RESPONSIBLE VENICE – WHERE TOURISTS DON’T GO: FIRST DAY TOUR
Travelling in a responsible and sustainable way means also avoiding the tourist areas. This is a tour of the parts of Venice that only locals known.
Venice, Venice, oh Dear Venice
“The floating city” in the Veneto region of amazing Italy, is indeed a must see for all travellers.
Here you can experience gondoliers singing in narrow canals; the beauty of Piazza San Marco; traditional “cicchetterie” (similar to tapas bars) and colourful, narrow streets with many UNESCO World Heritage masterpieces.
I remember when I was at school, the teachers introduced us to Venice in a very particular way – they taught us that Venice has the shape of a fish floating in the water! Original idea, no?
The city is divided into 6 neighbourhoods called SESTIERI. These are: Cannaregio, Santa Croce, San Polo, San Marco, Castello, Dorsoduro and Giudecca.
In every SESTIERE the house numbers are made up of 4 digits and sometimes two houses with the same number are not far from each other! This creates great confusion and a big risk of getting lost!
In this post you will find an original itinerary (not the typical tourist one) that will show you Venice through different eyes. So, let’s start with the first day of our tour of Venice. Read also how to spend your second day here (RESPONSIBLE VENICE – WHERE TOURISTS DON’T GO: SECOND DAY TOUR) and a lot of other useful information to know before visiting Venice ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING VENICE.
Or you can watch my videos on YouTube:
YouTube – Responsible Venice: Day 1
YouTube – Responsible Venice: Day 2
YouTube – All you need to know before visiting Venice:
WHAT TO SEE AND WHAT TO DO IN THE SESTIERI
Day 1:
San Polo Sestiere
Rialto Market: the loudest market ever! Here you will find seasonal fish, fruits and vegetables. Housewives (and now Michelin Restaurants) have been coming here for around 700 years to buy the best food available in the territory. You can recognise the local food from the label “Nostrana”. The market is open from 7.30am till 12pm from Tuesday till Saturday. Make sure you get off at the Rialto Market stop with the vaporetto Linea 1 and Linea 2.
Ponte di Rialto: the oldest bridge in Venice that connects San Polo Sestiere with San Marco Sestiere. It’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in Venice – a picture postcard basically! I know, this is VERY touristic, but how could I not mention it?
Campo San Polo from which the sestiere takes its name. You will likely pass by this Square on your way to the other attractions in the area. So just stop for a second and admire the big palazzi around it.
Basilica dei Frari: the perfect place to admire Tiziano and Bellini paintings for the small price of €3. Also, I highly recommend coming here for their unique concerts – check their website for information. You can reach the Basilica dei Frari via a 15min walk from the train Station, or via Lines 1 and 2 and make sure to get off in San Toma’ Stop.
Scuola Grande di San Rocco: the place where art, culture and religion mix seamlessly together. Here you can admire the famous Tintoretto paintings but also many mores of Italy’s artists like Giorgione and Tiziano, who represent Italian art from around 1500 – 1550 along with Tiepolo’s paintings from between 1730 and 1770.
If I can give you a big tip, remember to carry a mirror with you… you will avoid a lot of neck pain! There is a €10 entry fee for adults.
Sestiere Dorsoduro
This neighbourhood takes its name from the area that was considered less marshy than the other neighbourhoods. Giudecca Island and the canal between these two are also part of Dorsoduro Sestiere.
Campo Santa Margherita: famous for being a dynamic area thanks to the many university students that come here to enjoy a spritz – a typical alcoholic drink in northern Italy. If you have some time, I highly recommend you come here during evening time to enjoy the young and dynamic Venetian life.
Also make sure you take some time to enjoy a nice, relaxing walk in the Fondamenta Zattere in the very south of Dorsoduro Sestiere. From here you can enjoy a wonderful view of Giudecca Island and relax with locals enjoying a wonderful ice-cream. Lose yourself inside the little streets of this sestiere which is considered one of the most exclusive areas representing modern residential architecture.
Collezione Peggy Guggenheim in the Palazzo Venier is famous for its modern European and American art. The ticket price is €15.
As you are in the area, don’t forget to visit Gallerie dell’Accademia, a museum that showcases the operas of northern Italian artists. Remember that here large bags will be stored in the lockers with an extra charge of €1.50 – which will be refunded.
To reach Dorsoduro you can walk about 20 mins from the Train Station or you can take the vaporetto Line 1 and 2.
I reached the very end of Dorsoduro sestiere around 5pm, just in time to cross the Canal Grande with the vaporetto to reach the beautiful Piazza San Marco for the sunset.
It was a very intense day, walking up and down the fabulous bridges, crossing small squares and through very narrow streets. In every place you go, there is something that stops you and screams at you: “Take a picture of me! Take a selfie with me!” So, walk slowly, enjoy the unique scenery and take one more shot. When you go back home, pictures will never be enough!
Tomorrow will be another great day visiting other sestieri so make sure you read up on how to spend your second day in Venice (RESPONSIBLE VENICE – WHERE TOURISTS DON’T GO: SECOND DAY TOUR) and a lot of other useful information to know before visiting Venice (ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE VISITING VENICE).
Or you can watch my videos on YouTube:
YouTube – Responsible Venice: Day 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rOSgoH54W8
YouTube – Responsible Venice: Day 2
YouTube – All you need to know before visiting Venice:
My favourite places:
– Rialto Market: to savour the lively atmosphere of the Venetians in their daily life.
– Campo San Polo: to immerse yourself in the silence of a Venice not known by tourists.
– Fondamenta Zattere: for a relaxing walk and a breath-taking view.
Responsible and sustainable Venice:
Venice is a delicate island, a victim of “overtourism” for years now, so RESPECT IT! Avoid visiting during the high season, avoid the tourist areas. Much more information can be found here: (all you need to know before visiting Venice).
Remember: LIVE, TRAVEL, LAUGH AND REPEAT
in a responsible way
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