Venice in Italy is one of the places that EVERYONE has on their bucket list. The danger of sinking and tourism restrictions has made this beautiful destination even more popular. On April 25th, 2024, Venice finally launched an entry fee for day-trippers. The fee is 5 euros and can be paid through an app. The fine for now paying the fee is, however, stinging 50 euro – 300 euro. If you arrive before 08:30 am or after 4 pm the entrance is free. You can read practical information on entrance fees in Venice on Euronews.
Fee or no fee, everyone should visit Venice in Italy once in their lifetime. Or Italy for that matter. If you are a sucker for romance, Italy has at least 12 romantic cities. And if you ever consider going on a honeymoon in Italy, Tuscany may be the perfect place for you.
But what makes Venice such a desirable place? Is it the reputation of being one of the world’s most romantic cities, its history, architecture, or the famous carnival? For me, it was the food, the wine and prosecco, the architecture, and the colors. Venice is one of these places that are extremely popular at any time of the year. But its popularity is also a curse. Mass tourism increases the cost of living by increasing prices and replacing residential housing with shops with poor-quality souvenirs. Young people are leaving Venice to find better opportunities for work in other places. A lack of local population might eventually lead to the extortion of the Venetian soul. Mass tourism leads to the import of cheap goods and decreases handcrafted products made by locals due to their higher prices, destroying local businesses.
So, guys, please be responsible travelers and support local Venetian companies by getting their products. Or at least stop buying a cheap replica, which devalues the pride and soul of the local culture. Handcrafted products by locals are more expensive but also more valuable regarding handcraft, authenticity, and consciousness. In collaboration with Venice and three other major tourist cities in Italy, amongst which is also Rome, Florence launched a campaign #enjoyrespect to make tourists aware of their behavior. You can read more about it on Jaclyn’s blog yourtravelspark.com. I trust you can behave yourself!
Like other popular cities in Italy, the best time to travel to Venice is when the cruisers and other vacationers have left. It would be sometime at the end of September. The weather in September is still hot, with an average of 23C (76F). The crowds will always be there, but not as many as during summer. You can check the weather for Venice for winter, spring, and summer. We had 86F (30C) for three days in the middle of September. Most of Italy is warm during early fall, and Italy is the perfect place for you if you are a food, wine, history, and chill vibes lover. I suggest you read this article that summarizes Italy well for more inspiration.
For whatever reason you are traveling to Venice, I am sure it is not for the weather or beach. So, why not go during shoulder season because there is no off-season for Venice? The lowest visiting season for Venice is the first two weeks of December and the last two weeks of January. Pick a month in late fall, winter, or early spring with the least precipitation and go then. If you want to avoid frosts, stay away from December and January, but then how many people can brag about seeing Venice canals covered in thin ice and frost? Be open-minded, check the forecast before you leave, and dress for the weather!
History and a few facts about Venice, Italy
Venice’s history goes back as far as 400 A.D. From the 5th to 8th century AD, Huns, Goths, and sundry barbarians repeatedly sacked Roman towns along Veneto’s Adriatic coast, driving many Romans to leave their homes. The area of Venice was under the Byzantine grip. When it slipped in AD 726, the people of Venice elected their first doge (Duke), whose successors would lead the city for more than 1000 years. Venetians lived like seabirds, their land secured only by osier and wattle. The one great wealth that the Venetians enjoyed was the fish and salt from the lagoon, which gave them the power to purchase the things they did not possess. For nearly 1400 years, the two or three miles of shallow water separating Venice from mainland Italy had protected Venice from invaders and effectively isolated the Venetians from Italian political life. Venice’s history is long, magnificent, and rich, and I recommend everyone to read at least some of it.
Here are a few fun facts about Venice, Italy:
- Venice has one of the narrowest streets in the world. It is only 53 cm wide, called Calletta Varisco, near Campo San Canciano. (link to Google Maps)
- There are 117 canals in Venice, and all the buildings have their entrance gates on the canal side. The Grand Canal divides the city in two.
- The first woman ever to graduate from the University was Elena Piscopia from Venice. She was born in 1646 and graduated with a degree in Philosophy.
- Venice is home to the first-ever casino. The first European “gambling house” was opened by the Venice Great Council to control illegal gambling during the Carnival season.
- Acqua Alta is a high tide caused by two winds. The water is flooding the streets, and you can see the effect of it in beautifully captured photographs of Saint Mark Square.
- The population of Venice has dropped dramatically in the last decades and is now somewhere between 60,000 and 50,000 inhabitants. Locals are leaving Venice due to increased mass tourism, which negatively impacts Venice’s future.
Getting to Venice from the airport
Venice’s official airport is Marco Polo on the mainland. You can get to Venice by bus or water taxi from the airport. We pre-ordered a cab pick-up, which took us to Venice. Our hotel was just one bridge crossing and 5 minutes’ walk from the drop-off – hassle-free. I recommend you decide on transportation depending on the location of your hotel, but a boat will be most convenient to get you to any place. Check prices and drop-off areas
Where to stay in Venice, Italy
I found Venice easy to navigate, but if you want to see Venice, I recommend you walk as much as possible. We stayed in a small hotel, “Avogaria 5 rooms”. We had a spacious junior suite with a large bathroom, free breakfast, and free wifi. Our room had a private ground-floor terrace/garden. The hotel was a 5-minute walk from the “mainland,” 20 minutes to the heart of the city, and 5 minutes to the sea promenade with the views over to Giudecca. We booked it through Hotels.com but received excellent service and were very happy with our stay. We paid approximately 330$ a night for two adults, but you will get it much cheaper if you go off-season. Go to Avogaria 5 rooms to check availability and prices.
I have to warn you hotels in Venice are costly, and the city tax is not included in the price, which means it will be added to your bill.
- The city imposes a tax: EUR 4.50 per person per night for adults and EUR 2.25 per night for guests aged 10-16. This tax does not apply to children under ten.
Attractions in Venice, Italy that are worth your time
The city is an attraction in itself, and wouldn’t you love to find THE best photography spots in Venice?
The best thing to do in Venice is to get lost, which costs you nothing. But be careful; you may end up at the dead-end by some of the canals. So don’t walk too fast, and you won’t end up in the water 🙂 If you end up by a dead end, don’t worry; turn around and take a different turn. Have a glass of Prosecco and a plate of prosciutto in the first alley you find on your way, and take life slowly.
5 things to do in Venice that won’t cost you money
1. Rialto Bridge – Ponte di Rialto
Cross Rialto Bridge – one of the most famous bridges across the Grand Canal. It is the oldest bridge in Venice. Before the Rialto Bridge was built, two other bridges were in the same spot. The first bridge, Ponte della Moneta, was replaced due to increased traffic across it in 1255. Wooden Realto bridge replaced the Ponte della Moneta bridge. Still, it was damaged by fire and collapsed for the first time in 1444 under the weight of the crowd that gathered to watch the boat parade in celebration of the wedding of the Marquis Ferraraduring. It was rebuilt but collapsed again in 1524, and it was then decided to build a stone bridge.
The design of today’s Rialto Bridge is the same as that of 1255. On the left side of the bridge (if you look at the shoot), you will find a market with many stalls and, further in, a fish and fruit market. You can buy food at the market and have lunch by the canal.
2. St. Mark’s Square – Piazza San Marco
Walk on St. Mark’s Square, deemed the heart of Venice, and enjoy the sights of Basilica de San Marco, San Marco Campanile (the Belltower of St. Mark’s Basilica), and the Doge Palace. Many highly overpriced restaurants surround the square, but it is still an excellent place for people-watching. Street performers are great entertainment, too. Piazza San Marco is the place where you should avoid buying cheap souvenirs. The square is overcrowded during the day. If you can visit it before or after cruise ships have gone, you should do that.
3. Bridge of Sighs
One of the most well-known bridges in the world, the Bridge of Sighs, has a fascinating history. You are wrong if you think that the Bridge of Sighs owes its name to lovers’ sighs. The Bridge of Sighs connects the halls of the courts between de Duke Palace and the New Prison. The name of the bridge is based on a legend, which says that in Serenissima’s time, the prisoners crossing the bridge on their way to their execution had induced the last sigh at the last views of Venice. The legend is unfounded, but the name still represents the last signs of prisoners because once they were convicted in the Kingdom of Dogi, they would never return. Today, as you rightfully believe, the name is connected to a romance, and it is said that if a couple passes under the Bridge of Sighs, their love will last forever.
4. Venice walking tour
When in Venice, forget about the map and street signs. Start walking, and don’t be afraid to get lost. Venice is amazingly beautiful, and walking is my top #1 recommendation. Wander around without any particular direction, take a turn at the toss of a coin, and see what’s around the corner. You will not get the history and legends of Venice, but you will most definitely get the place’s vibe, atmosphere, and authenticity. Venice is safe, and you may consider exploring it by evening or night to see it in a different light and experience a different atmosphere. The cruisers would probably have left, and the city would be more quiet and serene, although it would be far away from empty. And if you don’t want to walk at night, you can always take a boat cruise in the Venetian lagoon. Evening walks with sunset watching were among the most romantic things we did in Venice.
5. Aqua Alta Library
You might have seen Venice’s famous library online – now you can see it live. It is, just like any other famous place, crowded. But it is worth a look, especially if you are a book lover. The store keeps its books safe from constant flooding in bathtubs and gondolas. And for Venice’s and the bookstore’s sake, buy a book, even if you can’t find anything you want to read in English. Be aware the shop is filled with books and tourists trying to take pictures, so there is not much space for looking at the books.
What to see and do in Venice
Like any other place you visit on a long or short weekend, you must prioritize your activities. Venice is overcrowded, and you won’t be able to rush through it and see it all. Guided tours and priority pass tickets are a good idea. So is visiting places early in the morning or later in the afternoon, after the day-trippers have gone. Depending on what you like and how many days you have, you should visit at least one of the main attractions, which will take a few hours.
St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace
By taking a guided tour, you will learn the history and legends of the places, giving you a more profound experience than just walking around staring at things without getting any more in-depth knowledge. St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge Palace are located next to each other, and you have a perfect opportunity to visit both in about 2 hours with a guide. It will leave you plenty of time to do and see other things in Venice. Both landmarks have an interesting and powerful history. This tour will also take you across the Bridge of Sighs to the notorious Venetian prison where the famous Giacomo Casanova was imprisoned, among others. The guided tour gives you priority access, but a security check is mandatory, so you must stand in line for that. Check availability and prices for guided tours in Venice
St. Mark’s Bell Tower
The views from the Bell Tower cover the square and Venice Lagoon. There is an elevator in the tower, which will take you up (and down) – there are no stairs. The tower is about 99 meters (330 feet) and was once a lighthouse. It collapsed in 1902, and only the largest bell out of five remains today. The tour with skip-the-line tickets might take one hour, including waiting for the elevator.
Fun facts about St. Mark’s Bell Tower
This history of the campanile is linked to the memory of the traditional flight of the Angel celebration on the last Thursday before Lent. A balancing act in which an acrobat descended a tightrope from the belfry to a boat in the Basin or to the loggia of the Ducal Palace, where the Doge and Lords observed the spectacle.
A visit to the campanile was an attraction also offered in the past to illustrious guests. However, the Lords were cautious in granting permission to foreigners for fear that they might survey the city’s layout and ports for military purposes. Galileo used the Campanile as an observatory to study the skies, and it was there in 1609 that he demonstrated his telescope to the Lords.
Morning Walking tour of Venice and a gondola ride
A walking tour with a local guide is one of the best ways to learn the history of the place. You will see some of Venice’s main attractions from the outside, but you will get there by taking off the beaten path allies, avoiding the largest tourist crowds. Venice is extremely hot during the high season, so I recommend a morning walking tour. This way, you will avoid the most intense heat and the largest tourist crowds. There is a tour you can combine with a gondola ride. As cliche as it sounds and looks, I found it quite amusing. The gondolier won’t tell you any stories, and he might sing you a short song, but he will pose for you in the background of your selfies. The walking tour is in small groups and takes approximately 1,5 – 2 hours, while a gondola ride takes about 25-30 minutes. The gondola ride might be shared with others depending on how many participants are on your tour. If you are lucky, you will be the only one booking your gondola ride, as we were. The gondola ride alone costs 80 euros, so this deal is super convenient. Check prices and reviews for this combo tour
Eat like a local tour
Who doesn’t love Italian food and wine? And who wouldn’t want to eat like a local visiting a new place for the first time? Wouldn’t it be great to get away from over-priced tourist restaurants with, at best, an average food quality? Eating like a local tour takes about 2,5 – 3 hours, and you can taste many different dishes. The samples are not big but trust me; you will fill your stomach! While walking towards the places, the guide will take you sightseeing along your route and tell stories and tales about Venitian food recipes. This tour will take you to 8 different places where you will taste typical Venetian dishes, and it is a must for foodies.
Cicchetti is a kind of Venetian tapas and a tour of its own. This tour goes to five different wine bars where you can taste the tapas and wine. Check prices and times for food tours or Cicchetti and wine tour
Murano and Burano Islands – gems of Venetian Lagoon
Island of Murano
Murano Island is well known worldwide for its glass-blowing craft. If interested, you can visit operating factories, blow your glass, or buy whatever is already made. In 1925, all the glass-blowing factories were moved from Venice to Murano to preserve the city from the fires often caused by the factories. Another reason for running the factories out of Venice was to protect the art from unwanted eyes and ears. The glass masters were forced to live on the island and couldn’t leave the city without a special pass. It is a charming island, but be aware of the scammers. Book your glass-blowing tour through the Viator or Get your guide. A tip – if you want to buy Venetian glass, you can do it in Venice at half price.
Island of Burano
Have you seen the colorful images of Burano flourishing on the Internet? They are all true! Burano Island is stunning! Such vibrancy and colors in one little spot! You don’t need a guided tour to either of the islands, but I recommend taking a private boat tour instead of public transportation. We had to change boats, and it was difficult to navigate and read timetables due to poor language skills on the islands, but the boats were overfilled, and unless you could stand right next to the gangway, you wouldn’t be able to see the views either. Burano Island is known for its needlelace craft, leaning tower, and colorful houses. You don’t need more than a few hours to explore Murano and Burano Islands.
Lido island
Lido Island is another famous island in the Venice lagoon. It is a sandbank, and the island is known for the Venice Film Festival and beach. The Venice festival takes place between the end of August and the beginning of September, together with Berlin and Cannes, two of the major three festivals in Europe. The festival is the oldest of its kind and was started in 1932. During the festival, you may spot celebrities on Lido Island. On the north tip of the island – the actual Lido, you will find a casino, a few luxury hotels, great restaurants, and cool nightlife. Lido Island is where the Venice Film Festival takes place. You can get to Lido by hopping on and off the water bus.
If you have been to Venice in Italy before, why not take time to explore the best beaches and get away from the cruise crowds?
Lido Beach on the island of Lido in the lagoon of Venice
Venice Carnival
The Venice Carnival takes place in February, and exact dates depend on Easter dates.
How fun would hiring a costume and walking around the city pretending to be somebody else? Imagine the colors, the masks, and the vibes. Most Carnival events are free to attend. St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) is the central hub of Carnival celebrations with daily parades, pageants, and other activities. If you wish to attend a masquerade ball or a gala dinner, you should check different types of parties and prices. I picture the Venice Carnival as a fairytale whether you are attending free activities or a masquerade ball. To get an overview, you can read Mila’s post from Worldtravelconnector on Carnival in Venice and Venetian Carnival Masks.
One-day itinerary for a day tripper
If you are coming off a cruiser for a one-day exploration in Venice, your choices are slightly reduced. We spent three days in Venice, and if I can give you my humble opinion, I would book a guided tour to San Marco Basilica, Doge Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. The tour will take approximately 2 hours, and you will still have time for other activities. He/she will tell you stories and legends of Venice and guide you past the queue lines. After the tour, you can visit San Marco Campanile for great views of the Venice lagoon and San Marco Square.
Another option is to take a street food tour. This way, you will see most of Venice’s attractions, get some interesting stories about Venice, and taste local cuisine. If you are a foodie, you can read our post on our food tour in Hong Kong – it was terrific.
Remember to sit down and have a Spritz no matter how much time you have in Venice. Spritz Aperol is considered a Venetian drink, but the Venetians did not invent it. They found the original drink lacking character, so they added liqueurs; thus, the Venetian SPRITZ was born.
The typical recipe is:
1/5 Aperol (Select or Bitter)
3/5 White Wine
1/5 Sparkling water or Seltz
A peel of lemon or orange, green olive, and salted snacks.
The drink is too bitter for my taste, so I usually stick to Prosecco, produced around Venice.
And two last things – get the Venetian Carnival Mask, and don’t bring your high hills. We got our masks in the Ca’ Macana atelier. We could decorate our masks any way we liked if we had found this atelier sooner and had more time. The variety of masks and colors will take your breath away, just as Venice will still your heart. As for the shoes – you will not need them. The cobblestone streets, the bridges, and all the walking will make your high hills kill your feet.
I hope you will have a fantastic time, just as we did! Remember to get your authentic Venetian Carnival mask and have fun in Venice.
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