Santa Maria Formosa

Get off the beaten path in Venice, away from the crowds. With a guide, explore the lesser-known areas of the San Marco district and discover the fascinating history behind them. Embark on an enchanting walking tour through the heart of Venice, where the seamless blend of history and architecture creates an unforgettable journey. Begin your adventure by wandering past some of Venice’s most iconic landmarks without stopping, soaking in the city's majestic aura. You'll marvel at the spiraled elegance of the Scala Contarini del Bovolo, experience the historic ambiance of Campo Manin, and wander the enigmatic Calle degli Orbi. Admire the opulent façade of Teatro La Fenice and the sacred architecture of the Chiesa di San Moise. Continue your experience with an optional gondola ride discovering Venice from a unique angle: glide under the Bridge of Sighs into the magical San Marco Basin and greet the charming San Giorgio Island. A dream journey awaits!

Make your trip to Venice more comfortable with the Venice City Pass. Gain access to all of the city's prominent churches, museums, monuments, and more. Choose from multiple-day passes, with the option to add public transportation tickets. Visit the Byzantine monuments of St. Mark's Square and venture inside the palace that was the seat of a 1000-year republic, the Doge's Palace. Get access to all 16 churches of the Chorus Circuit such as Chiesa di Santa Maria del Giglio, Chiesa di Santo Stefano, and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Make your way to the Museo Correr, Archaeological Museum, Biblioteca Marciana, Ca' Rezzonico, Ca' Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art, Glass Museum on Murano Island, Natural History Museum, Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo, Carlo Goldoni's House, Lace Museum on Burano Island, and Museo Fortuny. List of museums:Doge's PalaceMuseo CorrerArchaeological MuseumBiblioteca MarcianaCa' RezzonicoCa' PesaroNatural History MuseumMocenigo PalaceCarlo Goldoni HouseLace Museum on Burano IslandGlass Museum on Murano IslandMuseo Fortuny The 16 Churches of the Chorus Circuit include: Santa Maria del GiglioSan StaeSanto StefanoSant'AlviseSanta Maria FormosSan Pietro di CastelloSanta Maria dei MiracoliSantissimo RedentoreS.Giovanni ElemosinarioSanta Maria del Rosario (Gesuati)San PoloSan SebastianoSan Giacomo dall'OrioSan GiobbeSanta Maria del Carmelo (Carmini)S.Giovanni Battista in Bragora

Explore Venice with a cost-effective City Card. Visit over 30 attractions, including Doge’s Palace, Leonarda da Vinci Museum, Scuala San Rocco, and more. Enjoy guided tours and a trip to the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello, along with a complimentary Canal Grande boat tour or a gondola ride. Take the stress out of planning your trip to Venice, and experience the city's rich history, culture, and magical atmosphere through museums, churches, tours, and gastronomy. Explore the city at your own pace and book until 5 days. Book optional skip the line entry to St. Marks Basilica. Following attractions are included: Museums and Galleries: Museum Correr National Museum of Archaeology at the Piazza San Marco Leonardo da Vinci Museum Landmarks and Monuments: Skip the line St. Marks Basilica entry, if option selected Doge’s Palace Scuola San Rocco State Library Marciana Church die San Giobbe Church Santa Maria di Giglio Church di Santo Stefano Church di Santa Maria Formosa Church di Santa Maria dei Miracoli Church di San Giovanni Elemosinario Church di San Polo Church di San Giacomo dall'Orio Church di San Stae Church di Sant’Alvise Basilica di San Pietro di Castello Church del Santissimo Redentore Church di San Sebastiano Scala del Bovolo & Sala del Tintoretto (including observation deck) Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista Boat Experience: Grand Canal Tour Gondola ride Island tour of Murano - Burano - Torcello Guided Tours: Teatro La Fenice Tour (opera tour) in English Venice City Tour - Discover the "Hidden Venice" in English Discount Partner: Eatwith 10%

Explore Venice through its narrow calli (alleys) and encounter countless bridges and picturesque squares at the heart of the city's social scene. Follow a professional guide on an unforgettable journey through the history of the "Serenissima" and discover famous sites and hidden gems. Get an animated description of majestic St. Mark’s Basilica in Piazza San Marco, and learn the function of the Doge's Palace. Hear about the ornate St. Mark's Clocktower and the 3 connected buildings of the Procuratie. Then, make your way to the Campo Santa Maria Formosa to see the Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, where all of the city's doges were buried after the 15th century. Go to the Scuola Grande di San Marco (“Great School of Charity”) to hear about the "Captains of Fortune," and then head back through the San Marco sestiere (district) to see the Teatro Malibran. Stroll down the famous Mercerie, the historic heart of commercial life in the city and now one of the main shopping streets of Venice between the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco.

Combine an engaging 1.5-hour walking tour of Venice, strolling the streets between St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge and market, with a Venice experience that everyone must try: a 30-minute gondola ride! During the 1st part of your itinerary, an expert guide will reveal the magic and history of Venice outside some its most famous buildings. Walk from St. Mark’s Square at the heart of the former Venetian Republic. Admire the Byzantine façade of St. Mark’s Basilica and the imposing edifice of the Doge’s Palace before you depart. Head towards Campo Santa Maria Formosa to learn the story of one of the most beautiful churches in Venice. See the former home of the explorer Marco Polo, and pass the Malibran Theatre, known for having the most extravagant stage in the city. Finally, walk to the Mercerie to discover a fascinating array of narrow streets where the valuable goods brought to the city from distant markets were sold. Then, climb aboard a gondola for a 30-minute punt along the canals of Venice. Be lulled by the gentle sway of the lagoon as you move deeper into the minor canals. Coast past lesser known areas to see quaint corners and majestic palaces from a new perspective. Admire the Basilica della Salute as you drift gently back to St Mark’s Basin and the start of the Grand Canal.

Starting in St. Mark’s Square, this atmospheric walking tour will whisk you away from the crowded streets into the treasure filled pockets of the Castello area. A qualified guide will walk you through the hidden squares, winding canals and historical buildings providing you with a perfect introduction to the origins, symbols, traditions, architecture and life in present day Venice. The tour will start with a historical introduction of St. Marks’s Square and its architectural delights, allowing you to discover the history of the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica, the illustrious Doge’s Palace, once the seat of the power of the Republic of Venice, and the extraordinary, Renaissance clock tower. Leaving the square, you will be guided into the residential Castello area, allowing you to discover this part of Venice in all of its elegance, through its labyrinth of narrow alleys known as calli, its many bridges, winding canals and wide picturesque squares called campi. Discover campo Santa Maria Formosa and campo San Giovanni & Paolo, with its stunning Basilica, where the doges of Venice were buried. At the end of your walking tour, come back with your local guide in San Marco's square passing through the Mercerie, the shopping connection street between Rialto and San Marco.

Start the tour in the historical heart of Venice with a morning promenade from Saint Mark’s Square to some of the most important monuments in Venice. See Santa Maria Formosa, the Basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, known as the Venetian Pantheon, and much more. Learn about the amazing history of these monuments from your professional guide. Pass through the main shopping street, until you reach Rialto Bridge. Stroll through the typical markets which were once the commercial center of Europe. Continue your experience with a gondola ride discovering Venice from a unique angle: glide under the Bridge of Sighs into the magical San Marco Basin and greet the charming San Giorgio Island. A dream journey awaits! Enjoy commentary on your gondola tour by downloading the mobile app. The App will provide audio commentary to explain all about the magnificent palaces and attractions around you. Later, enjoy the audio guide with digital map to discover the five districts of Venice and their best attractions and squares, day or night, on a self-guided tour. Listen to the automatic audio narration of the city’s highlights, with more than 200 points of interest including the glorious La Fenice theater, Rialto Bridge, Jewish Ghetto, the Arsenale, the majestic Accademia Bridge, and much more. Thanks to this app, you will also enjoy the most secret and picturesque places of Venice known only by true Venetians.

Take part in this small-group tour of Venice to see the best tourist spots and hidden gems. See the Bell Tower and Clock Tower, St. Mark's Square, and get an in-depth tour of St. Mark’s Basilica. Start your tour by strolling through St. Mark’s Square, equipped with complimentary headphones so that you can follow every word of your local guide. Listen as your guide discusses the major monuments including Doge's Palace, Bridge of Sighs, the Bell Tower, and the Clock Tower. Head into St. Marks Basilica for a special tour. Walk through the famous church as your guide describes the history of the church and shows you the intricate mosaics and Byzantine architecture. Afterward, leave St. Mark's Square behind to admire a very different Venice. Visit Santa Maria Formosa, Calle Paradiso, Castello district, and areas known only to the locals.  Explore a world of narrow alleyways and meandering canals, punctuated by delicate bridges, and hidden architectural gems.  Hear stories about the Venetians who created this city from nothing. The it's time to relax and enjoy 1 hr tour of the Grand Canal and minor canals by boat. Sit back, relax and take in all the beauty of Venice from a completely different perspective as you glide down Venice's main water street to admire the important buildings that line its banks. They illustrate the great history of Venice, which your expert Venice tour guide will discuss along with stories about famous characters, who have at one time called this waterway their home. Limited to 8/9 people, and also visiting minor canals, it provides a very intimate and easy going tour of Venice far from the crowds of St. Mark’s.

This combined tour will allow you to discover the most important historical places and buildings of Venice in two parts. From a centrally located meeting point, you will be led by a professional guide through the most characteristic places around the areas of St. Mark's Square and Castello. After this walk, you will enjoy a view of the city from the water on-board a gondola. The tour will start with a historical introduction in St. Marks’s Square, and its architectural delights, allowing you to discover the history of the Doge’s Palace, once the seat of the power for the Republic of Venice, and the surrounding buildings. Leaving the square, you will be guided into the residential Castello area, allowing you to discover this part of Venice in all of its elegance through its labyrinth of narrow alleys or calli, many bridges, winding canals and wide picturesque squares known as campi. Discover the Santa Maria Formosa Square, one of the largest squares in Venice with its church, named after its visitation of the Holy Virgin, the Saints Giovanni and Paolo Square where you will be able to admire the famous church, the resting place of several Doges and the equestrian monument of Bartolomeo Colleoni, an Italian mercenary captain. The former residence of Marco Polo, probably the most famous Venetian merchant, and the Malibran Theatre will also be part of the itinerary. After the walking tour, you will be accompanied to Saint Moisè Square, the landing stage of the famous Venetian transportation, the gondola. Relax aboard this historic vessel, enjoying the thrills of both the Grand Canal and minor canals. Admire Venice from this amazing point of view, witness its magnificent architecture and whilst gliding under its bridges, discover secret entrances to the elegant palaces and hidden corners. The gondola ride will not be a guided tour. This 2-hour combined tour will conclude in Campo San Moisè, a short walk from St. Mark’s Square.

This walking tour will give you a comprehensive introduction to some of the most spectacular sights in the city, and includes a guided tour of both the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Setting off from St. Mark’s Square, with views of the Grand Canal, you will head through the narrow streets, laced with lovely canals and crumbling, historic houses. Stop and pause at sights such as the Chiesa Santa Maria Formosa, where the Holy Virgin is alleged to have appeared disguised as a voluptuous woman. Visit the former home of one of the city’s most famous sons at Marco Polo’s House, and walk through the Campo SS. Giovanni e Paolo, the second largest square in Venice. Return to San Marco through the Mercerie, and go inside the Palazzo Ducale, the seat of Venetian political power for centuries. Walk through splendid rooms lined with masterpieces of art. Your guide will show you the halls of power and then take you to the Bridge of Sighs, where the harsh reality of that power will come to life. End your visit at St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most majestic cathedrals in the world. View masterpieces of Byzantine art, savor the beauty of the cathedral’s gold mosaics and marble inlays, and admire fine examples of religious art in the Treasury.