The 10 best walking tours in Venice: discover the city step by step

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Venice is a city to be discovered step by step. From its secret calli to lively campielli, from grand monuments to the colorful islands of the lagoon, every walking itinerary reveals a different side of the Serenissima. Accordingly, here are the 10 best walking tours in Venice, designed for travelers who want to experience the city with calm and authenticity.

Best walking tour in Venice

1. St. Mark’s Square and Riva degli Schiavoni

Duration: 1.5 hours
Recommended for: first-time visitors to Venice

Start from the very heart of the city: St. Mark’s Square. Admire the Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and the Bell Tower, then stroll along the Riva degli Schiavoni, with views over the lagoon and the island of San Giorgio.

👉 Want a complete experience? With the Unusual Walking Tour of Venice + priority entrance to St. Mark’s Bell Tower, you will not only explore the square and its monuments, but also go up the Bell Tower without waiting in line: one of the most unforgettable emotions among the best walking tours in Venice.

2. From Rialto Bridge to the Market

Duration: 1 hour
Recommended for: food lovers and fans of local life

The Rialto Bridge, the oldest in the city, offers a spectacular view of the Grand Canal. Cross it and immerse yourself in the Rialto Market, where the stalls of fish and vegetables are an explosion of colors and aromas.

👉 To make this walk even more special, choose the Walking Tour of Hidden and Unusual Venice: an itinerary that will lead you through secret courtyards, mysterious calli, and curious anecdotes that only Venetians know. After all, it is one of the best walking tours in Venice for those who love surprises.

3. Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto

Duration: 2 hours
Recommended for: history enthusiasts and those seeking authentic Venice

Start from Fondamenta della Misericordia, lined with bacari and traditional taverns, and head towards the Jewish Ghetto, the oldest in Europe. Walking here means immersing yourself in a history of faith and resilience, among hidden synagogues and quiet little squares.

👉 All in all, this itinerary is perfect for those who look for authenticity and reflection, away from mass tourism. One of the most cultural and moving experiences among the best walking tours in Venice.

4. From Accademia Bridge to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Duration: 1.5 hours
Recommended for: art lovers and fans of romantic views

From the Accademia Bridge, you’ll enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the Grand Canal. Afterwards, continue among elegant palaces until you reach the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, a modern art museum that houses masterpieces by Picasso, Kandinsky, and Pollock.

👉 This tour combines art and landscapes, ideal for those who want to experience Venice with a cultural touch. Surely among the best walking tours in Venice for anyone who loves beauty in all its forms.

5. Dorsoduro and the Zattere Promenade

Duration: 2 hours
Recommended for: sunset seekers and local atmosphere lovers

Begin at Campo Santa Margherita, the lively heart of student life, and walk down to the Zattere promenade. This long stroll along the Giudecca Canal is perfect at sunset, with bars, ice cream shops, and restaurants inviting you to a romantic stop.

👉 In summary, it is a slow and relaxing itinerary, ideal for those who want to discover a more authentic and everyday Venice.

6. Castello and the Arsenale

Duration: 2 hours
Recommended for: curious travelers and naval history enthusiasts

The Castello district is still inhabited by Venetians today. Stroll along Via Garibaldi, among small shops and local markets, until you reach the Arsenale, the ancient shipyard that made Venice the queen of the seas.

👉 This path takes you away from the most beaten tourist routes, letting you experience the real city. Undoubtedly among the best walking tours in Venice for those who seek authenticity.

7. San Polo and the Basilica dei Frari

Duration: 1.5 hours
Recommended for: Renaissance art enthusiasts

San Polo is the district of artisans and hidden courtyards. The walk culminates at the Basilica dei Frari, home to masterpieces by Titian and Bellini.

👉 This itinerary offers an immersion in Venetian art and spirituality, an unmissable stop among the best walking tours in Venice.

8. Murano and the Art of Glass

Duration: half day
Recommended for: lovers of craftsmanship

Take the vaporetto to Murano and stroll along its canals. Watch the master glassmakers at work in the furnaces, visit the Glass Museum, and buy a unique piece as a souvenir.

👉 Additionally, this itinerary combines culture and craftsmanship, perfect for those who want to discover a different side of the city. Among the best walking tours in Venice, it is the most authentic for tradition lovers.

9. Burano and the Colorful Houses

Duration: half day
Recommended for: photographers and dreamers

Stroll through the calli of Burano, where every house is painted in bright colors reflecting in the canals. Stop in lace shops and taste the traditional biscuits “bussolai.”

👉 In summary, this walk looks like a living painting, one of the best walking tours in Venice for anyone who loves photography and fairy-tale atmospheres.

10. The Venice Lido

Duration: half day
Recommended for: those seeking sea and open spaces

The Lido is the beach of Venetians. Walk along the Gran Viale Santa Maria Elisabetta, pass by Liberty-style villas, and finish your stroll at Alberoni, among dunes and golden sand.

👉 All in all, it is an unusual route that shows a different face of the city, relaxing and authentic.

The best walking tours in Venice: exclusive experiences

If you want to enrich your visit beyond free strolls, there are experiences that combine the best routes with exclusive entrances:

FAQ – best walking tours in Venice

1. What can you visit in Venice on foot?
On foot you can explore the most iconic places such as St. Mark’s Square, the Rialto Bridge, the Basilica dei Frari, and the Zattere promenade at sunset. But also authentic districts like Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto, perfect for experiencing the real city.

2. What is the most beautiful place in Venice?
Many would say St. Mark’s Square, but for others the magic lies at sunset along the Zattere or in the colors of Burano. Each district has a corner that stays in your heart; accordingly, it is worth exploring with the best walking tours in Venice.

3. What itinerary should you follow in Venice in one day?
If you only have one day, the ideal route starts from St. Mark’s Square, passes through the Rialto Bridge, and ends in Cannaregio for an aperitif. You can complete it with a walking tour including the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica so you don’t miss the main monuments.

4. What is the least crowded time to visit Venice?
The best months to avoid the crowds are November, January, and February (except Carnival). Autumn and winter gift a quieter, more atmospheric Venice.

5. How long does it take to see all of Venice?
In 2–3 days you can visit the main areas: St. Mark’s, Rialto, Dorsoduro, and Cannaregio. If you also want to include Murano, Burano, and the Lido, plan at least 4–5 days.

6. What can you see in Venice off the beaten path?
Places such as the Jewish Ghetto, Castello with the Arsenale, or the hidden courtyards of San Polo. If the best way to discover them is with the Walking Tour of Hidden and Unusual Venice.

7. What is the most beautiful district of Venice?
It depends on your taste:

  • Dorsoduro for art and sunsets
  • Cannaregio for authenticity
  • St. Mark’s for iconic monuments

Not only, each district has its charm, which is why the best walking tours in Venice cross several areas.

8. Where can you walk in Venice in the evening?
The most beautiful evening walks in Venice are:

  • Zattere at sunset
  • Campo Santa Margherita for aperitivo
  • Cannaregio for a tour of bacari
  • Riva degli Schiavoni illuminated at night

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