If you want to spend one day in Venice and don’t want to miss out on places you must see, then this is the perfect one day Venice itinerary for you! This wonderful unique city is the perfect place to get magically lost with its labyrinth of canals and narrow streets. But if you’re only here for a day, it’s not the best way to spend your time, because you’ll probably miss out on many things. I created this one day itinerary leading you to many beautiful photo spots and the highlights you don’t want to miss! Now let’s go!
This walk is about 9 km. How long it will take you depends on how fast you walk and how much time you need to take photos. It can be done in half a day!
One day in Venice: walking itinerary
San Marco Area
You start this one day in Venice walk at the Piazza San Marco, the most famous place in Venice. It’s dominated by the Basilica di San Marco and surrounded by the Campanile, Palazzi and the Torre dell’Orologio (the Clock Tower). Take your time to explore it and then continue to the Piazzetta where you can admire the Palazzo Ducale (Doges Palace).
From there walk to the Canale di San Marco and turn left to the Ponte della Paglia that offers a view of the Ponte Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs). Then continue and turn left at the Calle de le Rasse. At the end turn left to the Campiello Sant Filippo e Giacomo and cross the square to take the Rughetta S. Apollonia. From the bridge you’ll get another view of the Ponte Sospiri. Cross the bridge, turn right and go left taking the the Calle Canonica to reach Piazza San Marco again. Walk through the gate of the clock tower taking the Merceria Orologio and go right at the Campo San Zulian, passing the church, taking the Calle al Ponte de la Guerra. Cross the Ponte de la Guerra and continue via the Calle Bande Castello, again cross the bridge and keep left to reach the Campo S. Maria Formosa. This is a nice square with some beautiful sights.
Castello Area
After wandering around the square take the Calle Lunga S Maria Formosa. In this street you’ll encounter the old book store Libreria Acqua Alta, which you should definitely visit! At the end of the street turn left and cross the Rio della Tetta. Then don’t cross the next bridge but turn right into the Fonamenta Laterano. Then turn right again at the Calle S. Giovanni Laterano and follow along the canal until you reach the beautiful Ponte Cappello.
Then turn left into the Calle Bianca Cappello, cross the bridge into the Calle Muazzo and at the end at Barbaria de le Tole turn left. Then continue to the square and turn left into the Corte Veniera (Calle Vesier). At the end you will reach the Ponte dei Conzafelzi which offers a nice view on a corner house that is surrounded by 2 canals.
Return to the Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo. This beautiful square has a nice basilica and lays by the water. Cross the bridge to the Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina. Continue until the Campo Santa Maria Nova. Take in the view of the canals and the Santa Maria dei Miracoli church.
Cross the bridge and walk around the church. Cross the bridge on the other side of the church to reach the Calle Miracoli. At the end of the street turn left (Salizada S. Canzian). Follow until the T-crossing and go left, crossing the bridge to follow the Salizada S Giovanni Grisostono.
Cross the bridge and continue your way via the Salizada del Fontego dei Tedeschi until you reach the Campo S Bartolomio. Turn right and continue until you reach the Ponte di Rialto.
San Polo Area
Cross it and check out the Riva del Vin watching the boats and gondolas passing by. Continue by taking the Ruga dei Oresi, Ruga dei Spezieri and arrive at the Campo Beccarie. Cross the bridge in the west corner of the square and continue to the Calle dei Botteri. Turn left and continue until the end and turn right into the small alley, you reach a small square with a sign “Carampane”. Then take the other small alley in the left corner and continue passing the Sotoportego Carampane until you reach the Rio Tera de le Carampane. Turn right and continue to cross the Ponte delle Tette and take the Calle Agnello/Calle de l’Agnella. Continue by crossing the bridge and taking the Calle de Ca’ Bonvicini. Turn left at the end to the Calle Seconda del Cristo and arrive at the Ponte del Forner which offers a nice view on the canals.
Cross the bridge and turn right at the C.D. Scaleter. Go left at the Rio Terra Secondo and continue to the Calle Chiesa. Cross the left bridge and turn left following the Calle Dona Castello/Calle de Ca’ Dona until you arrive at the Campo San Stin. Turn left to the rio do San Stin and cross the Ponte S Stin. Continue to get a nice view of the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. Cross the other bridge to the Campo dei Frari. Turn right at the Salizada S Rocco. Continue to the Calle Tintoretto to reach the Campo S Rocco. Keep following the street till the cross road and take the Calle de Castelforte S Rocco to the left. You arrive at a square Campo de CastelForte with stunning views.
Dorsoduro Area
Continue your way under the white arches of the Scuola Grande di San Rocco. Cross the bridge on your right and follow the Calle della Scuola. Turn left at the Calle Grosera and right at the Calle S Pantalon. Follow it until the Campo San Pantalon, cross the left bridge (Ponte Santa Margherita) to the Calle de la Chiesa (Sestiere Dorsoduro) and continue to the Campo S Margherita.
Walk to the other side of the square of the massive square and take the street on the left side. Try a gelato at Il Doge and follow the street at its left side (Rio Terra Canal). Cross the Ponte dei Pugni and follow to the left until you reach the Campo San Barnaba. Continue via Calle Lotto/Calle Lombardo (Sotoportego del Casin dei Nobili), cross the bridge and follow Fondamenta Toletta to the Sacca della Toletta and the Calle Toletta until you can cross a bridge (Ponte de le Maravegie) again. Then turn left and take the Calle Contarini Corfu and follow it to the right side to Campo della Carita (you’ll pass the Accademia bridge here, but you don’t take it yet).
Keep going straight ahead to the Rio Terra Foscarini and turn left at the Calle Sant’Agnese. Cross the bridge to the Calle Chiesa. Continue via the Fondamenta Venier dai Leoni and keep following it left until you reach Campiello Barbaro. Keep left and take the Calle Barbaro/Calle del Bastion, cross the bridge, continue straight ahead following the Calle del Bastion, cross another bridge and and arrive at Fondamenta Salute with the Basilica di Santa Maria delle Salute and Punta Dogana.
San Marco Area
Then return until you reach the Accademia bridge again and cross it. Don’t forget to take in the view of the Grand Canal. It’s sublime! Go straight ahead until you reach Campo Santo Stefano. Cross it and take the opposite street Calle Frati Dorsoduro to reach the Campo Sant’Anzolo. Take Calle Mandola and continue straight ahead via Calle de la Cortesia to reach Campo Manin.
Take the street on the right named Calle de la Vida o de le Locande (there’s an Arrow pointing to Scala Contarini del Bovolo). Visit the special stairs and continue your way via the Calle Locande to the Calle Fuseri. Turn right, cross the bridge and continue to Frezzaria. Turn right here, cross the bridge to the Calle Frutarol, continue straight ahead via Calle Barcaroli and at the square turn left into the Calle del Caffettier. Follow this street, cross the bridge over Rio de la Veste and turn right at Piscina S Moise. Walk until the end to find a great photo spot.
Then take the Calle del Cristo and arrive at the Calle Larga XXII Marzo. Turn left and keep going until you reach Chiesa San Moise. This is your final stop of your one day in Venice walk!
I recommend taking the vaporetto for a tour on the Canal Grande or a gondolla if you have some time left.
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What are your favorite places in Venice? Don’t hesitate to share it in the comments down below! Or let me know if this itinerary was helpful!
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This is awesome, but I’m having a hard time following! Printed out the map but it’s so difficult for me since I don’t know any italian! Might have to do some dissecting! AH! I might be getting lost in the streets in Venice after all!
You lost me, all the directions are in English 🙂 You don’t need to speak Italian to understand them? I don’t translate names of locations because after all they are in Italian over there. 🙂
I’m sure if you are over there and you see the street names, you can follow the instructions. I made it super detailed so it’s impossible to go wrong 🙂
Also, if you have a detailed map you’ll see it. You can highlight the route on your map.
I (sort of) followed these directions when I had a day in Venice last month! The street names were a little confusing, but I was so glad I had this as a guide. I got some great shots! Thank you!
Glad I could help! 🙂
Hi Joelle! Going to Venice this July and am very excited to walk your itinerary. Just wondering roughly how many hours this took you? Also can you tell me a little bit more about the vaporetto tours of the Grand Canal? Thanks!
Hi Celina!
Thanks for your comment!
The walk takes a complete day. I advise to start early in the morning. If you take a lot of photos like me you’ll be busy until the sun sets ?
You can find vaporetto timetables here:
http://actv.avmspa.it/en/content/water-bus-service-timetable-0
They’re the public transport in Venice ?
Enjoy your trip!
Grts
Joëlle
Wow, such a detailed description. This is really helpful!
Going to Venice this weekend. I will be using your detailed blog to get some great shots.. thank you!
Hi Joelle, I will have around 5 hours (from 14 to 19:20) in late April 2018 to spend in Venice. I really would like to walk around, strolling the beautiful streets and bridges from your itinerary, however I cannot do the whole of it. So i have to choose one part of this route or make some combinations. Here come my questions…
-What do you recommend to see? Which part offers the most to see :
*The central part (St.mark’s square, Chiesa San Moise,Calle de la Rasse,up until Basilica Santi Giovanni)
or there are more beautiful spots not to be missed rather
*around Basilica Frari, Campo Becane, Rialto bridge zona…..
or may be the third part where is
*Santa Maria de la Salute, Academia,Campo Santo Stefano and Campo Manin on the other part of the bridge?
– And secondly your route at some points seemed awkward in regards to the streets it was winding through..(like for example after calle de la Rasse you turn back to St. Mark again and choose Merceria Orologio. Or why from calle Fusseri not go straight to Chiesa San Moise, but take a longer route passing by Ateneo Veneto)
So how do you choose which street to take from one sight to another? I mean, i suppose you have tried these streets and have picked the ones you think are more beautiful and better to walk through, right?
I will appreciate it so much, if you give me some more details, so i can be well equiped when making decisions about my itinerary in this limited hours I will have! Thanks and awesome job you have done here!
Ciao Valentina!
This walking itinerary is made of the streets I walked around. When I was there I just picked the street that appealed the most to me at that moment and took it.
I don’t know what your personal preferences are. The areas near the Piazza San Marco and the Rialto bridge are more touristy, while the other areas are more calm.
I’d say take a look at the pictures and decide what sights you like most if you have to choose due to time limits.
But Venice won’t disappoint you, whatever route you’ll choose 😉
Enjoy your stay! Spread the word about World Wanderista and don’t hesitate to ask me more questions!
Cheers!
This is super awesome! But it’d be nice to have a google map link with all the points instead of a picture of the map. Anyways, I’d try this out!
We love your walk and the stunning pictures you posted!! Would you mind sharing which camera you used for this amazing pictures of Venezia! The colors are fantastic!!
We are heading to Italy in 23 days and would love to buy a good but affordable camera to capture the beauty! Thank you!
We’re going to Venice in a few weeks and we’re very happy to have found your map and notes. We’ll be sure to use them. Thank you very much for posting your travels.
Amazing! So detailed – only thing missing is a map charting out this route.
Have been to Venice years ago and going back soon, this time only have one evening and one full day so your walking tour is going to be very useful! Thanks.
Hi!
There’s a map on top of the post.
Thanks so much for the map and directions. We used it on our recent trip to Venice and it was fun to have a “designated route” to see the city. We started at the Rialto bridge and went north. We got “lost” toward the end but did find our way back to the bridge. It took us about seven hours including stops for lunch and coffee breaks. We didn’t go inside very many buildings and we did take a ride in a gondola. Having left Piazza San Marco to late in the day it was very crowded when we got there so we just passed through. We also managed to miss the interesting building with the spiral staircase.
The second day we just wandered around and found ourselves on many interesting side streets. We were also there when the Vagalonga was taking place so we searched out good vantage points to watch the start as well as returning boats.
Your map and idea of just wandering is more fun than taking the direct route between major attractions. Most people take the direct routes and that makes them very crowded. Finding the path less traveling is way more fun.
Thanks again for the map and directions.
Great to hear my map was a big help! I really love it when people use it and then confirm it was great fun!
I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip!
Keep traveling!
Thank for the map, really useful. I’m planing a trip in a few days and I found the routes you’ve suggested very helpful. To help with my journey, I tried my best to translate your map into a shared google map.
You can access it here:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lgMOCraKy78bW4upMrNfj3_CeBQI5ZK1&usp=sharing
This is awesome! Thank you. I am going to Venice in 3 weeks and only have a day to explore. Hopefully this will make cut down on lost time.
Hi Joëlle,
I had only 1.5 day to visit Venezia and used your recommended tour. It was perfect to have a great overview of the city, far from the crowd. Thanks a lot for sharing this, it was very useful!
Great to read that! Glad I could help 🙂
Thank you !! We took your map and route details with us this weekend (19/21 Jan 2019) and it was a great way to structure our weekend visit. We did manage it, but for us it was definitely a 2-day route if you stop for lunch or a coffee and pizza and visit the churches on the way. We did the left half on Saturday and the right half on Sunday…Some of the churches were closed on Sunday, but there was still masses to do. The route took us into some of the very crowded areas (Rialto, Bridge of Sighs, Academia etc – busy even in freezing January) but also into the most beautiful, quiet areas. I can highly recommend the route, but I *guarantee* , even with the map and GPS back-up, that you will get lost at some point 🙂 It’s a rite of passage in Venice! The tiny ‘calle’ and squares with 5 exits are baffling at times. But Venice is very safe and it adds to the delight to get lost. I’d just say, take it slow if you can…visit the tiny churches with Tintoretto and Bellini paintings, stop for a coffee, get lost, take photos of everything…
thanks for you kind feedback! Keep traveling 🙂
I’m heading to Venice in a few weeks and cannot wait to take this tour!! It’s perfect and just what I had in mind. I only plan to have a few hours here and didnt want to take an organized tour. I’d planned to just wander around and see what I see. Now, I have an actual plan to attempt to follow-LOL
Great! Enjoy your trip!
Fantastic thanks, made everything so much handier.
This excellent tour of Venice can be done in about 5 hours at a medium walking pace (excluding the extra time to rest, take pictures, go inside buildings, etc.), provided you do not get lost in the labyrinth of Venetian streets (which is likely to happen when using a paper map; I recommend a combination of an offline, electronic map showing a predefined path, a device with high GPS sensitivity and a compass to figure out entry/exit angles across a few small, confusing areas). As of September 2022, there is a problem with getting through the suggested route in the area of Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo (a blocked off street?), you might have to go through Ponte dei Conzafelzi instead. *** Thanks for the tour, Joëlle!
You are very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!!
The map link is broken, can you fix it?
Unfortunately Google has deleted all my saved maps.
I’ll do it when I find the time.