The vibrant, tiny San Polo is the smallest of the 6 Venice sestieri, covering less than 100 acres. Despite its lack of size, though, San Polo packs a serious sightseeing punch, boasting the world-famous Rialto Bridge, as well as the Rialto Markets and one of the most enticing stretches of canal in the city.
Most of San Polo borders the fabulous Grand Canal on one side and the much quieter Dorsoduro and Santa Croce neighbourhoods on the other side. It is one of the oldest sections of Venice, forming part of the Realtine Islands along with San Marco back prior to the 9th century because it was the highest section and least likely to flood (which means it was still pretty likely to flood, just not AS likely).

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The Venice central market in San Polo has, rather incredibly, been around since the 11th century and the streets around Rialto Bridge are a maze of winding lanes and hidden corners.
The neighbourhood was named after San Polo church and the main square, Campo San Polo, the second-largest square in Venice (behind only the iconic Piazza San Marco). The name “San Polo” itself means “Saint Paul” and if, like me, you have only very basic Italian and are confused by the “Polo” part, it turns out that is what “Paul” translates to in Venetian (as opposed to “Paolo” in Italian).

The 13 Best Things to Do in San Polo Venice
Even though it is the smallest Venice neighbourhood, there is still a long list of San Polo attractions and activities worth checking out.
1. Cross the Rialto Bridge
World famous Rialto Bridge crosses the Grand Canal, connecting the San Polo and San Marco neighbourhoods. It is now one of 4 bridges that cross the Grand Canal but from the time the current Istrian marble bridge was built in 1591 until the 19th century it was the only one. From the 12th century there were a series of wooden bridges in the same spot but, for obvious reasons, they never stood the test of time.

The name comes from “rivo alto”, meaning “high bank”, and it is the most popular and most photographed bridge in Venice (which is definitely saying something). It is a rather normal 48 metres long, just enough to cross the canal, obviously, but is much wider than most bridges at 22 metres. This is because it features parallel rows of shops facing the middle, with one main walking path between them and then space to walk outside along the edge on each side. The views along the canal are terrific from these spots.

It is mainly a functional design, although there are arches up top and some intricate stone reliefs near the bottom on either side – one depicting the Anunciation and the other showing St. Mark and St. Theodore (the dual patron saints of Venice).
To learn all the history and see if from every angle, you may want to join a Private San Polo and Rialto Walking Tour.
2. Wander the Rialto Market
Lively and raucous, every morning the Rialto Market is filled with locals shopping for, well, just about everything. From fresh fish and seafood to produce to oils, wines and pastas and plenty more. Frequent boats stop in with the latest catch or fruits and vegetables from the island of Sant’Erasmus.

The Pescheria is, unsurprisingly, a fish-themed covered hall where you’ll find the seafood. There are also many local shops and bars where you can stop for snacks, drinks or coffee. The main market is open from Monday to Saturday, the fish market Tuesday to Saturday. There are usually some stalls still going late in the day but it is definitely busier and more interesting in the morning.

3. Check Out the Camerlenghi Palace
The glamorous Palazzo Camerlenghi still hosts Venice’s financial magistrate like it has for centuries and, even more interestingly to us, features an impressive marble façade and a spectacular wall of windows. It is located right on the banks of the San Polo side of the Grand Canal and Volta del Canal, not far from the Rialto Bridge.
If you’re particularly interested in tracking down all the best photos in Venice, you should join one of the popular Private Venice Photo Spots Walking Tours that show people around all the best viewpoints in the city.
4. Have a Glass of Wine at All’Arco
Few things are quite as prototypically Venetian as drinking some vino or a spritz and watching the world go by at one of the most traditional bars in the city. With a beautiful location on Calle Arco, this is a local favourite for its excellent cicchetti (Venetian tapas).

There is only one tiny table, which you are very unlikely to get, and for everyone else it is standing room only. A great place to mingle with local Venetians.
For an even more thorough look at food and drink in Venice, you could join a Venice Street Food Tour and Tasting group. They’ll show you all the best spots and give you a chance to try them out.
5. Check out the Venetian Mask Shops
Venetian masks have been an important part of Venetian traditions and festivals since the 13th century. In those days, the many parties that took place between Christmas and Lent were the only time upper and lower classes co-mingled.

The masks were used to conceal identities and avoid morning-after embarrassment. Today, you will find a large variety of traditional Venetian mask shops in San Polo, many specializing in those from the Venetian carnival.
6. Visit the Historical Churches
Like every Venice neighbourhood, San Polo has its fair share of outstanding churches. Here are just a few of the most important.
San Polo Church
The very church that gave the San Polo neighbourhood its name, you won’t be surprised to learn this Gothic church is dedicated to the Apostle Paul. There have been churches on the site since the 9th century but the current version has “only” been around since the 15th century.

It features a fascinating ship’s keel roof and a bevy of important works of art inside. The Last Supper by Jacopo Tintoretto is the big highlight but there are also famous works from Paolo Piazza, Jacopo Guarana, Paolo Veronese, Palma il Giovane, Alessandro Vittoria and Giandemenico Tiepolo.
San Giacomo di Rialto
Dating all the way back to 421 AD, many say it is the oldest church in Venice (others say it’s not, but either way, it’s old). This tiny church is also called Chiesa di San Giacometto, meaning “Little Giacomo”, and can be found next to the Rialto Markets.

It features a mix of Gothic and Byzantine styles with the classic Renaissance cross design. Directly across from San Giacomo di Rialto the Gobbo di Rialto (Hunchback of Rialto) supports steps up to the Colonna del Bando, where official announcements were made in ancient days.
Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

While relatively nondescript on the outside, the largest church in Venice is one of the best examples in the city of typical Venetian Gothic architecture. It is set up in the style of a Latin cross and built with terracotta and Istrian stone. The original church was built in the 14th century but was almost immediately deemed too small for their needs and soon work began on the current giant. It took over a century to build and was finally completed in 1492.
The rather nondescript exterior belies a truly extravagant interior featuring 17 outstanding altars, numerous funeral monuments, famous tombs (of many doges, Claudio Monteverde, Titian, Antonio Canova) and many famous pieces of art, the crown jewel of which is Assumption of the Virgin by Titian.

7. Relax on Campo San Polo
Responsible for the name of the San Polo sestiere, this irregularly shaped square is the second largest in Venice (after St. Mark’s Square) but also rather basic, often full of locals, kids and dogs. Originally a fruit and vegetable farm, then it became a bustling market in the 7th century and, eventually, a sporting ground in the 16th century.

Today it is a popular place for Venetian families to congregate. Beautiful Palazzo Soranzo sits astride the now-filled Rio San Antonio canal and in summer Campo San Polo hosts an open-air cinema.
8. Tour the Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Tintoretto fans rejoice – here you’ll find the world’s most important collection of his works. Originally named Jacopo Robusti, in 1564 he was commissioned to decorate this famous confraternity that had been built by Bartolomeo and founded in 1478.
Featuring many of the most famous works created by Tintoretto and his students over two decades in the late 16th century, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is Venice’s equivalent to the Sistene Chapel.

9. Check Out Campo Sant’Aponal
This historic square is home to its beautiful Gothic namesake church and the impressive Sotoportego de la Madonna covered walkway. Legend has it that Pope Alexander III hid from Emperor Barbarossa here in 1177 and as a token of his appreciation the Pope granted “plenary indulgence” (i.e. a spiritual get out of jail free card) to anyone saying just one Hail Mary and one Our Father while standing under the sotoportego.

A carving of his holiness can be found at the sotoportego entrance so you’ll know you’re in the right place. A good place to visit after indulging in the next activity on this list.
10. Try out the San Polo Nightlife
San Polo is one of the more lively neighbourhoods in Venice and is where most of the city’s young people come to party. There are many bars to choose from on most of the main streets or you can head to the Erbaria dock area overlooking the Grand Canal.

11. Have a Drink and Watch the Grand Canal
All along the Grand Canal there are exceptional bars and cafés that overlook the most famous waterway in Venice. The best place to enjoy your wine, beer, coffee, spritz or prosecco while enjoying a view of the canal is between Rialto Bridge and the Rialto Markets.
Or you can try out this classic Venetian experience, as cruising the narrow canals of the city by gondola is always a memorable experience. You can hire a gondola at nearly any of the busier docks or book a Private Bridge of Sighs Gondola Ride to know you’re getting an experienced, highly-recommend trip.
12. Wander the West Side of San Polo
Despite the diminutive size of San Polo and long list of attractions, almost all the main sites are concentrated along the Grand Canal and in the east section of the sestiere.

If you are looking to explore away from the crowds, you can head just a few blocks west where you will often find yourself entirely alone among the maze of alleys.
13. Pay Homage to Nini at Caffè dei Frari
Cafés aren’t exactly in short supply in San Polo but the lovely Caffè dei Frari is one of the most famous, mainly for legendary “Nini”.

Nini was a cat. Specifically, a white cat who lived at Caffè dei Frari in the late 19th century and was so beloved that people came by specifically to meet and pay homage to him, including, apparently, famous visitors such as the king and queen of Italy, the Pope and the Russian czar (Alexander III). Nini had his own guest book, poems were written about him and when he died in 1896 his wake was a major Venetian social event.
He loved killing mice.
Map of San Polo, Italy
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Best San Polo Hotels: Where to Stay
Here are some great choices of San Polo hotels. Whether you are looking to splash out a little, want a B&B or are looking for something a little more budget-friendly, there is a hotel in San Polo Venice that will be perfect for you.
H10 Palazzo Canova
Locations don’t get much better than this! H10 Palazzo Canova is on the Grand Canal and only steps from the Rialto Bridge in the San Polo district. If your budget doesn’t stretch to the canal view rooms then head up to the rooftop bar to soak in the views with a cocktail at the end of a busy day. The rooms are modern and comfortable and the quality windows will ensure a quiet sleep.
Click here for H10 Palazzo Canova prices
Locanda Sant’Agostin
The Locanda Sant’Agostin is on the first floor of a 16th-century building. Try to get one of the rooms with a view of the San Polo and Sant’Agostin canals. The friendly staff will make sure you get the most of your stay in Venice. The hotel is situated on a lovely little street, an excellent central location that still feels low-key and private away from the busy main streets in San Polo.
Click here for Locanda Sant’Agostin prices
Pensione Guerrato
If you are looking for something more affordable, Pensione Guerrato is a great choice. Room prices will depend on whether you choose a private, external or shared bathroom. You can feel the history in this 13th century building and it is extremely conveniently located, only 100 metres from the Rialto Bridge.
Great San Polo Restaurants: Where to Eat

There are lots of good choices to eat at in San Polo but the following two options stand out.
Cantina Do Mori
One of the oldest restaurants in Venice, legends claim that Casanova occasionally stopped by for lunch. These days it is a local favourite, known particularly for its imaginative cicchetti and local wine poured directly from enormous demijohns (glass carafes).
Birraria La Corte
Famous for having some of the best traditional pizzas in San Polo, it is located right on the main square and also have lots of other great dishes. As a birraria they also have really good beer, as you might guess, and they make their own gin, so there’s that.

The 6 Sestieri of Venice
San Polo is the oldest neighbourhood in Venice but each of the 6 sestieri has its own appeal.
For a complete overview, check out Where to Stay in Venice: Guide to Venice Neighbourhoods
San Marco is surely the most famous Venice neighbourhood, including such world-class attractions as the Basilica, the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Square.

For all the details, see San Marco: Guide to Venice’s Most Famous Neighbourhood
Cannaregio offers an authentic look at the real Venice, where outstanding sites sit side by side with local shops and Venetians going about their daily lives.

For a more in-depth look, see Cannaregio: Guide to our Favourite Venice Neighbourhood
Dorsoduro is the place to go for museums, including the Guggenheim collection, Accademia Gallery and the relatively new Punta della Dogana museum.

Also see Dorsoduro: Guide to Venice’s Best Walking District
Running neck and neck with Cannaregio for the most “real” and local of the sestiere, Castello boasts many excellent trattoria and unique art.

For more details, check out Castello: Guide to Venice’s Most Authentic Neighbourhood
Last but not least, Santa Croce includes the Harbor of San Basilio and parking area of Piazzale Roma, serving as the city’s transportation hub.

To find the hidden gems of this underrated sestiere, see Santa Croce: A Guide to Venice’s Least-Known Neighbourhood
Venice Tourist Tax
Everybody’s talking about the new Venice tourist tax so we thought we should share everything we know about it at this point.
For more than a decade, Venice hotels have had to charge an overnight stay tax, or “tassa di soggiorno”, so nothing new there. This tax is between €1 and €5 per person per night for up to 5 nights. The exact amount is determined by the hotel rating, length of stay and number of people. It is paid directly to your hotel and no tax is charged for the sixth night and beyond.

The second tax, however, is new. Venice sees over 20 million day trippers annually and this new day-trippers tax, or “contributo di accesso”, is intended to both control tourist numbers and generate revenue for maintenance and cleaning.
The tax will be start April 18 and is in force only for the busier days of the year. The fee is €5 per day if you pay at least 4 days in advance, or €10 if you don’t. Children 14 and under are exempt, along with residents, property owners, business visitors will not have to pay and there is a small list of other exemptions (residents, relatives, hospital visits, disabilities, visiting football fans, for some reason).
It is necessary to pre-book your visit and pay the pay the fee online. The important thing to remember, though, is that as long as you stay for at least one night, you will only have to pay one tax or the other. You DO need to register and get a QR code either way, though.
You can register and/or pay on the official Venice Access Fee page.

Trip Planning Resources
Here is a list of the most important resources we use when planning our travels, all in one convenient spot. Full disclosure, when you use any of these links to reserve or sign up for something, we receive a small commission which is greatly appreciated. However, your price does not change and we have only included products and websites that we can honestly recommend.
- We book the majority of our hotels on Booking.com. With frequent stay discounts, thousands of reviews and free cancellation, it is very rare for us to have a bad hotel experience these days.
- Wise is by far the best international multicurrency bank account we’ve found. We can now send and receive money in half a dozen different currencies, convert to dozens more with no exchange premium and pay or withdraw local currencies. Highly recommended.
- When travelling we always get SIM cards with data for our phones. Local SIM cards are sometimes a bit cheaper but if you have a relatively new smartphone (iPhone XR or newer, Samsung S20 or newer) you can just buy an eSIM online, get a QR code by email and you’re good to go. After extensive research we have found that JetPac sim cards usually have the best coverage and prices.
- If you’re interested in local guided tours, including everything from city tours to cooking lessons to adventure activities, check out the huge range of options at Get Your Guide.

Summary
San Polo is famous for three very different features. One, the Rialto Bridge – one of the most well-known bridges in the world. Two, the Rialto Markets – the classic fruit, vegetable and fish markets. And three, a festive bar scene that often continues late into the evening when most of the other sestieri have already closed up shop.
Boredom should never be an issue in San Polo. Whether you are interested in the many historic buildings, important churches and famous works of art or want to bounce from café to bar to restaurant to piazza enjoying the atmosphere or really just want to see the Rialto Bridge from all angles and wander the Rialto Markets, San Polo can appeal to just about anyone on the right day. Featuring some of the only real open spaces along the Grand Canal, it isn’t surprising it has become one of the most social places in Venice.
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