Follow the footsteps of Hugo Pratt and his sea-roving hero Corto Maltese through Venice’s quieter calli and secret courtyards. This two-hour walking tour pairs comic lore with tight-city navigation and local history.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
You step off a busy campo and the city narrows — alleys fold like pages and a damp breath of canal air follows. The guide points up: a faded mural here, a courtyard door there, and suddenly the map of Venice reads like a comic strip. For two hours you move through pockets of silence where Corto Maltese might have slipped between shadows and tide.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for most fitness levels; you should be able to walk on uneven, flat terrain for two hours and manage short flights of steps.
Wildlife
History
Hugo Pratt (20th century) set many Corto Maltese adventures in Venice, using actual calli and bridges as backdrops; this tour traces those literary waypoints alongside local merchant and lagoon histories.
Conservation
Venice’s fragile foundations and overtourism require care: stick to marked paths, avoid entering private courtyards without permission, and respect the municipal access rules designed to protect the city.
Reserve your spot on the Fable of Venice with Hugo Pratt and Corto Maltese today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Wear grippy shoes
Streets are cobbled and often uneven; choose supportive footwear with good traction for bridges and passages.
Time it for light
Early morning or late afternoon light highlights frescoes and reduces crowds around narrow attractions.
Carry a compact umbrella
Weather can shift quickly on the lagoon—an umbrella stows easily and keeps comics and maps dry.
Have a contactless card or small change
Vaporettos and small cafés often prefer contactless payment; coins help for small purchases or tips.
Comfortable walking shoes
Supportive shoes handle cobbles, low bridges, and occasional wet stone.
Compact rain jacket or umbrella
Protects against sudden lagoon showers and preserves any paper maps or comics.
spring
Light daypack
Carries water, a guidebook or comic strip, and any purchases without getting in the way of narrow passages.
Portable phone charger
Keeps your phone usable for maps and photos during a day of urban wandering.