We will be staying in a hotel on the Grand Canal close to the Rialto Bridge on the opposite side from San Marco. Could someone give me an idea of a reasonable (leisurely) walking time from that location to San Marco? Not a snail's pace but not a marathon rate either.
Thank you.
We've stayed very close to there both times we've been in Venice (at Pensione Guerrato), the last time in May 2008. I'd say 15-20 minutes as an estimate, even with some crowds. But the secret is to go somewhere OTHER than San Marco during the peak tourist times (10-4).
15 minutes max if you don't stop to shop!
Bill may be correct but the walking path from the Rialto bridge to the San Marco clock tower is one of the best window shopping walks on the planet. Many, many global retailers are there. It's quite a nice walk. I'm betting that you can't make the walk with blinders on. Expect more time for the walk. Or, take the vaporetto a few stops to San Marco. That takes about 8 minutes.
Even if you don't window shop, the crowds along that route will slow you down. Just getting across the Rialto Bridge, especially with everyone and their mother taking photos, can be a challenge!
If time is really an issue, I would allow at least 30 minutes.
Judy, everything is close to your hotel, but Larry makes the key observation. We arrived in Venice prepared to be awed by the canals, but were not in anyway prepared for the amazing walks. We had so mcuh fun just strolling around, and there is "window shopping" and markets the likes of which I've never seen. You'll get where you want to go at a relaxed pace, but will also find that the journey is a big part of the experience.
We will be in Venice in September staying near the Ca D'Oro stop. I am trying to decide if we will want to ride the water bus rather than walk. I wonder if the Venice Card would be worthwhile.
We decided against the VeniceCard, but we did get the 72-hour vaporetto pass. For us, it was a no-brainer. You need only 5 trips for the 72-hour pass to pay off (a single fare is 6.50, and a 72-hour pass is 31 Euros). We used 2 just to get to/from our hotel when we arrived in/left town, 1 for Rick's Grand Canal Audio Tour, and we spent a day island hopping (1 to San Michelle, 1 to Murano, 1 to Burano, 1 back to Venice). And, while we walked a lot, I think that we used it a couple of other times as well.
For us, the added expense of the VeniceCard was not worth it.
