I don’t know about you, but before I visited Venice for the first time, the city had something mysterious about it. The idea that our concrete streets were replaced by small (or larger) canals there sounded unreal to me. That’s why I was even more excited when, in October 2020—right in the middle of the pandemic—I finally got to visit Venice. As a family, we combined this short city trip with a multi-day cycling tour through northern Italy. Since you can’t (and wouldn’t want to) take bikes into the city, there is a Bici-Park at the entrance to Venice, not far from the train station, where you can lock up your bike in a box for the desired period of your stay.
To get around the city, it’s best to buy a ticket for the many water buses that connect all of Venice. These tickets are available for any number of days, allowing unlimited travel. However, the traditional gondola rides are not included.
During my first visit to Venice, as I mentioned, I was traveling with my family, so booking an Airbnb in the city was a great choice. On my second visit, I was with a youth travel group, and we stayed at Generator Venice, a hostel I can highly recommend. It’s only about a 5–10 minute water bus ride to St. Mark’s Square, and you can easily get back even in the evening.
In general, I think it’s worth staying in the city and heading out a bit earlier in the morning—maybe around 8 AM—then taking a break in the afternoon. That way, you get to experience how locals go to work, how mail is delivered, or how trash is collected—all of which, of course, happens by boat. At that time, there aren’t many tourists in the city yet, making it the perfect opportunity to visit some of the more touristy spots.
Now, let’s get to my favorite places in Venice and the must-see sights!
First, I would go to St. Mark’s Square in the morning. On the way, you’ll also pass by the Bridge of Sighs, which impressively stretches over a rather wide canal. For culture lovers, it’s definitely worth seeing St. Mark’s Basilica from the inside. The ceiling paintings are stunning, and from the balcony, you can watch the hustle and bustle of St. Mark’s Square from above. The Doge’s Palace is also nearby, though I can’t say much about it since I haven’t been inside myself.
It’s also a great place to visit in the evening. There’s always something going on. Street musicians often perform, cafés are still open, and many gelaterias invite you to enjoy a little dessert on the go.
If you want to get a panoramic view of Venice from above, it’s worth visiting the San Giorgio Maggiore Church and its associated tower. Unlike the tower at St. Mark’s Square, we hardly had to wait in line.
A small visit to the Libreria Acqua Alta, a charming little bookstore in the heart of Venice, is definitely worthwhile. It was once completely flooded, and the damaged books were stacked in the backyard to form a book mountain that you can actually climb.
Nowadays, the store is open again, offering books, postcards, paintings, and other souvenirs. At first, I couldn’t find the entrance because it’s rather inconspicuous, hidden behind a fig tree. But if you look out for a small square in front of it, it should be easy to spot.
When Venice starts filling up with tourists around midday or in the afternoon, and temperatures begin to rise, it’s worth taking a short trip to the nearby island of Murano. The canals there are much wider, allowing the sea breeze to flow through nicely. However, depending on which side of the waterfront you walk along, you might also get the full blast of the midday sun.
The day pass is valid for this route as well, so you can take your time exploring the island and watching the glass artists at work. From Murano, you can continue on to Burano, but that often involves waiting times—something I didn’t want to endure under the blazing midday sun.
As a small snack in between, there are many takeaway pizzerias scattered throughout the city where you can also take a short break. However, my personal favorite for a quick refreshment is the legendary Venetian tiramisu, paired with a cappuccino.
Especially in the afternoon, when you don’t have much energy left for walking, I highly recommend a hop-on hop-off tour with the water buses. You can get off wherever you like and explore at your own pace.
This is also a great opportunity to climb the famous Rialto Bridge and watch the hustle and bustle of the city and the Grand Canal from above. Around the Rialto Bridge, you’ll find numerous markets, department stores, restaurants, and hotels, giving you a glimpse into the daily deliveries that arrive here.
After enjoying a well-deserved siesta and having dinner at one of Venice’s many restaurants, a stroll through the alleys and across the canal bridges is definitely worthwhile. The city remains lively until late at night, and the lights reflecting on the water create a truly unique atmosphere.
A hidden gem is the Ponte dell’Accademia, which offers a beautiful view of the Grand Canal and even a partial glimpse of Santa Maria della Salute.
And here’s a small recommendation to finish, which isn’t directly related to activities in the city: If you’ve read The Thief Lord, you’ll experience the city from a different perspective and recognize many of the places and bridges from the story, which can make a trip with children even more exciting.
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