Does anyone know of an app or GPS that you can use on your iphone that can direct you while you're walking? I've heard they can be useful in places like Venice that are challenging to navigate while walking. Any suggestions?
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16236 posts
There is nothing more beautiful than getting lost in Venice's alleys (calles). You won't be lost for long anyway. There are signs everywhere pointing you to the main spots: San Marco, Rialto, Accademia, Ferrovia (Railway station), Piazza Roma. And eventually you'll stumble in the Grand Canal anyway. Pick up a free map at the tourist office at the station, if it makes you feel better, and leave your smart phone alone for a while. I bet in some small alley the GPS won't even pick up the satellite. How did tourists survive in Venice before the GPS?
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
I agree 100% with Roberto. I have sometimes carried a compass with me in Venice to avoid getting turned around if I had to be someplace at a certain time (e.g. a concert), but if your iphone has a compass app, you're all set. Worst case scenario is that you have to interact with another human by asking for directions.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1005 posts
Love getting "lost" in Venice! We always bring an INSIGHT map from home but have never really used it.
Posted by
White Plains, NY
96 posts
I'm chiming in to agree that getting 'lost' in Venice is a bit of a trick; you really can't go too far without hitting a landmark. Wandering in a city where one doesn't have to worry about cars smooshing you is a treat as is the opportunity to move at your own pace. You'll see things, like a Lego Donald Duck, that will become your own personal orientation sites. Yes, leave the GPS to another city and enjoy the company of other people, a great city and if you really get turned around, your paper map. All the best for your trip.
Posted by
Santa Fe, NM, USA
192 posts
This time last week we were getting lost in Venice many times. Found some great restaurants and little bars that way. Slow down and enjoy it!
Posted by
Philadelphia
6 posts
If you really want a GPS app, I used Tripadvisor-Venice. It was great in showing where we were. But I agree with everyone else, get lost. Everyone is walking the same path through Venice and just a few steps in another direction lets you see Venice for what its worth. After being lost for a couple of hours, I would look at the app and just to get my bearings and walk some more. Enjoy
Posted by
Seattle, WA, USA
7737 posts
George from Canada FTW.
Posted by
Monterey County, CA (formerly Verbania Italy-Lago Maggiore)
1658 posts
In general, GPS's don't work well in cities with tall buildings or really narrow streets like Venice. We had our GPS to find the hotel to check into. While we had satellites in the center of Piazza San Marco, once we walked down a narrow street... nothing. So we studied the map on the garmin, then walked to the hotel without the GPS guiding us.
I was in Chicago last week and was turning in my rental car at a downtown office. Once I was in the midst of the tall buildings, the Garmin went pyscho on me. Lucky I had looked at the map, remembered the street names and directions and found my way to the rental car return.