Is Venice Worth Visiting? Everything I Wish I’d Known Before Visiting Venice, Italy

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Is Venice worth visiting?

Sleek black gondolas gliding through hundreds of narrow canals, wandering through narrow alleys, over bridges, to wind your way throughout the beautiful city. There are so many amazing facts about Venice, but there are some essential things to know before visiting Venice that you’ll want to be aware of to have the best experience.

If you’re wondering whether the lagoon city is worth a place on your Italian itinerary, I’ve been living in the Veneto region for several months now. After going to Venice numerous times, I can’t keep count–these are all of my top tips for visiting Venice.

Is Venice Worth Visiting?

First thing’s first–is Venice worth visiting? A resounding YES! 

Although it’s visited by more than 20 million people each year, Venice is not an overrated city to explore in Italy. Built on more than 120 small islands, with most interconnected by more than 400 bridges, the history, and architecture of the city are incredibly unique. 

La Serenissima, which translates to the Most Serene Republic of Venice, was established around 402 when the Veneti people sought refuge on these islands amid invasions. The autonomous Republic was created in 421 and survived until Napoleon’s invasion in 1797.

Throughout this period, the Republic of Venice ruled over most of the Adriatic coast, including the Istrian peninsula. It was also in control of sections of modern-day Croatia, Montenegro, Albania, and Greece.

The Doge, or ruler of Venice, was not a hereditary office. He was elected by a committee of affluent Venetians and reigned for life by the people’s will. 

Venice, considered Europe’s most prosperous city, prospered as an economic powerhouse due to its position and abundance of a precious natural resource–salt. Many of the iconic buildings and palaces date back to this period of prosperity in the city’s history.

Where is Venice?

Venice, Italy is the capital of the Veneto region in northern Italy. It’s made up of 128 islands within the Venetian Lagoon (Laguna Veneta,) an enclosed bay in the Adriatic Sea.

The Italian mainland is located to the west and there are ferries to cross the Adriatic Sea to reach the nearby countries of Slovenia and Croatia.

What is Venice known for?

The city of Venice, Italy is known for many pieces of art and architecture that date back to the Republic of Venice. It’s famous for its black gondolas gliding through the 178 canal paths, beautiful art dating from the Middle Ages, through the Renaissance to the modern-day, and unique architecture like the Rialto Bridge, the Doge’s Palace, and the world-famous St. Mark’s Basilica.

Insider Tip: Although you can’t swim in the canals in Venice, there are several beautiful beaches within Venice where you can swim.

Top Tips for Visiting Venice, Italy

Learn a little Venetian lingo

You’ll only find one true piazza in Venice–Piazza San Marco (and Piazzetta di San Marco). Instead, you’ll come upon campo.

The Italian term for square is piazza, whereas the Venetian dialect uses campo. Similarly, in Venice, instead of the Italian word via, which means street, you’ll be strolling along calle.

Fun fact: One of the world’s tiniest streets can be seen in Venice. Calle Varisco is only 53cm wide, making it one of the narrowest streets.

Some other important words in the Venetian dialect have to do with delicious food. You’re in Italy, so of course, they do!

• giro d’ombra – directly translating to “a turn in the shadows” in Italian, it’s used to mean a bar crawl in the Venetian dialect

• bacaro – Venetian dialect for “a good bar”

• cicchetti – directly translating in Italian to a “little” or “quick drink,” it’s the Venetian word for small plates and local snacks you’d enjoy at a bacaro

You will need to register to enter Venice

This might be one of the most essential Venice travel tips! Even after banning cruise ships from docking in the city’s port, Venice has decided to go even further to combat overtourism.

Starting in 2023, the city of Venice is establishing a reservation system to manage the number of tourists coming into the city. The plan is to charge day-tripping visitors on a sliding scale depending on how busy the time of year is and confirm your reservation before you enter the city. 

As of now, the reservation system isn’t set up yet, but I’ll be keeping this area updated as more information becomes available. 

What time of year is best to visit Venice? Visit during the off-season

The city doesn’t really have a true “off-season;” you’ll find Venice filled with crowds of tourists for 11 out of 12 months of the year. So what’s that magic month where Venice is mostly empty, save from the locals and a few brave souls?

So, when is Venice worth visiting? I’ve now seen the city almost every month of the year. I can definitively say that visiting Venice, Italy in January is my favorite time to be in the Italian city. Venice is almost deserted after the Epiphany holiday on January 6 until the start of Carnevale (which usually begins in mid-February).

Although I love the summer sun warming my face while walking through the city streets, nothing beats walking into a nearly-empty Piazza San Marco.

That said—it’s cold in January! The Veneto region is filled with fog throughout the cold, Christmas months. Since the city is literally built on a lagoon, you also need to factor in the wind chill.

And although it doesn’t usually snow in this Italian city, Venice experiences flooding, called acqua alta, every winter when the water levels rise in the Adriatic Sea. Be sure to bring in your best winter gear.

If you really can’t stand the cold and don’t want to visit Venice in the winter, the next best time to visit Venice is March. The weather is starting to warm up, but the Lagoon keeps the temperature nice and cool.

There are fewer tourists around than you’ll find in just a few weeks, and you might even be able to photograph some early spring blooms.

Is Venice expensive? Make sure to stay away from restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in the tourist areas

Like any major city, Venice can be expensive if you don’t plan ahead. Restaurants, bars, or coffee shops that you find right next to the famous landmarks are what we like to call a Venice tourist trap.

Tourist trap (n.) – a crowded place that provides entertainment and things to buy for tourists, often at high prices

“Tourist Trap.” TOURIST TRAP | Definition in the Cambridge English Dictionary. 

As cool as it might be to eat along the Grand Canal underneath the Ponte di Rialto, the quality of Italian food will likely be lower. And the price of your meal will be higher than if you walk a few blocks away.

I know there are a few exceptions to every rule, but for the most part, you’ll find the best foods at the best prices away from the major landmarks.

Also, book your hotel rooms well in advance to avoid last-minute surge pricing.

Take advantage of free tours and experiences

Taking a walking tour is one of the best things to do in Venice! As a licensed New York City Tour Guide, I will always recommend that you take a tour of the new place as one of the first things you do when you get there.

Taking a guided walking tour with an experienced guide will give you an excellent education on the history, famous landmarks, and insider information about your city.

Although sometimes I recommend you purchase a walking tour, I’ve found that Italy is filled with phenomenal free walking tour options.

As you can imagine, Italy takes its history very seriously. Even free walking tours must be led by a licensed guide by the European Union.

One of my favorite websites to start my walking tour search is GuruWalk. Especially in a historic city like Venice, there are tons of options, all led by licensed tour guides. Of course, the larger the city you’re in, the more walking tour options.

However, especially since it was free, you need to remember to tip your tour guides. A good rule of thumb is at least €10 per person in your party taking the tour.

It’s not only a thanks-for-doing-a-good-job for your tour guide; since you didn’t pay anything for the tour upfront, this is how your tour guide gets paid for their work teaching you that day.

Buy a Venice pass to visit several museums at a discounted rate

There are a few different city passes available for Venice. There are three main options, each one suitable for different people based on what Venetian experiences they want to have.

Most of the passes include entry into the twelve different civic museums in the city. If you are interested in visiting a few of them, you’ll save on the cost of admission by bundling your purchase with a pass.

I have a complete guide that completely breaks down the differences between each half, what would be the best Venice city pass for your trip.

Insider Tip: If you’re in Venice on the first Sunday of the month, every public state-run museum in Italy offers free admission!

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Purchase a Vaporetto pass only for the days you’ll need it

The Vaporetto is expensive. Although sometimes you’ll need it, walking is the cheapest and most effective way to get anywhere in Venice. Although it’ll take a little longer, you’ll have an opportunity to explore the cities winding streets, get a little lost, and then be a little found.

However, there are some places while you’re spending 2 days in Venice you’ll need the Vaporetto to reach. If you want to visit any of the nearby islands mentioned above, you will need the public water bus.

You can take a look at its pricing and purchase passes here.

My favorite app to use when learning how to navigate a new city’s transportation system is Citymapper. The free app will show you the stops, lines and tell you when, where, and how to get from where you are to where you want to go.

It also works in some of my other favorite cities worldwide, like New York City, Vienna, and nearby cities like Bologna.

Remember–there are no cars, bikes, or any other vehicles in Venice. To get anywhere in the city, you need to take the vaporetto, a traghetto, or walk.

Don’t go for a gondola ride–instead, take a traghetto

Of course, you want to try the authentic experience of riding in a traditional Venetian gondola, but they can be expensive.

Take a traghetto to enjoy a gondola trip the local way. Because the Grand Canal is only crossed by four bridges, residents frequently need to get across without the hassle of the Vaporetto or the time to walk in the car-free city.

Instead, they use a traghetto for the ease of going a short distance. It won’t have all of the stories from the guide on a touristy gondola trip, nor will it travel through small Venetian canals between islands. But, it will give you that genuine gondola ride on a budget!

This is one of my best tips for visiting Venice on a budget. However, if you want to have the whole experience of a gondola ride, book this Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary.

If you’re interested in experiencing the best non-touristy things to do in Italy, check out my post with tons of recommendations around the country you’ll want to add to your next trip!

Venice requires a lot of walking and isn’t made for accessibility

Remember how I said the Republic of Venice was established in 421 C.E.? Although the European city has not looked the exact same for the last 1,600 years, several factors remain true. 

You will inevitably walk over bridges that require stairs to walk around the city. Many of these historical buildings with their beautiful facades are several hundred years old, so they don’t have elevators.

And, Because many of the streets are very narrow and twisted, apps like Google Maps I am not reliable or giving you turn by turn walking instructions.

I’ve watched parents with kiddos in strollers struggling to drag the carriage up and down the many stairs of the many bridges, and it’s tough. And that doesn’t begin to cover the struggle for people to experience the city with other mobility issues and ailments.

I am not trying to dissuade you from seeing Venice. I love the historic city and encourage everyone who wants to experience it to come. Still, I want to make sure you know all the things to know before visiting Venice to plan ahead.

Restaurants and some shops close in the afternoon

This one is a sacred practice throughout Italy called riposo.

Most restaurants (and even some small shops) close in the afternoon in Venice. Restaurants usually close around 2:30 or 3 p.m. and only reopen again for dinner around 7 p.m.

That’s right, no early dinners in Venice. Although you can find a few restaurants open for business in this window, you’ll probably be walking for a while to find them.

That’s why my next tip is so essential…

Plan out your meals to include cicchetti

Cicchetti is the traditional Venetian small bites that you can enjoy basically at any time of day. They’re delicious, made with small rounds of Italian bread and topped with delicacies like baccalà, gorgonzola, porchetta, and more.

Since you can find a bar open with cicchetti available at pretty much any time of day, one of my best insider tips to Venice is to plan out your day to enjoy cicchetti as your lunch or a snack in between breakfast and dinner. 

Especially if you’re looking for food in the window from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., cicchetti is your best food option. You can find cicchetti at basically any bacaro.

Of course, you need to enjoy it with a spritz or glass of wine from the Veneto region, like prosecco, a bubbly white wine only produced here.

Stopping for some cicchetti and a spritz is also one of the best things to do in Venice at night.

Insider Tip: If you’re interested in experiencing Prosecco from the source, you should consider taking one of these Prosecco vineyard tours from Venice while you’re in the Veneto region. You’ll have the opportunity to learn more about the process behind the wine’s signature Charmat method while sampling the light bubbly white wine surrounded by breathtaking views.

Make sure you reserve time to visit outer islands in the Venetian lagoon

Venice is made up of more than just the city center. There are dozens of islands just a Vaporetto or private water taxi ride away. You need to reserve some time to explore.

Murano is one of the world’s most famous glassmaking centers. The first glassmakers were taken to this tiny island in the Venetian Lagoon during the Middle Ages. They were not allowed to leave to protect their secrets of creating glass.

Today, Murano is still regarded as a hub for high-quality glass factories, and it’s home to the Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum).

Burano is well-known for its needle-lace. During the 18th century, the island was admired for the quality of its lace. 

Fun Fact: The tradition was even saved from extinction in 1872 by an elderly island inhabitant who remembered the process of making lace from when she was a little girl. 

Regrettably, the school is no longer open. However, you can still learn about the history of the art form on this island by visiting the Museo del Merletto. Burano is also well-known for the spectacular scenery of its brightly painted colorful houses.

You can visit other incredible Venetian islands, including Lido island, Torcello, San Michele, and ​​Giudecca Island. Visiting Venice’s outer islands are some of the best Italy summer destinations.

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Don’t take flowers, bracelets, or anything else given to you by someone unexpectedly on the street

If someone comes up to you out of the blue on the street and hands you a bracelet or sitting at a restaurant, someone approaches your table to offer you a rose, do you not take it!

Nothing ever comes for free–OK, maybe un bicchierino di digestivo after your dinner at a really chill restaurant–but otherwise, nothing comes for free. 

Bracelets and roses are the most common scams I’ve seen, though I’m sure there are more. If you accept the “gift,” you will then be haggled to pay for it with cash. Unless you really want it and have cash on you to pay for it, say no and walk away if you can.

Seriously, this is one of the most underrated things to know when visiting Venice. I see it happen all. the. time.

Be wary of cheap souvenir stores if you want something authentic to take home

Authentic Venetian Carnevale masks, delicate Murano glass, and beautiful Burano lace are some of the most famous souvenirs you can bring home from Venice. If you’re interested in bringing home a trinket that isn’t authentic, your best bet is a low-key souvenir shop or stand for cheap masks or other tchotchkes.

However, if you’re willing to pay for it a little more for authentic handcrafted souvenirs, you’re not going to find them at a cheap souvenir store.

Several shops throughout Venice are dedicated to selling the highest quality of handcrafted goods for Venetian masks, Murano glass, and even the Burano lace. And a few of my favorites include:

• Authentic handmade Venetian masks: Papier Machè Venezia, Schegge Art & Crafts, La Mascareta

• Murano glass: F&M Ballarin, MuranoVitrum Glass Shop, GoTo Murano Project, Murano Glass Company

• Burano lace: Martina Vidal, La Perla Gallery, Merletti dalla Olga

• Other unique Venetian souvenirs: Stamperia artigiana Marchi dal 1633

You can access the rest of Italy by using the high-speed trains available at Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia

The Italian train system is an excellent method of public transportation. I highly recommend it for traveling from city to city, rather than renting a car.

Although you can’t take the train to Venetian islands like Murano, Burano, or Guidecca, you can easily travel from Venice to nearby destinations like Treviso, Padua, and Vicenza.

Even Bologna, Lake Garda, Rome, and beyond are accessible from Venice’s train station. It’s truly the best way to travel around the country.

Or, if you plan on taking the bus in or out of Venice, Piazzale Roma is right next to the train station where you can catch your bus.

What do you think–is Venice worth visiting? Do you have any Venice travel tips and things to know before visiting Venice you’d like to share? If you’re interested in learning more, I have several travel guides on this magical city of Venice. 

Lyndsay

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