Strolling the Streets of Venice, Italy

Venice is a city like no other. Built on more than 100 small islands in the shallow Venetian Lagoon, it is connected by about 400 bridges and has a unique transportation system of canals. The city is also renowned for its art, music, glassware, and lace. A visit to Venice is truly like stepping into another world.

Whether you’re taking a gondola ride down one of the canals or simply strolling through the narrow streets, there is plenty to see and do in Venice. Be sure to visit some of the city’s most famous landmarks such as St. Mark’s Basilica, the Campanile bell tower, and the Doge’s Palace.

And of course, no trip to Venice would be complete without sampling some of the delicious food and wine for which the region is known.

Piazza San Marco

San Marco Plazza is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Venice, Italy. The square is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views. Visitors to the square can enjoy a number of different activities, including taking a gondola ride, exploring the nearby San Marco Basilica, or simply enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

For those that have never been the first thing you may notice is the fact that oftentimes the plaza is flooded. After all, Venice is slowly sinking. Depending on the day and weather it could be mild like in our picture above, and on other days it could nearly be completely flooded.

Needless to say, any trip to Venice will likely begin here. You can easily spend a whole day in this one area with the number of things to see and do, museums to visit, food to eat and general people watching.

Campanile (the Basilica’s bell tower)

The bell tower of Venice, Italy is one of the most iconic landmarks in the city. The tower is known for its beautiful architecture and stunning views. Visitors to the tower can take a lift to the top for 360-degree views of Venice, or simply enjoy the views from the ground.

I don’t recall it being too difficult to get a ticket on-site to ride to the top, but as always, plan ahead if it is something you want to do so you’re not disappointed.

Doge’s Palace

Doge’s Palace is a beautiful building located in Venice, Italy. It was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice. The palace is situated on the Grand Canal, close to the Rialto Bridge. It is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Venice.

The exterior of the palace is characterized by its Gothic style, with its ornate windows and balconies. The interior is just as impressive, with its lavishly decorated rooms and halls. Among the highlights of the palace are the Doge’s Apartments, the Porta della Carta (the main entrance), the Sala del Maggior Consiglio (the largest room in the palace), and the Bridge of Sighs.

Saint Mark’s Basilica

If you’re visiting Venice, a trip to Saint Mark’s Basilica is a must. One of the most iconic Catholic churches in the world, the basilica is known for its Byzantine architecture and stunning mosaics.

When you enter the church, you’ll be awestruck by the grandeur of the interior. The main hall is lined with beautiful marble columns, and the walls are covered in intricate mosaics. The highlight of the basilica is the Pala d’Oro, a golden altarpiece that is absolutely breathtaking.

Visitors to the basilica can explore the building and learn about its history, or simply enjoy the views from the plaza outside.

National Archeological Museum

The National Archeological Museum of Venice is one of the most important museums in the world for its collections of art and artifacts from the Venetian Republic. The museum is located in the Palazzo Grimani, a 16th-century palace on the Grand Canal.

The museum’s collection includes works by some of the most famous artists of the Venetian Renaissance, such as Giovanni Bellini, Titian, and Tintoretto. The museum also has a large collection of Greek and Roman art, as well as a wide variety of other artifacts from around the world.

Gondola Ride

A gondola ride is one of the most popular tourist activities in Venice. A gondola is a traditional Venetian boat, propelled by a gondolier using a rowing motion. Gondola rides are available throughout Venice, and are a great way to see the city from the water.

Gondola rides typically last for 30 minutes, and cost around 80 Euros. Visitors can choose to ride in a traditional gondola, or in a more modern version known as a traghetto. Traghetti are larger and can accommodate up to six passengers.

Gondola rides are available throughout the day, but are most popular in the evening when the canals are lit up by streetlights. Visitors can choose to ride with a group of other people or book a private gondola for a more intimate experience.

Ca’Macana Mask Shop

Ca’Macana is a mask shop in Venice, Italy that has been in business since the 18th century. The shop sells a wide variety of Venetian masks, including traditional Carnival masks, as well as more modern designs.

Ca’Macana is one of the most popular mask shops in Venice and is known for its high-quality masks and friendly customer service. The shop is open all year round and is located in the San Polo district of Venice. Visitors to Ca’Macana can find a wide variety of masks to suit all budgets and a helpful staff who can offer advice on choosing the perfect mask.

We found many mask shops in Venice as it’s a popular tourist purchase but by far Ca’Macana had the greatest selection and authentic masks we saw. Personally, I would not purchase a mask from any other location and hold off until you can visit Ca’Macana.

Murano Italy

Murano is a small island in the Venetian Lagoon, northeast of Venice, Italy. It is famous for its glassmaking industry and for its glass artworks. Murano’s glassmakers have been creating beautiful works of art for centuries, and the city’s Glass Museum houses some of the most important pieces in the world. Today, Murano’s glassmakers continue to produce stunning works of art, and the city is a popular destination for tourists from all over the world.

I decided to include Murano as part of the Venice post as most people will visit during a day trip (a simple ferry from Venice). It was very early to catch a ride over to the island and spend the day shopping for glass items before returning to Venice.

Generally speaking, you can’t do wrong with purchasing glass in Murano, just be sure to check the markings to make sure you are getting Murano glass.

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge spans the Grand Canal and is one of the most iconic landmarks in Venice. The bridge is made up of two inclined ramps that lead up to a central platform. From here, you can admire the stunning views of the Grand Canal and the surrounding buildings. Just be prepared for a bunch of tourists that will be jostling for position!

If you want to visit when there are fewer crows, show up early. I am a morning person and found it great getting up at sunrise and visiting some of these destinations that are not subject to opening hours, and then hitting the museums, etc. as they opened throughout the day. I am fine if you don’t take this advice to heart in all your travels as I enjoy the serenity when you sleep in.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal stretches over two miles, it’s the largest canal in the city and a true engineering marvel. Visitors can take a gondola ride through the canal or simply enjoy the views from one of the many bridges that cross it.

The canal is lined with some of Venice’s most beautiful buildings, including the Palazzo Ducale and St. Mark’s Basilica. It’s also a great place to people-watch, as you never know who or what you’ll see floating by.

On our late arrival in Venice, we found a cafe serving lasagna and we sat outside enjoying the evening while eating some great food. By the way, we didn’t have a bad meal in Venice. Try everything you have stomach room for. The lasagna, for example, was not what you think of when you are in the states. It was more of a noodle dish with meat sauce on top, rather than the layers of heart attack you get in the US.

Just Get Out and Explore

If there is one-word advice when visiting Venice, it’s to get out of the tourist areas and just walk around the city. You will find picturesque areas at every turn, streets nearly empty where you can see Venice in true form. If you only stay in tourist areas, I can confidently say you have never been to Venice. Not that you shouldn’t go see the sites, but definitely make time to explore.

While we were only in Venice for a few days, you could easily spend a week or more exploring, visiting some of the other surrounding islands, and generally immersing yourself in the city.

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