Italy never fails to captivate me, even after numerous visits. From the majestic Alps in the north to the serene coastlines, every corner of the country offers something unique. That’s why I’m excited to share my thoughts on what to do in Venice if you have three days this summer.
This post was inspired by a recent 10-day excursion Ciara and I were blessed enough to pursue. We explored Venice, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast, each one leaving a lasting impression for years to come. From crossing canal bridges in the East to riding a scooter along a rugged coastline towns in the South, the journey was nothing short of a dream come true; a dream I didn’t even know I had!
Reflecting on our trip this past week, I was taken back by Italy’s unparalleled charm. Thus, I thought it would be selfish not to share some insights on what to do in Venice; the City of Canals. If you’ve read some of my other blogs, you know I don’t just tell you to visit a city. Instead, I tell you which locations to visit based on my experiences there. This post won’t be any different, I promise.
So, in no particular order, let’s explore what to do in Venice if you have three days this summer!
How to get to Venice
Ciara and I took a direct afternoon flight from Stuttgart, eager to leave behind the dreary weather. Brimming with excitement, we collected our bags and headed to the water taxis, ready for our Venetian escapade. The water taxis promised a swift journey to the heart of Venice, but boy did they disappoint.
Alilaguna is a shuttle-by-water service that advertises all over the airport. They claim to shuttle you to the main parts of Venice, which is true…but they are ridiculously slow!
Pro tip: the Alilaguna water shuttle service will take AT LEAST one to two hours to get you from the airport to Venice. Avoid them if at all possible and take the bus or train instead if you’re in a hurry.
Ciara and I had to wait for over an hour for the water shuttle to finally arrive. Once it did, it still took half an hour to finally get to our port stop in Venice. Needless to say, it definitely put damper on our initial travel buzz. However, a picturesque sunset greeted us as we stepped onto the dock. Those golden rays more than restored our affirmation that we were right where we needed to be.
I opened Google Maps to find directions to our Airbnb and was glad to see how unbelievably walkable Venice would be! What seemed like 15 blocks was actually just three or four. Several times on our way to the Airbnb, I had to tell Ciara to turn around because we missed the tiny alley we needed to take. Those mistakes made for some awesome adventures!
What to do in Venice
1. Ponte di Rialto
Ponte di Rialto was our first stop in Venice, but it wasn’t planned at all! Rather, this gorgeous attraction snuck up on us. Ciara and I were simply attempting to traverse the town to get to the Basilica di San Marco when we discovered this gorgeous bridge.
Of the four bridges that span the Grand Canal in Venice, this bridge is the oldest of them all. Legend has it the stones used for constructing this bridge were stolen from a Roman theatre in Padua down the road from Venice!
Pro tip: be sure to look up when you’re at the top of the bridge! From there, you’ll see a dove that represents the Holy Spirit. Not only that, you’ll also see reliefs of Archangel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary on the southern side.
Without a doubt, Ponte di Rialto offers some of the most beautiful views of the Grand Canal. Consider starting here when looking for things to do in Venice. I’m sure the sights will inspire you to do other things!
Walking away with 20 new photos in our camera rolls, Ciara and I continued on with our regularly scheduled plan .Next stop: the Basilica di San Marco.
2. Basilica di San Marco at Piazza San Marco
At this point in my assignment in Europe, I’ve seen well over a couple hundred churches. Not to mention another hundred basilicas, mosques, and other religious buildings. Cologne, Barcelona, The Vatican, and Paris take the cake for the best cathedrals in Europe. However, I’m happy to admit that Venice’s Basilica di San Marco quickly jumped into my Top 10 after visiting.
For starters, the entire interior was designed with the illiterate in mind. Strange fact to call out but I have to say that I love that! The builders were always considering the lowest common denominator, and isn’t that the exact person Jesus came here to save?
What I mean is that every inch of the hallowed halls are dedicated to graphically telling the story of Christ. And the reasoning was simple: it was to appeal to our historic ancestors who simply couldn’t read.
Everywhere I looked, my eyes twinkled like a child’s does on Christmas morning from all the Gold mosaics. Even more impressive is how small some of the gold flakes are; most smaller than Ciara’s pinky finger nail! I can’t even imagine how long it must have taken the designers to finish such a masterpiece.
Pro tip: buy a ticket in advance at GetYourGuide. It’ll save you anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. You’ll skip the line and enter through a different entrance, and you’ll only pay €3 more than those waiting in line!
I recommend purchasing the audio guide so you can learn about the different stories portrayed all around you. My favorite was the mosaic of Jesus holding a closed Bible. This symbolization shows that He is the Word, and that the Word became flesh. It was such an amazing mosaic!
Be sure to pay the few dollars extra and go upstairs at the Basilica di San Marco. Here you’ll see the 4 horses sculptures that were brought back from Constantinople during the First Crusades! Plus, you’ll have some of the best views of San Marco Square as well!
3. Take a traghetto across the canal for only €2
Standing on the porch of the Basilica di San Marco, Ciara and I noticed a beautiful dome situated just across the canal. Leaving the Basicilica, we made our way towards what would later be discovered as the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Getting there was the best part though!
In Venice, you have two choices for getting around. You can hump it block by block until you reach a bridge, or take a traghetto. A traghetto is basically a small row boat that quickly shuttles you across the canals in Venice!
The largest canal in Venice is like a large backwards “S” which separates the many different neighborhoods. Ciara and I learned that taking a traghetto across to the other side saves you an extra half mile to the next bridge. And they only cost €2!
Having paid the ferryman, we quickly arrived at the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Though the interior was under renovations, it was still a beautiful church. Plus, the ride across the canal was a truly authentic experience!
4. Take a Gondola Ride
A comprehensive list of what to do in Venice isn’t complete until it mentions a gondola ride. In fact, this was on my bucket list before I even moved to Germany!
So you know what Ciara and I did at sunset on our second night in Venice? That’s right! We scratched another amazing, dream-like item off my bucket list. It was expensive, but it was worth every penny! The way it unfolded was even better.
As we sat in a quiet alley, eating gelato and listening to the buzz of the city, a gondola void of passengers appeared seemingly out of nowhere. The gondolier asked if we wanted a ride, and without hesitation, we both said, “Si, grazie!”
We climbed into the large black gondola with red cushions and trim, and pushed off from the edge of the riverbank. Floating along the canals, I almost got a cramp in my neck from looking around so much!
Rounding a corner, we were met face-to-face with one of the most gorgeous sunsets I had seen in a long time. Being that we live in Germany, the winter months only ever serve gray skies that slowly fade into darkness. Rarely do we ever get to see the sun before it sets. Those that have lived in Germany can relate, amiright?
Ciara and I inched closer, clasped hands, and floated down the canal as the final rays of sun bounced off our faces. It was everything I thought it would be, and then some.
5. Visit the Oldest Ghetto in Europe
Only in Venice can you wander the streets of the oldest Jewish Ghetto in Europe. A walk in this neighborhood needs to be something you do in Venice! Located on the northwest side of the city, the Jewish Ghetto still has five synagogues you can tour during your visit.
As you enter the ghetto, you’ll pass the original gates that once confined this population. These gates kept the Jews isolated in their quarters from sunset until sunrise. As you wander, imagine being in a situation where you had to bribe gate guards with food or money just to be let out after dark. These gates confined people to an area of roughly two city blocks, a stark reminder of the ghetto’s history.
Pro tip: Be sure to look up. You’ll notice how the buildings look as though they are stacked on top of each other. This was the only way the Jewish population was able to expand; they had to build upwards. This was because the Venetian government (and the Church) didn’t want Jews to live outside of the Ghetto.
Take a moment and read the signage around the ghetto. A lot is dedicated to remembering the Venetian Jews that were deported from the ghetto to Nazi concentration camps. The rustic artwork tells a gruesome story, and it really hit home for me.
Walking around here, I can vouch that somber feelings are unavoidable. After visiting the Jewish Ghetto, you’ll likely want to do something more lively, and I don’t blame you. So…
6. Admire the Alps from the Corner of Venice
I bet you wouldn’t think admiring the Alps would be on a “what to do in Venice” list. But, you’d be happily mistaken! On the north side of Venice (near Parco “Villa Groggia”) you’ll find some incredible views of the Italian Alps far off in the distance. The best part is that tourists hardly ever visit this side of town due to the lack of attractions. That means you’ll have the whole place to yourself!
As a matter of fact, some of the best drinks and snacks Ciara and I had in Venice were on the northern part of town. Be sure to visit this area if you’ve got a few extra hours and the sun is shining!
7. Catch a sunset from a canal bridge
After wandering the north side of Venice, Ciara and I looked at the map to game plan. We realized that we hadn’t spent much time over near the main train station. We hadn’t spent much time on the southern side of the city either. So, we laced up our shoes and made our way towards the main train station.
This was easily one of the best decisions we could have made given the impeccable sunset we caught!
Pro tip: Tourists will flood Ponte di Rialto to catch a sunset, and it’ll be super crowded. Instead, there’s an equally beautiful spot at the San Basilio dock.
Of all the things you can do in Venice, this is likely the cheapest (since it’s free!). It’s also the most romantic thing to do outside of a classic gondola ride. As the sun crept closer and closer to the horizon, Ciara and I took turns counting down how long we thought it’d take before the final rays disappeared. Each time we were wrong, we’d simply start over again :). It’s one of the few times in my life that I’ve never been happier being wrong.
8. Watch a Moonrise from Ponte dell’Accademia
You thought sunsets were romantic? You haven’t seen anything yet! This might be the first list of things to do in Venice that recommends watching a moonrise.
As Ciara and I moved on from the south side of Venice towards our Air B&B in the middle of town, we were forced to cross the Ponte dell’Accademia bridge. The route that Google put us on was probably some of the best city wandering we could’ve asked for! Just as we reached the crest of Ponte dell’Accademia, we looked out towards the east where we were greeted with a jaw-dropping view of the moon resting just above the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute.
I fell in love with this city all over again right in that moment. The clouds were hazy in some parts and solid in others, leading to an amazing pallet of grays, blues, and violets all being illuminated by a full moon. The moment was made even more surreal with the added accents of the city’s warm lights cast along the water to create a sparkling effect along the whole canal.
I had posted a picture from this moment and a friend of mine said that while he was there, it was also one of the most memorable sights he had ever seen. Not just in Venice, but in his life! Don’t neglect a chance to see this for yourself if you’re ever in town!
In conclusion…
Venice is in my top 10 list of cities to visit if you’re ever stationed in Europe, or fortunate enough to call the continent home for an extended period of time.
Though my list is not exhaustive of all the things you could see or do in Venice, it certainly captures the big ones that you can’t afford to miss. What’s not listed however, are the countless picturesque scenes the town has to offer. It seemed like ever time Ciara and I rounded a new corner, another watercolor painting scene was being created right in front of us.
Also, don’t stay confined to the touristy areas of Venice; explore the outer banks of the town and see what unique gems they have to offer! That’s the only way Ciara and I would’ve found that lovely park on the north side of town with the amazing views of the Alps off in the distance.
Cost wise, I wouldn’t say Venice is any more expensive than any other big touristy destination in Italy. However, getting there can be expensive, so prepare for that. The traghetto rides across the canals and a good pair of walking shoes can easily save you hundreds of euro in water taxi costs if you’re willing and able.
All in all, the city has a wonderful vibe and even greater locals, some of whom that are nicer on their worst day than a German on their best day lol. And, of course, the food is art in Italy, so don’t skimp on eating out once or twice, and be sure to opt for a good bottle of local wine if you have time to enjoy it!
