Alternative Venice Free Walking Tour

On this tour we visit an area that is alternative to the most touristy part of the city and which, however, keeps the charm and beauty that Venice has had since ancient times and, on the other hand, shows us the splendid past that the city lived in the Middle Ages and its decline from the 16th century.

On our tour we will deal with the most important part of Venetian history, and we will do it through two neighborhoods: the Carampane neighborhood, (Venice's red light district), which is the place where prostitution was practiced in the city, and in ways quite peculiar as we will see on the tour; and the Rialto Market neighborhood, the economic engine of Medieval Venice, since it is linked to the pillar that has supported Venice for almost the entire bulk of its history: commerce. Our tour ends at the house of a universally known Venetian: Marco Polo, whose story is fundamental to understanding Venetian history.

The tour begins in Campo di San Polo, one of the most important and busiest squares in Venice, dedicated to the Apostle Saint Paul (San Polo), from this Square and crossing the Arco dei Cavalli, we will enter the red light district of the city, the Carampane neighborhood, to explore the hidden alleys and the beautiful canals that abound in this neighborhood. Hidden in the neighborhood are some places that recall the time when the neighborhood was used for prostitution, such as the Puente de las Tetas, the Palacio de Ca'Rampanni or a brothel that is still standing. After touring this mysterious neighborhood, we will enter the Rialto Market area, where one of the liveliest areas of the city is currently located. Here we will visit the Fish Market, we will go to the Grand Canal to see some of the old fish stores fabrics of Venice and we will arrive at San Giacomo Square, where the oldest Church in the city is located. From here we will cross the Grand Canal through the most important bridge in Venice, the Rialto Bridge, which will offer us one of the best Venetian views, we will end up on the other side of the Canal, specifically at the House of Marco Polo and very close to Plaza de Saint Mark.