Self-Guided Tour: The Heart of Venice (English)

Piazza San Marco, often called “the drawing room of Europe,” is the heart of Venice and one of the most famous squares in the world. Surrounded by stunning landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile, it offers a breathtaking blend of history, art, and architecture. The square is a lively gathering place filled with music, cafés, and the soft cooing of pigeons, creating a timeless Venetian atmosphere.

This intimate pocket square lies just north-east of St. Mark’s Basilica, wedged between the basilica’s north façade, the Palazzo Patriarcale, and the small church of San Basso

The Church of San Pantalon (Chiesa di San Pantalon) is a hidden gem located in the Dorsoduro district of Venice. From the outside, it may appear modest, but inside it houses one of the largest ceiling paintings in the world, created by Gian Antonio Fumiani. This massive work, depicting the Martyrdom and Apotheosis of Saint Pantaleon, covers the entire ceiling and was painted on canvas — a rare and awe-inspiring feat. The church itself dates back to the 17th century and is dedicated to Saint Pantaleon, a Christian martyr and healer.

Sotoportego de l’Abazia, also known as the “Underpass of the Abbey,” is a typical Venetian covered passageway beneath a building, located in the Cannaregio district near the old Church and Scuola of Santa Maria della Misericordia. These kinds of sotoporteghi connect streets or squares and often provide sheltered walkways — this one leads directly to Corte Nova and Ponte de l’Abazia, running along the Rio de la Salute.

Campo San Salvador is a lively and historic square located right in the heart of Venice, just a short walk from the Rialto Bridge and along the bustling Mercerie shopping street. Though modest in size, it holds deep historical and cultural significance.

The Teatro Goldoni (officially Teatro Stabile del Veneto Carlo Goldoni) is a cherished historic theatre nestled near the Rialto Bridge, in Venice’s San Marco district.

Campo San Luca is a lively square in the San Marco district of Venice, located just a few minutes' walk from both Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco. Once a quiet, residential area, it’s now a popular meeting point for locals and tourists alike, thanks to its central location and welcoming atmosphere.

Teatro La Fenice, literally "The Phoenix Theatre," is Venice’s legendary opera house—famed for rising from its ashes not once, but three times. The original theatre opened in 1792, designed by Gianantonio Selva, and quickly became a key venue for bel canto premieres by Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, and Verdi .

Rio Terà dei Assassini, which translates to "Street of the Assassins," is one of Venice’s most mysterious and evocative alleyways. Originally a canal, it was filled in around 1798 — as the name rio terà (literally “filled-in canal”) suggests. The eerie name stems from medieval times, when this area, along with a now-vanished “Bridge of the Assassins,” was known for murders and ambushes after dark.

Statua di Daniele Manin stands proudly at the heart of Campo Manin in Venice’s San Marco district — a tribute to one of the city's most celebrated 19th-century patriots.

Palazzo Cavalli‑Franchetti (often simply called Palazzo Cavalli) is a stunning palace on Venice’s Grand Canal, nestled just across from the Accademia Bridge in the San Marco district.

The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) is one of the most iconic landmarks in Venice and the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal. Originally built as a wooden drawbridge in the 12th century, it was rebuilt in stone between 1588 and 1591 by architect Antonio da Ponte, winning a famous design competition that even included Michelangelo.