A “zonzo” or walkabout in one of the “sestieri”...

Venice is divided into six areas or districts from which the name ‘sestrieri’: each of them offers a very interesting way to get to know Venice, the real Venice, the Venice away from the crowded marciana area, the Venice that gives us history and art and a view on everyday life. The tour can take the itinerary that most suits you and the walk may include more than one sestriere and of course, a visit to a museum or one or more churches. Just to mention a few, excluding San Marco (see tours 1 and 2): Santa Croce and San Polo, one cannot miss visiting the Basilica dei Frari and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco; in the Cannaregio area, there is the Hebrew Ghetto and the Church of the Madonna dell'Orto; in the Dorsoduro district there are some of the most beautiful museums in Venice, there is the imposing Chiesa (Church) della Salute and Punta della Dogana; from the Castello district, one passes through the Basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo and the Chiesa dei Miracoli to the Arsenale (ex naval yards). But apart from the citations of the most important monuments, do not forget to look at the common people’s architecture, the calli, the squares, the most typical Venetian courts that only a local guide can help you understand and therefore fully appreciate the true spirit of the city.

A walk can last from 2 to 4 hours or even longer for the most courageous: much depends on the itinerary chosen and the number of churches, museums, monuments you wish to visit. Entrance tickets must be paid on the spot. If you so wish, lunch can be booked in a typically local restaurant or combined to a small bàcaro tour (see tour 9).