Venice has long been celebrated as a city of love, beauty, and secrecy. Beyond its romantic image, the city has also been the setting for hidden lesbian relationships and unconventional female lives, shaped by art, independence, and resistance to social norms.

This tour takes you off the beaten path to discover a more authentic Venice while uncovering the stories of extraordinary women who challenged traditional ideas of femininity, love, and identity. From the fictional bond between Portia and Nerissa in The Merchant of Venice to real women who rejected conventional roles and appearances, Venice reveals a rich and often overlooked queer female history.

The walk begins at Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, once the heart of female prostitution in the city. This area was home to celebrated courtesans and poetesses such as Veronica Franco, an educated and influential woman who openly navigated desire, intellect, and power in a male-dominated society.

After crossing the Rialto Bridge and enjoying its iconic view over the Grand Canal, the tour continues to the former residence of Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia, the first woman in the world to earn a university degree. Walking through quiet calli and hidden campielli, you will reach the Scala Contarini del Bovolo, where a panoramic view offers a new perspective on Venice and its layered history.

From Santa Maria del Giglio, the experience shifts once again: Venice is explored from the water aboard a gondola ferry. Along the Grand Canal, you will admire magnificent palaces associated with iconic women such as Eleonora Duse, the legendary theatre actress of the early 20th century, as well as Winaretta Singer and Peggy Guggenheim, who hosted salons and gatherings that shaped artistic and social life.

After disembarking, the tour continues into the Dorsoduro district, one of Venice’s most creative and open-minded areas, known today for its art galleries and LGBTQ+-friendly businesses. The experience concludes with a celebratory toast to Venetian women, enjoying a glass of prosecco in a traditional wine bar—a fitting tribute to lives lived with courage, independence, and passion.