San Polo neighbourhood, Venice
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Campo San Polo - by Amalia B on Google
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).
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
av. transport time:0h 20m
est. visit time:2h 30m
Sunrise / early morningOk
MorningOk
Lunch timeOk
AfternoonOk
Sunset / eveningOk
Night – bef. midnightOk
Night – aft. midnightNo