San Polo

Venice is home to six districts, or sestieri in Italian, and San Polo is the smallest of the bunch. It lies at the heart of the city, hugging one of the big bends in the Grand Canal on one side.
Named for the Church of San Polo, this area is one of the oldest parts of the city, and it is also home to many top sites. Venice's oldest bridge, the Rialto, connects San Polo to the eastern bank of the Grand Canal, and Venice's primary market sits near the base of the Rialto on the San Polo side. The Campo San Polo is Venice's largest public square after St Mark's Square, and the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto is said to be the oldest church in Venice.
Although the area around the Rialto is always busy, the quieter streets of San Polo can be found if you walk away from the Grand Canal, deeper into this charming neighborhood.

Practical Info

San Polo is easily accessible via the lovely Rialto Bridge. Be sure to get to the Rialto markets early, as they're most interesting when they're in full swing. Other sights in San Polo include the Church of San Rocco, Scuola Grande di San Rocco and Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari.