Discover the history of the University and its historical palace
How to participate?
Our tours take place on Saturday mornings starting at 10:00, 10:40, 11:20, 12:00 from the courtyard of Ca' Foscari.
The tours, lasting 40 minutes, are offered free of charge to citizens and all visitors who would like to take advantage of the service. The tours, in Italian and/or English, will allow visitors to explore the history of the University and its headquarters. Depending on the availability of university spaces, you will be able to admire Ca' Foscari and the Aula Baratto, renovated by Carlo Scarpa and which will captivate you with its magnificent view of the Grand Canal; or Ca' Dolfin and the Aula Magna Silvio Trentin, a richly frescoed 18th-century hall in which to breathe in the atmosphere of the Venice of the past. And then, what else? The Niobe Courtyard, the small 15th-century courtyard in the heart of the headquarters that houses the Shrine of the Cafoscarini who fell in the conflicts of the 20th century and other spaces usually unknown.
No reservation is necessary; Ca' Foscari students will accompany you on this special tour.
They will be waiting for you at the Ca' Foscari Tour desk at least 10 minutes before the indicated departure time at the courtyard of Ca' Foscari (Dorsoduro 3246, 30123 Venice).
August Month Tour:
- Saturday, 2025 August 23;
- Saturday, 2025 August 30.
Ca’ Foscari Tour is participating in Venice Glass Week 2025!
On 13 and 20 September, you will have the chance to visit Ca’ Foscari and Ca’ Dolfin in a single tour. Our student guides will share fascinating stories about the two palaces and reveal how glass is an essential part of their beauty.
Tours set off at 10:00 am, 10:40 am, 11:20 am and 12:00 noon from the Ca’ Foscari courtyard.
On 18 September, you can visit Palazzina Briati and discover the history of this former glassworks and its founder, the master glassmaker Giuseppe Briati. Tours depart at 10:00 am and 11:00 am, also from the Ca’ Foscari courtyard.
Booking is required and places are limited. To reserve your spot, email cafoscaritour@unive.it indicating the date and time of the tour you would like to join.
Tour to the former slaughterhouse of San Giobbe
Tour to the former slaughterhouse of San Giobbe, now home to the Ca' Foscari Economic Campus.The history of the place used as the island's slaughterhouse has its roots as far back as the Middle Ages, over the centuries many changes and design proposals such as that of Le Corbusier.
The tour is scheduled every first Friday of the month at 16:00
September Month Tour: Friday, 2025 September 5.
Reservations required. Sign up for the St. Job's tour.
Meeting point: Cannaregio 873, Fondamenta San Giobbe, 30121 Venice
Duration: about 40 minutes
The audio guide
Every Saturday, Ca' Foscari Tour students guide visitors around Ca' Foscari, helping them appreciate its beauty, including the valuable documents displayed in the temporary exhibitions in the main building's hall. These exhibitions change twice a year and result from collaboration between Ca' Foscari Tour, the Historic Collection, and the University Archive.
If you would like to learn more after visiting the palazzo with us, or if you couldn't join our in-person tours, you can listen to our audio guides online!
To access the audio guides of the temporary exhibitions, visit our IZI Travel profile or scan the QR code next to the display cases. The audio guide is available in Italian and English, providing an enjoyable experience for visitors from all over the world.
Would you like to organize an ad hoc visit?
Ca' Foscari Tour is a project that aims to tell the story of the University and to show the most evocative places of the Ca' Foscari and Ca' Dolfin venues.The tours are free of charge and to guide you are student collaborators who will accompany you on a personalized and engaging tour.The initiatives are free and open to all.
Tour ad hoc
Are you a professor or member of the University's Technical Administrative Staff and would like to organize an ad hoc tour? Send an email to cafoscaritour@unive.it at least 15 days in advance and, depending on space availability, we will arrange your tour.
Groups and families
If you would like to book a tour, please contact us at cafoscaritour@unive.it and, subject to availability, we can create custom tours for you.
School groups
Want to organize a tour for your classroom? We organize tours for all grades, email cafoscaritour@unive.it to schedule a tour.
Virtual tour
If you want to know something more about Ca' Foscari Tour and our spaces, here below is a preview.