Venice : The City You Simply Cannot Miss!

Most of the reviews I read talk about how Venice is crowded, overly touristy, and how it is better to skip it in favour of quieter, smaller towns. They’ll suggest exploring the unbeaten path, and while there is value in that, Venice has got to be the exception. In your lifetime, no matter the crowd, you have to experience this city at least once.

Venice isn’t just a place; it is a breathtaking dreamscape that simply cannot be imagined until you see for yourself. We arrived by train from Como and we felt overwhelmed, something beyond words. The canals, the historic architecture and the fabulous waterways….it all comes together to create an atmosphere like no other. The first thing that hit me when we arrived in Venice was : How is this even possible? I mean, seriously how do you build an entire city on water-and not just any city, but one that is still standing strong after all this time! It’s mind-blowing.

We hear all these stories about Venice sinking, but when you are actually there, looking around at the canals and the stunning architecture, it’s hard to wrap your head around. I was just left thinking, wow, someone really thought this through-during war! It is just not about the beauty (though, trust me it is ridiculously beautiful), but the fact that so much care has gone into preserving it. Venice is a living, breathing work of art. And once you see it, you get why it’s still such a big deal.

Hotels or Apartments?

Normally, we have been staying in apartments all over Europe, but in Venice I’d definitely recommend choosing a hotel instead. Finding addresses through the maze of canals can be tricky, and with apartments, you never know what you are walking into- especially since many of them are old and may have a ton of stairs to climb. Do your research on the location and accessibility if you are set on an apartment. Gondola rides are super expensive, anywhere between 50 to a 100 euros! Also, Venice is hot in April and without proper air-conditioning, the stay can get uncomfortable.

We are a family of three – travel is our real addiction. It is what keeps us going and if you have read any of our other blogs you probably know that by now.

We visited Venice in April 2024, and we stayed at Locanda Casa Martini. It was about a 15 minute walk from the main train station of Venice. The location was perfect-just off a busy street, which meant easy access to cafe’s restaurants and supermarkets…without being stuck in the middle of chaos.

The hotel itself had this really authentic Venetian vibe to it, and the staff was fabulous and super helpful and friendly, and they made the stay even better.

Things to do in Venice

Since Venice is all about walking, the key thing we did was to walk not just through the main streets and hitting all the touristy spots, but we wandered into the smaller, quieter lanes to really get a feel for the place. We made it a point to take a different path everyday and half the time we didn’t even know where we would end up. Sometimes we would hit a dead end and have to turn back, but that was part of the fun. Honestly, getting a bit lost in Venice was the best part of being there!

Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is one place in Venice that you just cannot miss. The view from up there was simply incredible – we got to see the grand canal in all its glory, with boats and gondolas passing by and beautiful old buildings lining the water. It really felt like that we had stepped into another world, and the charm of it just made us take it all in.

The atmosphere on the bridge was amazing, and it’s a great spot if you love snapping photos. Seriously every corner was worth a capture. Now, if I can give you one tip, it’s this : go early. Venice is packed with tourists, and by the middle of the day, the Rialto gets pretty crowded. And we went back in the night too. The way the city lights up and reflects on the water it is just magical. Rialto Bridge is a spot that makes you appreciate just how special Venice is.

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

St. Mark’s Square is one of the most beautiful and lively spots in Venice. We spent hours here just soaking in the atmosphere. There’s something about sitting at one of the cafe’s, sipping an Aperol Spritz, and staring at the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica that made us feel like we were living a dream.

One of the funny and unique things about the square is what happens during hight tide. The square sometimes gets a bit flooded with 2-3 inches of water! But here’s the best part – people don’t seem to mind it at all. People were sitting at the cafe’s with their legs in water, still enjoying their drinks and the vibe. It’s just one of those things Venetians are used to, and it was kind of fun to be a part of it. 

The entire square is buzzing with energy. There’s always something happening – live musicians playing, people chatting and just this constant hum of life. We stayed at the square for hours without even realising how much time had passed.

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

The Doge’s Palace is a stunning Gothic masterpiece located right next to St. Marks’s Basilica. Once the residence of the Doge, the ruler of Venice, it also served as the heart of the Venetian government, housing the courts, council chambers, and even a prison! The architecture is grand with soaring arches and a beautiful facade adorned with pink and white marble. The palace is quite breathtaking inside with richly decorated rooms and impressive frescoes and paintings. One of the highlights is the Bridge of Sighs. It connects the palace to the prison, where prisoners would catch their last glimpse of Venice before their sentence.

To understand and appreciate the history we opted for an audio guide and it is totally worth it. The guide provided fascinating insights into the palace’s past, and we understood so much more when we were seeing it. Keep in mind, you’ll need to leave an ID card as security when renting the guide which will be returned once you return the audio guide.

The Iconic Gondola Ride

Since Venice is such a walkable city, we were a bit hesitant at first about taking a Gondola ride. But after a lot of back and forth, we decided that we didn’t want to leave Venice with any regrets, so we finally took the plunge. And let me tell you – we were not the least bit disappointed.

Yes, the ride cost us around 80 euros which is a lot, and is definitely touristy. Plus, it only lasts 30 minutes, and honestly it was over in a flash. But in those moments gliding through the peaceful canals, it felt completely worth it. The Gondola took us through quiet waterways, under picturesque bridges, and past beautiful centuries-old buildings that you can’t fully appreciate on foot. We passed iconic spots like the Rialto bridge and the bridge of Sighs, but the real magic was in the smaller canals. What really stood out was the skill of the gondoliers. With so many touristy boats crowding the narrow canals, watching them maneuvre the gondolas with such ease and precision was impressive. It was truly an art that added an extra layer of excitement to the ride.

Overall, we didn’t regret it for a second. The Gondola ride is one of the classic Venice experiences that you just have to try at least once – and it’s something we will remember for a long time.

St. Mark Cathedral

The Cathedral is one of the most beautiful sights in Venice, known for its stunning Byzantine architecture and intricate mosaics. Unfortunately, we missed out on visiting it due to its long lines. The cathedral is famous for its golden mosaics that depict biblical scenes, and the exterior is adorned with fabulous sculptures and unique designs. I am told the inside is even more stunning with every corner filled with art and history.

One crucial tip for anyone reading this blog : reserve your tickets early! We made the mistake of not booking in advance, which led to long wait times. St. Marks’s Cathedral is a highlight of any trip to Venice, and it’s an experience you wouldn’t want to miss.

Shopping For Art

Buying art in Venice is an experience like no other. The city is brimming with talented artists showcasing their work, and the variety of paintings and styles is simply astonishing. I found myself wandering through the charming streets, discovering small galleries filled with beautiful pieces that capture the essence of Venice. One particular gallery caught my attention and I ended up spending hours exploring the works of different junior artists. In the end, I couldn’t resist picking up a painting that spoke to me. It’s a treasure I will cherish forever, reminding me of my time in this magical city.

Delicious Food

The food scene in Venice is absolutely to die for! We found countless cafe’s and restaurants offering delicious option for everyone, whether you’re a vegetarian or a meat lover. There is no shortage of places to enjoy authentic Venetian cuisine. For vegetarians, indulging in a classic Italian pizza is a must – it’s simply delicious. The Italians are known for their hospitality, and sharing a meal with them makes the experience even more enjoyable. And, of course we treated ourselves to some of the best gelatos in the world!

Overall, we absolutely loved our time in Venice. Yes, it’s a touristy destination, but it’s one of those places that you simply can’t miss. It is a city that offers art, history, beauty and food that left us wanting to return again and again.

Do look out for more such blogs from Around the World and Incredible India