When it comes to traveling in Italy, all travelers are excited about Venice, where you can find some of the most beautiful landscapes, authentic art and festive parties in Europe. Explore Venice with me by putting these 7 must-dos onto your bucket list!
1. Watch the sunset from a bridge
Venice and its famous romanticism is popular for its numerous bridges and canals around the city. The experience of watching the sunset from a bridge here is amazing, and you need to know where the best viewpoints are found. Some of the most crowded spots are at the Rialto Bridge and the Ponte degli Scalzi. Punta della Dogana is also a famous viewpoint, where you can see many see many surrounding islands in the distance. For the best sunset view of Venice, come to the famous Grand Canal (see the accompanying photograph).
2. Take a vaporetto
The local water bus lines in Venice are called vaporetto. Using the waterway public transportation here is also another way of sightseeing different areas around Venice. Although still reasonably expensive, it is cheaper than booking a boat tour. A ticket for a vaporetto ride may cost as high as 7.5 EUR (roughly 8.5 USD) for a single ticket and 20 EUR (about 22.5 USD) for a full day ticket with unlimited rides for 24 hours from the time of validation.
3. Visit Murano to see the famous Venetian glass
Venice city is made of 9 lagoon islands in total, including the famous Murano, which is well-known as the glass making centre. You can take a vaporetto to Murano to see artisans make this special glass. The artisans here have developed these techniques for centuries and you can see it for free. Keep in mind that buying a souvenir made of real Murano glass can be quite expensive.
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4. Get your own mask for the Venice Carnival
Another thing Venice is famous for is certainly handmade masks. There are plenty of mask shops around the city. Many of the shops offers products imported from Asia or South America. However, at La Vetrinetta, Carta Alta, Bluemoon Venice and Vivo Mask you can find handmade Venetian masks. During Carnival, the locals love putting on their masks and costumes to walk around Venice. Joining big masquerade parties and competitions during the Venice Carnival is awesome!
5. Enjoy pizza in a local restaurant
It goes without saying that Italy is the country of pizza, pasta and gelato. You will find some of the best pizza in Venice at OKE restaurant in Dorsoduro, near the Arsenal area. This restaurant has a lively atmosphere, great music and unique contemporary design. The pizzas here are excellent and homemade, though the prices are a bit higher than usual if you want to dine inside the restaurant or at its outdoor tables. If you are traveling on a budget it is cheaper to order the pizza for takeaway.
6. Experience the local nightlife
For young people, there are multiple locations for a great night out in Venice. The area around Campo Santa Margherita is good for parties before 12 AM. Afterwards, you should spend the night along Strada Nuova. There are many small bars all over this area. Italians love drinking outside in big squares or in front of small bars. Don’t forget to taste different wines, as Italy produces some of the best wines in Europe. Spritz, a wine-based cocktail made of prosecco, is also a must-try!
7. Stay in a hotel with a roof-top terrace
For couples, a romantic stay in Venice cannot be fulfilled without staying at a hotel, such as Gabrielli Hotel, with a view of the waterfront from the window. Imagine waking up seeing the beautiful canals of Venezia from a rooftop cafe whilst drinking a cappuccino or espresso with your lover. What can be more romantic than that?
Tips you need to know about traveling in Venice
There are numerous things to do as both a visitor and a local in Venice. Keep in mind that during Carnival, Venice can be exciting but the main attractions are extremely crowded, making it difficult to get around quickly. Avoid staying long in Venice during this time if you don’t like crowds. The typical streets of Venice are very narrow and similar to each other, making it easier for visitors to get lost. Thus, bring paper map or download the offline map to your phone. Also, I recommend carrying the smallest luggage possible because you will need to walk and climb many stairs before reaching your hotel. In Italy, many shops and even grocery stores are closed on Sundays and Mondays, and especially early (around 7 PM) even during weekdays in Venice. Thus, don’t be surprised to find silence in some of the street corners outside the big squares.
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