Did you ever think about doing a Venice walking tour? Which means a walking around in a land that is better known for its waterways and gondolas? If not, you got to read about our free Venice walking tour for sure. Or, if you are planning to do it, then our experience will definitely help you plan your own walking tour.
During our 6 days in Italy, in 2017, we arrived in Venice after spending 2 days each in Rome and Florence. It was a great transition with respect to the landscape as we left the green and enchanting Tuscany countryside and entered into the world of lagoons that is Venice. Luckily our accommodation, Hotel Continental, was located at walking distance from the train station. Thus, we walked to our hotel and checked in by noon. There after we took some rest. And embarked on our most favorite activity. That being a self planned walking tour to explore Venice.
Unlike the previous walking tours that we took in Florence around the river Arno, and one across the center of Florence covering the Duomo and other areas, this one was not planned. Rather, we thought to randomly explore the areas around. And Venice didn’t disappoint us at all. We didn’t cover any specific famous spots of Venice as a part of this trip. Rather, we decided to do that on a hop on hop off trip the next day. Therefore, this walking tour was just about randomly walking So, here goes our Venice walking tour details..step by step…
But, before we start let us ask you. Did you know there are Venice walking tour apps that you can use while doing your free walking tour around Venice? So why not install one and then explore Venice on your own pace! Also, you can even take virtual tours of Italy in case you can’t travel there for some reason.
Let’s get started now.
Table of Contents
The Grand Canal
Our Venice walking tour began with a visit to the banks of the Grand Canal. Since our hotel is located just on the banks of the Grand Canal. As we stepped out to start our Venice walking tour, we first went to the banks of the Grand Canal. Benches are present here to sit by the side. And we did sit there for a while. Some of our enthusiastic friends even went to the steps on the bank where the gondolas stopped. We could see the gondolas coming and going. While the chilling evening breeze teased us, causing our noses to go numb 🙂 . Since it was really chilly the day we arrived in Venice. And temperature was likely to further dip. So, we decided to embark further on our Venice walking tour in some time.
If you have time, we highly recommend you stop for this short Gondola ride across the Grand Canal Venice. Before embarking further on this Venice walking itinerary.
The markets of Venice
As we stepped on the main road that lead from the train station to our hotel, we saw markets abuzz on both sides. There were cafes and restaurants, in full swing with their preparations for the evening. Then, there were lots of souvenir shops. These included shops that displayed intrinsic glass work from Murano, magnets and masks that are signature of Venice, wood ships, miniature ships inside bottles etc. Walking at a slow pace, we crossed these shops.
Next we arrived at the open fruit and vegetable markets of Venice. There were stalls setup in the center of the road by fruit vendors. And their carts were loaded with fruits, both exotic and general ones. We bought some bananas for our little one from one shop and moved further on our Venice walking tour. Most of these carts belonged to vendors from Asian origin – those who have come from far and wide to make their dreams come true in the magical land of Venice. We talked to some vendors who had come from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
The beautiful canals and bridges
Venice is a beautiful archipelago, like none other in the world. You walk 5 minutes and you are bound to arrive across yet another canal. With yet another beautiful bridge built on top of it. So did we. The beauty is that, many of these bridges are exclusive to pedestrians. As we advanced on our Venice walking tour, soon the walkway turned into a cobbled pathway and thereafter followed the bridge. We decided to cross the bridge and explore further on the other side. As we stood atop the bridge overlooking the canal, we were greeted by the beautiful views that Venice is much known for.
The evening sky was showing the beautiful colors amidst the clouds. And the site of the gondolas in the canal below this sky seemed just picture perfect. No wonder it is a photographer’s paradise. The scenes you capture here are going to live with you forever.
An endeavor with the pigeons at the square
We stood for some time on the bridge and then crossed over to the other side. The street was still pedestrian only. As we started to further explore around it. We finally arrived at a small square. Again, it was dominated by a lot of pigeons. Our daughter immediately started chasing them. And in the meanwhile, we went inside a small grocery shop to buy some milk for her. While we came to the square from the side of the bridge, there were two narrow streets at both the other ends of it. Each one leading to a different direction.
However, as we arrived here, it started to rain. And that brought our Venice walking tour to a halt. We ran for shade and then started waiting there for the rain to stop. It rained for almost half an hour after which it stopped. However, we thought to stop our Venice walking tour here and trace our steps back to the hotel. Since the temperature had dipped after the rain. And it was getting colder as the night was approaching.
The evening lights
Thus, we started tracing our steps back to the hotel. As we walked back on our Venice walking tour towards the hotel, it started getting darker. And slowly the evening lights started coming up all over. The road side cafes and restaurants had outdoor sitting. As the evening got darker, candle lights slowly started adoring each of the tables in front of these restaurants. So did the street lights and those on the bridges across the canals. The reflection of these lights in the canal were way too beautiful. Mesmerized by the beautiful views around, we slowly walked further on our Venice walking tour to reach back to the hotel.
As we reached our room and opened the window, we were greeted by a beautiful view of the grand canal. And the lights of the buildings on the edge of the canal, with a beautiful reflection into the canal itself.
Finally..Dinner
After relaxing for a while in our room, we headed out once again. This time for dinner. There were many options for dinner just in front of our hotel. We had been wanting to try some delicious pasta ever since we arrived in Italy. However, we didn’t get chance to have it in Rome or Florence. So, finally we decided today will be the day when we have Italian Pasta. We went into a pizzeria just near our hotel and inquired about takeaway pasta. Although, they had only non vegetarian options on the menu. Yet, they were happy to prepare a veg version of the same for us. Happily, after getting our pasta packed, we headed back to the warmth of our hotel room to finish our dinner.
Tips on taking a Venice walking tour
- If you are walking in the evening, around the month of April or May, it might still be chilly. And as you embark on your Venice walking tour, it might get more and more chilly as the night arrives. So, wear cloths accordingly. A winter jacket was a must on the evening when we went on our Venice walking tour.
- As always, when walking in Europe, keep a bottle of refill drinking water with you.
- Wear comfortable walking shoes or boots.
- Keep an umbrella with you. Since, it can rain at this time of the year. We didn’t have one. So, we had to halt our Venice walking tour as it started raining.
- Try the slices of pizza or portions of pasta and other delicacies from the road side cafes. These are economical as well as tasty.
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It was practical and good that your hotel has a great location. It did save you a lot of time and money in exploring the city. I like the fruit market a lot. Everything look fresh and delightful to eat. I think every part of Venice is fascinating like the evening lights. It was nice that the restaurant prepared you a vegetarian meal. I would also like to do a walking tour in Venice someday.
You are right Iza. It was really wonderful to feel the warmth and hospitality that we did feel here
This is a great way to understand the culture and experience a city like a local. I too love visiting local market and try seasonal fruits when visiting a city. Nice post, am glad you enjoyed Venice
Thanks Swati. Totally agree with you
I know when I first arrive in a new city, I look up the free walking tours. It’s the perfect way to get to know everything. Then you can decide what you want to go back and see more of.
Exactly. And the walking tours can be taken on your own pace
Venice is one of the most bucket listed destination by almost everyone. And oh, your tip #3, is a BIG YES! People would always go walking while on high heels just to be looking good, not aware that there are implications if they walk with heels all day long.
I can’t imagine walking with a heel in Venice at all..I can see myself falling definitely in that crowded cobbled street … lol
All the attractions sound great, but I’d take a walking tour just to discover some Murano glass!! Actually, make that ‘BUY’ some Murano glass! Oh, and have dinner, of course!!!
I also totally fell in love with the Murano glass. But I was not confident enough that I will be able to carry some souvenirs back home safely through several train and plane journey that I took. So, didn’t buy any 🙂
Oh, I did take a short tour in Venice! It was pretty good. The guide pointed out interesting bits of historical architecture, like particular window arch types etc. A random wander is good too – there was a square with artists. I got an oil painting from one of them that’s hanging in my living rom.
I love random wanders and doing my own research , self guided you can say
I am surprised to know the fruit vendors in Venice are settlers from Sri Lanka and Bangladesh! The evening lights in Venice look so gorgeous! No doubt it is one of the most beautiful city on Earth!
There are lots of Asians there Tania. And yes, the evening Venice is altogether a different world.
My friend is here right now. Love seeing the place through her Instagram pics. It is really a quiet and charming place. But it is a bit touristy I guess.
Maybe it’s touristy .. in the sense it is always abuzz with tourists but I found it so beautiful, romantic and just perfect! I don’t mind 🙂
Thanks for your tips about walking around venice. This is more economical way to tour around the area. Your photos are great. 🙂
Thanks Cai!
Venice is a place for walking. We loved getting lost in the intricate lanes and by-lanes of Venice. But we did find the canals and the gondola experience overrated. Also the main areas are so crowded that one finds it a little difficult to enjoy the place, One needs to head out to the areas which is less choc-a-bloc with tourists.
Right..the main areas are crowded. An early morning or a late evening walk on these streets would be great. Like one of our friends did, she wandered with her camera early in the morning and later in the evening and got some great shots
Venice looks amazing, can’t wait to visit!
I was reminded of my walking tour there and coincidentally it rained then too and we paused. Did you try their gelato? I miss those the most.
Good to know you had your pasta finally in Venice. 🙂
We did try our gelatos. And now that you reminded me of it..feeling like having one 🙂 They were just so tasty and perfectly melting in the mouth
Thing which i love about your writing is you never let reader go off the hook…as a reader i wanted to keep reading.
kudos to you.
brilliantly written.
Thanks Ashish!
Venice looks so magical with all the images you captured. I really need to visit, and have to make this a bucket list must travel and to go.
Wish you all the very best
We did a free walking tour in Venice – but with a guide – and it was amazing. We learnt so much about Venice and its treasures.
One with guide will have it’s own advantage. I can see that
I missed Venice when I was in Italy! With the time & budget I had, I could either go to Milan or to Venice and since I was on a solo trip I chose Milan (u know, Venice is a romantic place! Lolz)!!! Its always awesome to take an unplanned walk and when it turns out perfect, nothing better than that! The evening lights are perfect!!!
hmmm…I did roam around in Venice with my girlfriends because hubby and baby were too tired towards the evening and wanted to rest.. lol…we didn’t do Milan this time. How did you find it?
Venice is a special place and I recommend you to watch an Italian movie with an unspoiled view of Venice, called “Bread and Tulips” directed by Silvio Soldini.
We will watch the movie Edoardo..thanks for the recommendation!! Love movies with great landscape and views
I wouldn’t have figured to do a walking tour in Venice but it seems like a great way to see the city! SO high on my bucket list but I worry that it’s overrun with tourists.
There are times when it’s not so crowded..you got to choose the perfect slot
Like yourselves, all of our explorations of Venice were made by walking. The Gondola’s, whilst iconic are overpriced and really aimed at tourists.
Walking allowed us (like I’m sure it did yourselves) to get lost in the warren-like streets, and see and do things at our own pace!
My tip for winter (when we visited) would be to take waterproof boots, as many of the canals had flooded the streets!!
Great to know that Chris. Hope you enjoyed your explorations across the streets of Venice as much as we did ours
I love looking at venice at night. It’s an inspiration to go back there. When I went, it was years ago in teenage years, so this is such a motivation. THX
Venice is magical during the night. Almost every cafe and restaurant is water side, with candlelights. All the buildings are by the side of the water. The bridges are lit with lampposts. And every single one of these casts a reflection in the water. You can imagine the beauty this way!