podtour
St Mark's Square: Basilica, Campanile and Bridge of Sighs
You start in front of a theatre named after the phoenix that burned down twice, then head on towards a church paid for to show off a family name, and a neighbour who wrote "God knows all".
Venice audio tours and self-guided walks
Venice begins with a detour.
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Walk through Venice, story by story
Let the bridges set the pace. Beyond San Marco lie neighbourhoods of craftspeople, merchants and communities that made the city possible. Each walk offers a different way to look between the water and the façades.
Start with “St Mark's Square: Basilica, Campanile and Bridge of Sighs”. You start in front of a theatre named after the phoenix that burned down twice, then head on towards a church paid for to show off a family name, and a neighbour who wrote "God knows all". You enter Venice's drawing room by a café that opened in 1720, find out why the water reaches here before anywhere else, and meet whoever strikes the hours from the top of the clock tower.
Then there’s “Legends and Crimes of Cannaregio”. Cannaregio is the district where Venetians live, and where they keep their stories. You start in front of Sior Antonio Rioba, the iron-nosed statue that put his name to a newspaper in 1848, and the house where Tintoretto asked not to be buried until three days had passed.
For another side of the city, try “Castello and the Arsenal: Vivaldi, an Elephant and Lepanto”. Castello lived off the sea, and off the people who arrived by it. You start with the Greeks who built their own church and the Dalmatians who gave the Riva its name, then follow the trail of an elephant that escaped in 1819 to the church where it was killed.
Keep exploring with “From the Frari to San Barnaba: Painters, Punches and Players”. A neighbourhood walk with a big cast. You start beside the house where Goldoni was born and in the campo where the shoemakers carved their guild's story in stone; then you cross a bridge named after an honest woman that nobody can explain.
Choose by neighbourhood or by the stories that interest you: each route shows its distance, stops and approximate duration before you set off. The audio is written for walking, with a clear distinction between documented events and local legend. Download it in the app, put on your headphones and pause whenever something catches your eye. English and Spanish are included.
Start for free
St Mark's Square: Basilica, Campanile and Bridge of Sighs
A first walk round Venice's most famous square: a saint smuggled out of Alexandria under pork, four horses that went to Paris and came back, a bell tower that fell without killing anyone, and a bridge that was never for lovers.
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Venice, before you go
In Venice, the shortest way depends on finding a bridge. Set off lightly loaded, in good shoes, with patience for the detours the water imposes.
Before visiting Venice
How many days do I need in Venice?
Our Venice guide has suggestions for one, two and three days. Start with one area rather than trying to fit every walk into a day; leave room for travel between neighbourhoods and any indoor visits.
Can I explore Venice on foot?
Terrain: the city looks flat, but many bridges have steps. A short walk may involve repeated climbing and descending. Surfaces: stone gets slippery with moisture; take particular care near canal edges.
Which Venice route is free?
“St Mark's Square: Basilica, Campanile and Bridge of Sighs” is the free route: 12 stops over 0.95 km, with an approximate duration of 42 minutes. You can see its map and stops on the route page.
When is a good time to visit Venice?
Spring and autumn suit walking if you accept changeable weather; summer calls for water and breaks in the humid heat. February usually brings Carnival atmosphere, which can extend into March. July has the Redentore celebration and November the Salute, bringing more activity to their areas.
Can I listen without an internet connection?
Download the audio in the app before heading out, then listen offline. Loading the online base map and calculating a new route from your location require a connection.
What languages are included?
Every route includes Spanish and British English. The English version is adapted for English-speaking travellers, rather than translated word for word.
How do I get a whole city for free?
Join the waitlist, choose a city and confirm your email address. When the app launches, we will email you with access details. No card is required. You can also try one free route in every city.
Can I buy for myself or for a group?
Yes. Your own access is included and you can choose 0–5 guests: up to 6 people including you. Each guest saves up to €0.50 on a walk, €1 on a pack or €2 on a whole city compared with buying separately. The counter shows the total before you confirm one payment.
How do I share, and when must guests accept?
After paying, share your purchase’s invitation link. Each guest opens it in Podtour and accepts their place on their own iPhone or Android phone. They must redeem it within 30 days of purchase. Unclaimed places then expire and cannot be recovered or renewed. Access accepted in time is kept. Opening the link does not use a place; one account takes just one place, and no more people can join once all places are taken.
Can I add guests after buying?
No. Choose all your guests before confirming the first purchase. Afterwards you can share the places you paid for, but you cannot increase their number or restart the 30-day deadline.
