Welcome to the beautiful city of Venice, where history is told through the canals and buildings. That look like they were built hundreds of years ago. Venice is full of fantastic. From relaxing boat rides to lively funfair celebrations.
You can feel like you're in a romantic movie as you ride a boat through the pretty canals. Look at the beautiful buildings and bridges that line the waterways. The city's streets are like mazes, and you'll find secret parks, cute shops, and cosy cafes. That make you want to stop and enjoy the atmosphere.
But Venice is more than just its cute streets and famous gondolas. The city comes to life every year during Carnival, a beautiful show of masks, costumes and big parties. That draws people in with its lively energy and deep cultural history.
Explore the beautiful St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. Learn about Venice's interesting past. Enjoy the city's wonderful food by eating fresh seafood. Traditional Venetian food in both traditional osterias and top-notch restaurants.
Come along with us as we explore more of Venice's cool sides, finding secret gems, off-the-beaten-path activities, and one-of-a-kind cultural encounters that make this city a must-see.
The enchanting gondola rides of Venice
Gondola ride in Venice are romantic and should be on everyone's list of things to do while they're there.
Gondoliers are skilled people who can steer these famous boats easily as you drift along the calm canals. As you relax on the gondola, you can enjoy stunning views of the city's architecture.
Such as the famous Rialto Bridge and the charming palazzos that line the rivers. There is a soothing sound of the water splashing against the boat.
Remember to take a picture of this moment that you will never forget. This will help you make memories that will last a lifetime.
If you want an unforgettable experience, book a private boat ride at sunset.
When the sky is golden and the city is lit up with a beautiful glow. Once the sun goes down, watch as Venice turns into a fairy tale world.
The sparkling lights bouncing off the water create a dreamlike atmosphere. Taking a boat ride is a must-do in Venice, whether you're travelling with a loved one or by yourself.
Exploring the famous landmarks of Venice
The past of Venice is very deep, and the city is full of amazing buildings.
The beautiful Byzantine St. Mark's Basilica is one of the city's most famous features. When you go inside, you can be amazed by the beautiful murals that cover the walls.
They show scenes from the Bible and show off the city's rich religious history. Ascend the Campanile di San Marco, the bell tower next to the church, for a wide view of the city's roofs and the lagoon's sparkling water.
There is also the Doge's Palace that you should see. The beautiful Gothic building used to be the home of the Doge of Venice. Who was the most important person in the city.
As you walk across the Bridge of Sighs and look around the fancy rooms filled with valuable art. Learn about the past of the Venetian Republic.
The well-known rooms are also inside the house. That's where Casanova used to be locked up. Go for a walk with a guide to learn about the stories and secrets that are tucked away in these old walls.
The Rialto Bridge, which spans the Grand Canal and links the busy neighbourhoods of San Marco and San Polo. Another famous landmark in Venice.
This stone bridge has a lot of shops that sell everything from Murano glass to beautiful jewellery. You can look at the detailed design of the bridge.
When you cross the bridge, take a moment to enjoy the view of the gondolas moving below you and all the action going on around the canal.
Popular things to do in Venice
Besides taking boat rides and seeing famous sites.
Venice in Italy has a lot of other things to do for all kinds of travellers. You can see modern art at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Which is kept in the famous art collector's old home. As you walk through the beautiful park with its view of the Grand Canal, you can admire the work of artists like Picasso, Pollock, and Dalí.
La Fenice is one of the most famous opera places in Italy. To get a feel for Venetian culture.
Go see a show there. Experience the world of classical music and opera by seeing shows by the best artists in the world in a beautiful setting.
The Punta della Dogana is a museum of modern art in an ancient customs building.
If you like modern art, you should go there. Check out shows that will make you think and find art by some of the most important modern artists from around the world.
Must-try Venetian dishes and culinary delights
When you go to Venice, you have to try some of the city's delicious food.
The marine past of Venice can be seen in the food, which is full of fresh seafood and has its own unique flavours.
A traditional cicchetti crawl is a great way to start your food adventure. You can try small plates of tasty Venetian tapas while drinking a glass of local wine.
Hop from one bacaro (a traditional Venetian wine bar) to another in the Rialto area's narrow streets and try treats like sarde in saor (marinated sardines) and baccalà mantecato (creamy salted cod).
For a heavier meal, try rice al nero di seppia. A popular Venetian dish made with black squid ink that looks as good as it tastes.
You can eat sarde in saor, which is stewed sardines with onions, raisins, and pine nuts.
You can try bigoli in salsa, which is thick noodles that look like spaghetti and are served with a tasty anchovy and onion sauce.
Finish your meal with a sweet treat, like a slice of tiramisu or a traditional Venetian fritole. Which are small fried cakes covered in powdered sugar.
For a great way to end your Venetian meal, enjoy your dessert with a cup of rich Italian espresso.
What should you not miss in Venice
There are a lot of things to see and do in Venice, but there are a few must-sees.
To get a different view of Venice, take a vaporetto (water bus) ride along the Grand Canal.
Which is the city's main street. Along the canal, you can look at the palazzos and other historic buildings.
Get off at the colourful island of Burano, which is known for its bright homes and elaborate lace-making customs.
The island of Giudecca is a great place to get away from the crowds and find a secret gem. It's only a short vaporetto ride from Venice's main islands.
Explore the streets that aren't as busy, take your time at one of the restaurants on the water, and enjoy the beautiful views of the city skyline.
If you like art, you have to go to the Accademia Galleries.
This well-known art gallery has a large collection of paintings from Venice from the 1400s to the 1800s, with pieces by famous artists like Titian, Veronese, and Tintoretto.
Shopping in Venice - unique souvenirs and local products
Venice is a great place to shop because it has so many unique items and local goods. There are many shops selling different things on the busy streets around the Rialto Bridge.
These shops sell everything from jewellery made of Murano glass to masks that were made by hand.
The Mercerie is a shopping street that runs from St. Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge. Take a walk along it and look at the shops and brand stores that are all along it.
If you want to really experience shopping in Venice, go to the island of Murano.
Which is known for its beautiful art. Watch skilled artists make complicated glass pieces in their workshops, and then look around the shops for one-of-a-kind glass sculptures, jewellery, and home goods.
If you want to remember your time in Venice in a unique way, don't forget to buy a traditional mask.
What should you not do in Venice
It's important to be aware of the local culture and customs while you're visiting Venice.
People don't like it when people feed birds in St. Mark's Square because it makes them unhappy and can damage the old buildings.
Do not damage or throw away trash near the city's historical places and structures. Watch out for what's going on around you and don't block the small streets and bridges so that locals and other tourists can easily get through.
Also, keep in mind that the city's environment is very fragile.
Don't use single-use plastics, and throw away your trash the right way. You could use a water bottle that you can reuse and fill it up at one of the many public water stations in the city.
