When considering which regions to visit during a trip to Italy, the beautiful “floating city” of Venice often is at the top of the list, and for good reason! This North Italian city is full of rich history and culture, and along with the classic sights and stops that have made Venice iconic, there are many surprises to add to your itinerary. Read on to discover the ultimate to-dos in Venice!
Take a gondola ride through the canals
This one doesn’t come as much of a shock, as it is one of the most iconic staples of a Venetian vacation. While taking ride through the classic canalways can be a bit expensive, nothing quite compares to the perspective a ride through the canals will give you of classic Venetian architecture. For a less expensive, gondola-type experience, consider travel by vaporetto, a water taxi used to travel through the canals and to the various islands surrounding central Venice.
Visit the idyllic Burano
While about a 40 minute vaporetto trip outside Venice, this island is well worth the travel. It boasts stunning sights of bright, colorful buildings lining its canals. It is also well known for the beautiful lace made there by local artisans. It won’t be difficult to stumble upon a group of local women chatting together as they weave their lace art.
Enjoy authentic Venetian cicchetti
Similar to Spain’s infamous tapas, cicchetti are a variety of small plates with tiny sandwiches, polpette (fried Italian meatballs), assorted vegetables, and more. No description can truly do justice to the many textures and flavors packed in these small dishes. It’s the perfect way to get a taste for real Italian food without paying too much! Try heading to the Osteria al Squero, you’ll get to enjoy your delicious cicchetti while watching the boat builders in action at the boatyards where the gondolas are built and repaired.
Tour the Leonardo da Vinci Museum
Da Vinci was of the most influential minds in history, and Venice took the opportunity to pay tribute to this Italian scholar through this Museo Leonardo da Vinci. Inside, you’llfind interactive displays and exhibits showcasing his great works throughout his lifetime. When visiting a country as history as Italy, you can’t go wrong with exploring history, and this museum is one of the best ways to do it!
Cross the Rialto Bridge
Designed and built during the Italian Renaissance, the Rialto Bridge, or Ponte di Rialto, is the oldest bridge across the canals in Venice. It crosses over the narrowest part of the Grand Canal, giving you a spectacular view of this canal that stretches through the heart of Venice. To experience true Venetian history, you can’t miss a visit to this iconic piece of architecture. The bridge is also surrounded by quaint artisan markets with vendors selling authentic treats and handmade gifts.
Take a stroll through the Piazza San Marco
St. Mark’s Square is highly acclaimed as one of the most beautiful city squares in the world. On one side sits St. Mark’s Basilica and on the other sits Doge’s Palace, both of which house all the important religious and civil ceremonies in Venice, so this square has become one of Venice’s main symbols. Because the city often floods with the runoff from the many canals, be prepared by bringing or buying sturdy rain boots!
Explore the crypt of the San Zaccaria church
A lesser-known sight in Venice, this church houses a crypt that is permanently flooded! By packing or purchasing rain boots, you’ll get to experience an eerie and exciting piece of Italian history. The best part? It only costs about 2 euros, so you can save some extra cash to buy more gelato!
Learn glass blowing techniques in Murano
A small town just a short vaporetto ride out of Venice, Murano is historically one of the best sites for hand-blown glass. Full of workshops that give lessons on creating glass treasures, you can learn the magic behind these Venetian masterpieces! If you would prefer to just buy a beautiful piece to take home, no worries, there are plenty of markets and vendors that will sell you their handcrafted pieces. When shopping, be sure to look for the seal of authenticity and reputable stores so that you can be sure your piece is truly Murano glass.
Wherever your visit to the stunning city of Venice takes you, you’re sure to find amazing examples of the rich history and culture that Italy is known for. At Acanela, our Venice to the Vatican expedition hits all of these spots and more!
Post Written by Michaela Lyon