Tour operator
Row Venice
A non-profit of expert women instructors teaching voga alla veneta, standing Venetian-style rowing, in traditional boats from Cannaregio, all year round.
Venice Free Walking Tour
A Venice walking tour group running two free daily English-language walks, Hidden Venice and Venice through the centuries, with mandatory online booking.
At a glance
- Type
- Free walking tours
- Area
- Cannaregio, Venice, Italy
- Official site
- venicefreewalkingtour.com
Good to know
- Daily tours
- English language
- Online booking required
- Free cancellation
Why we recommend it
Venice Free Walking Tour runs daily walking tours of the city in English and is one of the most popular ways for visitors to get their bearings on a first day in Venice. The tours are free to join, and booking online in advance is mandatory, which keeps group sizes manageable in the narrow streets. Its tagline, feel like a local, sums up the approach: the walks focus on stories, everyday life and the less obvious corners of the city rather than a checklist of famous sights.
Two tours run every day. The 10:00 tour, Hidden Venice: Secrets and Stories, starts in Campo della Maddalena in Cannaregio and explores lanes, courtyards and squares that many visitors never find. The 11:00 tour, Venice through the centuries North, starts in Campo Santi Apostoli and covers the history of the city, from its origins in the lagoon to the height of the Republic and beyond. Taking both on different days is a good way to build up a picture of Venice before visiting its museums.
As with most free walking tours, guides are generally rewarded with a tip at the end, and you can give what you feel the tour was worth. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour, so if your plans change, cancel online to free the place for someone else. Wear comfortable shoes, as Venice involves plenty of bridges and steps, bring water in summer, and arrive at the meeting point a few minutes early. Check the website for the exact meeting points and current details.
The tours suit first-time visitors, solo travellers, students and anyone on a budget who wants an introduction to Venice from people who know it well. They are walkable for most fitness levels, though the many bridges make them difficult for wheelchair users and awkward with pushchairs. Families with older children usually enjoy the storytelling.
Campo della Maddalena is on the Strada Nova route between the station and the Rialto, about ten minutes' walk from Santa Lucia station; the San Marcuola vaporetto stop on Line 1 is the closest. Campo Santi Apostoli is further along the same route towards the Rialto, near the Ca' d'Oro stop. Contact the organisers by email for questions.
Venice Free Walking Tour FAQs
Are the tours really free?
Yes, they are free to join; guides are usually rewarded with a tip at the end.
Do I need to book?
Yes. Booking online is mandatory.
What tours are there?
Hidden Venice: Secrets and Stories at 10:00, and Venice through the centuries North at 11:00, every day.
Where do the tours start?
The 10:00 tour starts in Campo della Maddalena and the 11:00 tour in Campo Santi Apostoli, both in Cannaregio.
What language are the tours in?
English.
Can I cancel?
Yes, free of charge up to 24 hours before the tour.
How can I contact them?
Email [email protected].