Venice is truly magical, romantic,and gorgeous. It’s the perfect spot to tour a historic city or relax by the seafront at a restaurant. It’s so intriguing to visit a city without a single car but full of gondolas and water taxis. It’s a place you won’t want to miss.
Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace is one of the main landmarks in Venice. It’s a stunning Venetian gothic style palace that housed the Doge of Venice. I don’t normally care for museums, but this was a very interesting place to visit. Not only do you get to visit the palace, but you also get to walk through the bridge of sighs (another popular landmark) and tour the dungeon. Between all of the art, architecture, and museum of real pieces from the palace, it’s a place you get to learn so much about! There are easy-to-read boards to explain the history, or if you prefer, there are audio tours available at the front office.
St.Mark’s Basilica and Square
Oh my goodness! Spectacular! If you go to Venice, you won’t miss this square. It’s one of the most common places to visit and also connected to the Doge’s Palace. Once you enter the large square, you are immediately introduced to a huge gaudy looking church. St.Mark’’s Basilica has been modified a lot over the years, and today has a Greek cross base with five domes. This basilica is very different from others across Italy but not in a bad way. When I walked in, my mouth dropped. It’s covered in gold mosaics that were each handcrafted. I just couldn’t believe it! There may be a slight line to get into the church, but it’s very worth the wait. My opinion is to go first thing in the morning for a smaller crowd and wait time.
Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge will always hold a special place in my heart because I had to carry my huge suitcase up and down the Rialto bridge, and it was one of the most brutal experiences I had in Venice… hahaha. In all seriousness, you won’t want to miss seeing the Rialto Bridge. It’s on the path to many things in Venice and offers some stunning views. It’s the oldest bridge spanning the Grand Canal in Venice and has a great atmosphere. My suggestion is to eat at a restaurant right by the bridge so you can watch the gondolas go under the bridge. It just adds to the romance of this city!
Librería Acqua Alta
Libreria Acqua Alta is a bookstore off the beaten path that captures the charm of Venice. This bookstore features a lot of vintage titles along with unique displays. The reason I was drawn to go see this bookstore is because they have a unique way of protecting the books from constant flooding. The books are placed in bathtubs, waterproof bins, and even a gondola to protect the books inside the store. It’s a unique little store to go see if you have the time to explore! You may even run into a few stray cats that like to sit atop the books.
Gondola Ride
A Gondola ride is a bucket list experience when you are in Venice! A Gondola ride typically lasts 40 minutes. It’s around 80 euros during the day and 100 euros in the evening. With that being said, don’t be afraid to bargain. For example, I went to Italy in the winter when it was a much slower time for them. They were offering rides for about 60 euros, and we probably could have gone even cheaper. If you have the funds to ride a Gondola, it’s something you don’t want to miss because it will capture some of the romantic essence of Venice!
Airbnb Experiences
During my time in Italy, I learned that Airbnb experiences were the way to go! We met so many lovely people on these experiences and some of the best local tour guides. There are so many options for tours in Venice. Here are just a few that I had time to do. Always remember to look at reviews and find the tour that best fits your needs and wants!
