If you are planning on traveling to Venice, Italy, then congratulations! You are about to head to one of the most beautiful and historic cities in all of Europe. If you are looking to fill up your itinerary before you jet off to Venice, then look no further. Here we’ll go over eight of the best things to do on your trip to Venice.
Explore
On your first day in Venice, we recommend you get right into exploring on foot. Venice is a small and compact enough city that you should be able to walk it in several hours. There are many smaller canals that go off the main path that many tourists will typically stay on. These places are great to wander into and allow you to experience the city more like a local. If you arrive before your accommodation is ready, use a place for luggage storage Venice, so you can begin exploring right away without dragging your bags around with you.
Additionally, try to get up in the early hours of the day to see the city. Many tourists will not be up yet and those who are taking a day trip have not yet arrived. This allows you to see the streets of Venice in a more surreal, calm and romantic way.
St. Mark’s Square
This open space is located in the heart of Venice. This is also a good central place to meet up with your travel buddies as you can access many of the other main attractions from here. Not to mention that this tends to be one of the best places to go people watching. Don’t forget to take in the unique and visually stunning architecture in this area.
St. Mark’s Basilica
Sitting close to St. Mark’s Square, this elaborate church is a must-see attraction for tourists from all over the world. This church was crafted from various different architectural styles and has a level of opulence that can only be seen in Italian architecture. Look out for the statue of St. Mark at the church’s center gable and the four bronze horses that guard the entrance.
Take a Gondola Ride
This may seem super touristy, but there is a good reason for that. Venice is known as the City of Canals, so you will definitely want to see the city from the canals while you are in town. And what better way to travel down the canals than by gondola? The average gondola ride will last around 30 minutes, but you are able to customize your experience depending on your preferences. Don’t miss out on this quintessential Venice staple.
The Rialto Bridge
You may be able to check out this popular spot on your gondola ride, but if you happen to miss it, you will want to plan to be there right around sunset. The view of the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge is stunning and even more so during sunset. You will enjoy the view of the city as well as all the boats and ferries traveling under. Trust us, you will not be disappointed with the views from this spot.
Check Out a Museum
Venice has inspired artists for hundreds of years. The architecture and canals have served as inspiration to some of the most recognizable works of art. There is no shortage of museums to choose from in Venice, but here are some of our favorites:
· Museo della Musica: a museum inspired by Italian music and located inside the Church of San Maurizio.
· Gallerie dell’Accademia: showcases renaissance paintings from 13th-17th centuries of Venice
· Ca’ Pesaro International Gallery: showcases modern Italian art from the 19th and 20th centuries.
Take a Cooking Class
Italian food is one of the most widely adored cuisines around the world. However, those of us from outside of Italy typically are preparing less than authentic versions of their historic recipes. If you want to learn to cook pasta and pizza like the real Italians do, then sign up for a cooking class. There is no better way to explore Venice’s culinary traditions than through the eyes of the local chefs. The skills you take home with you may just be your favorite Italian souvenir!
Explore the Bars and Restaurants
Now that you’ve learned how to cook Italian fare, don’t forget to sit back and enjoy the food and drinks that have been expertly prepared by local restaurants and bars. Venice obviously has no shortage of amazing food for you to explore, but you may be surprised to find that Venice has a bustling nightlife scene. After a long day of sightseeing make sure to check out a local wine or cocktail bar.
Venice Here We Come!
Your trip to Venice is sure to be a memorable one. With so much to see and do, you can’t overstay your welcome in this city. Make sure to add some of these great sights and experiences to your itinerary!
