The "In the Footsteps of Commissario Brunetti" walking tour offers fans of Donna Leon’s mystery series an immersive Venetian experience. With a maximum of 10 participants, the tour visits iconic locations, providing engaging anecdotes and insights from knowledgeable guides. Travelers explore lesser-known areas, enjoy humorous observations about Venice’s crime rate, and receive recommendations for local dining and activities – all while deepening their appreciation for both the city and Leon’s works. It’s an opportunity to step into the world of the beloved detective.
Key Points

- This walking tour explores iconic locations from Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti series, offering a unique perspective on Venice’s culture and history.
- Knowledgeable guides share engaging anecdotes and local insights, enhancing the tour experience for both fans of the book series and general travelers.
- The tour includes visits to the "questura" (police headquarters) and other notable spots, providing an immersive experience for Brunetti enthusiasts.
- With a maximum group size of 10, the tour ensures a personalized experience and allows for a deeper exploration of Venice’s lesser-known neighborhoods.
- Travelers can learn about the author, Donna Leon, and connect with the Brunetti books, while also discovering the city’s low crime rate and other cultural insights.
Tour Overview and Highlights

The walking tour offers an exclusive exploration of iconic locations in Venice featured in Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti crime series.
It provides the opportunity to learn about the author and her books while discovering the unique aspects of the city. Participants will visit the "questura" (police headquarters) and other notable spots, with a licensed guide sharing engaging anecdotes and local insights.
Recommended by 100% of travelers, the tour has received a badge of excellence based on 127 reviews praising its knowledgeable guides and unique perspectives on the city.
Into exploring Venice on foot? Check out these other walking experiences we've looked at
Tour Details and Logistics

Licensed tour guides accompany participants on this walking tour, with a maximum group size of 10 travelers.
The meeting point is Campo dei Gesuiti, 4878, in Venice. For private groups, pickup is available.
The tour ends at Campo San Francesco della Vigna, near the questura (police headquarters).
Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the tour, which starts at $80.82 per person.
On certain dates, travelers from outside Venice may need to pay a €5 access fee.
Tour Experience and Accessibility

Though the tour is stroller accessible, it isn’t wheelchair accessible. Most travelers can participate, and service animals are allowed.
Visitors from outside Venice may need to pay a €5 access fee on certain dates.
The tour experience provides a unique perspective on Venice, focusing on lesser-known locations away from the typical tourist paths. Insights into the city’s low crime rate are shared humorously.
Recommendations for related activities, such as watching German television adaptations of the Donna Leon book series, are also provided to enhance the overall visitor experience.
Traveler Reviews and Feedback

According to the reviews, travelers have overwhelmingly positive feedback about the walking tour, with an overall rating of 5.0 out of 127 reviews.
Common themes highlight the knowledgeable guides and unique perspectives provided, as well as the enjoyment of quieter neighborhoods, interesting historical insights, and connections to the Donna Leon books.
Travelers particularly praised the guide Valerio, who engaged them with anecdotes and local recommendations.
Cultural Insights and Additional Information

The tour provides a different view of Venice, focusing on lesser-known locations away from the typical tourist paths. Insights into the low crime rate in Venice are humorously shared, with only two murders in 15 years mentioned. Recommendations for related activities, such as watching German television adaptations of the series, are provided. The tour also includes tips for local dining and attractions, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
| Related Activities | Local Dining | Area Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Watch German TV adaptations of the series | Explore recommended dining spots | Discover lesser-known Venice locales |
| Engage with Donna Leon’s Commissario Brunetti books | Sample authentic Venetian cuisine | Venture beyond the typical tourist path |
| Deepen understanding of the book’s settings and themes | Indulge in local culinary specialties | Experience a unique perspective of the city |
- Venice Street Food Tour With Local Guide With Local Food Market Visit
- Dolomite Mountains and Cortina Semi Private Day Trip From Venice
- Experience Venice Like a Local: Small Group Cicchetti & Wine Tour
- Venice Sightseeing Walking Tour With a Local Guide
- Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour
- Venice Bacaro Food Tour – Eat and Drink Like a Venetian
Exploring Iconic Locations in Venice

As travelers embark on the walking tour, they’ll discover iconic locations that have become synonymous with Commissario Brunetti‘s world.
The tour explores the "questura," the police headquarters where the detective works, providing a glimpse into the inner workings of the Venetian law enforcement.
Participants also visit Campo dei Gesuiti, the meeting point, and Campo San Francesco della Vigna, near the questura, where the tour concludes.
These settings, integral to the Brunetti series, allow visitors to enjoy the author’s fictional universe and gain a deeper appreciation for the city’s unique atmosphere.
Discovering the Unique Aspects of the City

Travelers on the walking tour discover the unique aspects of Venice that often elude those who stick to the main tourist paths.
They explore quieter neighborhoods, learning about the city’s low crime rate and the author’s insights. The guide provides engaging anecdotes and local recommendations, enhancing the overall visitor experience.
Participants gain a different perspective on Venice, moving away from crowded landmarks to discover lesser-known locations.
The tour offers cultural insights, such as connections to the Commissario Brunetti book series and suggestions for related activities like watching the German TV adaptations.
This immersive experience provides a memorable exploration of the city’s uniqueness.
Connections to Donna Leon’s Crime Series

Since the walking tour is based on Donna Leon’s renowned crime fiction series featuring Commissario Brunetti, it offers participants a unique opportunity to enjoy the world of the beloved protagonist.
As they explore iconic Venetian locations from the books, travelers gain insights into the author’s writing and the city’s low crime rate.
The guide’s engaging anecdotes and local recommendations further enhance the experience, providing a deeper understanding of the Brunetti mysteries.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much Walking Is Involved During the Tour?
The tour involves an undisclosed amount of walking through Venice’s iconic locations. The exact distance covered is not specified, but the tour is stroller accessible, suggesting it’s suitable for most travelers.
Can We Purchase the Donna Leon Books During the Tour?
While the tour focuses on the settings of Donna Leon’s books, it doesn’t provide the opportunity to purchase the books themselves. Travelers can explore the locations and learn about the author, but should plan to obtain the books separately.
Is Photography Allowed Inside the Police Headquarters?
Photography is not allowed inside the police headquarters on the tour. The tour focuses on exploring the exterior of the "questura" and other iconic locations from Donna Leon’s crime novels, without access to restricted areas.
Does the Tour Provide Any Food or Drink Samples?
The tour does not provide any food or drink samples. It is focused on exploring the locations featured in the Donna Leon crime novels rather than including any culinary components.
Are There Any Age Restrictions for Participants?
The tour does not have any age restrictions, as it states that "most travelers can participate". However, it notes that the tour is not wheelchair accessible, so guests with mobility issues may want to check accessibility details before booking.
The Sum Up
The "In the Footsteps of Commissario Brunetti" walking tour offers an immersive experience for fans of Donna Leon’s mystery series set in Venice. Travelers explore iconic locations, enjoy engaging anecdotes, and gain insights that deepen their appreciation of the city and the author’s works. With a small group size and knowledgeable guides, the tour provides a unique opportunity to discover the lesser-known areas of Venice through the lens of Brunetti’s world.
More Concerts & Music in Venice
- Interpreti Veneziani Concert in Venice Including Music Museum
- Venice: Cooking Class + Guitar Concert at Chef’s Francesco
- GONDOLA Tour With Four Seasons Concert by VENICE in GONDOLA
- Cicchetti & Concert in Venice
- Venice: Aperitif With LIVE Concert at Laguna Libre JAZZ Club
- Venice: Live Concert With Dinner or Aperitif at LL JAZZ Club
More Tour Reviews in Venice
- Venice: St Marks Basilica Priority Entry, Host & Audioguide
- Haunted Venice Audio Tour with Palazzo Bovolo Entry Ticket
- Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat with Glassmaking
- Venice: Convent Garden of Redentore Entry Ticket
- Hidden Venice – Small Group Tour
- Murano, Burano & Torcello: Vetro, Case Colorate & Storia
Still browsing? Here are more Venice experiences we've covered recently
- Which Venice Workshops & Classes To Choose? We Rank The 13 Best
- The 5 Most Popular Shopping & Market Tours In Venice
- Discover 14 Great Photography Experiences In Venice
- Our 13 Favorite Venice Walking Tours
- 8 Best Private Driver Services In Venice (With Prices)
- Our Picks For The 5 Best Dining Experiences In Venice
- 12 Best Tours & Experiences In Venice (With Prices)
- 14 Best Wine Tours In Venice
- Top 12 Tours In Venice
- We Rank Venice’s 4 Top Dinner Experiences
- Venice’s 4 Best Full-Day Tours (With Prices & Reviews)
- 4 Must-Try Lunch Experiences In Venice
