San Polo and Dorsoduro

San Polo and Dorsoduro tour

San Polo and Dorsoduro tour will take place in two sestieri with a high concentration of tourist attractions. The tour will follow the movement and direction of the Gran Canale. We propose you a very dense but well structured itinerary, you will have to walk a lot.

You will start from the Rialto Bridge, which was finished in 1591, and you will walk through the streets of San Polo. From there you will admire the exterior of the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto, defined by many as the oldest in Venice. Admire the bell gable with its clock and see one of the last examples of Gothic porticoes.

Then head to Campo di San Silvestro, a small square in San Polo. In the square you will also notice the well made of Istrian stone and the 16th century neoclassical church of the same name, seat of the patriarchate of Grado. From Calle Sbianchesini you will find yourself at the Church of Sant'Aponal.

The Venetians are very fond of this church and say that a thorn from the crown of Jesus was kept inside, along with other relics. If you don't want to walk through the streets of Venice we suggest you take the Vaporetto Line 1 from San Silvestro to San Tomà. Or, using our Venice map, go to Campo San Polo. 

The second largest square in Venice. Get off the vaporetto and walk through Campo San Tomà to the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. The Gothic-style Basilica is majestic. The 70-metre bell tower is imposing, second only to St Mark's. This is the largest church in Venice.

This is the largest church in Venice. The Basilica boasts paintings by Bartolomeo Vivarini, Paolo Veneziano, a wooden work by Donatello. There are also masterpieces such as Bernardino Licinio's Madonna with Child and Saints. Inside the church there are monuments to the Doges and historical figures who made Venice great.

A few metres away you will find the majestic Scuola Grande di San Rocco, in campo San Rocco. Known to all as the Sistine Chapel of Venice. It became famous thanks to the works of Tintoretto.

In 1564 Tintoretto began to paint the Scuola in the various rooms of the building. His works include the Crucifixion, San Rocco in Glory and the Flight into Egypt. Tintoretto also gave prominence to the Madonna with paintings such as the Assumption of Mary. Other artists who made the School great are Titian, Giorgione and Giambattista Tiepolo.

San Polo and Dorsoduro tour you should visit the Church of San Pantalon which boasts the largest painting in the world, The Martyrdom of San Pantalon. From here you will find yourself in the Dorsoduro district.

After discovering so many places of interest, we suggest you have lunch, even if it will be a little late.  In the Campo Santa Margherita area, the heart of Dorsoduro's nightlife, you will find many restaurants and osterias.

Cross the famous Ponte dei Pugni (bridge of fists) passing through Campo San Barnaba and head towards the Vaporetto Ca Rezzonico stop. Take Vaporetto 1 for one stop and get off at Accademia. A must is a photo of the Accademia Bridge. 

Much loved by young tourists using Instagram. From there head to the end point of our San Polo itinerary. The Baroque masterpiece Chiesa della Salute located on the Punta della Dogana will be the final arrival point. If you love Venice museums and you are in Dorsoduro we recommend the Accademia Gallery or the Peggy Guggenheim collection.

To end the Venice itinerary enjoy a relaxing aperitif. From the vaporetto station Salute take vaporetto number 1 and get off at the San Silvestro station with the help of our Venice map. From there head to the H10 Hotel for a drink at their Terrace.