Start your tour at Piazza San Marco, the principal square in Venice surrounded by arcades and overlooked by the Basilica di San Marco with its domes and mosaics from the 11th century onward and the adjacent Doge’s Palace featuring Gothic architecture completed in the 15th century.
From the square, walk past the Campanile di San Marco, the bell tower rebuilt in 1912 after collapse, and proceed along the Piazzetta towards the waterfront for views of the lagoon before turning inland through narrow calli to reach the Ponte dei Sospiri, the enclosed bridge from 1600 connecting the palace to the prisons.
Continue along the Riva degli Schiavoni promenade beside the water then turn north into the streets leading to the Rialto area, following signs or maps through alleys and small bridges over canals.
Arrive at the Ponte di Rialto, the stone arch bridge over the Grand Canal dating to 1591 with shops along its covered walkway and views of passing boats and palazzi on both sides.
Cross the bridge into the San Polo district and head south along quieter paths past markets and local shops to the Ponte dell’Accademia, the wooden bridge rebuilt in 1985 providing wide views along the Grand Canal towards Santa Maria della Salute.
Cross to the Dorsoduro sestiere and follow the Fondamenta along the canal past the Gallerie dell’Accademia housing paintings from the 14th to 18th centuries.
The route traces a path through central sestieri with frequent bridges and remains on foot throughout the historic centre covering about three kilometres in total and takes around one hour at a moderate pace.
End at the Punta della Dogana, the former customs house at the eastern tip of Dorsoduro with its triangular shape and views across the water to San Giorgio Maggiore and the entrance to the Grand Canal.
