The best way to visit Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy
A walk through Europe: a series of European city breaks
Quick COVID-19 resources for Italy: Ministerial website – Re-open EU – Restrictions on travel from third countries to the EU
Venice has been one of those places that has been on my list for quite some time. I mean who does not want to go to Venice? There is something dreamy about the city – the architecture, the colors, the art and history, the gondolas. It is the floating city. I finally got to tick it off my European city bucket list when I visited in the summer of 2019. Because of certain time constraints, I only spent one full day in Venice and stayed at Hotel Canaletto. I arrived late at night and I was a little bit on edge as I manoeuvred through the streets of Venice, having to take many not so well lit side streets. It was just so dark and you did not know what to expect with each turn. In the end, I made and safe and sound but bear in mind if you are arriving at night, your accommodation might be located away from the main streets which are not always well lit.
GETTING AROUND
Venice Marco Polo Airport – city center:
– Duration: 20 minutes, non-stop ride to Piazzale Roma
– Price: Є8 one-way and Є15 round trip (open return)
– Features: equipped with AC, on board Wifi and baggage storage (overhead and under the bus for larger luggage)
– Tickets can be bought beforehand online or at ones of the machines in the arrival hall of the airport
– Duration: 20-25 minutes with a few stops terminating in Piazzale Roma
– Price: Є8 one-way and Є15 round trip
– Tickets can be bought beforehand online or at the stand outside the airport
With the same price point, I recommend going with the ATVO express bus giving you optimal comfort as taking the ACTV bus might also mean limited seats and luggage space.
Within the city center:
– From Piazzale Roma, you can continue your journey to your accommodation using the Vaparetto
– Multiple lines to suit your needs – around Venice, around the outside of Venice and across the lagoon to other islands
– Price: Є7.50 one way (passes available for 24h, 48h or 72h trips)
WHAT TO SEE + DO
As I only had one day, I really wanted to get a feel of the city and one of the best ways to do this is to wander in and out of the streets of Venice, in other words, walking just about everywhere. [If you travel with me, you better have endurance, some strong legs and mind because walking is my number one choice as it is both cheap and it is the best way of visiting a place.]
PIAZZA SAN MARCO
The hotel I stayed at was located about a 3-minute walk away from Piazza San Marco so naturally that is where I started my day. No matter which side you enter from, you will be taken aback by how grand the square is and how beautifully detailed the architecture is.
– Book your tickets in advance online for the Piazza San Marco Museums. This is a combo ticket for the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and the Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. The price of this ticket varies depending on where you buy it. Generally, the price is Є26 for adults with a reduced price of Є14 for children, students and seniors when you buy through a call center. If you want to buy them online, add an additional Є5 for the service fee. What may be interesting for people under the age of 30 are some of the deals by Venezia Unica. Among these, I would recommend the Junior St. Mark’s City Pass for Є21.90.
– Admire the Basilica di San Marco. There is also the option of visiting special parts such as Museo di San Marco, Pala d’Oro, the Campanile di San Marco and the Tesoro. Entrance to the Basilica is free but a combination ticket can be purchased to skip the lines. Some of the prices for the additional parts are as follows: Saint Mark’s Museum (Є5); Pala d’Oro (Є2); Bell Tower (Є8); Treasury (Є3).
– Get a 360° view of the city at the top of the Campanile di San Marco.
BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA DELLA SALUTE
– An iconic building often displaying Venice. One of the most significant religious buildings in Venice built in the 1630s to commemorate the end of a plague outbreak
– Walk along the water and get a view of Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
– Entrance to the Basilica is free but a small fee is required to enter the sacristy (adults, Є4; students, Є2)
PONTE DI RIALTO
A stone arch bridge, also known as the Lover’s Bridge, connecting San Polo and San Marco over the Canal Grande. It is the oldest bridge in Venice making it a significant attraction. It is always packed with people so my advice is to visit in the early morning or off-season.
GONDOLA RIDE
Making the most of your gondola ride:
– The fare for a gondola ride is set officially as Є80 (or Є100 after 7pm) so it is unlikely you will be able to negotiate that hefty price. However, if you are traveling as a group or you find other travellers (maximum capacity of 6 people) then you can split it amongst yourselves. Think of it as being the cost per gondola. This can help you save money as it is quite expensive but if you are riding for romance, your plans may not go as you had hoped.
– Take a gondola just outside the main tourist areas to get a whole new perspective on the city, exploring the canals rather than the streets and really make the most of your 40 minutes.
While I cannot deny it is overpriced and reflects the effects of overtourism, this is a staple of Venice and it is practically a must to get a feel of Venetian history and culture.
DAY TRIP TO BURANO AND MURANO
If I had more time, I would have included Burano and Murano in my itinerary. So what is so special about these two islands?
– Burano – colourful buildings and traditional lacework
– Murano – glasswork
I would avoid taking a tour and instead the Vaparetto, giving you ultimate flexibility. Additionally, most of the tours seem to start with Murano. But because Burano is so colourful, this makes it a major photo opportunity and I would recommend starting here early to avoid the crowds. Have a walk around and then hop over to Murano to get a peek into the glassblowing process that gives Murano glasswork its special recognition. Then, there is a third island, Torcello, which is also the furthest away. I would only visit if you are a history enthusiast, you are looking for a peaceful walk and you are not pressed for time. There is also a Є5 fee to visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta. In the end, your trip should a little something like this:
– Fondamente Nove A – Burano C (line 12), duration: 40 minutes
– Optional: Burano A – Torcello, duration: 5 minutes
– Burano C – Murano Faro (line 12), duration: 30 minutes
– Murano Faro – Fondamente Nove D (line 13), duration: 9 minutes
FINAL THOUGHTS
I am really glad I got the opportunity to explore and experience Venice for myself. It is definitely an amazing city with a rich history that you get a sense of as you walk through the streets. As an architecture and art enthusiast, Venice has a lot to show for. At the same time, I also felt the effects of overtourism, which gets really bad in the summer/high season. It is overcrowded, overpriced and possibly even overrated to the point that you do not enjoy the city as much. And the worst part of it all is that the locals suffer these effects the most. The city is also particularly susceptible to climate change, facing issues of floods and droughts. So, if Venice has been on your list like mine, I would suggest planning a trip over sooner rather than later. Right now even given the global sanitary situation. Ultimately, I hope the consequences have been eye opening on how much the city of Venice can benefit from a few restrictions on tourism to better preserve the city and take care of its people. Something worth experiencing as well is Venetian Carnival that usually takes place in February. And for any carnival fans out there wanting to get a sense of what Venice offers on the carnival scene – costumes, masks, ball, shows, parades, live music – this may be the right time for you to visit and with some advance planning because you are not alone in this experience!
LIKE THIS POST? PIN IT!
