Accurate Walking Directions for Venice

The trouble with printed directions is that is there is any ambiguity and you make a mistake, you have no recourse. I would rather have a good detailed map any time. We walked all over Venice using such maps, never got lost, always got where we wanted to go, and had fun with the choices for getting there.

I agree with Lola. A map is much better than directions. What if a bridge is closed for repairs? You won't have any way to get to where you're going without a map. I like the pocket pilot maps but sometimes they're hard to find. There are lots of really great maps out there so you should look into getting them. Donna

Our first trip to Venice I studied the map like a madwoman before we left, outlining walking routes in various colors of Sharpie. I outlined Rick Steves' walking itineraries in one color, those from a book called "24 Great Walks in Venice" in another, highlighted restaurants in a 3rd color, and so on. It really helped. Now when we go back we don't even need a map. Use a laminated mpa for best results should it be damp....

I like your style, Laurel!! I have found myself doing similar things! :)

Thanks everyone for your input. I do have a laminated 'Streetwise' map for Venice however I find it difficult to read the small street names and see the streets because the detail is so tiny! With already plotted out routes via the computer, it would give me turn by turn written directions which is much easier for me to read, plus I can reverse the directions to plot my route home, etc. I just wanted to do this for a few restaurants, ATM's, etc. and still have my laminated map as backup. I guess I'll have to figure out a way to just use my laminated map and not rely on computer-generated directions. Thanks again for your input. Laurel, I like your idea of using different colored Sharpies for different routes.

We are putting too much reliance on google maps and navigation systems. If you don't have it already, buy a detailed paper map when you get to Venice. There are some very good ones and you can find them at a libreria (book stores) or at a giornalaio (newsstand). Then, as mentioned above, mark the spots you are interested in with a sharpie. It doesn't have to be a laminated map, which is hard to mark with a sharpie. paper maps are fine. You are not planning to swim with it in the canals.

I just got back from my first trip to Venice. I downloaded and used an app on my iPhone called "mapswithme" It had very accurate and detailed offline maps of Venice showing all sidewalks, alleys and bridges. It uses your GPS signal so you always know where you are. It does not require a cell phone signal, so you can use it even if roaming is turned off. But it will NOT give you turn by turn dirctions. I had bookmarked several locations ahead of time, and any time we were disoriented, we pulled up the app and immediately knew which direction to go. We were never lost, except when we wanted to be. :) Good luck!

I'm a total control freak as well, but Venice is one place where I rely on a map and a compass (yes, old school). You can orient yourself in any piazza by the name of the church that faces it. Works wonderfully. And you don't have to rely on the names of the little "streets", which are often impossible to figure out anyway.

Don't over plan. Most of the calle's (narrow lanes) and rio's (slightly wider (often) former filled in side canals run parallel to others so there are often multiple ways to navigate a route. If something catches you eye (it will) instead of going up 4 and over 3 to reach your goal follow your nose and go 2 up, over 1, up 2 and over 2 and you will pretty close and you will have felt great about it. That's how my wife and I discovered a fabulous new (to us) ciccheti bar in Cannaregio a week ago. I'd never been on its Fondamenta. And I'd been to Venice how many times? dunno.