I am always dismayed when I hear people say how much they disliked their trip to Venice. It is such a pity, I think, to visit this one-of-a-kind gem of a city and have a bad time – especially when a bad time is so easy to avoid. (Can you tell that I really love Venice?)
If only they had done some reading ahead of time, or at least talked to some people who had enjoyed their Venice trips, they are more likely to have experienced the real magic that is La Serenissima. In fact, I’ve decided to no longer tolerate people who tell me Venice is too crowded. There is always a quiet corner of Venice. Always.
So, let this be your lesson – a little knowledge goes a long way, especially in the case of Venice!
Within this article, there are lots of tips that will come in handy when you’re planning your Venice trip – but there are articles elsewhere on WhyGo Italy that will also be incredibly useful.
Where to Stay in Venice
- Space is limited in the city (being an island prevents sprawl!)
- Accommodation in Venice is expensive
- Many visitors only come for a day trip
The first two things on that list go hand in hand – a popular city with limited space is bound to be expensive, right? But the fact that Venice is so often no more than a day trip destination doesn’t help to mitigate the high prices on accommodation like you’d think it might. I don’t think Venice can be truly appreciated unless you stay overnight, however, so here are some articles I’ve written to help you figure out where to stay in Venice without breaking the bank.
- I’ve written about places to stay in various parts of the city (near major attractions and the train station, for instance), so to find those pieces go to my main articles on hotels in Venice and hostels in Venice.
- St. Mark’s is the main “sight” in the city, and many people want their bed to be as close as possible to the cathedral for easy access. So here’s my list of hotels near St. Mark’s Square for you to choose from.
- A unique city should have unique places to stay, and Venice does – here are 5 unique hotels in Venice.
- Although it’s among the most romantic cities on earth, not every hotel in the city would fit the bill for a honeymoon, so here are some suggestions for romantic hotels in Venice.
What to Do in Venice
Some people think a trip to Venice is not complete without a ride in one of the Venice gondolas – I am not one of them, but I might be in the minority on this one. To me, a gondola ride is too expensive and not nearly as romantic as you think it will be – with all the tourists leaning over bridges to stare or snap pictures, you are hardly alone – but if you simply must have the gondola experience, then by all means go for it. And if you’re not looking for romantic, you can split the cost among up to six people.
Evening gondola rides might be a bit more expensive, but they might also feel more private with shadows hiding the faces of the gawkers. If you want to feel what being in a gondola is like but cannot stomach the high prices, there are afew points on the Grand Canal where gondolas ferry people back and forth from side to side (in places where bridges are not), and that trip will usually run less than one Euro. It might not be romantic, but it is a cheap way to get a little bit of the gondola experience.
To Really Appreciate Venice, Stay Overnight
When people ask me how long they should spend in Venice, I always recommend at least two days, if not three. That might seem excessive for a small city with “nothing to do,” but it is precisely this lack of things to do that helps make Venice so lovely. Additionally, staying at least one night (better yet, two!) in Venice gives you a chance to experience the best this sleepy lagoon city has to offer – the early mornings and late evenings when the day-trippers have gone are simply delightful. More time also affords you the luxury of doing my number one “activity” in Venice – getting lost. Wandering the tiny streets and alleys will get you away from the main tourist centers and let you see the peaceful side of Venice.
Make Venice’s Airport Your Entry Point
Let me back up a moment and say that yes, Venice is dreadfully overcrowded in the peak summer tourist season – I would be silly to suggest it is not. My contention remains, however, that if you give yourself the time to get to know Venice a little better than the day-trippers you stand a much better chance of having a good time there and returning home using words like “magical” to describe the city.
If you give Venice half a chance, the city will grow on you and capture your heart and your imagination and become everything your romantic heart dreamed it could be.
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