Introduction
Venice, often called, the “City of Canals,” is a captivating destination that oozes charm and beauty at every turn. With its unique network of canals, stunning architecture, and rich cultural heritage, Venice offers a host of unmissable experiences for visitors of all ages. In this post, we will introduce you to exploring the charm of Venice.
But, first, a caveat, if you are going to be traveling in and around Venice over multiple days, please follow the sage advice of Rick Steves: travel light. Here, more than anywhere, you will be glad if you bring only one carry-on and one backpack. Rick and I traveled throughout Italy and Croatia over two months last year, and we brought only enough clothing to fit in a carry-on each. Although Venice was our last stop in Italy, it was abundantly clear that we’d made the right choice here. Dragging a large suitcase up and down every canal crossing and onto boats, buses, and trains would have been functionally prohibitive and exhausting. We met a couple in Florence who were coming from Venice. They had taken their substantial luggage pieces to Venice and regretted every minute.
Explore St. Mark’s Square, Basilica & Doge’s Palace
St. Mark’s Square, known as Piazza San Marco, is the heart of Venice and a bustling hub of activity. Marvel at the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica, an architectural masterpiece adorned with intricate mosaics and Byzantine art. Climb the Campanile Tower for panoramic city views, or relax in one of the outdoor cafes and soak up the vibrant ambiance. Visit the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), which boasts many works by Venetian masters. And meander through the Museo Correr, National Archeological Museum, or other nearby amazing art galleries or museums.
St. Mark’s Square
People pack the Square, admiring the architecture, statues, and artworks. Tour groups gather and tourists struggle to hear their guides. The boats on the Grand Canal come and go from the pier. All of this results in an overload of the senses. Here’s a video Rick took of the Square from the Grand Canal and between the Doge’s Palace and an outdoor cafe.
One of the first things you’ll notice, especially if it’s close to the top of the hour, is the bell ringing statues at the top of the clock tower. I thought for sure Rick or I got a video of this captivating event, but we did not. So here’s a video I found after much searching that shows both statues banging the bell. Thankfully, the videographer used a tripod. The statue on the right rings the bell three minutes before the hour. He represents time in the past (he appears older). The statue on the left rings the bell three minutes after the hour. He represents time in the future (he appears younger). Neither of the ringers is accurate, but that’s because of fear of syncing the clock due to its age.
St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Basilica is a wonder of mosaics and craftsmanship. The interior draws visitors farther in one mosaic scene at a time. Even if you have no interest in Christianity, it’s worth seeing the amount of effort and skill that went into the Basilica’s creation. It took 800 years to complete the Basilica fully.
Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace is where you can find the “Bridge of Sighs,” where prisoners on their way to their imprisonment got their last look at freedom. You can also find many works of art here, by Venetian masters. This site describes who painted which works, organized by each room. If you have studied Renaissance or Venetian artists and have favorites you want to see, I recommend looking at the site before you embark on a tour so you know where to squeeze your way past people to get a close-up view of those works you wish to see.
Before entering Doge’s Palace, we learned a couple of key Italian phrases necessary when entering. The first is, “Permesso,” which you follow with, “con permisso, mi scusi.” Our guide indicated, that while using these phrases, you must stick out your elbows to make your way through the crowd, essentially nudging people out of your way.
Wander Through the Venetian Labyrinth
Get lost in Venice’s maze-like streets and alleyways, known as “calli.” Roam freely and let your curiosity guide you through hidden corners and charming squares. Discover quaint shops selling Venetian masks, handmade crafts, and exquisite Murano glassware. Every turn holds a new surprise, making each stroll through Venice a delightful adventure. But be sure to follow Venetian etiquette for visiting: do not block the path, don’t stop and look in windows, go inside an interesting-looking store, and leave the walking path clear.
There are numerous quaint alleyways in Venice. The trick is to capture them unoccupied. This requires patience and time. I recommend getting up early and investigating the city when there are fewer people awake and meandering. Here are some of the photos I took of those picturesque scenes of Venice.
Immerse Yourself in Venetian Art and History
Venice is a treasure trove of art and history, with numerous museums and galleries waiting for you to explore. Visit the Gallerie dell’Accademia to admire masterpieces by renowned Venetian painters such as Titian, Tintoretto, and Canaletto or the Correr Museum in Saint Mark’s Square where you will learn about the military, commercial, and exploration dominance of the Venetians.
Santa Maria Assunta
Aside from visiting the museums and galleries, you will find amazing artwork in churches. In reading one of my guidebooks on Italy, I saw many intriguing places in Venice. But since we were short on time, I had to prioritize. One of the places on my list was Santa Maria Assunta. Why? The featured picture I saw in the guidebook showed what appeared to be a galley, similar to what you might see in an opera house where someone of prominence sat. Long drapes with tassels surrounded the structure. However, upon reading a more in-depth discussion, I learned the structure was made entirely of carved marble. They looked so real in the picture, like a heavy, elegant damask, I just had to see it. Here are some photos I took of the church and the marble structure.
Correr Museum
If you take anything away from a trip to Venice, it should be an appreciation for the military and commercial power it once was. But even with the extravagantly decorated buildings and interiors, I don’t think you get that level of appreciation without visiting a Venetian history museum. We went to the Correr Museum. While there were a lot of beautiful statues and lavishly decorated royal rooms, that’s not what impressed us the most. The maps, manuscripts, and artwork that make up the Collection called Venetian Culture,” in addition to the artifacts about Marco Polo made the biggest impact on us. Here are some of the photos I took.
Take an Excursion to a Nearby Island for Hands-on Learning
You can access many of the islands by joining a tour or taking Vaporetto Boats. Tours offer the advantage of learning about the culture and history of not only Venice but also the nearby islands on your way to and from the island(s).
I read a whole chapter in the guidebook on all the nearby islands one can visit from Venice. I whittled my list down to two: Burano (for lace making) and Murano (for glass blowing). As someone who enjoys architecture, I also wanted to see the church on a nearby island, San Giorgio Maggiore, which is an architecturally influential church in Venice, designed in 1566 by Andrea Palladio. We in the U.S. have places to view elements designed based on Palladio’s style, e.g., the University of Virginia, Monticello, and the White House. But we just didn’t have enough time to visit an actual design of his here. Guess we’ll just have to come back.
Murano Glass
To visit Burano and Murano, we took a tour through Get Your Guide, called From Venice: Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat. Our guide, Manuella, was most entertaining. Manuella grew up in Venice. She told a story I will probably never forget. It was about how parents in Venice teach their kids to swim. Her dad tied a rope around her middle and threw her in the canal. I think she said she was seven years old at the time and was utterly terrified! It’s the “sink or swim” mentality. In Venice, if you don’t know how to swim, you could easily die.
But, I digress. Here are some of the photos I took on our journey over to Murano, while watching the glass-making process, and the view from a bridge in Murano.
Burano Lace
When we loaded up at Murano to take the boat to Burano, we got in a different boat because it was bigger. I noticed that all of our things had been moved from the original boat to the new one, which was fine. But I also noticed that one of the rows in the new boat had things, but no owners. I asked Manuella about it, but Manuella was in a huge hurry to move on. About ten minutes into the trip out of Murano, she got a phone call. It was a fellow tour guide who had encountered our missing passengers. Instead of us going back to retrieve them, the other tour guide offered to bring them to Burano so we could recover them. They were very relieved to be reacquainted with their belongings. The moral of this story is: don’t lose sight of your guide while on an island excursion.
After the lace-making demonstration, Manuella led Rick to the best gelato in Italy found here in Burano at a shop with a very long line. After that, we had the opportunity to walk around Burano a little bit. Burano is known for its lace-making; but also, its colorful houses and buildings and its leaning tower, which is the second leaning tower in Italy.
Indulge in Venetian Cuisine
No trip to Venice would be complete without savoring its delectable cuisine. Treat yourself to an authentic Italian pizza or pasta dish at a local trattoria. Don’t miss the opportunity to sample cicchetti, small tapas-style dishes, paired with a glass of fine Italian wine. End your culinary journey with a traditional Venetian dessert like tiramisu or gelato, guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The first night in Venice we had a lovely seafood dinner and the ever-elusive green salad at La Lanterna Da Gas. During the day we had pizza and pasta or variations on what the proprietor interprets as salad. One night we had a very yummy meal of vegetables, salmon, and pasta at Trattoria Ca’ Dolfin, which was delicious. But we had a big problem getting a staff member to refill our wine or bring our bill. The last two photos were from a lunch at Osteria a la Campana. I was specifically looking for a green salad. What I got wasn’t really a green salad, but it was close and delicious. Rick’s pizza was also tasty. This restaurant is close to St. Mark’s Square, so it’s also convenient, but the meal was slower to get to us than what we were expecting.
Here are the food pictures from Venice.
Conclusion
Venice is a city that captivates the senses and offers a truly unique experience for travelers. From discovering quaint streets to exploring historic landmarks and indulging in exquisite cuisine, every moment you spend exploring Venice will be filled with charm and wonder. So, book your tickets, pack your small bags, and get ready to immerse yourself in the unforgettable charm of Venice.
We’ve written about other cities to visit and escapes to make in Italy. You can check those out under the Italy category.
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