The most unusual and charming city in the world, rising above the water, inspiring dozens of world poets and winning the hearts of millions of tourists! There is no land transport here; hundreds of beautiful bridges were erected and special boats were built to move along it! It’s worth going to Venice for at least 3-4 days in order to have time to see the main attractions and neighboring islands. Taste Italian cuisine, take photos and enjoy every minute here! Here are some fun things to do in Venice.
1. Cross the Rialto Bridge
The calling card of Venice and one of the most beautiful places that definitely needs to be included in your list of visits. From here you can see the famous Grand Canal, cozy restaurant terraces, scurrying boats and gondolas. Buy ice cream or any Italian dessert to take an Instagram photo here.
Tip: I recommend having dinner at one of the restaurants with lush flowers on the terrace, taxi boats nearby and seagulls circling over the water.
2. Get lost in the maze of streets
Even if this is not part of your plans, Venice will organize everything itself! The streets here are really very narrow, and the houses are tall and all look alike. In addition, there are often dead ends, due to which you have to return or get lost in tiny dark courtyards.
There is information among tourists that Google maps do not work in Venice. This is not true, during my 4 days of stay Google maps failed only a couple of times. More often it happens that the arrow does not quickly determine the direction, and tourists who are not oriented at all can go in the wrong direction. However, if you get lost, don’t despair! Each street is beautiful in its own way. Be sure to set aside 3-4 hours daily for walking around the city.
3. Gondola ride
Take a boat tour of Venice on a traditional Italian gondola boat. I recommend choosing a route through the city rather than the Grand Canal. This way you can enjoy the views from the water to the houses between the narrow streets.
Price: 80€ for 30 minutes (after 17:00 - 100€)
Opening hours: from 9:00 to 19:00
Tip: If you're not willing to spend €80 but still want to ride and take photos, try Traghetto. This is the crossing point for the Grand Canal. The price of the trip is only 2€, duration is from 2 to 5 minutes. The longest route is Traghetto Dogana.
4. Visit San Marco
The main square of Venice is beautiful at any time of the day! From the very morning large groups of tourists gather here, and in the evening tired travelers look for a place to sit down and relax, enjoying the lights of the darkening city. The square is home to many famous old coffee shops - for example, Florentin, the Basilica of San Marco and one of the most beautiful buildings in the world - the Doge's Palace.
Price: free
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
5. Doge’s Palace
This is not only a historical monument, but also a symbol of the power and wealth of the Venetian Republic. With its marble facades, graceful arches and recognizable architecture, it attracts the attention of everyone who visits Venice.
Built in the 9th century and rebuilt in the 14th to 16th centuries in Gothic and Renaissance styles, the Doge's Palace is a fine example of Venetian architectural excellence. Its majestic halls, luxurious interiors and rich collection of artistic works make it one of the most impressive art monuments in the city.
An important part of the history of Venice, the Doge's Palace served not only as the residence of the head of the republic, but also as a place of trial and execution of sentences. His gloomy dungeons and journeys across the Bridge of Sighs are reminiscent of the tragic pages of Venetian history. However, its grandeur and beauty continue to attract tourists from all over the world, leaving an unforgettable impression of Venice.
Price: 30€
Opening hours: 9:00-18:00
6. Visit Acqua Bookstore
The charming bookshop is on the list of unusual and interesting places in Venice. It gained fame thanks to its photogenic corner of a thousand books. The store suffers from constant flooding; books and magazines are stored in iron barrels and even a gondola. And those books that did suffer are sent not to the trash, but to a man-made ladder made of books. By the way, here you can buy both new and used books.
Price: free entry
Opening hours : 9:00-19:20
7. Try Italian cuisine
Each region of Italy is famous for its delicacies. In Venice, polenta is considered a traditional dish. I also recommend trying tiramisu, ice cream, pasta, pizza and cheeses. Drinks include Aperol and coffee. Don't forget to take a photo! Below I will add a list of my favorite establishments.
8. Trip to the islands of Burano and Murano
Go to the neighboring islands only if you have allocated at least 2 days for Venice, otherwise you will not have time to see all the sights. You can get to them by ferry, I advise you to buy a 1-day pass, which includes an unlimited number of trips!
Murano is famous for glass making. Today, the most expensive and famous glass in the world is made there (dishes, chandeliers, etc.).
Burano attracts tourists with its picturesque views of bright, colorful houses. Legend has it that fishermen painted them so that they could see their homes when they returned. By the way, the most delicious and fresh fish is still served here - be sure to order seafood for lunch.
9. Santa Maria Della Salute
Take a stroll through the area near Venice's iconic temple, located on the Grand Canal opposite Piazza San Marco. This magnificent building is one of the most famous examples of Baroque architecture in the city. The temple was built in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for ending the plague epidemic that raged in Venice in 1630.
The temple's architectural features include a majestic dome, arches, columns and ornate interiors with works by masters such as Titian, Tintoretto and Palladio. Santa Maria della Salute is considered one of the most significant monuments of art and religion in Venice, and is a popular place of pilgrimage and tourist visits.
10. Bridge of Sights
The bridge connecting the two buildings of the Doge's Palace was built in the 17th century and is part of a historical complex that also includes a prison and courtrooms. The name of the bridge comes from the tragic circumstances surrounding its use. According to legend, prisoners, passing through the bridge on the way from the courtroom to the dungeons, sighed, seeing the splendor of Venice for the last time before their long imprisonment. It was this atmosphere of grief and loss that led to the bridge being given its name. Today, thousands of visitors come here to admire its architecture and hear stories related to its past.
Price: free
Opening hours: 24 hours a day
How get to around Venice
There are a variety of ways to get around in Venice to enjoy the unique atmosphere of this majestic city. You can explore its narrow pedestrian streets, majestic squares and picturesque canals, both on foot and using various modes of transport.
On the water routes, you can choose between authentic gondolas or vaporetto-water buses, providing convenient and relatively inexpensive transportation around the city. Water taxis are also available for a more convenient and personalized transportation option.
An invariable transportation option is a walking tour through the streets and bridges of Venice, allowing visitors to the city to fully immerse themselves in its unique atmosphere and enjoy the beauty of its architecture and cultural heritage.
Best bars and restaurants in Vinice
Venice is famous not only for its cultural attractions, but also for its wealth of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy excellent Venetian cuisine and a cozy atmosphere>
Breakfast and brunches:
Italians don't have traditional breakfasts like we do, but there are some great options for tourists.
Brunch Cafe Venezia
I especially recommend a unique cafe for brunch in the center of Venice, where you can order both Italian cuisine and the famous Japanese pancakes. Try delicious tiramisu flavored pancakes! By the way, fluffy pancakes can be ordered not only for dessert, but also with eggs, fish, and meat. There are 2 canals nearby where you can take photos with water.
Adress: Calle de la Madoneta, 1457, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy
Open hours: Every day 7:30-19:00
Instagram: @brunchcafe_venezia
Pasta to go
Small restaurants serving Italian delicacies to take away are especially popular among tourists. You can take with you a plate of pasta with various sauces or potato gnocchi. As a rule, such establishments have cozy bar counters for those who want to have a snack inside.
One of these is Baci&Pasta. The establishment offers several types of pasta - fettuccine, tagliatelle, fusilli, etc. Gnocchi - classic, with pumpkin and spinach. Other sauces you can choose from include pesto, bolognese and smoked cheese. I especially recommend the tagliatelle pasta with Bolognese sauce. A serving with a drink and tiramisu will cost you only 9-10 €.
Adress: Campo Santa Marina, 5902/a, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy
Open hours: every day 12:15-19:50
Instagram: @baciepasta
The city has many traditional bars, known as "bakari" and "osteria", where you can try a variety of snacks and local wines.
Restaurants in Venice offer a wide range of dishes, from traditional Venetian cuisine to sophisticated international dishes. Many of them are located on the banks of canals, offering wonderful views and a unique atmosphere.
Of course, an important aspect of the Venetian metropolitan experience is dining at one of the many restaurants, where you can enjoy a delicious menu and a beautiful atmosphere overlooking the canals and architecture of Venice.
The best hotels in Venice
Venice offers a wide range of hotels, from luxurious five-star palaces located on the banks of the Grand Canal and offering magnificent views of the city, to cozy hotels in ancient quarters where you can experience an authentic Venetian atmosphere.
For those who value comfort and luxury, Venice offers a wide selection of hotels with a high level of service, including luxury restaurants, spas and other amenities. At the same time, the city offers many more affordable accommodation options, including cozy guest houses and apartments, which are often more economical and at the same time convenient for living.
Accommodation in the center of Venice in a 5* hotel costs 1000-2000 € per night, guest houses are about cheaper - 50-100 € per night. Be careful when choosing a location, as when booking on neighboring islands you can spend a significant amount on the crossing.
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