Riva degli Schiavoni

As you cross the first bridge along the Riva, Ponte della Paglia, you'll catch a glimpse of the legendary Bridge of Sighs, spanning the canal between Doge's Palace and the New Prisons.

You can hardly miss it, as there are always tourists crowding there for that classic view, so you’ll instinctively look too.

But it's good to know there's a quieter viewpoint that many visitors miss: Ponte della Canonica, on the other side of the Bridge of Sighs, from where you can see it with the open lagoon in background: an evocative contrast between confinement and freedom.

As you continue past the New Prisons, the grand facade of Palazzo Dandolo, the central wing of the Hotel Danieli, comes into view, its architectural elements strikingly echoing those of Doge's Palace.

Then, after crossing Ponte Michelangelo, maybe consider quick 2-minute detour from the waterfront to visit San Zaccaria.

The church is known for its unusual two-style facade, luminous altarpiece, and surreal flooded crypt.

Back on the waterfront, you'll soon reach the Church of Santa Maria della Pietà, also known as Vivaldi Church because of its close association with Venice's greatest composer.

For a memorable evening, catch a concert here, when uplifting renditions of 'The Four Seasons' fill the oval space especially designed with acoustics in mind.

If you're thinking of attending, there are a few things worth knowing beforehand, from choosing the right evening to finding a good seat.

As the crowds begin to thin, you'll see a quieter side of Venice, with fewer tourists and more of the city's everyday character.

Plenty of shaded terraces along the way make tempting spots for a well-deserved break.

Soon, you'll reach the canal leading to the majestic main gate of the Venetian Arsenal.

This is where Venice's maritime power was built on an astonishing scale: at its peak, the shipyard employed thousands of workers and could turn out war galleys with remarkable speed.

The section behind the main gate remains off limits, as it's still an active military base. But another part of the Venetian Arsenal is open to visitors year-round, where you can explore the historic docks and discover a few unexpected surprises.

There's still plenty to discover at the main gate. Admire its beautiful marine-themed statues and uncover the Viking rune carved into one of the lion statues - a little detective work is required.

And if your appetite for Venice's maritime history still isn't satisfied, right where the canal to the Venetian Arsenal branches off the Riva, you'll find the Naval History Museum.

Housed in the former Granary of the Serenissima Republic, the Naval History Museum takes you through five floors packed with naval exhibits, model fleets, weaponry, and uniforms.

There's also a dedicated ships pavilion showcasing life-sized historic boats and gondolas.

You can even enter an authentic Cold War submarine!

Continuing east, the waterfront grows quieter and everyday Venetian life takes over. Consider a detour onto Via Garibaldi to experience it for yourself.

Back on the waterfront, the greater distance opens up wider views across the San Marco Basin, with more of the lagoon coming into view.

Patches of green begin to appear, first at the Giardini della Marinaressa and finally culminating in the lush Biennale Gardens.

Created under Napoleon as the city's first public gardens, the Giardini are now closely associated with the Venice Biennale, which occupies several sections of the park.

But the strip along the lagoon, extending towards Via Garibaldi, is always open to the public.

It's a great place to rest your weary feet after the stroll and take in spectacular views across the entire San Marco Basin, especially at sunset.

Even after the wide waterfront comes to an end, you can continue along the water past the Biennale Gardens.

Before long, you'll reach another large patch of greenery: Parco delle Rimembranze, where umbrella pines give the park a distinctly Mediterranean feel.

In a city where open green spaces are surprisingly scarce, this spacious park has multiple playgrounds, a picnic area, and even an outdoor gym, with plenty of room to slow down and enjoy the waterfront and spectacular sunsets.

When it’s time to head back, if you’re still full of energy, you can retrace the route on foot.

This time, heading west, you’ll experience the waterfront from the opposite direction, with Venice’s most iconic landmarks, such as St Mark's Campanile and Santa Maria della Salute, constantly in view.

And when you’ll finally make your grand entrance into St. Mark's Square, perhaps the day-trippers will have already gone home, leaving you with the concerts in the square almost all to yourself.

If that was enough walking for one day, simply hop on a waterbus at one of the many stops along the waterfront and let the boat take you back towards San Marco, or onwards to your next stop.

Want more? There’s another similar walk by the water worth saving for another day.

Zattere is Venice's other major south-facing promenade, with a similarly generous scale and open views, this time across the Giudecca Canal.

We'd even dare say it feels more local than the Riva. On sunny afternoons especially, locals stroll its nearly 2 km (1.24 mi) length, chatting, catching up on the latest news and gossip, and stopping for gelato.

And when you’ve had enough, simply pick a random calle and head deeper into Dorsoduro for your usual dose of picturesque canals, charming little bridges, and quiet corners.