1. Take a Gondola Ride Through the Canals
If you don’t do anything else in Venice, you must take a gondola ride! There are so many Gondoliers waiting at the dock, so no need to book in advance (unless you have a large group). The ride is about $80 in total for 30 minutes. There are also options for longer rides. We grabbed snacks and wine before our ride. Our tour was so relaxing! The Gondola floats along the canals passing by areas that we would not have seen otherwise. The tour included passing by Casanovas house, Marco Polo’s house and much more. Although touristy, this was a bucket list item for me and I’m glad I had the chance to experience it.
2. Visit the Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge, built in 1588-1591 is the oldest of 4 bridges on the Grand Canal in Venice and is one of the most famous bridges in Italy. It connects the neighborhoods of San Marco and San Polo. The bridge has been rebuilt over the years but it’s arched, stone structure is still standing strong. You can walk across the bridge, or view it while riding down the grand canal. If you choose to walk across, there are shops and restaurants along both sides of the bridge. We found street pasta that was the best we had on our entire trip to Italy! I advise visiting early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid large tourist crowds.
3. Shop at a Small Neighborhood Market
I walked around Venice for hours. Most of the time I had no idea what neighborhood I was in. There are so many bridges and hidden walkways so it was hard to keep track. The small markets were great for buying snacks and fruit along the way. I found unique souvenirs as well. Of course there are large and popular markets, but I was happy to get away from other tourists. I didn’t have to wait in any long lines or walk slowly trying to fight through any crowds.
4. Visit the Palazzo Ducale (Museum)
The Palazzo Ducale is one the main landmarks in Venice and is located in Saint Mark’s Square. The beautiful Venetian, Gothic Style building was built in 1340. It was traditionally used to house the Doge’s and was the official residence of the Doges in Venice. It also served as the meeting place for the governing councils and ministries of the republic. In addition, the courtrooms and the prison were located here as well. The Ducale caught fire a few times over the years and by 1923 it became a museum. The intricate detail in the design is breathtaking. There is so much to see in the museum and I was told that it looks very similar to how it looked centuries ago. I highly recommend visiting. The cost to enter is only about $33.
5. Visit Saint Mark’s Basilica
Saint Mark’s Basilica is located at the end of Saint Mark’s Square. It is an enormous Gothic style Basilica and is a main tourist attraction in Venice. It’s absolutely gorgeous! I advise purchasing the skip the line tickets to avoid long wait times. Also note, any large bags or backpacks will need to be checked as they are not allowed inside. This is one of the most important basilicas in Italy as the bones of Saint Mark are held inside. Unfortunately, you can not take any photos inside of the beautiful building, but the visuals are so stunning and unique and the memories will remain with you.
Helpful Information
- Official Language: Italian
- Currency: The Euro. $1 USD = 1.09 Euros. Credit cards are accepted almost everywhere, but you may want local currency for shopping at the markets, or to pay for a gondola rides etc.. Be sure to contact your credit card company/bank regarding fees and limitations prior to traveling.
- Climate: Summer – Warm and Humid, Winter- Cold.
- Best time to visit: April-June and September. Season to avoid– October-January is high tide season and there is usually some flooding . Be sure to check for the low tide season as the canals are low and dryer during this time.
- Time Zone: Central European Time
- Transportation: Walking, water bus/taxi, Gondola, Bicycle
- Plan to stay for at least 2 days.
- Safety– I never once felt unsafe. This does not change the fact that there still may be some crime. I advise to always travel in groups. Be aware of surroundings and pay attention to people. Try not to get too intoxicated as this can hinder ability to notice any potential threat or problem. Always check the travel advisory info on the US Embassy website.
