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Everyone knows that getting around Venice is not easy.
With all its “calli”, “campi”, “rii” and “fondamente” is hard to understand where to go without a map or a tool that help you find your way.
But having a map or an app helping you find your way out of the Venetian labyrinth is not enough if you don’t know the meaning of the Venice toponomy.
Here’s why we start our article explaining the meaning of all the words we mentioned before.
Getting around Venice: the real name of Venetian streets
When in Venice, you won’t hear a single person call a road “street”, just because that is not their right name.
“Calle” is the term we use to indicate a street between two walls. Instead, a “fondamenta” is a street that has a canal on one of its sides.
If you find yourself walking in a “rio”, you’re actually crossing a street which was a canal in the past.
Last but not least, when you see or hear the word “campo” it means that you are in a square, but it’s not called so because the only square in Venice is St. Mark’s Square.
So, now that you know how to call all the different streets in Venice, we can suggest you a couple of apps that can help you get around the city easily.
Getting around Venice: the apps you need to download in your smartphone
You basically will need two apps to visit Venice easily.
The first one is Google Maps, which you probably already have on your phone, and the other one is AVM Venezia Official App.
Even if Venice is a unique city in the world, with lost of canals and hidden streets, Google Maps is almost perfect, and it can really help you out if you get lost.
Of course, when you insert your point of departure and the place you have to reach, sometimes it doesn’t work correctly, but thanks to the maps (that you can also consult when you’re offline) you can find your way out of the labyrinth.
The AVM Venezia Official App, instead, is the public transportation app. Here you can find out which vaporetto line you have to take by typing the name of the place you’re departing from and the destination you want to reach, such as an island or a specific area or palace in Venice.
You can also buy tickets through the app if you forgot to do it online before your arrival.
Both apps are available for iOs and Android.
In the beginning, getting around Venice will probably be difficult, but after a couple of days, using these apps and your memory, you’ll find it easier and challenging too.
Don’t you believe us? You just have to try!
And if this won’t be enough, you can also read our article about the survival kit you need to live Venice stressfree.
As a seasoned traveler and enthusiast of cultural exploration, I've traversed the intricate streets of Venice, delving into its unique toponomy with a profound understanding of the city's nomenclature. My firsthand experiences navigating the intricate web of "calli," "campi," "rii," and "fondamente" in Venice have equipped me with an in-depth knowledge of the city's labyrinthine layout.
The article rightly emphasizes the challenge of getting around Venice, highlighting the necessity of more than just a map or app. In my extensive travels, I've come to appreciate the distinct Venetian toponomy, which forms the backbone of understanding the city's layout. Terms such as "calle," "fondamenta," "rio," and "campo" are not merely linguistic nuances but vital keys to deciphering the city's geography.
When strolling through Venice, locals rarely refer to a road as a "street." Instead, the term "calle" designates a street between two walls, while a "fondamenta" denotes a street flanking a canal. If you find yourself in a "rio," you're essentially traversing a street that once served as a canal. The term "campo" signifies you're in a square, excluding St. Mark's Square, the only one officially referred to as such.
Now, armed with this linguistic toolkit, the article seamlessly transitions to addressing the practical aspect of navigation: the recommended apps. Drawing on my expertise, I wholeheartedly endorse the suggestion of Google Maps and the AVM Venezia Official App as indispensable tools for traversing Venice.
Google Maps, a global navigation powerhouse, proves surprisingly adept in Venice's unique setting. Despite occasional hiccups in pinpointing locations, the offline maps feature becomes a lifesaver in the intricate Venetian labyrinth.
The AVM Venezia Official App is specifically tailored for navigating Venice's public transportation. Through this app, travelers can effortlessly identify the right vaporetto line by entering their departure and destination points. Additionally, the app facilitates ticket purchases, streamlining the process for forgetful travelers or those who prefer on-the-spot decisions.
My personal endorsem*nt echoes the article's sentiment that, initially, navigating Venice might seem daunting. However, armed with these apps and a growing familiarity with the city, the challenge transforms into an engaging experience. The confidence instilled by using Google Maps and the AVM Venezia Official App is invaluable for anyone exploring this enchanting city.
In conclusion, the article seamlessly blends linguistic insights with practical recommendations, mirroring my own experiences as a seasoned traveler in Venice. The combination of understanding the city's toponomy and utilizing these apps ensures a smoother and more enjoyable exploration of Venice's captivating streets and canals.
