How long does it take to walk at a leisurely pace from St. Marks Square to the Rialto Bridge, and there on to the Jewish ghetto area?

My estimates: San Marco to Rialto, 15 minutes (tops).
On to the Ghetto, with no browsing or stopping (a shame!)--another 20 minutes.

That's not a leasurely walk unless you're wise enough to take alternate routes without getting lost. Normally it centers on the most pathologically overcrowded and unattractive path in the whole city, often locked in gridlock while someone wrestles strollers over narrow bridges among hundreds of others lined up waiting. Maybe average 30 min for each leg, with an extra 90 min or so per each wrong turn. Wrong turns and getting lost are much nicer than the dreary major monuments like that pigeon poop square or bridge of paralysis.

It was our first time in Venice a month ago...and we now NO problem finding Rialto bridge....it took at most 30 min to wander to it, and we didnt use a map, we didnt take the main route. You should be fine

good point about the crowds
I've been to Venice only in Sept and Oct when crowds are not bad at all
But the walk toward the Ghetto is not usually as crowded as the Rialto area anyway. I walk Strada Nuova, with occasional detours to churches, museums, or shops.

Yeah, Strada Nova is a mess. But if you have a detailed map, you can take the back streets very easily--you can walk blocks without seeing another tourist.

How would one go about finding a detailed map of Venice?

Barnes and Noble and other stores like them carry detail maps.

Hi Omas,

Also try "streetwise guides".

Yes, Streetwise Venice is excellent.

Hi.

This isn't meant to be snide: You're on vacation. You're in Venice! What difference does it make how long a walk it is? If you get weary, find a pleasant spot (not difficult) and have a nice Campari and ice.

You're welcome.

let's play nice.
Many people have limited time, and are trying to plan out some of their itinerary in advance, so as not to over schedule.

And there's always the vaparetto .... may not be much quicker, but at least you'll arrive at Rialto without having to navigate the myriad of streets. From there, if you want to continue on via boat, make sure you're on No. 1 (V. No. 82 makes less stops) and get off at Cannaregio.

Hi!

I was there last summer, peak season. But anyways...
Walking it is not bad at all if you are in the walking mode. I think its about 15 min or so. And I did not use a map and made it alright. I think there were signs all over to guide you or the locals are nice enough to point it out.
I think walking was better than the vaportetos because they take longer especially peak season too many people.

It is far better to walk than to take a vaporetto, especially considering the fares which were recently increased yet again: now a tourist has to pay €5 for a ticket (regardless if you are travelling the whole line or just one stop). Plus there are absurd differences, such as lines that go through the Grand Canal and lines that don't (which cost a bit less). The thing is that most tourist will of course go via the Grand Canal, so that's €5 each time you step on a boat.

I for one as a local tend to go on foot most of the time, tickets are only €1 for residents but that's still a ripoff in my opinion, considering that the boats are ridiculously slow and very crowded in the summer.

So enjoy walking in Venice, with a good map - there are always some alternative routes, even I still discover new things every time I go a different way than usual

We were just in Venice last week and found walking to the Rialto from the far side of St. Marks much shorter than it appears on maps. We walked through the back streets one time ( through the clock tower ) and along the Grand canal with some right hand and left hand turns and that took a little longer. I found a map at Barnes & Noble called MapEasy that actually had print big enough to read and pointed out shops, restaurants and sights, etc.There were also signs posted on the buildings every once and awhile pointing you in the right direction for either the Rialto or San Marco. I had heard that it was quite easy to get lost in Venice but we had no trouble at all

I prefer Campari and soda on ice.

Thanks all for you comments. Pilchard and Rufus, thanks, but I'd prefer to stay sober to avoid slipping into one of those lovely canals.

In navigating Venice ... look up on the corners of buildings at intersections. Often you will see an arrow painted and pointing towards major points i.e., San Marcos, Accademia Bridge, Rialto Bridge. This will get you pointed in the general direction of where you want to end up. I found this method easier than a map (or very helpful used along with a map).