I definitely had a love hate relationship with Venice for the short time that I was there. I had hyped up Venice in my mind to be the picture-perfect Pinterest images. It’s not that I didn’t like Venice, on the contrary. It’s utterly beautiful. It is such a unique place with a rich heritage, one of a kind architecture, wonderful Italian charm, and stunning beauty around every corner. As someone who daydreams about moving to each city, it was strange to not have that feeling in Venice. Venice is a city like no other – and that is not an understatement – it is truly a magical floating city.
What we saw (did):
Palazzo Ducale/ Doge’s Palace: Home to the largest oil paintings in the world, visiting this museum was a great way to learn about Venetian history throughout the past. The palace is the epitome of Venice’s architectural glamour. You’ll even have the opportunity to walk through the famous bridge of sighs. The tickets were a little pricier ($20 per person) but I’m always willing to pay for a museum. And the coffee at the museum café was delicious!
St. Mark’s Square and Basilica: This square is easily one of the most photographed places in Europe, it is a must. My mouth dropped when I saw the 45,000 feet of mosaics inside the church! They do not allow photography inside the Basilica, but I did not mind because I was so enthralled with the magical architecture. I was starting to get a neck ache from staring at the ceiling for the long amount of time.
Rialto Bridge: This is the most iconic bridge that crosses the grand canal. One of the city’s most recognizable landmarks, it can be packed with tourists. I suggest waking up early and walking along the famous bridge when it’s less crowded and snap some photos of the grand canal from the top.
Liberia Acqua Alta: Located in Sestiere Castello, Liberia Acqua Alta is one of the most original bookstores in the world. Selling vintage and new books, this place is literally filled with books from floor to ceiling, displayed in boats, gondolas, and bathtubs. Make sure to squeeze around back for a photo op!
Explore the canals: There is no better way to discover Venice than to walk around and explore the tiny charming alleys and canals and watch the locals going about their daily businesses. Getting lost in the maze of the canals, popping into a few churches and coffee shops is the best way to get an authentic feeling for Venice. Wandering the canals was when I took the majority of my photographs for Instagram.
Burano: If you’re planning a trip to Venice, make sure to designate one day to visit the beautiful and colorful island of Burano. Even though Burano is part of the lagoon of Venice, it feels like you are visiting a completely different place. While Venice is packed with tourists, has narrow alleys, and is mostly warm earth colors, Burano is much more spacious, has wider walkways, and every house is painted a different vibrant color. I loved the laid-back vibe of being in an old fishing village. The fisherman painted their homes with vibrant colors to help them find their way home after a long day at sea and the tradition has continued today. We bought a day ticket (14 euros each) on the vaparrato (water taxi). Even though it rained the entire day it was worth traveling to see the famous multicolored island.
What we ate:
Farini: We stumbled across this cute café after smelling fresh bread from the street and we ended up eating the best pizza I’ve ever had in Italy. The crispy pizza crust straight from the oven alone will have you coming back for more! We met fellow Americans in line and they were ranting and raving about Farini, but especially the lasagna, which was also outstanding. My sister and I went back for breakfast the next morning to try their pastries and they were out of this world! If you’re looking for a quick, cheap, and delicious meal or snack make sure you stop into Farini!
Layover Tips:
Be aware that many restaurants in Venice charge a seating fee (a cover charge) that’s often written in Italian in small print at the bottom of your bill.
Restaurants are fairly expensive so you’ll need to actively seek out budget restaurants
Wake up early and stay out late! The crowds during the day are sometimes unbearable due to the cruise ships in port. I suggest waking up early to explore Venice, take an afternoon nap, and then continue during the evening and night.
There are NO cars in Venice. If you’re expecting to be dropped off at your hotel, be prepared to drag your suitcase across cobblestone streets and bridges.
Do NOT rely on Google Maps in Venice. Most of the street names repeat several times so buy a paper map.
Eat seafood! Venice is coastal, so this is the perfect opportunity to try fresh seafood.
