Travel Guides

Venice, Italy

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Venice Travel Guide: How to Actually Do Venice Right. Real Tips from 3 Trips and What I Wish I'd Known Before Going

Venice isn't always straightforward, and that's part of the adventure. 

The first time I saw Venice, I was so eager to get there that I rushed my poor family out of Prague to get there. My husband still jokes, "Let's go! We gotta get to Venice!" anytime he tries to get me to hurry up. But honestly, can you blame me?

Over three different visits—a summer family trip in 2010, an autumn getaway with my mum in 2019, and a spring girls' trip in 2023—I've learned how to do Venice well, and more importantly, how to avoid the mistakes that waste time and money.

This isn't another "top 10 must-see sights" list. This is practical, real-world advice from someone who's made the mistakes so you don't have to.

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Getting to Venice: Don't Make My Rookie Mistake

Pro Tip: Just because the bus driver yells "Venezia" doesn't mean you're there.

We learned this the hard way on our first trip. After a long haul from Prague, our bus driver barked out "Venezia!" and everyone scrambled off, except we weren't in Venice. Not the one with canals, anyway.

The driver, clearly fed up with confused tourists, started flinging bags out of the undercarriage of the bus and yelling at us to get back on if we wanted "actual" Venice. Apparently, there's Venezia Mestre (mainland parking lots) and Venezia Santa Lucia (the island with canals). 

Pro tip: Whether travelling by bus or train, always confirm you're going to Venezia Santa Lucia, not Mestre. ​

• Venezia Mestre = chain hotels, concrete, commuter life

• Venezia Santa Lucia = postcard-perfect canals, faded grandeur, and a whiff of sea air.

Want the behind-the-scenes version of this guide, the one with questionable snacks, accidental detours, and the magic moments I didn’t see coming? Read my Venice blog post for the real story (three trips later, I finally figured it out).

Best Areas to Stay in Venice: 3 Neighbourhoods, 3 Different Experiences

San Marco District (2023 - Girls' Trip): Iconic, Lively, and Made for First-Timers

We rented an apartment steps from St. Mark's Square called Appartamento San Marco. Perfect for:

- First-time visitors who want to be in the heart of everything

- Afternoon cicchetti bar samplings

- Easy access to major sights

Downside: Crowds and higher prices. Expect to pay 20-30% more for everything.

San Polo District (2019 - Trip with Mum): Quiet, Atmospheric, Local-Approved

We stayed at Ca' San Polo in this quieter neighbourhood. The charm here is:
 

- Authentic Venetian atmosphere with fewer crowds

- Better restaurant prices

- Easy walk to Rialto Bridge, and markets

- Perfect for travellers who want authentic Venice without less chaos

Best for: Couples or solo travellers seeking a more local experience.

Rialto Bridge Area  (2010 - Family Trip): Central, Bustling, Surprisingly Charming

A small family-run boutique hotel just a few hundred feet from the Rialto Bridge. Despite cramped quarters (one king bed for three people), the location was unbeatable:
 

- Breakfast is served in an adjoining building connected by a tiny covered bridge

- Real local advice from owners

- Walking distance to everything

Cost-saving tip: Family-run hotels often include breakfast and local recommendations that save money later.

Venice Food Guide: How to Eat Well Without Getting Ripped Off

Skip the Tourist Traps Near St. Mark's Square

Avoid anything directly on or facing St. Mark's Square unless you enjoy paying €15 for lukewarm cappuccino plus a "sitting fee.” My advice: stand and enjoy the mini quartets, but get your cappuccino at a local coffee bar instead.

Discover Cicchetti: Venice's Best-Kept Food Secret

Think Venetian tapas: small bites with big flavour, served at stand-up bars with much better wine. This became our dinner strategy in 2023:

How cicchetti works:

- Order small plates (€2-4 each) at different bars

- Stand at the counter with locals

- Pair with local wine (€3-5 per glass)

- Make a meal by hopping between 3-4 places

Best cicchetti foods to try:

- Tortino (small savoury pies. Hearty, humble, delicious)

- Tramezzini (Venetian sandwiches)

- Bruschetta (try it with a glass of Prosecco)

- Local seafood specialties (it’s fresh, you can check out the fish market in the morning by the Rialto bridge to see what will be on the menu).

Breakfast Like a Local

Skip hotel breakfast buffets. Do what Venetians do:

- Pop into any coffee bar

- Stand at the counter (sitting costs extra)

- Order espresso and pastry

- Finish in 5 minutes, and fueled for hours

- Cost: €3-5 vs €15-20 hotel breakfast

Money-saving tip: Standing at the bar vs. sitting at a table can save 50% on your bill.

Best Things to Do in Venice: Embrace Getting Lost

My Venice mantra: You're not lost, you're exactly where you're supposed to be.

Venice rewards wandering over scheduling. Every planned itinerary I made got politely ignored by Venice and replaced with something better: hidden churches, artisan workshops, and quaint piazzas with locals hanging out their laundry.

Getting Lost is the Point

• Even locals get lost regularly

• Venice is small, you’re never far from a landmark

• Getting lost leads to the best photo opportunities

• Some of the most beautiful spots aren't on any map 

Navigation tip: Don’t bother with Google Maps. It will weep openly in Venice. If you're truly turned around, find your way back to the Rialto Bridge and start again. It's the perfect central landmark.

Venice Transportation: Master the Water Bus System

Buy the vaporetto Pass

Don't make single-ride mistakes. Single tickets cost €9.50 for a 75-minute ride, but multi-day passes pay for themselves quickly:

• 24-hour pass: €25

• 48-hour pass: €35  

• 72-hour pass: €45

• 7-day pass: €65

Pro Tip: Validate your pass every single time you board, even if it feels silly, unless you’re keen to fund the next boat repaint via your fines.

The Ultimate Venice Exit: Early Morning Water Taxi

My most unforgettable moment was the 4 AM water taxi to the airport with my mum in 2019.

Why it's worth the splurge (€135-180 depending on location):

- Empty canals at sunrise

- Cinematic mahogany boat experience

- Direct dock-to-airport service in 30 minutes

- Blankets provided for chilly mornings

- Arrives at Marco Polo Airport's private dock like a VIP

This isn't just transportation—it's the perfect way to end your Venice story.

Venice Shopping: Avoid the Fakes

Real Venice-Made Items vs Tourist Traps

- Avoid: Mass-produced masks and souvenirs near the Rialto Bridge

- Seek out: Artisan workshops in quiet alleyways

- Look for: Tags proving items were made in Venice

- Best finds: Handmade leather goods, authentic Murano glass, custom masks

Essential Venice Packing List for Smart Travellers

What to Bring:

- Comfortable walking shoes with good grip (marble steps get slippery)

- Layers for humidity (summer can be sweltering)

- Portable phone charger (you'll be filming everything, trust me)

- Light rain jacket (sudden showers are common) at certain times of the year

- Crossbody bag (hands-free for navigating bridges and crowds)

What NOT to Pack: 

- Heavily detailed itineraries (seriously, just let Venice happen)

- Heavy luggage with wheels (stairs and bridges everywhere)

- White clothing (you'll brush against dirty stone constantly)

When to Visit Venice: Timing Your Perfect Trip

Best for First-Timers:  April-May or September-October

- Fewer crowds than summer

- Pleasant walking weather

- Better accommodation prices

- Restaurants less touristy

Carnival Season (February): Ultimate Venice Fantasy

My dream return trip would be during Carnival. It’s masquerade meets magic: glittering masks, candlelit churches, and canals lit up like a film set.

• Morning wandering in the hopes of getting lost and finding new hidden treasures of Venice

• Afternoon food walking tour

• Evening rooftop drinks overlooking canals

• Next-day water taxi exit by moonlight.

Your Venice Action Plan: 3 Things to Do Before You Go

1. Book accommodation in San Polo or Castello for an authentic experience away from crowds

2. Research 3-4 cicchetti bars for your food crawl (locals share recommendations on food blogs)

3. Budget for one splurge experience. Whether it's the water taxi, a gondola ride, or a Carnival experience.

Venice Travel Budget: What Things Actually Cost

Daily Costs:

• Accommodation: €80-200/night (varies by season and neighbourhood)

• Meals: €40-60/day (cicchetti style vs tourist restaurants)

• Transportation: €25/day (vaporetto pass)

• One splurge: €100-150 (water taxi or special experience)
   

• Total daily budget range: €150-250/day, depending on how many spritzes and splurges

Money-saving secret: Stay 2+ nights to qualify for lower tourist tax rates.

Final Venice Wisdom

Venice doesn't ask you to conquer it; it asks you to let go a little. Take the wrong turn, sit on canal steps, order house wine with your cicchetti, and when someone tells you to hurry up, smile and ask, "Gotta get to Venice?"

The most magical moments happen when you stop trying to see everything and start noticing the small details: morning light on canal water, the sound of your footsteps on stone bridges, locals greeting each other across narrow alleyways.

Venice rewards those who wander with curiosity rather than checking boxes on a list.

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