Hidden Secrets And Curiosities Walk

Overview

This walk spends 2 hours 15 minutes in the central and western lanes of Cannaregio, the quiet northern quarter where everyday Venice carries on largely undisturbed. The walk runs on GuruWalk and keeps the route away from the heaviest footfall, moving from Campo della Maddalena through Scuola Grande della Misericordia, over Ponte della Sacca and on to the Church of Madonna dell'Orto before finishing at Gheto Novissimo. Somewhere along the way the route opens onto a view over the northern lagoon.

The commentary is as much about how the city lives now as about its past. High tides and floods, food and drink culture and Carnival masks are the stated topics, alongside the statues of Rioba and the Moors and the stories behind this less visited stretch of Cannaregio. At the end the guide passes on insider tips meant to make the rest of a stay easier.

It suits anyone who wants to get away from the crowd and see a quieter, more local side of the city, in English, at a pay what you want price. Reserve a free spot on GuruWalk and tip the guide whatever the walk felt worth at the end.

Itinerary

1. Meet At Campo Della MaddalenaFind the old well next to the church entrance in Campo della Maddalena, Cannaregio. The guide carries a red flag.
2. Scuola Grande Della MisericordiaThe first named stop on the route, in the central part of Cannaregio.
3. Ponte Della SaccaThe walk continues through the quarter's quieter alleys toward this bridge.
4. Church Of Madonna Dell'OrtoOne of the standout buildings on the route, reached in the western part of Cannaregio. The route also takes in the statues of Rioba and the Moors and a view over the northern lagoon.
5. Finish At Gheto NovissimoThe walk ends here, and the guide shares insider tips for the rest of your stay. The full route has 6 stops; the GuruWalk listing shows the first 3.

What To Expect From The Tour

A few practical points from the GuruWalk listing are worth knowing before you reserve a spot.

• Finding The Guide. The meeting point is the old well next to the church entrance in Campo della Maddalena. The guide carries a red flag, so look for that rather than a crowd. There is no pickup; you make your own way to Cannaregio.
• Pace And Duration. The walk runs 2 hours 15 minutes on foot through alleys the GuruWalk listing describes as peaceful. Shoes you can walk in for that length of time are the sensible choice.
• Group Equipment. Since August 1st 2024, groups larger than 10 people use radio transmitters and headphones, in line with municipal noise rules. Loudspeakers and loud voices are prohibited. If you book into a bigger group, you will be handed a receiver, which the operator frames as a more personal experience.
• Language. The walk runs in English only. If you need another language, this is not the right departure.
• Different End Point. The walk starts at Campo della Maddalena and ends at Gheto Novissimo, both in Cannaregio but not the same spot. Plan your onward route from the finish rather than expecting a loop back to the start.
• Come With Questions. The stated topics are high tides and floods, food and drink culture and Carnival masks, mixed with stories from Venice past and present. The guide closes with insider tips for the rest of your stay, so it is worth having a question or two ready.

Common issues. There is no pickup or transport of any kind; the walk is on foot for 2 hours 15 minutes. It runs in English only. The published route shows the first 3 of 6 stops, so part of the itinerary is not detailed in advance. Nothing about weather cancellations or minimum numbers is stated on GuruWalk's own page for this walk, so check the guide's GuruWalk page for the current position before you travel.

What Visitors Ask Before Reserving