Exploring Italy North To South (Part- 3 Venice)

If you have been following this series, you must remember that in part 2 we left from Lake Garda in the evening on our second day in Italy. After enjoying the beautiful lake for a few hours we headed to our next destination- the city of love “Venice”.

Venice or as Italians call it “Venezia” is situated on a group of 118 small islands all connected by tunnels and 400 bridges!!! Ranked the most beautiful city in the world, Venice is nothing less than a wonder. The historical city of Venice appears to be floating on the river and instead of roads and the usual vehicles, you see a number of boats and gondolas moving through the canals (I even saw an “ambulance speed boat”).

It is just a 2.5-hour drive from Lake Garda to Venice. We kept our entire 3rd day just for Venice. If Venice is on your list of places to visit be prepared to walk a lot. Although there are gondola rides, they are too expensive (80 euros for one ride!!) and hence we avoided them. Anyways walking through the city is the best way to explore the place.

Where To Stay

The historical city of Venice is too expensive, so I would not suggest staying there or even shopping there. We reached Venice in the evening and had booked an Airbnb. If you are also traveling in a group and are on a budget trip, go for Airbnbs without giving a second thought. They are way cheaper than hotels and you get a lot of space and freedom to yourself. 

Some Airbnbs even offer breakfast and the hosts are great. Even if you don’t get the breakfast option, you can always shop at any nearby Supermarket and make your own breakfast at your Airbnb. All the Airbnbs we booked had a kitchen along with other basic requirements such as utensils, salt, pepper, etc. 

There was a supermarket at just walking distance from our place. Eggs, bread, and coffee was our breakfast for most days on our trip.

Our Airbnb in Venice

Also Read: Exploring Italy From North To South ( Part 1 - Milan)

How To Reach The Historical City Of Venice

It’s very easy to reach the main city, if you are not staying in the historical city of Venice. Go to any nearby Tabbachi store and buy a bus ticket. There are buses every few hours to the main city. Take a ticket for your return journey as well.

Apart from buses, there are trams also. But since the tram route is longer we opted for bus. The bus drops you just outside the entrance to the main city. From there you cross a small bridge and enter “ The Floating City”.

Places To Visit

The whole city is so beautiful you don’t want to miss out even one street. The best way to explore the city is to get lost in the streets. However, some of the best attractions in the city are:

1. The Grand Canal

This one is hard to miss. The Grand Canal sweeps through the heart of Venice in an S-curve. There is also a train station at just the entrance of Venice. As you exit the station you can directly see the canal in front of you. If your pocket allows, a Gondola ride on the Grand Canal is one of the most romantic things to do in Venice at night. There are also a number of palaces and castles on both sides of the canal. 

2. Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges built over the Grand Canal and is a famous landmark of Venice. The bridge connects two very busy streets of Venice. Watch the gondolas pass by and pose under the bridge or on the bridge to get a memorable picture from your trip. This bridge marks the spot of the island's first settlement, called Rivus Altus (high bank). It was built in 1588, some 150 years after the collapse of a previous wooden bridge. 

The church of San Bartolomeo, close to the San Marco end of the bridge, was the church of the German merchants who lived and worked in the German Commodity Exchange bordering the canal. On the other side of Rialto Bridge is a fresh market, where there are Venetians and chefs shop for fresh produce and seafood. 

Also Read: Exploring Italy From North To South ( Part-2 Lake Garda)

3. San Polo 

Just beyond the fresh market on one side of the Rialto bridge are the narrow streets of San Polo, which house artisans' shops and mask-making studios, one of the best places for shopping in Venice. If you plan on buying a souvenir, nothing could be better than the trademark handmade Venetian masks. You might even spot a few artists working on these masks in their studios. Venice even hosts a carnival where people wear these masks.

Most of the Venetian masks are made using original paper-mache technique. Each authentic Venetian mask is hand decorated by the Artisan Mask-maker. Venetian Mask-makers use a variety of materials and techniques for decoration of their glorious masks. Acrylic paints, gold and silver leaf, macrame lace, beads, glitter, precious fabrics, feathers, real music sheet, Tarot cards, metal ornaments, Swarovski crystal pieces, semiprecious jewels, artificial ageing and more.

The price of the authentic Venetian mask depends on the details such as level of decoration, materials used, size, shape, quality of craftsmanship and can be vary from few dollars to several thousands dollars a piece. 

4. St. Mark’s Square And Basilica

Venice's largest square- The St. Mark’s Square has an elegant uniform architecture on three sides. St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) is known as Venice's living room, the place where everybody gathers to chat, meets friends and tour guides. The open end of the square houses the exotic mosaics, and stone filigree of St. Mark's Basilica. Make sure that you cover your knees and shoulders while entering the Basilica. In fact, you need to cover up while entering any religious place. So make sure that you wear something accordingly.

St. Mark’s Basilica is Venice's best-known church and was originally the Doge's private chapel. Doge of Venice was the chief magistrate and head of the city. The Basilica is decorated with Byzantine art treasures that are part of the booty brought back by Venetian ships after the fall of Constantinople. You do not need any ticket to enter the Basilica, however, there is going to be a long queue and you are not allowed to carry backpacks. But don’t worry you can deposit your bags at a nearby place just ask someone for directions.

Also Read: 16 Tips To Book The Cheapest Flights To Anywhere

5. Doge’s Palace

Just next to the Basilica is one of the most renowned buildings in Venice- Doges Palace. It is also located in St. Mark’s Square but looks out onto the grand canal.

This ornate palace is simply stunning and its front facade features a beautiful arched design made of white stone with a series of diamond patterns on the walls. Inside, the palace is just as impressive and there is a series of immensely decorated rooms that all have original details, furniture, and artwork.

But entry to this palace is not free, buy tickets from the counter or book a tour.

6. Bridge of Sighs

Don’t go by the size of this bridge, a relatively small bridge, the Bridge of Sighs is one of the most viewed structures in the city and is an important historic landmark.

The bridge connects the Prigioni Nuove to Doge’s Palace. Legend has it, that as criminals were taken from the Palace over the bridge, they would catch one last glimpse of Venice and sigh, considering their forthcoming punishment and imprisonment.

A walk across the Bridge of Sighs and to the dark cells of the Prigioni - the prisons from which Casanova made his famous escape is sadly open only for private tours. 

Also Read: How To Cover Dubai In 4 Days

A Few Tips:

1. Venice has a number of palaces and places to see almost at every corner but don’t get caught up in the urge to see everything. Pick a few places and make the most of them.

2. If you intend on taking a Gondola ride, I would suggest taking a boat ride instead. You will be sharing the Gondola with complete strangers and that too for just 30 minutes. A boat is a much better option.

3. Book a private tour for Doge’s Palace in advance and enjoy walking through the Bridge of Sighs and the prison. Also, catch a glimpse of the view that the criminals saw before heading to prison. 

4. Carry something to eat. The food and cafes in Venice are ultra-expensive.

5. Stay till dark to see Venice at night.

After having a great and tiring day at Venice we headed back to our Airbnb ready to explore a new place the next day. Stay tuned to know more about my upcoming experiences in Italy.

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