Credits to:
Notes:
Many museums and churches are closed on Mondays, so check carefully when planning your itinerary.
2nd major city on our Italian adventure was the spectacular city of Venice.
There’s a reason Venice is the place for romantic rendezvous, world-renowned arts events and very famous films (hello, ‘Casino Royale’). The city on water is one of its kind, with maze-like streets, cobblestones and striking Gothic architecture, and the occasional stripy-shirt-and-hat-clad gondolier floating by. Oh, and food choices abound ;)
So when in Venice, though you may want to spend your time simply sipping Aperol Spritz and getting lost in the city’s maze, there are some things you absolutely cannot miss. Venice is rich in culture, home to some of the best galleries, art collections and museums around, as well as plenty of spots to refuel with a cicheti and spritzer and people watch for a while. From wine tours to cathedrals, here are the best things to do in Venice right now.
Interestingly, the city is literally slowly sinking, but hopefully it will still be around before 2100!
Stop #1: Rialto Bridge
There are over 400 Venetian bridges spanning the archipelago, yet none are as famous as the Ponte di Rialto. Memorably captured in all its stunning glory by Canaletto and his famous paintings of the city, the iconic bridge is one of the few in the world to have several shops artfully built onto it. We love some afternoon browsing of the bridge's boutiques for local jewellery and other treasures – especially when you capture the perfect sunset picture on the way out.
Stop #2:Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco is achingly beautiful, lined with palaces, museums, elegant cafes and of course, dominated at one end by the Byzantine majesty of St. Mark’s Basilica. But the basilica isn’t the only thing to see on this massive square—the city’s archaeological museum is here, as it the Museo Correr, a collection of antiquities related to the city’s history. Just around the corner from the basilica lies the Doge’s Palace, a busy and much-photographed gondola landing, plus epic views of the Grand Canal and Giudecca island.
Crowds can be incredibly thick here during sweltering daytime hours. If you’re heading back to your hotel after a late dinner, the sparsely populated piazza is unbelievably moody and romantic, and definitely lends to some peace and quiet.
The square is definitely beautifully lit at night.
Stop #3: Doge Palace - Where the rulers of Venice once lived large
Visiting the palace was definitely a fascinating experience.
This was a place of outrageous opulence and unspeakable horror, depending on whether you were a guest at dinner or a prisoner in the dungeon.
The Doge’s Palace was for centuries the seat of government for the Republic of Venice, and home to the sitting Doge, the elected ruler of the Republic. The doges lived like kings here, and the outlandish ornamentation and grand scale on display here was meant to impress and intimidate. Tour the Doge’s private apartments, one of which is one of the largest rooms in Europe.
Stop #3: Bridge of Sighs
After touring the extravagant Doge’s palace, consider the fate of prisoners sent to the palace’s damp, dark prison cells, most of them with a one-way ticket across the famous “Bridge of Sighs”—so named for the sound the condemned made when they caught their last glimpse of Venice from the bridge.
Stop #4: St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Basilica was just astounding in real life.
One of the most visited and famous churches in the world, Basilica di San Marco is a must-see for first-time visitors to Venice.
The regal spires, arches and gold mosaics on the façade are just the beginning of the splendor of St. Mark’s Basilica, first constructed in the 11th century and a supreme example of the Italo-Byzantine style. The interior is so much more resplendent than the exterior, with nearly 10,000 square feet of mosaics, the priceless Pala d’Oro altarpiece and a sea of intricate carvings. On the front balcony, above the portal, four bronze horses (now replicas of the originals), brought from Constantinople during the Crusades, hold court over Piazza San Marco.
The most important religious temple in the city of Venice, it is an intriguing mix of architectural and art styles.The golden mosaics, which are its most striking feature, are made of real gold, depicting stories from the Bible, allegorical figures, and life events of the Saints.
Stop #5: Teatro La Venice
The ceiling was painted in concentric circles and flanked by angels.
Stop #7: Viewpoint near Seminario patriarchale di Venezia
This was an amazing and exposed viewpoint of the Grand Canal, well worth visiting.
Of course, you can meander around Venice to check out super interesting souvenir stores and street art. Be warned that it is very touristy. There are lots more attractions we didn’t have a chance to cover, but definitely add points of particular interest to your list.
Great food/beverage places that came as part of recommendations:
Torrefazione Cannaregio - affordable and excellent specialty coffee and pastries. Tiramisu Al Cafe was great.
Illy Cafe - Venezia Giardini Reali
Crepes House by Pepe - economical and really delicious crepes. Buckwheat crepes which were light and a nice change from some of the heavier more prevalent foods.
Trattoria Pontini
Marisa
Suso Gelatoteca - There are always snaking lines around this popular gelato place. Halva and Manet seem to be popular flavours, but they have a wide assortment for your consumption pleasure :]