Casa di Marco Polo, Venice

Historic Building in Venice

The Corte seconda del Milion
The Corte seconda del Milion
CC BY-SA 2.0 / Wolfgang

Casa di Marco Polo in Venice is less a “museum stop” and more a miniature treasure hunt: a quiet set of courtyards near Teatro Malibran where a small wall plaque marks the traditional site of Marco Polo's former family home. It's close to the Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal, yet it feels tucked away behind the city's retail lanes and busy vaporetto flow-exactly the kind of place you can walk past without noticing.

If you like the idea of peeling back Venice's layers, this spot is one of the must-see places in Venice for the sheer experience of getting there, even if the reveal is understated. It also works well as a quick detour on a walking tour of Venice, especially if you're already exploring Rialto, the Mercerie, or the backstreets around San Giovanni Crisostomo.

History and Significance of the Casa di Marco Polo

Marco Polo's story is inseparable from Venice's identity as a city of merchants, maritime ambition, and far-reaching connections. After years of travel in Asia, he returned to Venice and became famous for the account of his journeys, a text that shaped how generations of Europeans imagined the wider world.

The “house” you're looking for today is not an intact residence but a historically associated site: what survives is a courtyard setting, a commemorative plaque, and architectural fragments that tradition links to the Polo family's home complex. Understanding that context matters, because it reframes the visit from “seeing a house” to standing in a small, surviving pocket of medieval Venice where the Polo name still echoes through place names like Corte del Milion.

Things to See and Do in the Casa di Marco Polo

The main “sight” is the plaque that identifies the location as the former home of Marco Polo, and the satisfaction is in spotting it after navigating Venice’s deliberately confusing geometry. Take a moment to look around the courtyards rather than locking onto the wall immediately-the wellhead, façades, and tight passageways help you imagine how densely layered these family compounds once were.

If you want the visit to feel richer, pair the plaque with the nearby stone arch in the Corte del Milion area, which is often described as one of the most tangible remnants connected to the Polo legacy. It's also worth treating this as a micro-itinerary moment: pause, reorient, then continue toward Rialto for canal views, markets, and the classic Venice bustle that makes this quiet detour feel even more contrasting.

How to Get to the Casa di Marco Polo

From Rialto Bridge, head toward Teatro Malibran and the church area around San Giovanni Crisostomo, then look for the little sequence of courtyards known as Corte Prima del Milion and Corte Seconda del Milion. The most reliable approach is to enter Corte Prima del Milion, continue through to Corte Seconda del Milion, and then cross the Ponte Marco Polo-at that point, look back toward the Portineria Teatro Malibran side to spot the small plaque.

By vaporetto, aim for stops around Rialto or Ca' d'Oro and finish on foot through Cannaregio's lanes toward Malibran; this is one of those Venice moments where walking is genuinely the simplest navigation tool. Buses do not run through the historic centre, but you can arrive by bus at Piazzale Roma and then continue by vaporetto or on foot to the Rialto area.

The nearest airports are Venice Marco Polo (VCE) and Treviso (TSF), and most arrivals route you to Piazzale Roma (bus) or Santa Lucia (train) before you continue into the historic centre. For the best deals and a seamless booking experience, check out these flights to Venice on Booking.com.
If you arrive by train at Venezia Santa Lucia, walk or take a vaporetto toward Rialto and then continue on foot toward Teatro Malibran. Use Omnio to easily compare schedules, book train tickets, and find the best prices all in one place for a hassle-free journey across Italy..
If you’re arriving by car, plan to park at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto and continue into Venice on foot or by vaporetto, as cars cannot enter the historic centre. If you are looking to rent a car in Italy I recommend having a look at Discover Cars, first, as they compare prices and review multiple car rental agencies for you..

Practical Tips on Visiting the Casa di Marco Polo

  • Entrance fee: Free.
  • Opening hours: 24 Hours
  • Best time to visit: Go when you have a little patience and buffer in your schedule, because the “hunt” is the whole point and wrong turns are part of the fun.
  • How long to spend: Treat it as a quick detour rather than a standalone attraction, then continue to nearby sights without feeling you’ve lost half a day.
  • Accessibility: The lanes and bridges around Rialto and Cannaregio can be uneven and crowded, so choose a straightforward route and avoid rushing if mobility is a concern.
  • Facilities: There are no on-site visitor facilities, so plan a café stop around Rialto or Campo Santi Apostoli before or after.

Where to Stay Close to the Casa di Marco Polo

For a culture-heavy itinerary, base yourself around San Polo or San Marco for easy walks to the main sights; if your priority is a calmer, more local-feeling Venice with great evening atmosphere, Cannaregio is an excellent base.

Staying nearby makes this detour effortless, especially if you like stepping out early or returning late when the lanes feel quieter. Hotel Antico Doge is a strong Cannaregio option with a classic Venetian feel and quick access to both Rialto and the backstreets around Malibran. For a comfortable, well-located stay that balances quiet lanes with walkability, Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo is ideal for reaching Rialto without feeling stuck in the busiest corridors. If you want to be right on the Grand Canal by the action, Hotel Marconi puts you steps from Rialto for maximum convenience.

Is the Casa di Marco Polo Worth Visiting?

Yes, as long as you go with the right expectations. This is a short, slightly cryptic stop that’s more about place-memory than spectacle, and it works best as a satisfying “I found it” moment woven into a broader day around Rialto and Cannaregio.

For Different Travelers

Families with Kids

Kids often enjoy this as a mini scavenger hunt more than a historical landmark, especially if you frame it as “find the plaque” rather than “visit a house.” Keep it playful, let them lead through the courtyards, and pair it with a nearby snack stop so the detour feels like an adventure instead of a lecture.

Couples & Romantic Getaways

For couples, the appeal is the quietness: it's a small pocket of Venice that feels removed from the postcard crowds. Do it as a gentle detour between Rialto and a slower wander through Cannaregio, then pick a nearby bacaro for an easy, low-key continuation.

Budget Travelers

This is an easy win because it's free and fits neatly between bigger-ticket sights. If you're building a cost-smart day, combine it with canal-side wandering, church exteriors, and neighbourhood exploring where the “experience” is Venice itself.

History Buffs

Treat the site as a prompt rather than a display: read the plaque, then connect the dots to Marco Polo's life as a Venetian merchant-traveller whose reputation was built as much on storytelling as on distance travelled. It's also a good moment to think about how Venice preserves history in fragments-courtyards, inscriptions, and surviving architectural details-rather than in neatly packaged “houses of.”

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.0 (1)

Casa Marco Polo - Lido di Venezia on Via Marco Polo, 14 is a compact, off-the-beaten-path spot worth visiting for those exploring every corner of Venice; visitors note it as the house where Marco Polo lived and appreciate that it remains only lightly visited by local tourism.

Francisco romanafestas
7 months ago
"Vale a pena conhecer a casa onde viveu Marco Polo ao explorar cada canto de Veneza. Embora pouco explorado pelo turismo local."

FAQs for Visiting Casa di Marco Polo

Getting There

It’s near Rialto and Teatro Malibran, in the small courtyard area known as Corte del Milion. The site is marked by a discreet plaque rather than a dedicated building entrance.
Aim for Rialto first, then walk toward Teatro Malibran and San Giovanni Crisostomo and look for the Milion courtyards. Once you find Corte Prima del Milion, you’re essentially on the right path.
Get yourself to the Rialto area by walking or vaporetto, then continue on foot toward Malibran. The last stretch is best done slowly with a map, because the courtyards are easy to miss.
There’s no parking in the historic centre, so driving only makes sense if you’re arriving into Venice from outside. Park at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto and treat the rest as a walking-and-vaporetto day.

Tickets & Entry

It’s entirely free because it’s a public, pass-through courtyard area with a commemorative plaque. There’s no museum entry and no interior visit.
No booking is needed, because there’s nothing to reserve. The only “planning” is allowing a few extra minutes to find it without stress.
No-this is not a staffed attraction. If you want guided context, it’s better to join a broader history walk that passes through the area.

Visiting Experience

Expect a small plaque and a very ordinary-feeling courtyard setting rather than a curated historical house. The charm is subtle: it’s a breadcrumb of history embedded in everyday Venice.
It’s worth it if you’re already near Rialto and enjoy hidden corners and story-driven stops. If your time is tight and you prefer big, visually dramatic landmarks, keep it as an optional detour.
Pair it with Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal viewpoints, and a meander through Cannaregio’s lanes for a satisfying loop. Teatro Malibran and the nearby churches also add context without requiring a big time commitment.
Yes, because it’s quick and you can duck through the courtyards between indoor sights nearby. Just take extra care on wet stones and crowded narrow passages.

Tours, Context & Itineraries

Some history-focused walks include it as a quick “hidden Venice” marker, but many classic highlights tours skip it. It’s easy to add independently if you’re touring Rialto anyway.
Independent works well because the stop is short and the goal is simply locating the plaque. A guide is worthwhile only if you specifically want deeper Marco Polo context and nearby-history storytelling.
Start at Rialto, detour to Corte del Milion for the plaque, continue through Cannaregio toward Campo Santi Apostoli, then circle back via Grand Canal viewpoints. This keeps you close to transport links and avoids long backtracking.

Photography

It’s more about atmosphere than a “hero shot,” so think details and context rather than grand scenes. The best photos usually include the courtyard setting and the act of discovery.
Earlier in the day is best for fewer people in the courtyards and cleaner compositions. Later in the evening can be atmospheric, but it depends on how busy the surrounding lanes are.
Because it’s a public courtyard area, casual photography is typically fine, but be respectful of residents and keep noise down. Avoid blocking passageways while you’re framing shots.

Accessibility & Facilities

The approach involves typical Venice challenges: bridges, narrow lanes, and uneven paving. If mobility is limited, plan a route with fewer bridges and accept that the final courtyards can be tight.
No, so plan to use cafés or facilities around Rialto. This is best treated as a short pass-through stop rather than a linger-and-rest destination.

Food & Breaks Nearby

Rialto is the most practical option for quick food, especially if you want something casual and efficient. Cannaregio nearby also has plenty of bacari for a more local-feeling stop.
A cicchetti stop is the natural pairing, because it turns a small historical detour into a very Venetian mini-experience. Keep it light if you’re continuing deeper into the city afterward.

Safety & Timing

Yes, it’s generally a central, well-trafficked area, though lanes can feel quieter later on. As usual in busy Venice zones, keep valuables secure and be mindful in crowds.
Morning tends to feel calmer and makes the “hunt” less frustrating, especially near Rialto. Later in the day can be charming once the busiest shopping rush thins out.

Nearby Attractions to the Casa di Marco Polo

  • Rialto Bridge - Venice's iconic crossing with classic Grand Canal viewpoints and nonstop atmosphere.
  • Grand Canal - The city’s main waterway, best appreciated from bridges, vaporetto rides, and canal-side lanes.
  • Teatro Malibran - A historic opera and theatre venue that anchors the neighbourhood’s cultural character.
  • Church of San Giovanni Crisostomo - A nearby church that helps orient you in this quieter corner behind Rialto.
  • Ca' d'Oro - A striking Gothic palazzo on the Grand Canal with a museum setting and excellent views.

The Casa di Marco Polo, Venice appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Venice!

Moira & Andy
Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

Read our full story here

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Planning Your Visit

Hours:

24 Hours

Price:

Free.

Address: Corte Seconda del Milion, 5852 30121 Venezia VE, Italy
Venice: 0 km

Nearby Attractions

Similar Blogs