10 Things to do in Venice – For First Time Visitors! – TREKwithBECK
Venice is somewhere I think everyone should visit once, especially if it’s their first time to Italy. I am sure Venice is already high on your list and itinerary for Italy – but what should you do there! This blog post contains 10 things I recommend you do/see with your time in Venice.
This blog post only contains information on what to see in Venice. If you would like more information such as, where to stay, how to get there and an itinerary – make sure to check out this blog post.
1. Go on Gondola ride!
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Probably the most iconic thing to do with your time in Venice. A gondola ride through the canals of Venice is probably high on your to do list, but just be warned it isn’t cheap! When I was there a gondola ride was 90 Euros. I do believe the boat could fit 4 people on it, and the ride goes for 30mins to an hour. However, as a solo backpacker – that unfortunately was way out of my price range.
Nevertheless, this is still the most iconic way to see Venice and most travellers don’t regret spending that money! No need to book in advance, there are plenty of places offering gondola rides along the canals.
2. Rialto Bridge
Yes, we have a bridge, that is a tourist attraction! However, this isn’t just a bridge, it’s a work of art. The marble-clad bridge links the San Marco and San Polo districts via the Grand Canal and has since 1591. There are impressive views of the Grand Canal from both sides of the bridge, so it makes for a nice quick photo op!
3. St Marks Basilica
St. Marks Basilica is one of the most visited sights in all of Venice. Its history stretches way back to the 9thCentury A.D. It is a church with a lot of interesting legends and history behind it. There are more then 8000 square metres of mosaic and more then 500 columns in the church. It is also home to the Pala d’Oro, which is a priceless treasure which artisans and jewellers worked on for over 300 years.
You can visit the church for the outside for free, but if you want to enter inside, you will need to buy a ticket.
4. Libreria Acuqua Alta
One of the most unique bookstores in Venice and the self-proclaimed “most beautiful bookstore in the world”. It is composed of several rooms stacked wall to wall with books, maps, magazines, and other items. The unique thing about this bookstore, is that it has placed it booked in bathtubs, waterproof bins and even gondolas, to protect them from Venice’s constant flooding. It even has a whimsical “fire escape”, which is just a door that leads into the canals.
Most of the books are in Italian, but it is still a cute place to stop buy and visit! You may also head around the back to the gondola which is tired directly to the back of the shop. Here you can get a photo for free! You must also stumble across the locals (the cats) if you are lucky.
5. Bridge of Sighs
Photo by Ilia Bronskiy on Pexels.com
The Bridge of Sighs, according to legend, gets its name from the despairing sighs from prisoners. As they would look out onto the beauty of Venice though the shuttered stonework, as they were held in imprisonment. This bridge is a historic landmark in Venice and can be walked across with a Doges Palace ticket. It can also be seen along the canals from the outside (for free).
This is one of the world’s greatest waterways, which splits Venice neatly into two. There are only four bridges which cross this canal, including the Rialto. The grand canal is not a good place to visit by gondola, rather by public transport or water taxi. It is such a busy canal that is can be quite stressful. You can also simply walk alongside it or stop in for a coffee at one of the many cafes that line the waterfront.
7. Doges Palace
This was one of the activities I did in Venice (that I paid for), and It was breathtaking. Doges Palace was the political heart of the Venetian Republic, which lasted for over 100 years until 1797. This is where doges were ‘crowned’ and prisoners were marched to their deaths over the bridge of sighs. The walls are completely covered in Renaissance art, it’s truly remarkable.
You will need to pay entry to enter Doges Palace, and I do recommend booking reserved tickets. Otherwise, you may be waiting in line for a while! You will need around 3-2 hours to completely explore Doges Palace – Bridge of Sighs is also included in the entry ticket.
8. Suso Gelato
One of the best gelato places I ate with all my time in Italy. Suso Gelato has blown up due to social media, but it is worth the hype. Suso incorporate tradition and experimentation into their gelato. There were extremely unique flavours here, such as ricotta cheese and lemon (its delicious). The two shops are located right next to the Rialto bridge, so it makes for a great pit stop on your way in or out of Venice.
9. Burano, Torcello and Murano
Tired of the busy streets of Venice? Hope on a boat or join a tour to visit the islands 40 mins from the mainland. This activity can be done as a full or half day trip. Each island has its unique flare. Murano is famous for its glass making and impressive glass designs. Burana is famous for its coloured houses, fishing village and lace production. Torcello is famous as it is the first Venetian colony before Venice was born.
I recommend joining a tour as it is much more convenient, and it is a good price. Most tours include a glass making demonstration and plenty of free time on the islands.
Photo by Ilia Bronskiy on Pexels.com
If you are feeling up for a challenge you can climb the Campanile in St Marks Basilica. This was originally built in the 9th Century on Roman foundations; the bell tower has been restored many times due to fires caused by lightening. It did collapse in 1902 but then was reconstructed in 1912. You will need to buy tickets to climb the Campanile, I do recommend buying them in advance so you can “skip the line”. At the top you will be rewarded with impressive views over the city.
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