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San Polo neighbourhood, Venice

Campo San Polo, Venezia, Veneto

Description

San Polo is the most central of the six sestieri of Venice and one of the city's oldest parts (it was settled before the 9th century). The main market was held there and the area was connected to San Marco thanks to the Rialto bridge in the 13th century. Attractions in San Polo include the Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco and San Polo Church, the Campo San Polo (2nd largest public square in Venice), the Rialto Bridge, and the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto.

Access & Transport

One can walk to the train station and any of the city's districts from San Polo in about 10mins, except the eastern end of Castello and Giudecca. Vaporetto lines 1 serves all the stops and the Night line most of them. The A line roughly every other stop and the line #2 stops/starts at Rialto (doesn't serve the stops on the Grand Canal between Rialto and San Marco)

Instructions & Recommendations

For those based in San Polo, a good itinerary starts with a crossing of the Ponte dell'Accademia or start from the San Toma's vaporetto stop and work your way through the various monuments, ending at the Rialto Bridge or even across the canal from the Ca' d'Oro (Palazzo Santa Sofia).

Meta review

The neighbourhood gets excellent reviews for blending several monuments but also a lot less crowd and a much more authentic street life with better quality shops at more affordable prices (Vs San Marco) - likewise for restaurants. The highlights for most are the Rialto Bridge, the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and the many narrow streets.

Environmental & Social

Urban environment. Increasingly commercialized but not excessive yet

Conclusion

San Polo might be defined as the "other centre" of Venice and whilst it doesn't have the world class touristic attractions of San Marco, it feels more genuine and certainly more pleasant; a great neighbourhood to get lost in and discover the real Venice.

Key positive

Several monuments and museums worth visiting

Very central with good transport access

Less crowded than San Marco

Key negative

None

Suitability

No restrictions but wheelchair users may require some assistance to cross the several small bridges.

About this Rating

TYPE

Desktop

RESEARCHED IN

June 2024

PROVIDER

Koreval

Included Items
None
Timing
Duration of visit

av. transport time:0h 20m

est. visit time:2h 30m

Sunlight based

Sunrise / early morningOk

MorningOk

Lunch timeOk

AfternoonOk

Sunset / eveningOk

Night – bef. midnightOk

Night – aft. midnightNo

Pricing
Free

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