Venice walking tour & city guide
A city of canals, bridges and no cars at all.
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Built on more than a hundred small islands in a lagoon, Venice is a city with no roads for cars, only canals, bridges and narrow alleys. Walking and taking boats are the only ways to get around, which makes every journey through the city an adventure.
Getting lost on purpose
Venice is famously confusing to navigate, and that is part of its charm. Narrow calli open suddenly onto sunny campi with wells and churches, then lead to small bridges over quiet canals where gondolas glide past. Put the map away for an hour and you will find corners few visitors see.
The Rialto Bridge, completed in 1591, has crossed the Grand Canal for centuries and is lined with shops. Nearby, the Rialto Market has supplied the city with fish and produce for nearly a thousand years. From here, follow the signs 'Per San Marco' through the busiest shopping lanes to the city's great square.
Piazza San Marco and the Grand Canal
Piazza San Marco is dominated by St. Mark's Basilica, with its golden mosaics and Byzantine domes, and the tall bell tower, the Campanile. Next door, the Doge's Palace was the seat of the Venetian Republic, connected to its prison by the famous Bridge of Sighs.
The Grand Canal, Venice's main street, curves for nearly four kilometers past palaces built by merchant families. The best way to see it is from the water: the vaporetto line 1 travels its whole length slowly, or you can cross it for a couple of euros on a traghetto, a shared gondola ferry.
Visiting responsibly
Venice faces heavy pressure from tourism, and the city has introduced an access fee for day-trippers on certain peak days. Check the rules before you go. Staying overnight lets you experience the city when the day crowds leave and the canals fall silent.
Explore the quieter districts of Cannaregio and Castello, and take a boat to the colorful island of Burano or the glass workshops of Murano. Autumn and winter can bring 'acqua alta', high water that floods parts of the city, now often held back by the MOSE barrier system.
Top sights in Venice
- 1
St. Mark's Basilica
A Byzantine masterpiece covered in golden mosaics.
- 2
Doge's Palace
The gothic seat of the Venetian Republic, linked to the Bridge of Sighs.
- 3
Rialto Bridge
The oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal.
- 4
Grand Canal
Venice's main waterway, lined with palaces; best seen by vaporetto.
- 5
Burano
An island of brightly painted fishermen's houses and lace makers.
- 6
Gallerie dell'Accademia
The finest collection of Venetian paintings in the world.
Food markets & where to eat in Venice
Rialto Market
The historic fish and produce market beside the Grand Canal.
Bacari in Cannaregio
Traditional wine bars serving cicchetti, small Venetian snacks, with a glass of wine.
Campo Santa Margherita
A lively square with bars and casual eateries.
Fondamenta della Misericordia
A canal-side street popular with locals for evening drinks and food.
Food to try in Venice
Cicchetti
Small bites like crostini with salt cod, eaten standing at the bar.
Sarde in saor
Sweet and sour marinated sardines with onions.
Risotto al nero di seppia
Black risotto made with cuttlefish ink.
Tiramisu
The dessert is claimed by the Veneto region, where Venice lies.
Opening hours and prices change often. Please check with each place before you visit.
Plan your trip to Venice
Enjoyed the walk? Here is everything you need to see it for real.
- Hotels in VeniceCompare places to stay and prices.
- Tours & ticketsWalking tours, museums and day trips in Venice.
- eSIM for ItalyStay online from the moment you land.
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