My trip to Venice dates back to my childhood when I was barely in preschool. As a result, I don't remember much.
Then recently, I decided with my girlfriend, a very great adventurer like me, to let myself be carried away in this magnificent country that is Italy.
We saw cheap Easyjet tickets for a flight in August. So we took our backpack full of essentials and left for 2 weeks. Our first destination: Venise.
We made sure to visit the Floating City by going through the Must-sees of Venice, then we wanted to go further by looking for more unusual places to visit.
Visit Venice in 3 days allowed us to really immerse ourselves in the heart of the city, discover small hidden gems, and also better understand its history.
My objective here: to offer you my best advice and a practical guide to allow you to also fully enjoy an incredible trip to Venice!
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How do I get around Venice?
There are two ways to get around Venice: The ferry and on foot. That is all!
In my opinion, the combination of the two is perfect for optimizing your trips while taking the time to contemplate the small streets and canals.
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How to get around Venice: take a walk, and it's free!
There is nothing better to visit the Floating City than discovering it on foot. There is so much to do that it would be a shame not to get lost in the many alleys, and marvel at the architecture of the buildings during the Renaissance.
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How to get around Venice: by ferry as it is convenient to visit the islands around
You might think you could do everything in Venice on foot, but sometimes you have to take the ferry to reach other places that are not accessible by land.
The ferry is used as a means of transport to be able to travel almost everywhere around the city. But I recommend using it only if you are going to visit Murano and Burano, two popular and tourist islands known respectively for glass and silk.
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Travelling to Venice cheaply: my tips for saving on trips
- On the official site, you can already order your ferry pass to take advantage of this mode of transport. The pass lasts between 1 and 7 days depending on your choice. Moi I recommend the 1-day pass to do Burano and Murano.
- Then, I advise you to really Visit Venice on foot, because you will already find a lot to see and do, just by walking around the different neighborhoods.
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In 3 days, I only spent €25, price that corresponds to the 1-day ferry pass. For the rest, I did everything on foot!
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What to do in Venice? The essentials not to be missed!
Even having visited Venice for 3 days, I can assure you that there is really a LOT to see and do.
Unfortunately, I had to sort out the things I wanted to do and leave out some parts of the city.
But while there are many must-sees that should not be missed, I will give you 5 of them, and they are all concentrated in the same place:
- Saint Mark's Basilica
- The Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs
- The Saint-Marc Campanile and its square
- The Rialto bridge
- The cities of Murano and Burano
These historical monuments are surely what characterizes Venice from a historical and architectural point of view.
Saint Mark's Basilica
Saint Mark's Basilica is among the most beautiful basilicas I have visited in Italy, along with the Basilica of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and the Basilica of Saint Anthony in Padova.
By the way, do you know why Saint Mark's Basilica was built?
Imagine the scene: in the year 828, 2 Venetian merchants landed in Alexandria in Egypt with a very daring idea - to bring back the body of Saint Mark, an evangelist considered to be close to the apostles Peter and Paul. To avoid searches by Muslim soldiers, they chose to hide his body in a barrel covered with pork meat.
Once in Venice, these relics aroused so much excitement that the population decided to build a basilica in their name.
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Where can I buy Saint Mark's Basilica tickets?
You can book your tickets directly on the official site :
- Regular Price: €10
- Price for students and over 65: €5
- Price for children aged 0-10: free
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My advice: book your tickets in advance, because seats sell out very quickly!
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The Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs
Although I unfortunately did not have time to go inside, it is an essential place to visit because the Doge's Palace, although splendid from an architectural point of view, has a much darker history than you might think.
You should know that The Doge's Palace was simultaneously the seat of power, a court and a prison. The story goes that everywhere in the palace, mysterious “mouths of truth” awaited anonymous denunciations: people slipped a bill into the face sculpted with a grimacing mask to accuse one's neighbor, colleague or even a friend. The ticket then went to the Council of Ten, feared for their ruthless investigations.
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As for Bridge of Sighs, it was connected to the palace, and served as a corridor for the prisoners. On the bridge, you can see small windows: a reference to mean that all those who crossed it were condemned to no longer see the light of day, and with no return possible.
Paradoxically, this bridge also has another meaning, this time more joyful. It is said that two lovers who kiss under the bridge at sunset will love each other forever. Pretty nice isn't it?
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Where can I buy Doge's Palace tickets?
You can book your tickets directly on the official site :
- Normal rate: €25 if you book in advance within 30 days before your visit, €30 beyond 30 days
- Reduced price (child aged 4 to 14, young person/student, +65 years old): €13 if you book in advance within 30 days before your visit, €15 after 30 days
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My advice: you need to reserve a time slot to be able to visit the Doge's Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. In order to reduce your expenses, I advise you to book at least 1 month in advance.
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The Saint-Marc Campanile and its square
The view of St Mark's Campanile from the bottom is really spectacular. All you have to do is stand just below to realize how small you are in front of such a monument.
And if that's not enough, the city also lets you enjoy the view from the top of the tower. From up there, you can admire a magnificent view of Venice.
By the way, did you know that it collapsed one day...? It was July 14, 1902, without warning, the nearly 1000-year-old tower collapsed, reducing the Loggetta at its foot to dust. But in less than ten years, the bell tower was rebuilt by the Venetians. What you are going to admire from the Campanile today is therefore not the original tower, but its perfect replica.
Another Anecdote you need to know about Saint Mark's Square, is that it often undergoes periods called “acqua alta”, a phenomenon that occurs in autumn and winter, and which is manifested by the rise in the water level in the lagoon. As a result, part of the city is flooded, including the square. The record high ever reached was 1.90m in November 1966 !
The inhabitants then moved in boats where they usually had a coffee in the corner of the square.
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Where can I buy tickets for the Saint-Marc Campanile?
You can book your tickets directly on the official site :
- Normal rate: 15€
- Rate over 65 and students: €7.50
- Rate for children under 10: free
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The Rialto bridge
Even if it is only a simple bridge, what makes it really famous is in particular for its complex and successful architecture during the Renaissance period. It is also the first bridge to be built to cross the Grand Canal: the main way for boats and gondolas to pass.
Rialto bridge is composed of 3 alleys, one of which acts as a commercial alley where there are shops selling glassware, masks, souvenirs, as well as luxury shops.
Moreover, did you know that at the time, before this bridge was made of stone, the Rialto was just a simple wooden pontoon that regularly collapsed! It was only in the 16th century that the city of Venice then decided to rebuild it in a different way.
The project is so daring — a single gigantic stone arch — that many think it will never stand. It is even said that some were betting on its collapse on the day of the inauguration. And yet, since 1591, he has been proudly resisting.
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The cities of Murano and Burano
They are in fact two islands near Venice and can be reached by ferry in a few minutes. I particularly enjoyed Burano for its numerous brightly colored houses. As for murano, these will be the various glass shops where you can find artistic masterpieces.
To understand each of their stories a little more, you have to go back to the Middle Ages. It was at this time that The glassmakers of Venice all settled on the island of Murano. Officially, it was to avoid fires in the city because the ovens were dangerous. But the real reason was mainly to prevent these artisans from exporting their secrets. They were forbidden to leave Venice under pain of death, but in exchange, they lived almost like noblemen.
Burano is a fishing village where each house was painted in a bright color. It is said that this was for a very practical reason: fishermen, often shrouded in fog when returning from sea, could recognize their house from afar thanks to its bright colors.
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Visiting Venice off the beaten path: my personal recommendations
Beyond the main tourist sites I mentioned, I think that to really enjoy your trip to Venice, you sometimes have to explore off the beaten path.
For 3 days, I was able to find real gems that are worth a visit.
In this article, I will mainly tell you about two neighborhoods that I visited: Castello and Cannaregio.
As for the neighborhoods of San Polo, San Croce and Dorsoduro, even after staying 3 days in Venice, I was only able to visit a tiny part of what they have to offer. So I will make a list of the things I liked and give you other recommendations later.
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Stroll through the Castello district
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The Venetian Arsenal
To the east of the tourist district of San Marco is the Castello district. It is the district of sailors and artisans, one of whose places of worship is theArsenal.
From a historical point of view, this is where the shipyard was located, a figure of Venetian power at the time when the Venetians ruled the Mediterranean Sea. Did you know that at that time, artisans could Build a warship in a single day !
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Giuseppe Garibaldi Street
Further on, take a stroll along the Calle de Giuseppe Garibaldi, a wide, lively street with numerous authentic trattorias. Then at the end of the street, admire the magnificent small canal with the numerous boats lining the quays.
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The cathedral San Pietro di Castello
At the end of the canal, cross the Quintavale bridge to reach San Pietro di Castello, a small, very local island where calm and tranquility reign. If you walk a little, you will find The Basilica of San Pietro di Castello whose interior is filled with incredibly well-preserved frescoes. Know that before Saint Mark's Basilica became the main church of Venice, it was San Pietro di Castello that was the Official cathedral of the city.
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La Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo
On the way back, remember to make a stop at the Basilica of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, a very large Gothic building also nicknamed the “Pantheon of Venice”, because it is here that the Doges, the heads of the Republic of Venice, rest.
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Stroll through the Cannaregio district
The Cannaregio district is not one of the most touristy, and yet, I had the opportunity to have found some nice little places there.
Of course, I wasn't able to visit everything, but here's what I really recommend you visit if you're in the area, or if you still have time to spare.
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The church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Located not far from Rialto Bridge,Santa Maria dei Miracoli, also known as the “marble jewel” of Venice, lives up to its nickname.
Its construction is entirely made of marble, both from the outside and from the inside. Its more atypical architecture with spherical shapes makes this church one of the most beautiful masterpieces of the Renaissance.
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The Ca' d'Oro
It is called the “Golden House” because in the past, the facade of Ca' d'Oro was covered with gilding. Today, although this is no longer the case as can be seen in the photo, it is still very interesting to visit from the inside.
An interesting little story: in the 19th century, the famous ballerina Maria Taglioni, who was living at home at the time, decided to tear the marbles off the ground in order to be able to dance better. It was only in the 20th century that Baron Giorgio Franchetti decided to turn it into an art museum by installing his works there, which then bequeathed to the State.
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Visit Venice by night: a unique atmosphere away from the crowds
Staying in Venice also means seeing a different side of the city by day and by night. So if you are staying in the very heart of the Floating City, allow time to stroll through the streets at the end of the evening to discover a unique atmosphere away from the crowds.
Saint Mark's Square then becomes much friendlier, and you can relax on the quays to admire the boats and gondolas pass by in the distance with their small light.
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Where to eat in Venice?
We ate in 7 different places in Venice at very affordable prices. Each of these choices did not disappoint us at all, and on the contrary, I would like to recommend them here to give you your opinion!
- La Piazza : a highly rated restaurant with lots of customer feedback. We each had a pizza, a glass of Spritz Aperol, and a tiramisu to share. The price is fair and the setting is very friendly. Instead, go there in the evening for the atmosphere!
- Farini : a well rated pizzeria/bakery where we had breakfast. The price is very reasonable if you don't want to spend too much.
- SEPA : a fairly chic bistro that sells types of tapas individually. It includes fried foods, seafood and stuffed vegetables. The atmosphere is great because it feels like being in a real guinguette.
- We Love Italy Fresh Pasta Venice : If you want to eat pasta, it's over here. It's a bit like a fast-food restaurant, but upscale. It's a fairly small place with a few high tables. The prices are very affordable.
- Nevodi PizzaLab : a pizzeria that I really liked. The prices are really affordable and the quality is there. To eat your pizza to go, you can sit down at Giardini della Marinaressa, right next to the pizzeria.
- Pasticceria Ponte delle Paste : A local pastry shop where we tasted Italian pastries at a low price.
- Gelateria Gallonetto : How not to mention this incredible brand that sells Italian-style ice cream! The pistachio and hazelnut flavors are to die for. To go there without hesitation!
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Where to sleep in Venice?
For a better experience in the city of Venice, I recommend staying in the San Marco district, central heart for your visits.
For my part, we stayed in a small hotel in this neighborhood, and we found almost all the amenities nearby: supermarket, restaurant, visit, etc.
Otherwise, for even more tranquility and to be much less disturbed by the passage of boats and gondolas in the small canals, you can opt for the San Polo or Castello districts.
In general, As Venice is a very touristy city, the price of hotels is not always cheap. To do this, I also invite you to browse the map below to find the accommodation that best suits you from a quality/price point of view.
My advice before booking: look at the hotel's overall rating and the number of reviews. This will give you a more precise vision of its reliability from a customer experience point of view.
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What to do around Venice?
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Visit the city of Bologna after Venice
If you want to do like me, you can continue your way to Bologna, a city with Gothic architecture and famous for their famous “Tagliatelle al ragu”, or the “Lasagna al ragu”, two typical and local dishes. If you have 2 days ahead of you, so I recommend that you take a look around.
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Visit the city of Padova after Venice
For my part, I ended my two-week trip to Italy with a visit to the City of Padova. As a result, I do not regret visiting it at all, because it is a very charming and not very touristy city.
And yet, know that despite its size, Padova has something to attract attention with its magnificent paved streets, and above all, Its Saint-Antoine Basilica, a masterpiece of art in its midst that no one can match! A day is enough to be able to visit most of the city.
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Practical FAQ about Venice
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What is the best time to visit Venice?
We went to Venice during the summer month. In addition to having a lot of tourists, we also felt a lot of heat and humidity during our visits.
It is better not to leave during the autumn month because of the Acqua Alta, the period of flooding in the Floating City.
I think that for a better experience in Venice, Spring and winter are surely the best. In spring, the climate will be more pleasant, mild with much fewer tourists in summer. In winter, you will have the opportunity to discover the Venice Carnival, a very big event where the local population gathers for a masked ball.
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How many days does it take to visit Venice?
To really enjoy your stay in Venice Without regret, I must say that it would be necessary 4 days to do everything the city has to offer.
As far as I am concerned, we still enjoyed our 3-day stay in Venice very well. This is enough to see the highlights as well as to have time to stroll through the main neighborhoods.
At least, plan 3 days if you are planning your trip to Venice!
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Is Venice expensive?
As Venice is a very touristy city, we have to face the fact that the cost of living is not cheap either.
Accommodation is relatively expensive if you opt for classic hotels. Even for a low-end hotel, prices are around €80 per night.
If you want to stay cheaply, you will have to opt for hostels whose prices are around €40 per night.
Restaurants are also expensive, but it all depends on what you're looking for. Sometimes, you just have to do a good search to find places with very affordable prices, as we were able to do.
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What is the budget for traveling to Venice?
As a feedback, here are my daily expenses:
- Housing : €35 per night (€70 for 2 people)
- Food : 30€
- activities : €10 on average
- Travel : 8€
What caused us to spend 83€ per day.
I think that for the cost of living, it is a very good budget. Because we have not been private about expenses either.
Where expenses could have been reduced was in food. Because you can eat cheaply if you buy food at the supermarket.
For example, we made our own salad for lunch with less than €5 per person.
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Do activities need to be booked in advance?
Yes. For the simple and good reason that Venice is a tourist city. The local authorities then decided to restrict visits by planning visit time slots in order to better regulate the flow.
We made the mistake of doing everything at the last minute (although it's something I like to do to be flexible in my choices). And you had to wait for the next available slot to visit a place. Sometimes you had to wait until the next day to be able to visit it!
So my advice, book the most famous historical monuments in advance: Saint Mark's Basilica and The Doge's Palace to name but a few!
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