The All Around Guide to Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy is unarguably one of the world’s most famous destinations. Between its history,  legendary canal-city layout and position in popular culture, almost every avid world traveler has either been or aspires to visit this beautiful Italian destination. And yet, though it is not the largest city in northeastern Italy, many visitors fail to experience everything it has to offer. So what should one see and expereince while touring Venice? Here’s a collection of our top choices.

The Sites

Venice is saturated with historic destinations; however there are a handful of spots that simply cannot be missed by any visitor. Conveniently enough, a few of these destinations are all found in one single place: Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square). Visiting the square itself is one of the most memorable experiences for any Venice visitor, uniquely described by Napoleon as the “Drawing Room of Europe.”

The 11^th century Byzantine-style Saint Mark’s Basilica is one of the square’s main draws, with an amazing exterior that is equally matched by its opulent interior.  Golden mosaics and icons, ancient sculptures, statues and 12^th century marble floors are only a few of the interior’s attractions that make this church one of Italy’s most famous. Adjoined to the basilica is another of the square (and city’s) main attractions, the Doge’s Palace. Now a museum, this palace used to be the heart of Venice’s political and judicial system. A final must-visit site within the square is St. Mark’s Clocktower- a late 15^th century construction that was built to represent the wealth and splendor of Venice. For the best view of the square (and surrounding city), climb to the top of St. Mark’s Bell Tower (the Campanile), for spectacular 360 degree views of Venice.

Besides seeing Saint Mark’s Square, visitors should take to the streets of the city and, literally get lost in them. Wandering the side streets, crossing the bridges over the famous canals and meandering the historic alleys are some of the most memorable moments in Venice. Even if time is not on your side, allot yourself at least an hour to simply stroll around- it’s well worth it!!

The Culture

Visiting the cultural side of Venice is another of the city’s great draws. Home to some of the world’s best art, a visit to the Gallerie dell’Accademia gives you a glimpse of pre-19^th century Venetian art; a one-stop gallery in the city that is well worth a visit for any lover of art & history. For a more contemporary tour, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection (found along the Grand Canal) is an excellent modern art museum home to some notable works from the last century. For those with an ear on the music scene, Teatro La Fenice, Teatro Malibran, Teatro Toniolo and even St. Mark’s Basilica hold some fantastic concerts all throughout the year.

The Food & Wine

Venice is famous for its food specialties and its wine; from delicious antipasti dishes to special goose, freshwater fish and Venetian meatball (polpette) dishes, you won’t have to look too far to satisfy your taste buds. For the vino lovers, Venice is surrounded by a wine region that is considered one of Italy’s best; enjoying a few glasses of Venetian wine only seems appropriate! And of course, there’s no better way to top off a meal or a tour than with a scoop of Italy’s famous gelato. Venice is home to some world-famous Gelaterias, so the long lines are very well warranted.

Last But Not Least

The Canals. A Gondola Ride. What else is there to say? If Venice is famous for one thing, it’s the canals. And although taking a gondola ride through the waterways may prove to be super expensive and almost not worth it… you may only be in Venice once! Tour the Grand Canal, hire a gondola, see the city from the water- it’s an absolute must.

If you’re looking for the ultimate list of where to go and what to do in Venice, look no further than a local guide. Having a  Venice tour guide by your side is the best way to explore the city, assuring that you hit all the spots, don’t miss anything, and make the most out of your unforgettable stay (no matter how long or short it may be). 

Image Credits and License Details: https://flic.kr/p/8GGRQi (Robert Montgomery, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/fKvC8Z (Eric Parker, CC BY-NC 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/nhED4 (Yakinodi, CC BY 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/9y67yF (Pietro Izzo, CC BY-NC-SA 2.0), https://flic.kr/p/bVFmqz (Paulo Ordoveza, CC BY 2.0)