Top Ten Tips for a Visit to Venice
I recently spent almost a month backpacking around major Italian cities before which I had done an extensive amount of research on each place. I now want to share my top tips for future visitors to Italy and highlight some of the amazing hidden gems I wished I'd known about before we went.
The first Italian City we visited was Venice and so I will start there.
Venice is beautiful. It is expensive and it is touristy but it is beautiful. I spent three days in Venice which was long enough to see all the major sites but I would go back in a heartbeat to just spend days wandering aimlessly around the narrow streets and canals. Out of the ten Italian destinations we visited, I would definitely put Venice in my top 3.
1. Walk Everywhere!
All the main tourist sites are within walking distance and you never know what you'll find up the many side streets. As I said before Venice is touristy so the further away from the major attractions you go the cheaper and more authentic products you'll find. There are no cars or busses in this city, only gondolas and water taxis and although they are lovely for a change of scenery you will discover a lot more on foot.
2. Pre-Book Tickets!
Queues for attractions are lengthy especially in the Summer months. Doge's Palace in particular had a queue taking almost an hour and a half and there is very little shade to escape the burning sun. We had luckily purchased tickets before we travelled and literally walked right in. If long queues aren't your thing pre-book tickets.
3. Deposit Bags!
You will not get into St Mark's Basilica if you have a backpack or over sized handbag and there are not many visible signs advertising this. Also unlike most tourist attractions the baggage depository is no where near the main attraction so if like us you queue up, get to the front and are told no bags you need to leave and come back and requeue all over again. We were fortunate that the security guard allowed me to stay so we didn't have to go back to the end of the queue again but others might not be so generous. Best to ditch the bags before you start queueing.
The Luggage Storage is at Ateneo San Basso, Piazzetta dei Leoncini.
4. Cover up!
It is difficult in the Summer months when it is plus thirty but you will not get into St Mark's Basilica or other religious sites if your shoulders and knees are not covered. Some places are stricter than others but it's best to be safe than sorry and wear appropriate clothing if religious sites are on your agenda. Or do what I did and always carry a large scarf in your backpack which can be used as a shawl if needed to cover your shoulders. There are plenty of opportunities to purchase a scarf from street vendors who will approach you in the queue but if you're on a budget you don't really want to be wasting 5-10euros, best to just be prepared and take your own.
5. Acqua Alta Libreria!
This is the most unusual yet characteristic bookshop that I have ever been in. The only way I can describe it is a labyrinth of books. There are arrows and signs directing you away from the main shop into various alcoves and niches which hold an array of little surprises, There are boats and bathtubs piled high with books, little seating areas on the canal steps and book steps out in the garden which lead to a great view of the canal. They have books in almost every language too, plenty of options if you have ran out of holiday reading. Even if you're not a book lover this place is definitely worth a visit just for its quirky decor. I could've spent hours here perusing all the books.
6. Naranzaria Bar!
This was my favourite place in the afternoon to grab an Aperol Spritz and watch the world go by. Located near the Rialto Market, the bar sits on the banks of the Grand Canal and offers an amazing opportunity to bask in the busy and vibrant atmosphere of Venice. It is also not overly expensive and offers great deals for aperitif drinks and snacks in the late afternoon. A great stop off point after perusing the local market stalls and shops of Rialto.
7. Island Picnic!
Although I prefer walking the Venezia Unica transport card was a really good purchase especially if you only have a few days or you want to visit the Islands. For 28 euros each we got a 72 hour pass for all transport in Venice, including the water buses. It also includes discounts in certain restaurants, shops and attractions. However we spoke to a few other travellers and the price of this card seems to vary depending on where and who you buy it from. One traveller we met spent almost 50euros on one 72 hour pass and wasn't too impressed when they found out that we had got it for 28euros, so be aware that you aren't getting ripped off.
9. Al Nono Risorto!
I am a bit of a foodie so I detest the typical tourist trap restaurants which are often found in major cities like Venice. In Italy I wanted to taste real Italian food. One night we found Al Nono Risorto, a small family run restaurant hidden in a courtyard covered in wisteria and fairy lights. It was full of local Venetians which to me highlighted the quality of food on offer. The house wine was delicious and the friendly and welcoming personalities of the owner and staff made the entire atmosphere magical. (They treat you like a member of the family.) I would definitely recommend this place if like me you don't favour the tourist trap restaurants. The seafood in particular is delicious. You can find Al Nono Risorto in the San Polo District of Venice. The San Polo District in general is very good for food and drink and is not overly touristy at all. Try Cantina Do Spade, one of the oldest Osteria's in Venice for it's traditional Italian Ciccetti.
10. Venice at Night!
Grab a bottle of Chianti, pick a spot on one of the many bridges or canal banks and sit and soak up the day. Venice is magical at night, there are plenty of local buskers offering Italian music and there are lights everywhere on the canals which adds perfectly to the atmosphere. Our favourite spot was either on or near the Ponte Degli Scalzi, the atmosphere around this bridge was perfect and there was an old Venetian man playing Romantic Italian music. We spent our last night in Venice on this bridge and it was a perfect way to end our trip.
There is so much more to say about Venice and so much more to discover and explore but at the moment these are my top ten tips for this beautiful city. I hope that you find them useful!
The first Italian City we visited was Venice and so I will start there.
 |
| St Mark's Square, Venezia |
Venice is beautiful. It is expensive and it is touristy but it is beautiful. I spent three days in Venice which was long enough to see all the major sites but I would go back in a heartbeat to just spend days wandering aimlessly around the narrow streets and canals. Out of the ten Italian destinations we visited, I would definitely put Venice in my top 3.
1. Walk Everywhere!
All the main tourist sites are within walking distance and you never know what you'll find up the many side streets. As I said before Venice is touristy so the further away from the major attractions you go the cheaper and more authentic products you'll find. There are no cars or busses in this city, only gondolas and water taxis and although they are lovely for a change of scenery you will discover a lot more on foot.
2. Pre-Book Tickets!
Queues for attractions are lengthy especially in the Summer months. Doge's Palace in particular had a queue taking almost an hour and a half and there is very little shade to escape the burning sun. We had luckily purchased tickets before we travelled and literally walked right in. If long queues aren't your thing pre-book tickets.
3. Deposit Bags!
You will not get into St Mark's Basilica if you have a backpack or over sized handbag and there are not many visible signs advertising this. Also unlike most tourist attractions the baggage depository is no where near the main attraction so if like us you queue up, get to the front and are told no bags you need to leave and come back and requeue all over again. We were fortunate that the security guard allowed me to stay so we didn't have to go back to the end of the queue again but others might not be so generous. Best to ditch the bags before you start queueing.
The Luggage Storage is at Ateneo San Basso, Piazzetta dei Leoncini.
4. Cover up!
It is difficult in the Summer months when it is plus thirty but you will not get into St Mark's Basilica or other religious sites if your shoulders and knees are not covered. Some places are stricter than others but it's best to be safe than sorry and wear appropriate clothing if religious sites are on your agenda. Or do what I did and always carry a large scarf in your backpack which can be used as a shawl if needed to cover your shoulders. There are plenty of opportunities to purchase a scarf from street vendors who will approach you in the queue but if you're on a budget you don't really want to be wasting 5-10euros, best to just be prepared and take your own.
5. Acqua Alta Libreria!
 |
| Seating area on the Canal. |
 |
| The Book Steps |
6. Naranzaria Bar!
This was my favourite place in the afternoon to grab an Aperol Spritz and watch the world go by. Located near the Rialto Market, the bar sits on the banks of the Grand Canal and offers an amazing opportunity to bask in the busy and vibrant atmosphere of Venice. It is also not overly expensive and offers great deals for aperitif drinks and snacks in the late afternoon. A great stop off point after perusing the local market stalls and shops of Rialto.
 |
| Aperol Spritz at Naranzaria. |
7. Island Picnic!
If you have more than two days in Venice, I would seriously suggest taking one of the water busses to the Islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. The islands are small but quaint and each specialise in a particular product. Murano is glass and Burano lace. You can find some amazing gifts here in the many shops or visit the museums and gain some knowledge on how Murano glass is made. We took a picnic with us and found a perfect spot by a lighthouse on Murano. After a busy few days sightseeing in Venice it was lovely to escape to these chilled out Islands.
8. Venezia Unica Card!
Although I prefer walking the Venezia Unica transport card was a really good purchase especially if you only have a few days or you want to visit the Islands. For 28 euros each we got a 72 hour pass for all transport in Venice, including the water buses. It also includes discounts in certain restaurants, shops and attractions. However we spoke to a few other travellers and the price of this card seems to vary depending on where and who you buy it from. One traveller we met spent almost 50euros on one 72 hour pass and wasn't too impressed when they found out that we had got it for 28euros, so be aware that you aren't getting ripped off.
9. Al Nono Risorto!
I am a bit of a foodie so I detest the typical tourist trap restaurants which are often found in major cities like Venice. In Italy I wanted to taste real Italian food. One night we found Al Nono Risorto, a small family run restaurant hidden in a courtyard covered in wisteria and fairy lights. It was full of local Venetians which to me highlighted the quality of food on offer. The house wine was delicious and the friendly and welcoming personalities of the owner and staff made the entire atmosphere magical. (They treat you like a member of the family.) I would definitely recommend this place if like me you don't favour the tourist trap restaurants. The seafood in particular is delicious. You can find Al Nono Risorto in the San Polo District of Venice. The San Polo District in general is very good for food and drink and is not overly touristy at all. Try Cantina Do Spade, one of the oldest Osteria's in Venice for it's traditional Italian Ciccetti.
 |
| Al Nono Risorto Courtyard |
Grab a bottle of Chianti, pick a spot on one of the many bridges or canal banks and sit and soak up the day. Venice is magical at night, there are plenty of local buskers offering Italian music and there are lights everywhere on the canals which adds perfectly to the atmosphere. Our favourite spot was either on or near the Ponte Degli Scalzi, the atmosphere around this bridge was perfect and there was an old Venetian man playing Romantic Italian music. We spent our last night in Venice on this bridge and it was a perfect way to end our trip.There is so much more to say about Venice and so much more to discover and explore but at the moment these are my top ten tips for this beautiful city. I hope that you find them useful!
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