Campo Santa Maria Formosa
Campo Santa Maria Formosa
Campo Santa Maria Formosa
4
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The area
Neighbourhood: Castello
Castello is the largest of the six sestieri (districts), and the only one not facing onto the Grand Canal. More than half of Castello is situated within Arsenale, the naval base, which occupies over one-fifth the area of Venice. This gentrified maritime neighbourhood feels busy but casual. Castello’s side streets are laid back, with small boats lining canals criss-crossed by laundry. Semiannual exhibitions add a strong artsy current to the Arsenale area. Via Garibaldi in Castello, with its shops and bars, has one of Venice's rare straight and wide boulevards. When a large ship turns around the Lido to enter the Giudecca Canal, the startling sight creates an illusion that it will run aground right on Via Garibaldi! Families treasure Giardini near the island's tip, green with rare trees and grass, and Riva degli Schiavoni is a popular spot for Venetians to take a stroll to watch the sunset.
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
1,559 within 5 kms
Attractions
960 within 10 kms
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4.0
182 reviews
Excellent
67
Very good
78
Average
30
Poor
4
Terrible
3
Matt C
25 contributions
July 2023 • Couples
We stopped by because we saw the happy hour sign out front. The happy hour prices were amazing considering how central it is to everything. Amour and the rest of the wait staff were so attentive and were on top of drink refills. Great place to stop by for some afternoon drinks. Will be back to try the food.
Written 22 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jill Y
13 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
Beautiful lunch here. So much so we had to come back our last day to have the orechiette again! Staff were helpful and so friendly. Omor in particular was amazing! Thanks for a lovely final meal on Venice. We’ll definitely be back! J&J (Scotland) xx
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Atesro R
7 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
There are stalls here that sell counterfeit goods. We do not recommend anyone to buy anything here!!
Written 25 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JPaschoal
Cascais, Portugal91 contributions
In the morning it's exciting to see all that movement of people going to work, the old ladies buying fresh food, the mums walking their babies.
This is real Venetian moment.
But at night, when you here your steps along the Campo... You just say there and look around...
Venice
This is real Venetian moment.
But at night, when you here your steps along the Campo... You just say there and look around...
Venice
Written 23 November 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LWL3333
Wellington, FL17,965 contributions
Mar 2013 • Couples
Perch yourself on the side of the monument in the center of this piazza where often there are musicians/buskers playing and watch the locals and tourists walking by. It is somewhat off the beaten track so even in the high season of summer there are fewer tourists here than at many other locations in Venice. Yet there are all the services necessary to tourists such as restaurants, cafes, etc.
Written 18 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
elizabeth m
London, UK80 contributions
Mar 2013 • Solo
If you walk through from Giardini or Arsenale towards Rialto you will pass through Santa Maria Formosa which is one of my favourite squares in Venice . Often there are market stalls, dogs, locals and the usual bunch of travellers scrutinising maps. Once I even saw a traditional Venetian funeral with funeral gondola and black plumes glide past on the canal at the far side. Very Don't Look Now. Many years ago the communist party office used to be in the corner with some brave slogans outside. Today that is long gone.
The church itself is worth a visit and a lovely place to hear Vivaldi which is often offered as a concert. T the left you have the bridge to the Querini Stampalia, the beautiful library. Or you can nip round the great swollen belly of the church and head for San Marco along the fundamenta and past a dear little pensione, the locanda Silva. Long ago run by s. Perut from friuli but I haven't been in to see if it has stayed in the family.
Have an aperol spritz here in the square outside the caffe. It is the bright orange lowish alcohol aperitivo that all the locals drink and it comes generously with your own dish of crisps. Take the sun in winter and the shade in summer and break your wandering s here in peace away from the shops, people watching. (Also a good place to park your husband with a newspaper as in fact the shops are just out of sight and he will hardly know you've gone until you return resplendent with a new Venetian piece of gorgeousness to spring upon him at dinner.)
The church itself is worth a visit and a lovely place to hear Vivaldi which is often offered as a concert. T the left you have the bridge to the Querini Stampalia, the beautiful library. Or you can nip round the great swollen belly of the church and head for San Marco along the fundamenta and past a dear little pensione, the locanda Silva. Long ago run by s. Perut from friuli but I haven't been in to see if it has stayed in the family.
Have an aperol spritz here in the square outside the caffe. It is the bright orange lowish alcohol aperitivo that all the locals drink and it comes generously with your own dish of crisps. Take the sun in winter and the shade in summer and break your wandering s here in peace away from the shops, people watching. (Also a good place to park your husband with a newspaper as in fact the shops are just out of sight and he will hardly know you've gone until you return resplendent with a new Venetian piece of gorgeousness to spring upon him at dinner.)
Written 7 March 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
riffraff19
Maplewood, NJ76 contributions
June 2019 • Family
Love this square. Its a little bit away from St Marks and much less crowded. There are about 4 cafe's in the square to eat / drink. A beautiful old church, place to grab a Gondola and also a Gelato place. If you head towards, Calle del Mondo Novo and go over the small bridge you will find a place to buy cheese and meats and up a little after Irish Pub on right hand side is a place to buy wonderful homemade wine
Written 7 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BigHugh51
Adelaide, Australia3,628 contributions
July 2017 • Couples
Our most recent visit to Venice had seen us battling through hordes of people for much of the day. It was a very hot Sunday and the heat seemed to have attracted people to many of the attractions of Venice rather than deterring them.
After we had endured the massive crowds in San Marco Square, we were in dire need of some time away from the masses of people.
In some desperation we headed towards Campo Santa Maria Formosa, primarily because there appeared to be less people heading in that direction than in other directions.
When we arrived at this gracious city square, it certainly was not deserted but it was much quieter than other parts of the city. We took the opportunity to have a cold drink at one of the outdoor cafes located in the square. From our shaded position, we were able to enjoy some pleasant views of the lovely old buildings located in the vicinity of the square. There were also some small shops located nearby. However, some of them were not open because it was Sunday.
We found that this lovely city square to be an ideal spot for a bit of peace and quiet away from the more crowded parts of Venice!
After we had endured the massive crowds in San Marco Square, we were in dire need of some time away from the masses of people.
In some desperation we headed towards Campo Santa Maria Formosa, primarily because there appeared to be less people heading in that direction than in other directions.
When we arrived at this gracious city square, it certainly was not deserted but it was much quieter than other parts of the city. We took the opportunity to have a cold drink at one of the outdoor cafes located in the square. From our shaded position, we were able to enjoy some pleasant views of the lovely old buildings located in the vicinity of the square. There were also some small shops located nearby. However, some of them were not open because it was Sunday.
We found that this lovely city square to be an ideal spot for a bit of peace and quiet away from the more crowded parts of Venice!
Written 9 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Brad
Hong Kong, China175,525 contributions
Apr 2015 • Couples
Campo Santa Maria Formosa is one of the largest piazzas in Venice, located in between the San Marco and Castello district, northeast of Piazza San Marco. Unlike its famous peer, Campo Santa Maria Formosa is more of a neighbourhood square, serving the local community as much if not more than visitors to Venice.
You will find a irregularly shaped public space, typical of those from the Medieval period. There are seven entrances into the piazza, providing a nice flow of pedestrian traffic from numerous directions and plenty of easy access to visitors who intend to stroll around in this area of the city.
The piazza has no trees or grass but plenty of space. There is a church by the same name near the southern end of the piazza. There you can find a couple park benches next to the small canal that boundaries the piazza here. Otherwise if you want to have a seat and just enjoy being on the square, you can visit one of the cafes as well. We found a fresh grocer stall selling good looking produce, a nice thing to keep in mind if you are renting an apartment in the area.
In the end, not a favourite piazza of ours in Venice but we like Campo Santa Maria a bit more these days. There is more space, smaller crowds and less noise here and you're not terrible far away from other important areas of Venice you may want to visit during your holiday.
You will find a irregularly shaped public space, typical of those from the Medieval period. There are seven entrances into the piazza, providing a nice flow of pedestrian traffic from numerous directions and plenty of easy access to visitors who intend to stroll around in this area of the city.
The piazza has no trees or grass but plenty of space. There is a church by the same name near the southern end of the piazza. There you can find a couple park benches next to the small canal that boundaries the piazza here. Otherwise if you want to have a seat and just enjoy being on the square, you can visit one of the cafes as well. We found a fresh grocer stall selling good looking produce, a nice thing to keep in mind if you are renting an apartment in the area.
In the end, not a favourite piazza of ours in Venice but we like Campo Santa Maria a bit more these days. There is more space, smaller crowds and less noise here and you're not terrible far away from other important areas of Venice you may want to visit during your holiday.
Written 11 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SylvieFrancois444
Ontario Canada1,336 contributions
Sept 2013 • Couples
We stayed in a lovely hotel in Campo Santa Maria Formosa during our stay in Venice and we loved even minute there. It is a 10 minute walk to either Rialto or St.Marks and very well located to all the action but just far enough away to be quiet.
Written 17 February 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
There was no open market the four days we were there.
Written 15 January 2018
Quel restaurant est à ne pas manquer sur cette place?
Written 21 February 2017
Désolée, j'avais mes enfants et petits enfants à la maison pour les vacances scolaires, je n'ai pas pu aller sur l'ordi ! ! ! !
Je ne peux vous renseigner sur les restaurants car nous étions en appartement et mangions donc le plus
souvent " chez nous " ! ! ! ! ..........
Par contre nous avons pris l'apéritif local ( Apérol ) dit
" Spritz " aux agréables terrasses .................
Vous souhaiter un magnifique séjour vénitien
Bien Cordialement
Annie
Written 23 February 2017
What hotel did you stay in and is it close to transportation ? I am especially interested in visiting the jewish quarter.
Written 29 March 2015
A reasonably priced hotel or apartment under $100 a night for a stay in late October.
Written 29 March 2015
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