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".
From the Accademia to the Salute along the Zattere: audio walk in Venice
Dorsoduro by the water: a temporary bridge whose shape has lasted nearly a century, Veronese before the Inquisition, the boatyard where gondolas are made and why they're black, a saint from Navarre among the incurables, the Punta della Dogana and the church raised on more than a million piles to keep a vow.
What this walk is about
You start by the Accademia Bridge, which the city council laughed at in 1488, which was built as a "temporary" bridge in 1933 and, rebuilt in the same shape, is still there; and in front of the galleries where the painting hangs that got Veronese questioned by the Inquisition. You walk down to San Trovaso, the church of the gondola builders, and look across at its boatyard while you find out that the black isn't mourning but a law against luxury. Along the Zattere, the quayside of the timber rafts, you find a Russian poet's memorial plaque, the hospital where St Francis Xavier served, and the spot where a bridge of boats once set off for the Redentore. You round the Punta della Dogana beneath a figure of Fortune that shows which way the wind is blowing, and reach the Salute, a vow against the plague, and San Gregorio, where a slave hid a hero's skin. You finish in front of Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, Peggy Guggenheim's palazzo, which stopped at a single floor on the Grand Canal.
- Start
- The bridge they laughed at
- Finish
- The palace with just one storey
- Who it is for
- A walk for art and literature lovers. For anyone who enjoys a waterside stroll.
- Languages
- Spanish and British English
- Underfoot
- The route notes mention stairs or steps on the walk or its approaches.
The route, stop by stop
An outline of the walk. The full stories are in the app.
Loading the map…
Open a marker to see its page. Use two fingers to move the map on mobile.
- 1
The bridge they laughed at
- 2
Veronese before the Inquisition
- 3
The boatbuilders' church that sank overnight
- 4
Black gondolas, by law
- 5
The shore of the timber rafts
- 6
Brodsky's plaque in the wrong place
- 7
The Incurables and a saint from Navarre
- 8
A bridge of boats to the Redentore
- 9
Saloni: salt or a nickname?
- 10
Fortune turns with the wind
- 11
A forest beneath the Salute
- 12
The man who stole a skin
- 13
The palace with just one storey
Walking directions are based on mapped pedestrian routes. Check local access and signs; the route is not an accessibility guarantee. Times are approximate.
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.
More walks nearby
Good to know
What is Podtour?
An app for self-guided audio walks. Choose a city and a route, then listen to the stories behind its streets. You decide when to start and when to stop.
When can I download the app?
Podtour is coming to iOS and Android. There is no confirmed launch date yet. Join the waitlist and we will let you know when it is ready.
Does Podtour include attraction tickets?
No. Street walks and monument audio tours do not include admission tickets, transport or a guide accompanying you.
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.
Your first city,
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on Podtour.
Join the waitlist and get one whole city free when Podtour launches. You choose where.
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One city per person. All its Podtour routes in Spanish and English. Available at launch. Offer details.