Venice: Rialto Offbeat Walk & Blooming Grand Canal Palace
About this activity
Take a historic walking tour around Rialto area and discover a hidden side of Venice. Optionally, add the blooming Fortuny Palace or Bell Tower access.
Highlights
- Walk through the Rialto district and uncover Venice’s lesser-known beauty
- Hear fascinating stories and curiosities from an expert local guide
- Climb the Bell Tower for breathtaking views over Venice’s rooftops (optional)
- Visit a blooming Fortuny Palace on the Grand Canal
- A unique VR journey into the Venice of centuries past.
Full description
Explore Venice from a fresh perspective with a guided walking tour that blends history and originality, combining the classic with the unexpected. This route takes you through the heart of the city but avoids the usual crowded paths to reveal a more authentic and surprising Venice.
The Rialto Bridge – The Gem of the Tour
No visit to Venice is complete without seeing the famous Rialto Bridge. A symbol of Venice’s merchant power, the Rialto Bridge is a Renaissance engineering masterpiece, connecting the two banks of the Grand Canal at what was once the city’s most vital trading point.
Palazzo Fortuny – A Grand Canal Jewel (if option is selected)
Those who choose the visit to Palazzo Fortuny will step inside one of Venice’s most extraordinary and lesser-known treasures. Elegantly facing the Grand Canal, this splendid palace was once the home and creative workshop of the visionary Mariano Fortuny – an artist, photographer, set designer, inventor, and fashion innovator. The palace is a true explosion of inspiration: from theatrical lamps and photographic portraits to textiles marked with esoteric symbols and ingenious scenic inventions. Every corner reflects the genius of a multifaceted artist and the charm of a cultured, mysterious, and timeless Venice. From the public landing platform just outside the Palace, you can admire a breathtaking view of the Rialto Bridge – the perfect prelude to a journey into Fortuny’s aesthetic world. One of the palace’s most enchanting rooms is decorated with pastel-colored frescoes, creating the impression of a painted hanging garden – a visual delight that both surprises and enchants.
Bell Tower entrance (if option is selected)
After the walking tour, enjoy breathtaking views from St. Mark's Bell Tower, the tallest structure in Venice. Admire stunning vistas of the city's iconic landmarks, including the domes of St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Square, and the shimmering lagoon. Capture panoramic images from this unique vantage point at 98 meters high, offering breathtaking views of Venice's architectural beauty and vibrant life.
Step into the heart of Venice with an immersive virtual reality experience inside a dedicated gallery. With your VR headset, journey through centuries of Venetian history as the city’s rich heritage unfolds around you. Watch Piazza San Marco evolve through time and glide along the Grand Canal, where tradition and innovation converge in a vivid encounter with the past. Enjoy this captivating perspective on Venice’s past—blending emotion, innovation, and storytelling in an unforgettable setting.
Included / Excluded
- Group walking tour of Venice
- Professional local guide
- Bell Tower Entrance (if option is selected)
- Fortuny Palace Entrance (if option is selected)
- Venice Gallery & a unique VR experience of Venice in the past
- Hotel pickup or drop-off
- Food and drinks
- Guided Visit to Bell Tower
- Guided Visit to Fortuny Palace
Important information
Know before you book
- Unfortunately, this tour is not fully accessible for wheelchair users or people with walking difficulties
- The walking tour does not operate in cases of exceptionally high tides (in these cases, it can be postponed until the day after, otherwise it will be refunded)
- The tour could be bilingual
Know before you go
- • Unfortunately, this tour is not fully accessible for wheelchair users or people with walking difficulties
- • The walking tour does not operate in cases of exceptionally high tides (in these cases, it can be postponed until the day after, otherwise it will be refunded)
- • Please note that if you booked the walking tour with the Blooming Palace on the Grand Canal (Fortuny Palace), the visit to the Fortuny Palace is not guided.
- • The tour could be bilingual
- • Please download the app's commentary before boarding from the following link
- https://easyguideveneto.it/freetourid_1_h_994/
Cancellation policy
Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the activity starts
Up to 24 hours before the beginning of the activity: full refund Less than 24 hours before the beginning of the activity or no-show: no refund
Reviews
GetYourGuide traveler
Jun 20264.0
Really.enjoyed the visit to both islands. Felt the timing was good. The glass blowing demo was very interesting. The lace demo was only 5 minutes and not very informative. However, Burano was so colorful and fun. Had a great lunch on a terrace - very relaxing.
Jessie
Jun 20264.0
Bien. Recomendable.
Georges
Jun 20265.0
The best!
