Formed by the union of a large number of islands, Venice is a completely different location to any other. This place, traversable principally by foot or by gondola, seduces all its visitors with the peculiarity of its streets, the number of buildings, the many different terraces in which you can enjoy the typical venetian ambience, o the diverse atmospheres in each of the islets that make up the city. Composed of six districts, it offers its tourist a great variety of canals to roam by gondola. Discover in our three day tour all the corners of this mythical Italian city.
Day 1: Venice by foot.
The journey begins in the San Marco district, in the Square of the same name, which unifies a combination of byzantine, gothic and renaissance art. Different artistic styles make this square a place of great aesthetics characterized by a diversity of construction. Architectural styles to be found include that of the basilica of San Marcos, the shape of which is based on a Greek cross and is made up of five large arches and domes; the Palace of the Duke, the highest expression of Venetian Gothic; and the Square of the Lions. Three ideal locations situated to the east of the square to begin this Venetian tour.
In front of the basilica, the watch tower is to be found, the porticos of Procuratie Vecchie and Procuratie Nuove that are situated along the longest sides of the plaza are other points on which one’s attention is naturally drawn. Another site that awaits your attention just over the canal from the Basilica on a small island is the church of San Giorgio with its bell tower. It principal facade makes reference to Greek and Roman architecture thus uniting two architectural styles. In its interior, you will find decoration that was made almost in its entirety by the famous Tintoretto. Very characteristic of this structure is its bell tower, as from the top a panoramic view of the Venetian lagoon can be admired. This island, although small, still has more things to show, such as the Monastery of the Benedictines and accompanying that, a Green Theatre which stands in a large park.
The itinerary restarts in the afternoon in the Castello area, that with the district of Cannaregio, constitutes one of the largest zones of the city. A stroll through its peculiar streets and allies, allows one to enter the traditional life that still breathes in this area. Visitors can go to the Riva degli Shiavoni zone that, originally destined to be a wharf, has been paved and today is an attractive place to take a stroll, just as the venecians do in this area.
It is habitual in Venice to cross many bridges, this way traversing the Paglia Bridge (Ponte della Paglia) one arrives at the Prigion Palace (Palazzo delle Prigion) and then, crossing the Sopportego one arrives at the Chessa Della Pietà church in which are displayed different pieces in honour of the famous venetian Vivaldi.
The itinerary can continue in the direction of the Historic Naval Museum and Arsenal, where the importance that Venice had as a marine city is explained. Its interior contains cannons, torpedoes and different models of ships. After the museum, the Church of San Giovanni and Paolo, of marked gothic style, contains a great interior space made up of three naves that unite a great quantity of building work.
To complete this first expedition of Venice, the Scuola di San Marco is a good place to stop and appreciate its renaissance architecture. The first day could be prolonged if, after dinner, one takes a Vaporetto to observe the city via its canals at night.
Day 2: Crossing the bridges of the city.
The district of Dorsoduro, located by the Grand Canal of the city, provides a tranquil destination for the second day in the city. In this way starts the day, with a visit to the Acadamy Galleries, that contain a great quantity of treasures collected by Napoleon during the suppression of the churches and religious orders, in which the treasures were donated to the studies of the fine arts.
Having toured the galleries, one can take Corfu street, passing the Fondamenta Priuli and in parallel with the Santo Trovaso River continuing straight one can reach the Zattere (Pontones flotantes), the perfect place to have lunch, take an aperative, such as Spritz which is the most typical of Venice, or simply have a rest soaking up the sun beside the Giudecca canal.
Upon arrival of the afternoon, the next destinations are the Church of los Gesauti, the Church of Redentor and, afterwards, taking the road to the tip of the Dogana one will be able to take in a good view of the Harbour of San Marcos.
The collection of contemporary art of Peggy Guggenheim can be visited in the Venier dei Leoni Palace. In this place works by other artists are also gathered, such as Kandinsky, Joán Miró, Picasso or Jackson Pollock, that are exhibited in the same space.
In the direction of the zones of San Polo and Santa Croce awaits the most famous bridge of the city The Rialto Bridge and, beside it one can take a stroll in the grand Venice Market or make one’s way to the museum of Modern Art Ca’Pesaro.
One cannot miss the Church of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, whose gothic façade contains three naves in its interior. And to finish off the trail in this district, it is recommended to see the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, that conserves a huge amount of art for the visitor.
To experience the city Casino, the theatre or the opera, would be a different proposal to conclude such an intense day.
Day 3: Islets
For the last day in Venice, Cannaregio awaits you, the last of the most important districts. To begin the tour of this neighbourhood, beside the Grand Canal, is one of the most impressive palaces, the Ca’ d’oro. In its interior works by artists such as Tiziano, Pordenone or Van Eyck are exhibited.
Passing on to the zone of Guetto, one must see the different Synagogues, to later visit the Church of the Madonna dell’orto, in which Roman, Gothic and Renaissance elements are mixed. It is said that the church can also be named the church of Tintoretto, because it is there where the artist is buried and where he spent many moments of his life.
Making use of the vaporetto, the islands of Murano, Burano y Torcello, are special places to visit in which to bid farewell to this venetian experience. In Burano glass souvenirs can be acquired and one can make their way to the church of San Pietro Martire, to afterwards cross the Vivarini Bridge that runs to the Museum of Glass Art. With the visit to the Cathedral of Murano, we head once again towards Murano, another small island, famous for its lace and distinctive for the colours of its houses and the intimate ambience that exists there. The lace museum or the cathedral are the spaces of great interest in this small and peculiar islet.
The venetian expedition comes to its end in the islet of Torcello, where the origin of the venetian civilization is to be found, the Silla de Atila, the catedral, the Palace del archivo, the Palace del consejo or the Cathedral de Santa Maria Asunta.