Sestiere Castello
Riva degli Schiavoni
San Marco Waterfront
Monumental waterfront along the San Marco basin.
What makes it special
Historic waterfront
Built as early as the 9th century, the Riva served as the bustling port of San Marco. For centuries, vessels from across the Mediterranean docked here, creating a lively scene of traders, dignitaries, and sailors doing business and conversing in many languages.
Origin of the name
'Schiavoni' literally means 'Slavs' – a nod to the Slavic merchants who ferried their cargo to Venice from across the Adriatic Sea.
Long & wide
The entire waterfront stretches for about 1 kilometer (0.6 miles) from Piazza San Marco to Giardini della Biennale. This notably wide promenade features equally spacious bridges that cross the numerous canals flowing into the San Marco basin.
Views of San Marco
From its eastern end, you'll find postcard-worthy vistas of Venice's most iconic landmarks next to the glittering expanse of water.

Your experience here
- It’s Venice’s exceptionally wide waterfront — perfect for a scenic stroll.
- Capture beautiful vistas of San Marco's iconic sights next to the water — especially magical at sunset.
- Watch a nonstop parade of gondolas, vaporettos, and workboats glide past.
Your stroll in 3 acts
Since you're already at the western end of the waterfront to see the iconic Bridge of Sighs, why not start a stroll eastward along the glittering water, leave the crowds behind, and see where it takes you...
Act 1: From St. Mark's to Vivaldi Church
Just past the New Prisons, Hotel Danieli's grand facade instantly catches your eye because it strikingly mirrors elements from Palazzo Ducale. Ranked by CNN among Venice's top five 'lavish hotels', this historic landmark once buzzed with countless social gatherings and lavish parties.
Consider a quick 2-minute detour left from the waterfront to visit San Zaccaria, famous for its iconic flooded crypt.
Back on the waterfront, you'll soon reach Chiesa della Pieta (Vivaldi Church), built right next to where Antonio Vivaldi lived and composed.
For the ultimate experience, catch an evening concert where uplifting renditions of 'The Four Seasons' fill the space, with colors that shift depending on the season.

Act 2: Further to Arsenale
The crowds begin to thin and tourism is replaced by hints of authentic Venice.
Plenty of shaded terraces beckon for a well-deserved break.
Soon, you'll reach the canal leading to the majestic main gate of the Arsenale – Venice's ancient shipbuilding powerhouse, and a detour you won't regret.
Right where the canal meets the waterfront, the Naval History Museum awaits, offering a fascinating dive into the Venetian Republic's naval might – you can even explore a Cold War-era submarine!

Final act: the Napoleonic gardens.
Continuing east, authentic Venetian life truly begins to unravel before your eyes. Consider a detour onto Via Garibaldi to truly sample it.
Back on the waterfront, the views over the San Marco basin are simply breathtaking.
Patches of green start to appear, first with the Giardini della Marinaressa, and finally culminating in the lush Giardini della Biennale.

What to do next
Stroll back
Strolling east to west offers a different perspective because you'll constantly keep in sight Venice's most iconic landmarks, such as Campanile di San Marco and Santa Maria della Salute.
And you'll finally make your grand entrance in Piazza San Marco, perhaps when the day-trippers have already gone home and you'll have the concerts in the square almost all to yourself.
Take the waterbus
If you think that was enough for one stroll, simply hop on a vaporetto at one of the many stops along the waterfront to whisk you away to your next adventure.
Stroll a similar waterfront
Want more? Venice abounds with charming waterfronts!
The Zattere awaits as your next stop, offering a comparable experience in scale, a similar south-facing orientation, and a delightful atmosphere.

What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from Riva degli Schiavoni:

super close
Chiesa della Pieta (Vivaldi Church)
super close
San Zaccaria
tops 5 mins
Bridge of Sighs
5-10 min away
Palazzo Grimani
5-10 min away
Piazza San Marco
5-10 min away
Campo Santa Maria Formosa
5-10 min away
Libreria Acqua AltaMore like this
More spots highlighting Venice’s naval heritage:
More scenic waterfront promenades in Venice: