Things to Do in Venice, Italy: What to Expect Before You Go
Before visiting Venice, we expected canals, gondolas, pretty bridges, and that classic romantic Italy feeling you always see online. And to be fair, Venice really does look like that and is a beautiful city.
But after arriving, the city also felt much more intense than we expected, especially once the tourist crowds started building up later in the day.
We visited Venice in April and drove from Zurich, where we live. Since you can’t drive into Venice itself, we parked outside the city and continued by train. Walking out of Venezia Santa Lucia station honestly felt a bit surreal at first.
Instead of roads and cars, there were canals, water buses, bridges everywhere, and people dragging suitcases up endless stairs. It immediately felt different from anywhere else we’d been before.
That’s also why we wanted this guide to feel more realistic than a typical “perfect Venice” travel guide.
Because yes, Venice is beautiful. But it can also feel crowded, expensive, confusing, and surprisingly exhausting if you try to do too much too quickly.
In this guide, you’ll find:
- the best things to do in Venice for first-timers
- what we personally thought was worth it
- quieter neighborhoods and less touristy spots
- practical tips that made our trip easier
- food experiences we genuinely loved
- common Venice mistakes to avoid
- and suggested Venice itineraries
Some of our favorite moments weren’t huge attractions at all. They were the quieter parts of the trip: walking through almost empty streets in the morning, getting lost in Cannaregio, or taking the first vaporetto to Burano before the tourist crowds arrived.
So if you’re planning your first trip and wondering what to do in Venice beyond the obvious tourist spots, hopefully this guide helps you enjoy the city without feeling completely overwhelmed by it.
Our Top 3 Hotel Picks in Venice, Italy
- Best Luxury: The Gritti Palace
- Best Mid-Range: Royal San Marco Hotel
- Best Budget: Generator Venice
Quick Picks: Best Things to Do in Venice at a Glance
If you don’t want to read the entire guide right now, these are the experiences we personally enjoyed most in Venice.
| Category | Best Experience |
|---|---|
| Best thing to do in Venice for first-timers | St. Mark’s Basilica |
| Most romantic experience | Gondola ride at sunset |
| Best free thing to do in Venice | Exploring Cannaregio |
| Best food experience | Cicchetti crawl through local bacari |
| Best lesser-known spot | Scala Contarini del Bovolo |
| Best day trip | Burano |
| Best viewpoint | San Giorgio Maggiore |
Burano was probably our favorite part of the trip overall. We took one of the first boats in the morning, and for a while, the island still felt surprisingly quiet.
And one quick tip before planning your Venice itinerary too tightly: leave some free time.
A few of our favorite places were spots we found completely by accident while wandering around.
Things to Know Before Visiting Venice, Italy
Venice looks beautiful online. And honestly, it really is. But there were also a few things about the city that caught us off guard once we arrived.
It’s busier, more expensive, and more tiring than we expected, especially in the middle of the day. After a few hours of walking over bridges, avoiding crowds, and navigating tiny streets, we were definitely more exhausted than we thought we’d be.
At the same time, Venice also ended up feeling completely different from anywhere else we’ve visited.
A little planning, honestly, helps a lot here.
Read also: Venice Travel Guide for First-Timers (2026)
Is Venice Worth Visiting?
Yes, absolutely. But we also understand why some people don’t love it as much as they expected.
Around the busiest areas, Venice can feel extremely touristy. Some restaurants looked almost identical, souvenir shops were everywhere, and certain streets near San Marco became so crowded that people could barely walk properly anymore.
But then we’d turn into a random side street, and suddenly everything felt quiet again. That contrast is probably the best way to describe Venice.
For us, the city felt best early in the morning or later in the evening once the biggest crowds disappeared.
So yes, we definitely think Venice is worth visiting. We’d just avoid treating it like a checklist of attractions.
Venice Access Fee 2026 Explained
Venice now charges an access fee on certain high-tourism days for some visitors entering the city.
In general:
- Day visitors may need to pay the Venice access fee
- Overnight visitors usually don’t pay it separately because accommodation taxes already apply
- The fee mainly applies during busy tourism periods
The exact dates and rules can change, so definitely check the official Venice tourism website before your trip.
One thing we noticed while planning is that the system sounds more complicated online than it actually is.
Staying overnight in Venice also makes the whole experience much less stressful in general. The city felt completely different once most of the day trippers left in the evening.
How Many Days Do You Need in Venice, Italy?
After visiting ourselves, this is honestly how we’d break it down:
| Trip Length | Our Honest Opinion |
|---|---|
| 1 day in Venice | Enough for the main highlights, but rushed |
| 2 days in Venice | Best option for most first-time visitors |
| 3 days in Venice | Ideal if you want island trips and a slower pace |
We personally think 2 days is the sweet spot. That gives you enough time to visit the main attractions, explore quieter neighborhoods, and enjoy Venice outside the busiest hours.
A lot of people visit Venice on a very fast day trip, but we honestly think the city becomes much more enjoyable once you stay at least one night.
Best Time to Visit Venice, Italy
We visited Venice in early spring, and it was great. The weather was mild, prices were still manageable compared to peak summer, and even though Venice was busy, it never felt completely unbearable.
Summer honestly sounds a bit exhausting to us with the combination of heat, crowds, and narrow streets with almost no shade.
One thing that surprised us was how much the weather changed the feeling of the city.
When it rained, some of the busiest streets suddenly became almost empty. We actually ended up liking parts of Venice more during the rainy hours because everything felt calmer for a while.
If we came back, we’d probably choose spring or early autumn again.
Best Things to Do in Venice for First-Timers
If it’s your first time in Venice, there are a few places you’ll probably want to see anyway.
Yes, they’re touristy. But honestly, we still think they’re worth it for a first trip. We’d just try to avoid the middle of the day whenever possible because that’s when Venice felt the most crowded to us.
Visit St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
St. Mark’s Basilica, also called Basilica di San Marco, was one of the places that impressed us more than we expected.
From the outside, it already looks huge. But inside it feels even more detailed, especially the ceilings and golden mosaics. We also noticed that it felt much darker inside than we expected from the photos online.
Right next to the basilica, you’ll also find the Campanile di San Marco bell tower, which is a popular viewpoint in Venice.
A few useful things to know:
- shoulders and knees should be covered
- large backpacks usually aren’t allowed
- the rooftop terrace costs extra, but the view is really nice
If you visit during the busier months, book tickets in advance. The lines get long pretty quickly.
Explore St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) Early in the Morning
We’re honestly not morning people on vacation. But getting up earlier in Venice was worth it.
When we walked through St. Mark’s Square, or Piazza San Marco, before breakfast, it felt completely different compared to a few hours later.
Around midday, it became so crowded that sometimes people could barely move properly anymore.
So if you want nicer photos and a less stressful experience, go early if you can.
Walk Across Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto)
The Rialto Bridge, or Ponte di Rialto, is busy basically all the time, but we still liked seeing the most iconic bridge in Venice.
The best part for us was honestly just watching everything happening on the water below. There are constantly boats, gondolas, water taxis, delivery boats, and vaporettos passing through.
We actually liked the area next to the bridge more than standing directly on it because it got packed very quickly.
If you’re there in the morning, it’s also worth checking out the Rialto Market nearby.
Visit Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Before going into Doge’s Palace, also called Palazzo Ducale, we weren’t sure if it would be worth the price. But we ended up spending much longer inside than we expected.
Some rooms are honestly massive, and the whole place feels much bigger than it looks from the outside.
You also get access to the Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri) from inside the palace, which was cool to see in person.
It’s definitely expensive, but for a first Venice trip, we’d still include it.
Take a Gondola Ride (And Whether It’s Actually Worth It)
Before going to Venice, we kept asking ourselves if a gondola ride was actually worth the money. Because honestly, they’re expensive.
After doing it ourselves, we’d say this: If it’s something you’ve always wanted to do, then yes, it’s worth it once. We don’t regret it at all.
But we also wouldn’t expect some super private romantic movie scene the entire time. Some canals are crowded, there are lots of other gondolas around, and the rides are shorter than many people probably expect.
We enjoyed the smaller side canals much more than the busy areas near St. Mark’s Square.
And going later in the day felt nicer too because everything looked softer around sunset.
Venice Gondola Prices
Official gondola prices are usually around:
- € 90 ($ 105) for a daytime ride
- around € 110 ($ 130) in the evening
The price is per gondola, not per person, so sharing makes it much cheaper.
There are also:
- shared gondola rides
- private rides
- and shorter routes
One thing we noticed is that the gondola stations near the biggest tourist areas looked the most crowded and rushed. If we did it again, we’d probably book slightly away from the main hotspots.
Cheaper Alternatives to a Gondola
If you mainly want to see Venice from the water, the vaporetto honestly gives you really nice views for much less money. Especially Line 1 along the Grand Canal.
There’s also the traghetto, which is basically a very short gondola crossing locals use to get across the Grand Canal. It only lasts a couple of minutes, but it’s much cheaper and still fun to try once.
Ride the Vaporetto Along the Grand Canal
One of the things we ended up liking most in Venice was just taking the vaporetto through the city.
At first, it honestly felt a bit chaotic because we had no idea which line went where, and some stations were packed. But after using it a few times, it became pretty easy.
And seeing Venice from the water is completely different compared to walking through the small streets all day.
Take Vaporetto Line 1
If you only do one water bus ride, take Line 1.
It goes along the Grand Canal and passes a lot of the main sights, including:
- Ponte di Rialto
- Piazza San Marco
- and a lot of smaller canal areas
Because it stops often, you actually get time to look around properly instead of rushing past everything.
We usually tried to stand outside or near the front if there was space because the views were much better there.
What We Didn’t Expect
The vaporetto system confused us a bit at first.
Some stations were crowded, people boarded very aggressively sometimes, and we definitely got on the wrong line once in the beginning.
Single tickets are also surprisingly expensive for short rides.
If you plan to use the vaporetto several times per day, a transport pass is usually worth it pretty quickly.
Get Lost in Venice’s Most Beautiful Neighborhoods
Some of our favorite parts of Venice had nothing to do with the big attractions.
Once we moved away from the main tourist route between the train station, Rialto Bridge, and St. Mark’s Square, the city felt completely different. Quieter, less stressful, and honestly, much nicer to walk around.
Cannaregio
Out of all the neighborhoods we visited, Cannaregio was probably our favorite. It still felt lively, but not nearly as chaotic as San Marco.
We spent a lot of time just walking around there without really having a plan. There were small canals, little cafés, local restaurants, laundry hanging above the streets, and way fewer people stopping every two seconds for photos.
This was also one of the few areas where Venice felt a bit more local to us.
If we came back, we’d probably stay here instead of near San Marco.
Dorsoduro
Dorsoduro felt more relaxed overall. There are museums and galleries there, but honestly, we mostly liked it because it felt less hectic.
We also ended up spending more time there in the evening because there were lots of people sitting near the water with drinks or meeting friends after work, which made the whole area feel more normal and less tourist-focused.
Jewish Ghetto
The Venetian Ghetto was one of the quieter areas we visited.
There’s obviously a lot of history there, but we also just liked the general feeling of the neighborhood. Small bakeries, local restaurants, quieter squares, fewer crowds.
It felt very different compared to the busiest parts of Venice.
Visit Burano and Murano
If you have enough time, we’d definitely leave the main city for a few hours and visit at least one of the islands near Venice.
After a while, central Venice can honestly feel a bit exhausting with all the crowds and narrow streets all day.
The islands felt much calmer.
Why Burano Was Our Favorite Day Trip
Burano was probably our favorite part of the entire trip.
Yes, the colorful houses are beautiful in real life, too. But what we liked most was that the island felt much more relaxed compared to Venice itself.
Taking the first boat was honestly one of the best decisions we made. When we arrived, people were still opening cafés, locals were out with shopping carts, and the streets were still pretty empty.
A few hours later, it looked completely different once the tour groups arrived.
So if you want to visit Burano, go early if possible.
We also thought Burano was much bigger than expected. A lot of people seem to rush through it very quickly, but we actually enjoyed just walking around without doing much.
Is Murano Worth Visiting?
Murano is very different from Burano.
Most people go there for the glass factories and glass-blowing demonstrations, which are honestly pretty interesting to watch at least once.
But overall, Murano felt much more tourist-focused to us. There were lots of souvenir shops and organized groups near the main walking areas.
That doesn’t mean it’s bad. We still think it’s worth visiting if you’re interested in the glassmaking history. But if we had to choose between the two islands, we’d personally pick Burano again.
Best Food Experiences in Venice, Italy
The food scene ended up being a much bigger part of our trip than we expected.
Not because we had fancy meals all the time, but because even very simple things somehow just worked really well in Venice.
A plate of pasta after walking all day, a spritz near a canal, or stopping at a tiny bacaro for cicchetti honestly became some of our favorite parts of the trip.
Read also: Tipping in Italy – Restaurants, Taxis & More
Try Cicchetti in a Traditional Bacaro
If you try one food experience in Venice, make it cicchetti. Cicchetti are small Venetian snacks usually served in traditional bars called bacari.
You’ll usually see:
- little sandwiches
- seafood toppings on bread
- olives
- fried snacks
- and other small bites at the counter
Most people just stand inside, order a drink, grab a few snacks, and move on to the next place. It felt much more casual and local compared to sitting down at tourist restaurants for long meals.
We also liked that it was usually cheaper.
One thing we also noticed was that prices near the biggest tourist attractions were much higher. So if a place right next to St. Mark’s Square looks expensive, just walk a few streets further.
Eat Seafood Pasta and Tiramisu
Seafood pasta is everywhere in Venice, and honestly, some of our favorite meals were the simplest ones. Nothing fancy. Just good pasta after walking around all day.
Tiramisu was also impossible to avoid, but we weren’t complaining about that.
At the same time, Venice is probably one of the easiest places in Italy to accidentally end up in overpriced restaurants. Especially near St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge area.
We also got confused at first by all the extra restaurant charges, like:
- coperto
- bread charges
- and service fees
They’re normal in Italy, but if it’s your first trip, they can definitely catch you off guard.
Unique Places to Visit in Venice, Italy
Even in a city as touristy as Venice, we still found a few places that felt a bit different from the usual Venice checklist.
Some of them are popular online already, but they still feel more relaxed compared to the biggest tourist hotspots.
Libreria Acqua Alta
Libreria Acqua Alta is probably the strangest bookstore we’ve ever been to.
Books are stacked everywhere – inside gondolas, bathtubs, boats, and tiny little rooms packed floor to ceiling. The whole place feels messy in a fun way.
At the back, there’s also the famous staircase made from old books overlooking the canal.
It’s definitely not some secret spot anymore, but we still thought it was worth seeing once.
Just don’t expect to have the place to yourself. It gets busy pretty quickly later in the day.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Scala Contarini del Bovolo ended up being one of our favorite smaller spots in Venice.
The staircase itself already looks really nice, but the view from the top was honestly the main reason we liked it. From up there, you really notice how unusual Venice looks without roads or large open spaces.
It also felt much calmer compared to some of the more famous viewpoints in the city.
San Giorgio Maggiore
If we had to choose our favorite view in Venice, it would probably be from San Giorgio Maggiore.
From the bell tower, you can see:
- St. Mark’s Square
- the rooftops of Venice
- the lagoon
- and the Grand Canal area
What we liked most is that you’re looking at Venice from a bit further away instead of standing right in the middle of the crowds.
Best Free Things to Do in Venice, Italy
Venice can get expensive pretty quickly. Between hotels, vaporetto tickets, gondola rides, and restaurants, we definitely noticed our budget disappearing faster than expected.
But some of our favorite things we did in Venice didn’t cost anything at all.
Wander Through the Small Side Streets
This honestly ended up being one of our favorite parts of the trip.
The moment we walked away from the busiest streets near Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square, Venice felt completely different.
Quieter streets, tiny canals, random little bridges, laundry hanging between buildings, small cafés with almost nobody sitting outside.
At one point, we got completely lost because every bridge started looking the same. But those were also the moments we remember most now.
Take an Early Morning Walk
We know we keep mentioning mornings in this guide, but there’s honestly a reason for it. Venice before breakfast feels completely different compared to the middle of the day.
Even the busiest places suddenly feel calm, and you can actually walk around without constantly squeezing through crowds.
Most of our favorite photos from the trip were taken during those early morning walks.
Visit Rialto Market
Near the Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto), you’ll find the Rialto Market area. Compared to the nearby souvenir shops and tourist restaurants, this part felt much more local.
There were seafood stands, fruit markets, delivery carts, and people actually shopping for groceries instead of only sightseeing.
It’s not somewhere you need hours for, but it’s worth walking through if you’re nearby in the morning.
Enjoy the Bridges and Canal Views
One thing we liked about Venice is that you don’t always need tickets or activities to enjoy the city.
Some of our favorite moments were honestly just:
- standing on random bridges watching boats pass underneath
- walking along smaller canals in Cannaregio
- or sitting near the water for a while with a snack
Especially if you’re visiting Venice on a budget, that’s a big part of the experience anyway.
Things to Do in Venice When It Rains
Before our trip, we were really hoping for good weather the entire time. Instead, we got both sunshine and rain. And honestly, Venice in the rain was much nicer than we expected.
The city felt quieter, less crowded, and a bit less stressful once the weather changed. Some streets that had been packed earlier were almost empty for a while.
So if you end up with rainy weather during your trip, it’s really not the worst place for it.
Visit Museums and Churches
Rainy weather is honestly the perfect excuse to spend more time inside some of Venice’s famous buildings.
Places like:
- Doge’s Palace
- St. Mark’s Basilica
- or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
make a lot more sense once you want a break from walking around outside for hours.
After a while, sitting somewhere dry and warm actually felt pretty nice.
Spend More Time in Cafés and Bacari
Rain also slowed our days down a bit, which we actually liked.
Instead of rushing between attractions, we spent more time sitting inside cafés, ordering another coffee, or stopping for cicchetti and a spritz.
Those ended up being some of the most relaxed parts of the trip.
Venice Actually Looks Good in the Rain
We didn’t expect this either, but Venice looked really nice once it started raining. The reflections on the streets and canals made the city look completely different compared to the bright midday sunshine.
At the same time, rain definitely makes some things more annoying. The narrow streets get crowded with umbrellas very quickly, bridges become slippery, and dragging luggage around gets even worse.
Mistakes to Avoid in Venice, Italy
There are a few things we would definitely do differently if we visited Venice again.
None of them ruined the trip or anything like that, but they would have made the whole experience a lot less stressful.
Arriving Too Late at the Main Attractions
This was probably the biggest thing we noticed in Venice. By late morning, places like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge were already extremely crowded.
We’re usually not people who wake up super early on vacation, but in Venice, it honestly helped a lot. Even one or two hours made a huge difference.
Staying Only Around San Marco
San Marco is convenient, especially for a first trip. But it was also the part of Venice that felt the most exhausting to us after a while.
We liked areas like Cannaregio and Dorsoduro much more because things just felt calmer there, especially in the evening.
If we came back, we’d probably spend more time there.
Paying Too Much for a Gondola Ride
Gondolas are expensive anyway, but some rides near the main tourist areas looked very rushed and overcrowded.
If you want to do one, it’s worth checking prices first and maybe walking a bit further away from the busiest canals.
Otherwise, the vaporetto honestly gives you some really nice views for much less money.
Eating Directly Next to Tourist Hotspots
This is probably one of the easiest mistakes to make in Venice.
Restaurants right next to major attractions often had:
- much higher prices
- extra fees
- and sometimes pretty average food
Some of our best meals happened in completely random side streets where we hadn’t planned to eat at all.
Bringing Heavy Luggage
We really underestimated this before the trip. Venice looks flat on the map, but dragging a suitcase over bridge after bridge gets annoying very quickly.
Especially once the streets got crowded, it became way more exhausting than we expected.
If possible, pack lighter than usual and stay somewhere close to a vaporetto stop.
Practical Venice Travel Tips
There were a few things about Venice that we only really understood once we arrived.
Nothing major, but knowing them beforehand would definitely have made the trip easier.
How to Arrive in Venice, Italy
We drove from Zurich, parked outside Venice, and then continued by train. And honestly, we’d probably do the exact same thing again.
Since you can’t drive through Venice itself, most people either:
- arrive directly by train
- park near Mestre
- or leave their car near Piazzale Roma
The train arrival was honestly one of the coolest parts for us. You walk out of the station, and suddenly, there are canals, boats, bridges, and water buses everywhere instead of streets and cars.
It doesn’t feel like arriving in a normal city at all.
Be Careful with Pickpockets
We personally never had any problems, but Venice is definitely one of those places where you should pay attention to your belongings.
We saw warnings about pickpockets constantly, especially:
- near the train station
- around the Rialto Bridge
- and inside crowded vaporettos
Once places got busy, it was easy to see how someone could get distracted for a second.
We’d just keep valuables close and be a bit more careful than usual in crowded areas.
What to Pack for Venice, Italy
The biggest thing we underestimated was, honestly, the walking. Venice looks small on the map, but after walking over bridges all day, our legs were definitely tired by the evening.
Comfortable shoes are honestly one of the most important things to pack here.
We’d also bring:
- waterproof shoes if it rains
- a small umbrella
- lighter luggage if possible
- and clothes you can comfortably walk around in all day
Heavy suitcases get annoying very quickly in Venice.
Suggested Venice Itineraries
How many days you need in Venice really depends on how you like to travel. Some people do Venice as a quick day trip. Others stay several days and visit the islands too.
After our trip, this is probably how we’d personally plan it.
1 Day in Venice
One day in Venice is enough to see the main highlights, but it will feel busy.
If you only have one day, we’d focus on:
- St. Mark’s Square
- St. Mark’s Basilica
- the Rialto Bridge
- a vaporetto ride on the Grand Canal
- and cicchetti later in the day
We honestly wouldn’t try to squeeze too much into one day because Venice gets tiring pretty quickly.
2 Days in Venice
We personally think 2 days is probably the best option for most first-time visitors.
That gives you enough time to:
- see the main attractions
- explore quieter neighborhoods
- slow down a bit
- and enjoy Venice outside the busiest hours
For a Venice 2-day itinerary, we’d probably do:
- Day 1: classic Venice highlights
- Day 2: Cannaregio, Dorsoduro, food spots, and smaller viewpoints
This honestly felt like the best balance overall.
3 Days in Venice
If you have 3 days in Venice, we’d definitely add at least one island day trip.
A Venice itinerary for 3 days could look like this:
- Day 1: main attractions and Grand Canal
- Day 2: neighborhoods, food, and slower exploring
- Day 3: Burano and Murano
By the third day, Venice honestly felt much less overwhelming to us because we stopped trying to constantly move from one attraction to the next.
Where to Stay in Venice
Choosing where to stay in Venice honestly makes a huge difference. Some areas are very convenient but also extremely busy, while others feel much calmer once the day tourists leave.
We stayed close to St. Mark’s Square, which was great for sightseeing early in the morning. But if we came back, we’d probably stay in a quieter neighborhood instead.
San Marco – Best for First-Time Visitors
If it’s your first trip to Venice, San Marco is definitely the easiest area to stay in.
You’re close to:
- St. Mark’s Basilica
- the Rialto Bridge
- vaporetto stops
- restaurants
- and most major attractions
The downside is that it’s also the busiest and most expensive part of Venice.
Cannaregio – Best Overall Area
Out of all the neighborhoods we visited, Cannaregio was probably our favorite overall. It still felt central, but much calmer than San Marco.
We found more local restaurants, quieter canals, and fewer crowds there, especially in the evenings once the day tourists disappeared.
If we came back to Venice, we’d probably stay here.
Dorsoduro – Best for a Slower Atmosphere
Dorsoduro felt more relaxed overall. There are museums and galleries there, but honestly, we mostly liked the area because it felt less hectic.
It was also one of the places where we spent more time in the evening, just walking around near the water.
Our Hotel Recommendation
We stayed at the Royal San Marco Hotel because we wanted to be close to the main attractions.
The location was honestly very convenient, especially in the mornings before Venice got busy.
FAQ About Things to Do in Venice
Is Venice worth visiting?
Yes, we really think so.
At the same time, we also understand why some people leave Venice feeling a bit disappointed. Parts of the city are extremely touristy, it can get crowded fast, and prices are definitely higher than in many other Italian cities.
But Venice still feels completely different from anywhere else we’ve been.
For us, the best parts weren’t necessarily the huge attractions. It was more the overall atmosphere, the canals, the early mornings, and randomly walking through small streets without a plan.
Is a gondola ride worth it?
We’d say yes, but only if you already know it’s going to be a tourist experience.
It’s expensive and pretty short, so we wouldn’t expect some super private romantic movie moment the entire time.
But at the same time, floating through the canals in a gondola is still one of those things that just feels very “Venice.” We don’t regret doing it.
How expensive is Venice?
Honestly, Venice can get expensive pretty quickly. Especially hotels, gondolas, and restaurants near the main tourist attractions.
We also noticed that small things added up fast. That said, you definitely don’t need to do expensive activities all day to enjoy Venice. Some of our favorite moments were completely free.
How many days do you need in Venice?
We personally think 2-3 days is the best amount of time for a first trip.
One day felt too rushed when we looked at other people doing day trips. Venice is more tiring than it looks because you walk constantly, and there are bridges everywhere.
In a few days, you can also explore quieter neighborhoods and visit Burano without stressing the entire time.
Is Venice walkable?
Very. There are no cars inside Venice itself, so you’ll pretty much walk everywhere unless you use the vaporetto.
Just don’t underestimate how much walking it actually is. By the end of the day, our legs were definitely feeling it.
What should you avoid in Venice?
The biggest mistake is probably trying to do too much too quickly.
We’d also avoid:
- arriving late at major attractions
- eating directly next to tourist hotspots
- bringing heavy luggage
- and planning every minute too tightly
Venice is much more enjoyable once you slow down a little.
Is Burano worth visiting?
For us, yes, 100%. Burano was probably our favorite part of the trip.
The colorful houses are obviously beautiful, but the whole island also felt calmer and less stressful compared to central Venice.
What is the best month to visit Venice?
We visited in spring and would probably choose that again.
The weather was nice overall, and even though Venice was still busy, it never felt completely unbearable.
We’d personally avoid peak summer if possible because the combination of heat and crowds sounds pretty exhausting in Venice.
