Free self-guided walk · Venice

From the Rialto to St Mark's

A free self-guided walk from the Rialto market across the Rialto Bridge through the lanes of San Marco to St Mark's Square and the waterfront.

Distance
1.7 km
Walking time
22 min
Allow
About 2 hours with stops
Stops
6

Open the route in Google MapsVenice city guide

About this walk

Venice has no cars, so every visit is a walking visit. This route links the city's two great landmarks, the Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square, through small squares and over canals.

Yellow signs on corners point 'Per Rialto' and 'Per S. Marco'. Follow them if you get lost.

  • Terrain: Flat but crossed by many stepped bridges. Hard going with a wheelchair, a pushchair or heavy luggage.
  • Best time: Early morning, before day-trippers arrive.

Route map

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Route and stop positions © OpenStreetMap contributors. North is up.

The stops

  1. Rialto Market

    Start at the fish and produce market on the San Polo side (closed Sundays).

  2. Rialto Bridge

    The stone bridge over the Grand Canal, lined with shops.

  3. Campo San Bartolomeo

    A busy little square at the foot of the bridge.

  4. Campo Santa Maria Formosa

    A wide, lively square with a Renaissance church.

  5. St Mark's Square

    The great square with the basilica and bell tower.

  6. Riva degli Schiavoni

    Finish on the waterfront past the Doge's Palace, with a view of the Bridge of Sighs.

Tips

  • Day visitors pay an access fee on peak days; check before you go.
  • Keep right on bridges and lanes, and don't stop on bridges.
  • Book St Mark's Basilica to skip the queue.

Prefer a guide?

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Sources and review date

This walk was last reviewed on 2026-10-28. Distance and walking time come from OpenStreetMap's walking router and don't include time at stops. Opening hours and access change; please check before you go.