Creating a map of Venice always entails a slight risk of ridicule, but this is compensated by the pleasure the risk entails
– Misquoting Henri de Regnier from Altana (1928)
Some thoughts about using the guide maps and walking in Venice
These walks are not focused on the ‘main’ sights like Piazza San Marco and its basilica, or say, the Doge’s Palace. Those sights are easily found and accessible and may well occupy the whole of your visit if your time in the city is short. So, the maps are for those who might wish to wander further afield…
If your time is short, but you still want to have a stroll around outside the central areas between St Mark’s and the Rialto, then take one or all of the five ‘high-payoff’ walks which have a high ratio of sights to distances covered. Those are: Goldoni, Vivaldi, Pescaria, San Polo and Formosa.
– Many of the sights on these walks are free (or perhaps just a few Euros to enter e.g. certain churches) – if you have the time, then they are a good ‘budget’ itinerary to guide you around the city.
– The restaurants and bars on the walks are recommended because they are mostly long-standing places that get good reviews. You might still catch one of these venues on a bad day, but there are many other options along the way you can choose if the suggested restaurant/bar is too crowded or not your kind of place…
– Shopping is not specifically included as a feature of the walks, but some of the walks do go through shopping districts: Goldoni, Manin, Casanova and Pescaria.
– Be a butterfly, not a wildebeast… This is a densely packed city, and you are walking through someone’s front yard nearly everywhere you go. Visitors help the economy, but treading lightly is good for everyone!
– Don’t forget the rules of the ‘road’: keep right – and importantly – yield! Many of the calle on these walks are very narrow, so share – the locals still need to get about their business. Some good tips here.
– The walks cover a total distance of 29 km, and that doesn’t include wanderings within some of the attractions that feature along the way, or getting lost. How quickly you cover these itineraries depends on your fitness level and urban orienteering skills.
Tips & Tricks
If you are an experienced walker or navigator, you probably won’t need these first five…
(1) Check footwear is fit for purpose.
(2) Think about sun protection or shelter from rain or other adverse weather (season-dependent). Always carry water on you. Stay hydrated.
(3) Be realistic about how many walks you will complete – consider your fitness level and capabilites.
(4) Break up the walks. Many of the routes have cafes and other good places for a rest along the way. Lunch is a good way to have a break.
(5) Build in comfort stops. Most of the bagno (bathrooms) open to the public are marked on the maps. These facilities are sometimes re-located or temporarily closed, so be wary.
Some tips about navigation drawn from the orienteering world:
– Try to be aware of your cardinal points (north, south, east, west). The easiest guide is that large yellow ball in the sky that shows up every day. Where it rises approximates east and where it sets approximates west.
– Be familiar with the map scale (most of the routes are on a similar scale but there are variations). Measure out how many paces you take for 50 metres. The average person will take 65 steps. More if you are short, less if you are tall.
– Orient your map. The top of each route map is oriented north. Keeping your map ‘oriented’ north during your trek will help you relate to the surrounds.
Bring some navigation techniques from orienteering in the ‘field’ (i.e. the countryside) into your repertoire. Here are some ideas:
– Handrails. There are several sections of the routes that have been designated as ‘handrails’ These are long, usually linear features that can be followed easily between one leg of the journey and another. The handrail will deliver you safely to your next twist or turn.
– Attack points. These are large, obvious features – not always easy to spot in Venice streets – but they are there. The best ones are the bell towers or some of the taller buildings. If your objective is near one of these, stay the course to the feature and it will steer you to the vicinity of your destination.
– Expand spatial awareness. Extend your plane of view upwards. You will start to see the main features well ahead of when you arrive at them. This is not always possible, for example in the deeper alleyways of San Marco or San Polo, but it can be done in the other sestieres.
– Try ‘aiming off‘. This technique is usually associated with navigating in the ‘field’, but can be adapted to urban navigation. The idea can be applied when your destination is a little obscure but lies near a landmark or a major street. Once you hit the more obvious feature, use it to guide you to your destination like a handrail.
– Use all of your senses. Make this an exercise in mindfulness. Venice is a great place to do this, since you won’t be surrounded by the din of vehicular traffic on your journey…
My Story
I started walking in Venice about 20 years ago when I visited the city with my wife. We have returned many times, and my wife has been very tolerant of my obsessive wanderings there through the years. Creating these walks meant that I could combine my obsession with maps and my favourite city.
I have created these walks and the maps that accompany them to share some of the joy that I have experienced in what is a truly unique and fascinating place. The sources that I have used to assemble these walks are found on this site. A disclaimer: I make no pretence about being a Venice expert.
I have tried many different ways over the years to follow certain itineraries, seeking out sights and experiences, and make this observation: expect to get lost. This is one of the few cities of the world where getting lost is likely to enhance your visit!
