Visiting Venice

The most important attractions in a single walk.

Discovering Venice in a day can be a unique experience and an unusual and original way to visit the city, if you follow the itinerary we suggest.

Admiring the loveliest and most famous side of Venice by taking a walk is something that everyone can do.

The walk begins in St. Mark’s Square, with its extraordinary Basilica, the oldest church still visible in Venice, and the Doge’s Palace, the ancient seat of government of the Venetian Republic (Repubblica Serenissima), where you can visit splendid rooms magnificently decorated with exceptional works of art. At the Doge’s Palace it is easy to imagine the splendour and wealth of the age, with tables filled with fruit, vegetables, meat and fish. Every day typical oared vessels known as caorline departed from our coastline to transport fruit, vegetables and fish from the lagoon. This activity is still commemorated today in a rowing contest known as the Palio Remiero, which attracts a huge number of spectators every year for its competitive races between the local town districts. Crossing the Bridge of Sighs, the visit continues to the notorious and sinister prisons. Then we walk down Riva degli Schiavoni, where sailing boats were once moored, and from there we continue to the oldest café in Venice, the renowned Caffé Florian. We leave St. Mark’s Square, through fascinating little shortcuts, to come to the Rialto area, after having visited the rebuilt La Fenice Theatre, places associated with Casanova and the famous Scala del Bovolo (The Snail’s Staircase). From the Rialto Bridge, the view finally opens onto the Grand Canal, teeming with boats; and of course there is a quick visit to the lively Fruit and Seafood Market, at the foot of the bridge.

Important information: when visiting churches, skirts and shorts must be below the knee and shoulders must be covered.

Details of the itinerary:
Departure: from Union Lido
Type of trip: Walk. Wear comfortable shoes and light but decorous clothing.
Duration: one day

You can buy tickets from our Information Office in the pedestrian area. A return ticket, valid for the Punta Sabbioni bus and motorboat for S. Zaccaria (la Pietà) costs €19.

Discover Venice through the videos of the exceptional historical guide Francesco da Mosto:

Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3 | Video 4 | Video 5 | Video 6