threw himself into the canal near the Campiello Remer. He is still seen today walking around the Campiello with his dead wife’s head in his hands.

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Malibran Theater

The Malibran Theater was once, the old home of Marco Polo. Marco Polo, when travelling in China, met the daughter of a great emperor and fall in love. He married her and brought her back to Venice with him. But she never felt at home in Venice. Marco Polo’s sisters didn’t like her either, and we thought to be very jealous of the affection that Marco paid on her. One day, Marco was captured in battle by the Genoese and instead of telling her that he had been captured, Marco’s sisters told his wife he had died. Feeling more alone than ever, she lit her clothes on fire and threw herself into the canal where she is thought to have died.

Today, people claimed that you can still see her white figure floating in the air and if you listen closely hear the faint sound of Eastern music playing in the wind. While there is seemingly little truth to this story, when the theatre was doing some excavations, they discovered the body of an Asian woman buried in the foundations of the building. Found along with her with a tiara and an imperial coat, so no doubt this was Marco’s princess.

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Calle Bressan

In front of the Basilica of S.S. Giovanni, there is said to be a ghost that haunts the court. The ghost is often seen begging for alms. This is “Bell Ringer” of St Marks Square. The bell ringer was just that, a bell ringer who was once in charge of the huge bells inside St. Mark’s Campanile. Bell ringers back then didn’t make much money, so when an old Venetian scientist approached the boy and offered him a large sum in exchange for his skeleton, the boy jumped at the offer.

The scientist wanted the boy’s skeleton to perform experiments on after his death. Not thinking anything of this, the boy accepted and was handed over the large sum of money. He immediately went about spending it, mostly on alcohol, and eventually drank himself into a very early grave. Perhaps the scientist knew a thing or two and crafted the entire scheme. The scientist took what he had paid for and the skeleton is still on display in Venice’s Natural History Museum to this day. But it is said that the skeletons leave the museum every night, and comes here to beg for money, in the hopes of being able to buy his skeleton back and escape the mortal world.

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Santa Maria Formosa

Belltowers across Europe in the Medieval era were the only way that people know what was going on in the city. The bells tolled for the start and end of the workday. They tolled to mark danger incoming into the city. Of even just to mark a celebration. But whatever they were used for, they had great influence over the people of the city. Therefore many of the belltowers in Venice have a carving sculpted on the door to the tower. These carvings were often grotesque as they were used to “ward off the Devil” to ensure he didn’t enter to ring the bells and cause chaos in the city.

The carving on the church of Santa Maria Formosa ‘s belltower is one of the best examples of this. This carving is said to howl out at night when he senses the devil is near. Others say that the cries are something much darker. And that the carving above the door is actually a demon trapped in stone. See if the face’s eyes follow you as you pass.

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San Francesco della Vigna

The church of San Francesco della Vigna is thought to be haunted by not one but a group of ghosts. Years ago, a man was out late walking home, when darkness fell early than the man expected. This was long before the invention of street lamps. As he neared the church, he saw a few glimmers of light in the distance and thought he might ask if the group had a light to spare. When he got closer he saw there was a group of men, around the graveyard of the church, all holding candles. One of the men turned to face him and offered him his candle. The man took it enthusiastically and walked the rest of the way home.

In the morning he was horrified to see that the light he was using the night before wasn’t a candle but a shrivelled hand ! He returned the next night, as he felt keeping the hand would have been grave robbery, and therefore a sun. He saw the group of men around the graveyard once more. They all carried candles in their hand. All but one. He passed the hand back to the ghost, who smiled. The man ran off into the night, never being able to forget what he saw. The graveyard is now gone but perhaps the ghosts still frequent the churchyard!

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Campo San Piero de Casteo

On the far edge of the island of Venice lies the Campo San Piero de Castro . Lurking in the shadows is said to be the ghost of a young bride. This is Tosca . Tosca was a poor young girl who was promised to a rich nobleman in order to further her family’s name. But she was already in love with someone else. A young hunter. Before she had to marry the nobleman, she escaped with the hunter. But before they could get away, the nobleman found them. He killed the hunter and cut of Tosca’s ring finger so should never marry anyone! Riddled with loss over her beloved she killed herself. Today her ghost searches endlessly for her wedding ring so she can marry her beloved – even in death.

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Viale Giuseppe garibaldi

Standing in the Viale Giuseppe Garibaldi is a large statue of Garibaldi . Giuseppe Garibaldi was the hero of Italian Unification. But standing behind Garibaldi’s grande statue is another figure, Giuseppe Zolli . Giuseppe Zolli was a young red shirt soldier. The solider was such a fan of Garibaldi that he swore an oath to protect him, even after death. The original statue of Garibaldi was designed as a solo piece, and here he stood, alone. But after some time, people began to report seeing a young ghost in a red shirt wandering the gardens asking for Garibaldi. Seeing as this ghost was clearly Giuseppe Zolli and did not plan on leaving Garibaldi alone, designers made him his own statue behind Garibaldi. Since then no one has spotted the ghost but there is most definitely some spirited energy going on here.

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Sottoportego dei Preti 

If you walk under the archway of the Sottoportego dei Preti and look on the opposite side, you’ll find a red heart carved into the brick. Legend has it that once upon a time a poor Venetian fisherman named Orio, was out fishing one night when a Melusine appeared near his boat. A Melusine is a Venetian mermaid, one who has two tails. Orio feels in love with her. And she with him.

They got married and even had three children, but the Melusine died birthing their last child. But unlike humans, Melusine’s turn into snakes when they die. She would return to Orio and the children every day as a snake to clean the house and take care of the children. But Orio didn’t know about this, and when he finally saw the snake, he killed it. Only then did he realize the snake was his wife. Broken-hearted he carved away at the wall in madness to remind future people his sad love story. Today it is thought that if you touch the heart you will find luck in love in the next year.

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Calle della Morte

The Calle della Morte translates in Italian literally into the Alley of Death . The alley was the most popular spot for people to be killed but in a rather strange way. When noblemen were condemned to death by the Venetian Council, the council avoided telling them right away. They feared they would escape before the sentence. So they would trick them to coming to this street where they would be killed. The Calle de Morte is extremely narrow and there would be no escape once someone was after you here. You’d think after the first few times someone would have caught on but I guess news didn’t travel as fast back in medieval times.

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Chiesa di Sant’Antonin

If you listen closely when you stand near the Church of Sant’Antonin , see if you can hear the stomping of huge footsteps. These are the ghostly footsteps of an elephant who once went rampaging through the city. In 1819, a travelling circus came to Venice. Animals in this circus where extremely abused and finally the elephant had had enough and escaped its shackles. It ran through the city, running through Riva Degli Schiavoni , destroying houses, staircases and doorways as it went.

It finally ended up here, where its foot got stuck in a tombstone allowing the Venetians chasing it to finally catch and shoot it. But killing it outright wasn’t enough for them. They brought it to St. Mark’s Square and executed the animal with a cannon! The poor elephant was no doubt just really scared and didn’t deserve this horrific end. So, its ghost still tries to take out its revenge on people today, even in death!

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Chiesa di San Zaccaria

The Church of San Zaccaria has a very haunting past. In 1105 there was a great fire in the church. All the nuns living in the convent tried to escape the fire and fled into the crypt for safety. Unfortunately, 100 nuns perished in the fire. They were buried beneath the church, quite haphazardly. Years late, in a horrific flood in the 15th century, the crypts were flooded with water. Suddenly thousands of bones floated to the surface, scaring the daylights out of the priests who hadn’t known they were there. When you visit the church, especially on a rainy night, see if you can hear the sounds of bones swaying in the water underneath. 

But this is not the end of the dark tales haunting his building. This church is where two Doge’s of Venice were murdered . The church was even once better as the La Chiesa Degli Omicidi – The Church of Murders . Pietro Tradonico was murdered on September 13th, 864. He was attacked by a group of malcontents as he was leaving after confession. After he died, they buried him in this very church. I don’t know about you but I wouldn’t want to be buried right where I was murdered.

Vitale II Michiel

But, looks like it was a Venetian trend! Because later in May 1172, Vitale II Michiel was also murdered here. Michiel was accused of both the destruction of the Venetian fleet at the hands of Byzantine rebels as well as bringing the plague back into the city. Not a great reputation. An angry mob gathered outside the palace and he tried to escape them by running to the convent here at Zaccaria. But stabbed to death by one of the mob before he arrived. Eight doges in total are buried here, all of whom met a violent end. Probably should have stopped burying them here…seems like the church is well, cursed. Probably by all those nuns who burned to death.

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Pillars of Piazzetta San Marco

Now we come into the Piazzetta San Marco . This time of night the square is so much quieter than when visitors flood it during the day. Standing tall in the square are the two pillars of San Marco and San Todaro. But before you take another step, be warned, it is said that if you stand in between the two columns you’ll be cursed .

The two columns were brought here from Constantinople, along with a third. But the ship carrying them sank to the bottom of the sea, and the third column was lost forever. The area between the two columns was used as the site for public executions for many years embuing the columns with dark memories and no doubt cursing the stones below with the blood of the fallen.

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St Mark’s Campanile

Another way people were punished and sometimes killed in Venice was to hang from the top of the St. Mark’s Campanile locked in a cage. This was called ‘ supplizio Della cheba ’, or the suspended cage . This method of torture was mainly used prior to the 15th century. The person convicted was almost always a member of the clergy. Often the crimes could be anything from sodomy, murder, forgery to blasphemy. The length of time you were in the cage, depending on the severity of the crime. When in the cage, the criminal could feed himself through a string with which he could drag bread and drinking water. Often this was almost impossible and the person would die. A haunting image of a less than beautiful St. Marks square.

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Rio Terrà dei Assassini

Rio Tera’ degli Assassini translates into the Assassins’ Street and the adjacent Assassins’ Bridge . This bridge connected the more upscale neighbourhood of San Marco to the red light district where you could find all the best brothels. The street is very narrow and often was extremely dark. The most famous story from this street was in 1507. A nobleman was murdered here and his body was discovered by a local baker named Piero Tasca . The baker saw the murder weapon on the ground nearby. Seeing its silver blade and gem-encrusted hilt he grabbed the dagger in the hope of trading it for some money to feed his family. But, as he went to grab it, the authorities arrived and arrested him for the murder.

They promptly sentenced him to death, despite his objections. A few weeks later, the real murderer confessed. From that day forward the saying recorded del polo fornareto (Remember the poor baker) was uttered in council meetings for the Republic of Venice to think twice before making a grave mistake in execution sentencing. Some people have been heard to smell freshly baked bread floating through the air here, even in the dead of night.

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Grassi Palace

The Palazzo Grassi is home to a billionaire and contemporary art collector Francois Pinault . When the Palazzo was being restored in the 80s, a night watchman was walking through the building when he heard a young girl’s voice. The voice screamed, “ stop! “. The nightwatchman froze in place and turned on his light. He looked about but couldn’t see anything. He was moving more slowly now in order to keep an eye out for the person whose voice he heard when suddenly he noticed a huge hole in the floor! This voice had been warning him to stop, before falling to his death.

After asking around, the owners discovered that years ago a young girl had been thrown off the balcony into the courtyard below. She had been trapped in an abusive living situation and unfortunately died at the hands of her abuser. It seems that she now tries to protect others around the palace, from any kind of suffering.

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Palazzo Dario

This picturesque house looks like the most idyllic little spot in Venice but Palazzo Dario is a house of two faces. The intricate Istrian stone, richly decorated with marble and circular medallions communicates nothing but beauty. But it’s dark side is really pretty dark. The house also goes by the name the ‘ house that kills ’ and is thought to be the most haunted house in all of Venice. Almost anywho who has lived here or owned the building has been murdered, died by suicide, been in a terrible accident or went bankrupt, so… keep your distance!

In the 15th century, the house was built and the Dario family moved in. Almost immediately, their daughter committed suicide. Her husband went bankrupt and their son perished in a fight. Rumours are that the house was built on top of an old Templar cemetery who weren’t so happy with a big house being dumped on top of their graves. Outside the house is a plaque that is engraved with the name of the first owner, “ Giovanni Dario to the Genius of the City “. But smart sleuths have discovered that in Italians, you can make an anagram out of these letters to make it spell, Sub ruina insidiosa genero (I bring treacherous ruins to those who live under this roof). Pretty spooky right?

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Punta della Dogana

The Punta Della Dogana is located at the end of the island of Dorsoduro and gives visitors a beautiful view of the Grand Canal. While enjoying the view, don’t blink twice if you happen to see something larger than life slithering around in the water. Legend has it that inside these dark waters lives a large sea serpent, like that loch ness monster. If it happens to be a moonless night you might be in luck since the monster favours nights when its darkest. Fishermen swear they have seen the creature although no evidence of its existence has been proven yet. Maybe you’ll be the first to get it on camera!

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We can’t talk about the hauntings of Venice without discussing Poveglia . But unfortunately, the island is pretty inaccessible to visitors. There are reports that you can hire a private boat which will take you there for about 180 euros, and I did manage to find a company which offers tours there for 350 euros! But since the island is officially off-limits to anyone, you are taking a risk by going there yourself. But standing on edge of Dorsoduro, look out into the black waters and imagine for yourself the island of death which is also known as Poveglia .

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Poveglia isn’t just one of the most haunted places in Venice, but one of the most haunted places in Europe! Poveglia was located at the edge of the lagoon and therefore a good spot to quarantine people coming into the lagoon by ship in the 16th century. During this time the plague was ravaging Europe and the Magistrato alla Sanità (Public Health Office) were trying their best to ensure it didn’t enter the cramped city of Venice, where it would spread like wildfire. In 1793 the first of two ships were placed into temporary confinement on the island when the plague was discovered on their ship. Unfortunately, they couldn’t keep it contained here and instead the island was turned into a giant burial ground.

Plague Graves

Over 160,000 plague victims were brought to the island during this period. Bodies were simply piled one on top of the other and even those who were sent here to bury the dead, often met their end here before they finished the job. Once the pile was too large for any new bodies, the whole pile would be burned to ash. It is said that there isn’t an inch of soil on Poveglia that isn’t mixed with the ashes of thousands of bodies.

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Psychiatric Hospital

After lying almost abandoned for years, in 1922 a psychiatric hospital was built on the island. The hospital was run by a cruel doctor who performed horrific experiments on his patients, who he deemed less than human. Located so far away from the prying eyes of the city, the doctor felt like he could do whatever he wanted here. It didn’t even take much to be sent to the asylum here in Poveglia. Understanding the treatment for mental illness was just in its infancy and it seemed like anyone who was even the slightest bit less than normal was sent here to the asylum.

The doctor was thought to have been driven mad, perhaps by the plague ghosts of the island, who were trying to protect the innocent souls he was abusing. The doctor attempted to commit suicide by jumping off the hospital belltower. But, almost in a twist of fate, he survives the jump. His injuries were traumatic and eventually, he would succumb to his wounds, but not without a tremendous amount of suffering. Karma. The hospital closed in 1968 and since then the island has been off-limits for anyone. The buildings have been left to the elements and are literally falling apart. People have heard noises coming from the abandoned island late at night. Is that the sound of the buildings falling down, or ghosts crying out in the night? I’ll let you decide.

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For those of you brave enough to have made it through the entire tour, kudos to you! You’re truly a superior ghost hunter! Let me know in the comment what your favourite story from the tour was or if you were lucky enough to spot a spectre!

Happy (spooky) Travels, Adventurers

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Self-Guided Walking Tours in Venice

Top attractions in venice.

  • Saint Mark's Basilica 7 tours and tickets
  • Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo 1 tour
  • Madonna dell'Orto 1 tour
  • San Michele 1 tour
  • Chiesa di Santa Fosca 1 tour
  • San Zaccaria 1 tour
  • Doge's Palace 4 tours and tickets
  • La Fenice 3 tours and tickets
  • Piazza San Marco 4 tours and tickets
  • Palazzo Marcello dei Leoni 1 tour

Popular cities to visit in Italy

  • Milan 17 tours and tickets
  • Rome 23 tours and tickets
  • Florence 10 tours and tickets
  • Pisa 4 tours and tickets
  • Pompei 3 tours and tickets
  • Turin 1 tour
  • Ravenna 1 tour
  • Padova 1 tour

Top attractions in Italy

  • Milan Cathedral 9 tours and tickets
  • Colosseum 4 tours and tickets
  • Roman Forum and Palatine Hill 2 tours and tickets
  • Temple of Antoninus and Faustina 1 tour
  • Temple of Venus and Rome 1 tour
  • Uffizi Gallery 2 tours and tickets
  • Piazza della Signoria 5 tours and tickets
  • Galleria dell'Accademia 2 tours and tickets
  • Piazza del Duomo 3 tours and tickets
  • Piazza della Santissima Annunziata 1 tour
  • Pinacoteca di Brera 7 tours and tickets
  • Brera Botanical Garden 6 tours and tickets
  • Rialto Bridge 5 tours and tickets

8 reviews for audio tours in Venice

Attractions in venice, things to do in venice, trending attractions in italy, popular on wegotrip.

self guided walking tours venice

Join a Guided Venice Walking Tour & Discover Its Enchanting Secrets

V enice in Northern Italy is often referred to as the “City of Canals” or the “Queen of the Adriatic,” is unlike any other place on Earth (no Venice in Vegas is never an option!)

While we’re not raving fans of Venice, we do think it should be on every traveler’s bucket list, simply because it is so unique with a long history worth learning about. 

One of the best ways to see mysterious Venice, is on foot. While a Venice walking tour doesn’t take you around the entire city, it does take you to the unmissable sites, and a few hidden gems, whilst simultaneously interacting with the locals and getting tips for visiting the city.

If you’re like us and you’re only visiting Venice for a day (that was more than enough for us) then you might be tempted by a walking tour of Venice.

But is it worth it? What do you see? And which walking tour organization should I go with? These are all excellent questions, which we will be answering below.

What is the best way to see Venice?

  • Rialto Neighborhood: Venice's First

The Rialto Bridge

Wandering the alleyways, marco polo house, campo san giovanni e paolo, st mark’s basilica vip access, let’s finish with a gondola ride, local venetian tour guide, other venice tour options with walks of italy, final thoughts on a walking tour of venice.

Venice is not a huge city and so the best way to see it is on foot. You could easily walk around the main historic sites within an hour. If you require public transportation in Venice, your best bet is to hop on a water taxi.

The Venice Walking Tour Itinerary

Nestled on a cluster of 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon along the northeastern coast of Italy, Venice’s distinct beauty is immediately apparent.

The city’s architecture, prevalent in Gothic and Renaissance palaces, as well as iconic canals, and romantic gondolas make it a dream destination for many. 

However, while its intricate network of canals, alleyways, and bridges conceal hidden treasures waiting to be discovered, it can also lead you to feel lost in a maze of winding streets.

With a limited time for sightseeing, how do you know how to fit it all in, not get lost, and experience its enchanting secrets?

If you’re wondering what a walking tour experience of the floating city is like, here’s where our three hour guided tour took us:

Rialto Neighborhood: Venice’s First

We started our tour outside Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto, Venice’s first church and the city began on 25th March 421.

Legend has it that Venice began with the population from the mainland trying to find a place where they felt more protected from their rivals. The lagoon and marshlands provided them with that. 

After our introduction to the city and tour, Paolo, our local tour guide, guided us through this Rialto neighborhood, along the canal, and through the fruit and vegetable markets and Rialto Fish Market, which closes at midday due to the heat.

We didn’t get to see the bustling Rialto market that draws people from all over Venice, but we got to experience its lingering smell! 

It was a wonderful way to start the tour away from the crowds and learn more about Venetian life including its love for good seafood and prosecco, which comes from Venice! Venice also has its own winery, which you can enjoy on this wine tasting tour !

On the way to Rialto Bridge, we passed the souvenir shops on the main street. I bought a lovely pink scarf from here – out of necessity -as Kalyra was wearing shorts, and knees and shoulders must be covered when entering St Mark’s Basilica – one of the best stops on our Venice waking tour.

In the past, these souvenir markets were filled with luxury products like silk and spices as Venice was a central stop on the space trading routes, helping it to become an important economic global center in 1300s and 1400s.

No walking tour of Venice would be legit, if you did not walk over the oldest bridge across the Grand Canal. As a central crossing point, it has always played a vital role in the daily functioning of the Republic of Venice. 

In the middle of the bridge are more souvenir shops which have been there since its beginning.

The Rialto Bridge dates to the 12th century and was built as a wooden structure, but it collapsed twice before they decided to reconstruct it in the more reliable stone between 1588 and 1591 by Antonio da Ponte.

We stopped here briefly to marvel at the bridge’s architectural beauty, snap our “I was here photo”, and watch life go by on the Grand Canal. Paolo steered us over to the other side of the bridge – the less crowded side for a different but just as enjoyable Grand Canal view. 

Top Tip: Get to Venice early, ( like we did ) and visit the bridge before 10am for views without the crowds.

With her small flag to help us see her through the crowds, Paolo zig zagged us through the quiet squares and alleyways that whisper stories of the past. 

She shared those, but also practical tidbits like where to chow down on the best local eats and how to navigate the maze-like city streets are on the menu too.

I enjoyed learning more about Venetian life including the need to get around on ferries or gondolas to escape the 30 million visitors a year, and their obligations to clean up the mess, including dog poo.

Venice has six districts, three on one side of the Grand Canal and three on the other. If you have more time in Venice, it’s worth exploring to appreciate life in Venice beyond the top tourist attractions.

This continued as we wandered the narrow alleyways of Corte del Milion to visit the site of Marco Polo’s house in the quarter of San Giovanni Crisostomo. 

The famous explorer and merchant lived here for the last 25 years of his life, until January 1324. We learned a lot about his life as we stood in this square.

The original house unfortunately burnt down in 1596. All that remains is a great archway with a beautiful Veneto-Romanesque arched lintel and on the foundations of this big house, in 1678, the actual Malibran theater was constructed.

Some of the gondola rides will pass by it. I did on my first visit to Venice, but our gondola ride this time did not. Our tour proceeded on the other side of the building for views from the canal.

Paolo told us a lot about Marco Polo’s travel life, which was one of my favorite parts of this walking tour.

We winded through more alleyways, learning more about Venetian life to the much quieter Campo San Giovanni e Paolo, for an espresso break. 

In Venice campo is piazza, which means grass meadow. Each Island in Venice has its own campo serving the villages, and each campo has a church named after it, and a community well. The villagers would build tanks and fill them with sand to filter the brackish water into drinkable water.

It’s one of the largest squares in Venice and is where you’ll find Santi Giovanni e Paolo, one of the largest churches in the city. It’s named after St John and Paul the protectors and has the status of a minor basilica. Twenty-five doges are buried here.

Paolo also told us more about the Scuola Grande di San Marco hospital on the square, which used to be the home for the brotherhood fraternity.

Here you can pay €1.50 to use the restrooms or buy an espresso for the same price or less and use their facilities with it. #nobrainer

Now we’ve had our afternoon espresso fix, it’s time to stroll past the lines and into St. Mark’s Basilica, or Basilica di san Marco, with our pre-reserved skip-the-line tickets. 

Since we’d spent three weeks in Europe already, we were more than happy to visit St Mark’s Basilica on this guided tour. It’s small enough that a quick tour is more than adequate, and with a guide no time will be wasted looking at things you don’t understand. 

I loved having an excellent guide point out the most key features and sharing the Venetian history of Italy’s second most important church to us. He was full of interesting facts, anecdotes and information that you wouldn’t find in the guidebooks.

St. Mark’s Basilica is another awe-inspiring Byzantine masterpiece, highlighting intricate golden mosaics, gilded domes, and exquisite relics. Prepare to have your jaw meet the floor. 

It really is worth a visit, but there was no way I wanted to wait in line with most other people for hours waiting to get in. Skip the line with our Walks of Italy guided tour was impressive.

We also passed through St Mark’s Square, or Piazza san Marco, which was half taken over getting ready for an evening concert. To be honest, I find St Mark’s Square very underwhelming. As it’s open and free, you can visit it at any time on your trip to Venice.

You really can’t come to Venice and not do a gondola ride. There are some touristy attractions that just have to be done.

We finished our guided walking tour with the 30-minute gondola ride. It was part of the tour, which meant we could skip the lines! 

When you see that some of the gondola rides are the same price as this three-hour walking tour, you can understand the value of doing this tour as it’s included!

With just a handful of fellow adventurers on board, you’ll glide through the dreamy waterways, soaking in the cityscape designed for this exact view. 

As we were a family of four, we had a gondola all to ourselves, which we really appreciate. And since we were on the afternoon tour, we rode the gondola at the ideal time – late afternoon to early evening, just as the sun hit golden hour. 

This is the time when the Venetian architecture and quaint canals are awash in golden light, illuminating their finer details and intricate designs.

Taking a gondola ride in Venice is like stepping into a dream. As you drift along the city’s labyrinthine canals, you’ll be transported back to a time of romance and elegance.

Is a Guided Walking Tour of Venice Worth It?

We recommend joining a guided tour of Venice, like we did with Walks of Italy. They have various tour options to see all the sights and more.

The longer I travel (and with kids), especially now to destinations like Europe that have such a rich history, the more I see the value in guided tours.

It allows me the opportunity to switch off from being mum and head tour guide, and connect a little deeper to the destination, the city’s history and culture. Otherwise, it gets lost in a sea of complaints, bored brains, tired feet, crowd hustle, and endless navigation. 

Even if you have more than a day in Venice, a guided tour is a great way to orient yourself to the city and discover places you want to return to for a deeper look, and a more lingering Venice experience. Just ask your local guide to tell you some of those hidden secrets! 

If you’re ready to dive into the enchanting vibes of Venice without getting lost in a sea of maps, this is the tour for you. In just three hours, you’ll go from being a tourist to a Venice insider, all thanks to your local guide’s passion and know-how.

We joined the  Welcome to Venice: Walking Tour, St Mark’s Basilica & Gondola Ride tour as guests of Walks of Italy (but under no obligation to write this post).

We also did a guided walking tour in Florence with Walks of Italy and food and wine tour in Florence , a street food tour of Rome , and Montmartre food tour in Paris with their sister company Devour Tours and found both companies and tours to be professional, informative, and enjoyable.

One thing I love about Walks of Italy is that all tour their professional guides are local – either born and bred – or have lived there for some time. They also often have art and history degrees so are deeply knowledgeable about the area they are guiding you through. 

Our local guide Paola has lived in Venice for over two decades and was very passionate and well versed in Venetian culture and way of life.

Listening to Paola describe everyday life in Venice was the first time I understood why people would live here and battle the never-ending threat (and reality) of encroaching flood waters. (not too mention the never-ending tourists!)

She was kind, gentle, and attentive, answering all questions and keeping us at a gentle pace but making sure we didn’t miss anything. 

Unfortunately, we did have some tourists behaving badly on our tour. I’ve done hundreds of tours around the world, and this was the only time I’ve experienced such embarrassing behavior.

It was a gift for my girls to see this and appreciate their own respectful behavior but to understand the importance of considering others. 

It’s important for you to know this behavior is NOT normal, is in no way indicative of the Walks of Italy tour and did not spoil it.

What it is indicative of is the classy way Paola handled it. She was firm and direct and artfully knew what behaviors to ignore and which ones to address. Everyone else on the tour spoke so highly of her because of it and had deeper gratitude for her.

Walks of Italy have other options for guided tours of Venice. We wanted to join their Venice Boat Tour with Grand Canal & Clock Tower Climb but it was sold out. So be sure to book in advance !

As we enjoyed our Europe food tours so much, and Venice has a unique and delicious food scene, their Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour at sunset would be a highlight!

With more time in Venice, you may want to escape the crowds with this enchanting day trip to Venice’s lesser-visited outer islands, such as the Island of Murano & Burano, complete with an exclusive wine tasting and private glassblowing demonstration from master glassmakers.

With its enchanting labyrinth of waterways, historic architecture, rich cultural heritage, and iconic landmarks, Venice has captured the imaginations of travelers for centuries. 

Taking this guided walking tour of Venice will allow you to toss those maps aside and effortlessly explore Venice and form a deeper connection to its history, culture, and people one quirky alley and majestic bridge at a time!

Wondering what else to do with the rest of your day in Venice? We have you covered: Check out our one-day itinerary of Venice with a few hidden food spots, and our surprising favorite tour. We also have a post sharing the top things to do in Venice and tips for visiting Doge’s Palace.

And while you are in this region, you must visit Verona . We stayed in Verona and traveled to Venice for the day. Many people do it the other way around, but for me, Verona has my heart. It’s a charming and romantic Italian town with more space and fewer crowds than Venice. See more tips and ideas in our Northern Italian itinerary .

Venice in Northern Italy is often referred to as the “City of Canals” or the “Queen of the Adriatic,” is unlike any other place on Earth (no Venice in Vegas is never an option!) While …   Join a Guided Venice Walking Tour & Discover Its Enchanting Secrets Read More »

COMMENTS

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