VENICE TRAVEL GUIDE: 35 Things to Do in Venice, Italy
Places to See | Where to Shop | Where to Stay | Restaurants Serving Traditional Food | Transportation
CITY
Venice is a lagoon city that is known for its canal, gondolas, music and, architecture—they all define love and romance. The canal has been featured in numerous films and documentarie.
MONEY
Euro is the currency used in Italy.
LANGUAGE
People in Venice speak Italian.
WEATHER
July and August are the hottest months in Venice, with highest temperatures averaging 83 °F (28 °C). December to February are the coldest months; average high temperatures are around 45°F (7 °C).
PLACES TO SEE IN VENICE
GRAND CANAL & A GONDOLA RIDE
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A Gondola ride in the grand canal appears to be the main attraction for many tourists. As appealing as this is, gondola rates are high. Each gondola ride will cost you €80, however, you can share a ride with other people, a maximum of six people in each gondola. The rates are set by the city's officials, therefore, it is almost impossible to find a cheaper gondola. If you just want a cruise in the canal, bigger boats and ferries are available and cost must less.
SAN GIACOMO DI RIALTO
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This gothic looking Church was built in the 15th century and attracts tourists as they pass through the narrow streets of Venice. When you enter the church, you will be met with beautifully painted walls; you are allowed to take a seat and join the congregation for prayers.
BASILICA DEI FRARI
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Basilica dei Frari is a church located in San Polo’s Campo dei Frari. The bell tower of Frari is a beauty and adds ambiance to the church. Visiting hours are 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Saturday. On Sundays and festive days, the church is open from 1 pm to 6 pm.
THE RIALTO BRIDGE
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Another top attraction in Venice is the Rialto Bridge, one of the oldest bridges in the canal. Locally, it is known as Ponte di Rialto. The bridge is also the point of meeting for San Polo and San Marco districts.
SAINT MARK’S BASILICA & ST MARK'S SQUARE
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Piazza San Marco, known in English as St Mark’s Square, is an important square in Venice that has proven to be so popular and undeniable—it is known as ‘the square’. The square is the domain that harbors the mighty St Mark's Basilica and St Mark's Campanile. People who visit Venice will most likely have the basilica on their bucket lists.
CHIESA DEI SANTI APOSTOLI
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Chiesa dei Santi Apostoli is a Roman Catholic church in Venezia with a beautiful bell tower which was originally constructed in the year 600. Over the years it has been fixed and remodeled after being destroyed by natural elements, at some point a hurricane.
SAN GIOVANNI CRISOSTOMO CHURCH
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This bright orange church is located in the Cannaregio neighborhood. Built in 1080, the church as been rebuilt a few times over the years mainly because of fire. It attracts a good number of people who visit Venice.
PALAZZO DUCALE
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This gothic like palace was where the duke lived. There are rumors that this is where traitors were interrogated. If you find such history interesting, this palazzo is for you.
SAN GEREMIA CHURCH
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The church of San Geremia is another attraction of Venice, but most importantly a sanctuary for people seeking to pray. The church is perfectly positioned—it faces the beautiful grand canal.
PONTE DI CALATRAVA
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Ponte di Calatrava - this is a glass bridge built over the grand canal in 2008. The first bridge built over the canal in 75 years.
BRIDGE OF SIGHS & DOGE’S PALACE
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Locally known as Ponte dei Sospiri, the Bridge of Sighs is probably one of the most beautiful sights in Venezia. Some of the most stunning photographs captured of Venice feature the Bridge of Sighs. Built in the 1600’s, the bridge is made of white limestone and connects the Doge’s Palace to the new prison. Tourists stop by Doge's Palace to admire the great architecture.
OTHER PLACES TO SEE IN VENICE
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Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a must-see attraction
Visit Gallerie dell'Accademia, a museum of art
See opera at Teatro La Fenice
Visit Ca' d'Oro palace
Peggy Guggenheim Collection is a museum of modern art
Santa Maria della Salute is a Roman Catholic Church that is worth a visit
Ca' Rezzonico museum
The Museo Correr is a civic museum
San Simeon Piccolo is the building with a green dome that will greet you as you exit the Venice train station
Triennale: Art and design museum
Basilica di San Lorenzo: Church from the 4th century that has ancient mosaics
San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore: Church whose artworks and frescos put it on the Milan map
Piazza Mercanti: Markets and singing artists fill this square
Porta Garibaldi: An old city gate in Milan
Santa Maria delle Grazie is a church that has Da Vinci’s Last Supper
DAY TRIPS FROM VENICE
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DAY TRIP TO VERONA
If there is a place you must visit when you go to Venice—Verona. Verona is where you will find Casa Di Giulietta, Juliet’s House—as portrayed by Shakespeare, the writer of Romeo and Juliet. While in Verona, be sure to visit the Roman Arena, which was built in the 1st century AD and now has become an opera house that sits 30,000 people.
DAY TRIP TO MILAN
Milan is approximately an hour and a half from Venice if you take the fast train. If you are into fashion, Milan is the place to visit. Designer brands in extravagant shopping malls, small boutiques lining up in the narrow streets—every shop has a unique fashion perspective to offer. Take a glimpse of the almighty Duomo Cathedral while you are there.
TORCELLO ISLAND
Small but busy with tourists and sun seekers, Torcello Island is perfect for a quick getaway from Venice. A few attractions pull a crowd of admirers—Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta is one of them.
DAY TRIP TO LAKE GARDA
Lake Garda is the largest Italian lake that is surrounded by nature and beautifully designed colorful houses. You can take a bus or train. You may choose to go to the nearest point as you are coming from Venice; if however, you are looking for adventure and popular spots along the lake, Punta San Vigilio is one of best and sought after beaches. Sirmione town equally stands as one of the best places near Lake Garda.
SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE
Another island to admire is San Giorgio Maggiore. With the Palladian Church being one of the top attractions, you will have good sights to see.
DAY TRIP TO MURANO ISLAND
If you are into glasses and want to know how they are made and formed into different shapes, go to Murano island. There are ferries in Venice that take people over.
SHOPPING IN VENICE, ITALY
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LE MERCERIE
Basically, there is a spot between Piazza San Marco and Ponte di Rialto which is made up of shopping streets—this popular spot is Le Mercerie. The area is mainly occupied with well-known designer shops such as Gucci, etc, however, local boutiques are also located here.
SALIZADA SAN MOISÈ
Salizada San Moisè is another shopping street very close to Piazza San Marco. Again, top brands, as well as local small brands share the shopping space.
T FONDACO DEI TEDESCHI
This shopping mall has all kinds of shops—both high end and reasonably priced shops. Cafes and restaurants are also placed well to offer you Italian food and drinks—it’s a good Italian experience.
CALLE LARGA XXII MARZO
This street is filled with high-end boutiques. The big fashion household names are located here; as well as all sorts of local fashion boutiques.
SAN SAMUELE
San Samuele is known for its crafts and textiles shops. One would love the unique Italian fabric. You will also find jewelry and accessories shops that are unique.
MERCATO DI RIALTO
This market near the Rialto bridge is over a thousand years old. Popular for its fresh fish and other local food ingredients. The market is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 7:30 am to noon. Monday and Sunday the market is closed.
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WHERE TO STAY IN VENICE
5 Star: Palazzo Veneziano ($260 a night)
4 Star: Hotel Bellini Venezia ($175 a night)
3 Star: B&B San Giacomo Venezia ($110 a night)
VENICE RESTAURANTS SERVING TRADITIONAL FOOD
VENICE RESTAURANTS SERVING TRADITIONAL FOOD
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Cantina do Spade: A restaurant on the Rialto bridge and opened in 1448. They serve perfect Cicchetti among other delicious foods.
Poste Vecie: Venice’s oldest restaurant near the Rialto market. It used to be a post office way back before it was turned to this traditional old restaurant. They serve a good spider crab meat meal here.
Ai Mercanti: A lot of casual and late night food is served here. Located at Calle Fuseri 4346/a it remains one of the popular casual food spots.
VENICE FOOD
Pasta Alla Granseola: Spider crab meat and long noodles, olive oil, white wine, brandy, etc.
Cicchetti: Finger foods of different kinds. Some are made of fish—sardines, crow fish, flour, onions, and vinegar; another kind of Cicchetti is made of meatballs salami, eggs, and breadcrumbs. Cicchetti is usually paired with a glass of wine.
Beef Carpaccio: Invented in Venice in the 1950’s. Raw paper thin sliced beef is served with a few leaves, Parmesan cheese, and herbs. Deer or fish can be used instead of beef.
Tiramisu: A dessert made of ladyfingers biscuits dipped in espresso coffee for a few seconds, creamy cheese, egg white, and cocoa.
