ALTERNATIVE VENICE: Prostitutes, Merchants and Pirates. The City of Marco Polo and Carnival.

Duration: 2h
Languages: Spanish
Quality Verified Registered on September 04, 2020

We are a group of tourist guides, accredited in Venice and Madrid, with extensive experience in the city, both historically and culturally, as well as in leisure and gastronomy. We will be delighted if you visit Venice or Madrid with us.

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  • Free booking and cancellation
    Free payment tour, no set price, booking and cancellation are free
  • Accepts electronic payment
    This tour allows payment by electronic means or credit card

Tour description

On this tour we visit an area that is alternative to the most touristy part of the city and which, however, keeps the charm and beauty that Venice has had since ancient times and, on the other hand, shows us the splendid past that the city lived in the Middle Ages and its decline from the 16th century.

On our tour we will deal with the most important part of Venetian history, and we will do it through two neighborhoods: the Carampane neighborhood, (Venice's red light district) , which is the place where prostitution was practiced in the city, and in ways quite peculiar as we will see on the tour; and the Rialto Market neighborhood, the economic engine of Medieval Venice, since it is linked to the pillar that has supported Venice for almost the entire bulk of its history: commerce. The union between merchants and prostitutes gave rise to a party that was born in Venice and that is a hallmark of the city: Carnival, which we will talk about on the tour. Our tour ends at the house of a universally known Venetian: Marco Polo , whose story is fundamental to understanding Venetian history.

The tour begins in Campo di San Polo, one of the most important and busiest squares in Venice, dedicated to the Apostle Saint Paul (San Polo), from this Square and crossing the Arco dei Cavalli, we will enter the red light district of the city, the Carampane neighborhood, to explore the hidden alleys and the beautiful canals that abound in this neighborhood. Hidden in the neighborhood are some places that recall the time when the neighborhood was used for prostitution, such as the Puente de las Tetas, the Palacio de Ca'Rampanni or a brothel that is still standing. After touring this mysterious neighborhood, we will enter the Rialto Market area, where one of the liveliest areas of the city is currently located. Here we will visit the Fish Market, we will go to the Grand Canal to see some of the old fish stores fabrics of Venice and we will arrive at San Giacomo Square, where the oldest Church in the city is located. From here we will cross the Grand Canal through the most important bridge in Venice, the Rialto Bridge, which will offer us one of the best Venetian views, we will end up on the other side of the Canal, specifically at the House of Marco Polo and very close to Plaza de Saint Mark.
The places we visit on the tour are the following:

  • San Polo Field
  • Bridge of the Boobs
  • Ca'Rampani Palace
  • Rialto Market
  • Great channel
  • Field of San Giacomo
  • Rialto bridge
  • House of Marco Polo


Throughout the tour, there will be no shortage of cultural and gastronomic recommendations, as well as any type of recommendation that the client needs.

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  • Meeting point:
    Campo San Polo, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
    Campo San Polo, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
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    The meeting point is the Campo de San Polo, you will find the guide near the Church of San Polo, you will be able to recognize him because he will be carrying a RED UMBRELLA.

How much does this tour cost?

Free tours do not have a set price, instead, each person gives the guru at the end of the tour the amount that he or she considers appropriate (these usually range from €10 to $50 depending on satisfaction with the tour).

Tour opinions

422 ratings
4.8
By category
Professionalism
4.82
Fun
4.7
Expression
4.8
Quality
4.73
Route
4.58
Generic
5 stars
361
4 stars
36
3 stars
14
2 stars
2
1 star
9
Nilda 28 Sep 2023
Olivos

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Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Excelente disposición y entrega.
Cristina 28 Sep 2023
Caparroso

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Travelled in group - Sep 2023
Nos ha gustado mucho el gurú extraordinario
Yolanda 19 Sep 2023
Mexico City

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Travelled in group - Sep 2023
Excelente los tours que dan
Agustin 19 Sep 2023
Cádiz

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Travelled in couple - Sep 2023
Dani eres un fenómeno
MARIA 19 Sep 2023
Buenos Aires

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Travelled in group - Sep 2023
Excelente recorrido con un divertido guía en español. Conocimos el lado B de Venecia de una forma muy divertida y con locas anécdotas. Gracias Dani!!!
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Who is this tour for?

Accessibility
Non suitable for people with reduced mobility.
Groups
Does not accept large group reservations.
Pets
Suitable for carrying pets.

What should you know?

Minimum of attendees
A minimum of 5 people is required for the tour.
Additional costs:
The tour does not require the payment of entrance fees or additional expenses.
Free cancellation
If you will not be able to attend the tour, please cancel your booking, otherwise the guide will be waiting for you.
Payment methods
Electronic or credit card payment is accepted.
When do you want to go?
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