Hola Venice: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Venice, Italy
4 days in Venice, Italy.
Venice is referred to as one of the most beautiful and romantic places in the world, the floating city of tiny islands is sewn together with hundreds of bridges- making this a must-visit city!
After spending four days in Venice, I created this travel guide filled with my recommendations on where to stay, eat & drink.
WHERE TO STAY
For our stay, we stayed at the JW Marriott Venice Resort.
Nestled on a private island, our enchanting retreat offers a complimentary shuttle boat for a whimsical journey to and from Venice. The property, a true gem, beckons to be explored and enjoyed to the fullest. On my inaugural visit to Venice, my zest for exploration led me to yearn for more time away from the hotel.
There’s just one tiny detail that could use a touch of magic – the shuttle to Venice starts its daily adventure at 9 am, bringing you to the heart of the city around 9:30 am. For an early bird like myself, eager to embrace the day and outsmart the crowds, an earlier shuttle would have been the cherry on top.
If you share my passion for early mornings and plan to venture beyond the confines of the hotel, I’d recommend considering a stay directly in Venice. This exquisite property remains open to the public, if you wish to have dinner and roam around.
WHERE TO EAT
Whether you’re a passionate foodie or simply looking for the best places to enjoy an authentic Venetian meal, I’ve got you covered. I spent hours looking and researching where to get the most authentic food that won’t break the budget.
Must-try items: Chichetti, Venetian Spritz, seafood, authentic gelato and tiramisu
Restaurants
- Bar Al’Arco (must try!!)
- Bakarò
- Ristorante al buso
- Farini
- Dal Moro’s (to-go food only)
- Bacaro Risorto Castello
Desserts
- Suso Gelato (must try)
- Tiramisu (must try)
Cafes & Bars
WHAT TO DO
Venice offers a plethora of captivating sights and experiences that might seem a bit overwhelming at first. To make the most of your visit, consider dedicating a day to exploring a specific area. Take leisurely strolls, follow your curiosity, and let the charming atmosphere guide you. While the main paths can get quite crowded with tourists, fear not! Venture into the delightful side alleys tucked away from the hustle and bustle for a relaxing break from the crowds.
Here’s what I recommend based on the areas
AREA ONE:
- Doge’s Palace
- Bridge of Sighs
- Saint Mark’s Basilica
- St. Mark’s Square
- Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
AREA TWO:
- Rialto Bridge
- Rialto Market
- Libreria Acqua Alta
- Church of Saint Mary of Miracles Venice
- Museo di Palazzo Grimani
Gondola Rides 101
Navigating gondola rides post-pandemic proved to be a bit of a challenge in terms of information. The dilemma of whether to secure a booking in advance or just go with the flow in person added to the adventure. Picture this: gondolas lining up at stops like charming bus stations – absolutely adorable, until you glimpse at the prices. Private gondola delights start at $60-80 per person for an hour. But fear not, there’s a pocket-friendly option! Grab the GetYourGuide app, and you can hop on a group ride for just $35. It’s like a communal floating experience. Embrace the shared joy of gliding through the waterways with fellow travelers – perfect for solo explorers or those who enjoy making new friends. We went for the group ride- it was a blast!
WHAT TO PACK
It’s hard to recommend exactly what to pack with the weather ever-changing. During our visit, it was 80+ degrees Fahrenheit, a bit humid and the sun’s rays were strong. Plan to do a lot of walking on un even cobble stone paths.
Packing List:
- walking shoes: white sneakers and sandals
- light layers that you can layer if it gets chilly
- bikes shorts of some sort to wear under dresses.
- reusable water bottle
- sunblock, hats and sunglasses
- purse or bag with good closures to prevent pick-pocketing
- hand sanitizer
- euros, adaptors, and portable charger
THINGS I WISH I KNEW BEFORE VISITING
Venice is beautiful and as a first timer there were a lot of lessons I want to share with you.
If you have ever visited the Venetian in Las Vegas you know there’s a weird I smell that I thought came from the man made water route – turned out it’s a replicated scent of Venice. Venice has an old water smell, it wasn’t over powering and with time became unnoticeable.
Transportation from the airport to Venice it a journey that you can pay with time or a lot of money. The water taxis cost at least 100 euros to go from the airport to Venice in about 30 mins. The water (bus) boat costs $10 euros and takes about 1.5 hours due to all the stops. Depending on your schedule, I hope this helps you plan accordingly.
Prepare for crowds! There are so many people with the same ideas to visit Venice and due to the narrow and compact streets, one can feel like a sardine. Wake up early to get ahead of the crowds, book tickets in advance and pack snack to avoid becoming hangry and impatient.
There are two types of Gondola experiences. As described above, you have an option of a private ride or a group ride. The gondoliers all have licenses that is near impossible to receive today, which could be a reason why the private ride are expensive. None the less, be respectful and follow their rules.
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I hope this guide helps you plan accordingly and prepares you for an amazing time! Remember to always check the weather and news as you near your trip. Have you been to Venice? What are your recommendations?
