Castello and the Arsenale: the quiet side of Venice
Your local guide
Anna Scarpa
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Highlights
- Doge tombs inside Santi Giovanni e Paolo
- Stone lions guarding the Arsenale gates
- Runic graffiti carved into one of the lions
- Via Garibaldi, Venice's only wide street
- San Pietro di Castello, once the city's cathedral
About this tour
This session follows the quieter Castello district, from the doge's tombs inside Santi Giovanni e Paolo to the Arsenale's guarded gates and the wide street of Via Garibaldi. You see stone lions marked with old graffiti, washing lines strung across a street built wider than any other in Venice, and the island church that was once the city's cathedral. It stays east of the busier San Marco routes throughout.
After the sound check, the guide walks the district point by point, pausing at each site for your questions and closing with the walk out to San Pietro di Castello. A short list of what was covered is sent once the call ends.
This suits anyone who wants to see how Venetians actually live, away from the crowds around the Rialto and San Marco.
Included
- Live video walk with a local guide
- Questions to your guide all the way
- A short list of places to visit later
Not included
- Internet connection
- Travel to the city
Itinerary
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Welcome and sound check 7 min
The guide joins the video call, checks the picture and sound with you, and gives you a quick sense of Venice before heading out.
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Santi Giovanni e Paolo 21 min
Inside the Gothic basilica, the guide walks past the tombs of two dozen doges and explains why this church, rather than St Mark's, became their traditional burial place.
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The Arsenale gates 21 min
Outside the old dockyard's water gate, the camera settles on the stone lions guarding the entrance, one of them carved with runic graffiti left by Scandinavian soldiers centuries ago.
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Via Garibaldi and San Pietro di Castello 21 min
Walking down Venice's only wide street, with washing strung between the buildings and neighbours sitting on their doorsteps, the guide leads on to San Pietro di Castello, the city's cathedral before St Mark's took the title.
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Your questions 14 min
Time to ask anything about Venice: prices, safety, food, or whatever you are curious about.
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A short list to keep 6 min
Before you go, the guide sums up with a few things worth remembering: a dish to try: Risotto al nero di seppia and Cannaregio, worth a slower look.
Good to know
- A stable wifi or mobile connection makes the picture smoother than a shaky one.
- Any phone, tablet or laptop with a camera works. You watch, the guide does the walking.
- Times are shown in Rome time, so check the time where you are before you book.
- The session is not recorded, and recording it yourself is not allowed. Feel free to take your own notes.
- Ask questions any time, out loud or in the chat. The guide will pause to answer.
- Sessions run in small groups, up to 12 people, so there is room for everyone to ask something.
Questions about this tour
What will the session cover?
The guide walks through Venice, showing you Grand Canal and Bridge of Sighs live on camera, plus whatever else you would like to see.
What happens if my connection drops?
Rejoin with the same link within a few minutes and the guide will catch you up on anything you missed.
Can I ask the guide questions during the session, or is it a fixed script?
Anything, any time. Sessions leave room for your own questions throughout, not just at the end.
How it works
- You get one join link after booking.
- Join from any device: phone, tablet or laptop.
- We meet on Google Meet; the link comes with your booking. I walk Venice live with my phone and you ask anything as we go.
Times shown in Rome time (CET)
Cancellation
Flexible
- Cancel up to 24 hours before the start: full refund.
- Cancel less than 24 hours before the start, or no-show: no refund.
- If the guide cancels or the date does not reach its minimum group: full refund.
- Cancel in My Account → Bookings; the refund is calculated from the start time in the tour's local time.
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Next: Thu 29 Oct · 12 seats left From 24,00 €
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