The Real Hidden Venice walk

About this experience

Shome Venice runs this walk with guides born and raised in the city, and that is what most of its 2,312 reviews talk about: Lorenzo, Elisa, Sebastian, Matteo, many of them young locals who point out their old school and tell you where they eat. You meet in front of San Simeon Piccolo, the green-domed church across the Grand Canal from the station, where the guide holds a board with your name.

The route heads away from the crowds. Campo San Geremia, the Ponte delle Guglie, 15 minutes in the Jewish Ghetto (the place that gave the word its meaning), half an hour in the back lanes of Cannaregio, the Madonna dell'Orto church where Tintoretto is buried, the camel relief on Palazzo Mastelli and an old gondola yard, the Squero dei Muti. Only in the last 40 minutes do you reach the Rialto Bridge, Campo San Giacomo and the Rialto Market. You end in the middle of town, well placed for lunch.

Two caveats. It is a lot of walking: two hours on foot and dozens of bridges with steps, and the few low reviews come from guests who did not expect that. And the bridge itself is free and open around the clock, so what you pay for is the guide and the route there. If you want Rialto with food instead, the Rialto Market lunch tour starts right at the market.

• A guide who grew up in Venice, not a script reader
• The Ghetto, Madonna dell'Orto and the Squero dei Muti before the crowds
• Ends at the Rialto Bridge, Campo San Giacomo and the market
• 15 guests at most, or book a private tour
• Meeting point you can see from the station steps

How the day runs

1. 10 min beforeFind the name board

   Stand in front of San Simeon Piccolo, the church with the big green dome opposite the station, next to the Hotel Antiche Figure.

2. First 20 minCampo San Geremia and the Guglie

   Over the Scalzi bridge views into Cannaregio, with the story of the square, then across the Ponte delle Guglie.

3. About 15 minThe Jewish Ghetto

   Where the word ghetto comes from, and how the community lived inside its gates.

4. About 45 minBack lanes of Cannaregio

   Madonna dell'Orto, the camel house on Palazzo Mastelli, the Squero dei Muti gondola yard and the bridge without parapets, Ponte Chiodo.

5. Last 40 minRialto Bridge and market

   Fifteen minutes on and around the bridge, then Campo San Giacomo and the market stalls, where the walk ends.

What's included

Who it suits

What guests say

Tips before you book

• Wear proper shoes. A guest in October 2026 called it "lots and lots of walking especially bridges", and the listing asks for moderate fitness.
• Take the late slot if you can: a five-star reviewer recommends the evening, when Cannaregio is at its calmest and the market area has emptied out.
• Do it early in your stay. Several guests say the guide's restaurant tips paid for the tour on their own.
• A stroller works (the listing says stroller accessible), a wheelchair does not: every bridge has steps.
• The listing also sells a private version and a private walk with a Murano glass visit, if you want the guide to yourselves.

Read next:

• Walking tours
• The bridge itself
• Market hours

Frequently asked questions

Compare with

San Marco to Rialto Walking Tour with SpritzThe cheapest guided walk to Rialto: $16 for two hours from St Mark's, with a spritz or a gondola as paid extras.★ 4.6 · 2 hours · from $16Venice Street Food Tour with Market VisitAbout five tasting stops around the Rialto Market and the San Polo lanes, ending with gelato. Drinks are extra.★ 4.8 · 2.5 hours · from $50Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime TourFour hours of market stalls, cicchetti and small plates with wine at every stop, from 10:45 by the market church.★ 4.9 · 4 hours · from $108