Venice is a magical city with a unique spirit. Some people say it is ugly and it doesn´t smell good, which I disagree. The best way to visit this destination is to get lost in the streets and find the most unexpected and picturesque places. It is a place where time seems to stand still, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of a bygone era while contemplating the complexities of the present.
Note
Venice is sinking at a rate of about 1-2 millimeters per year, and climate change is causing sea levels to rise. This combination makes the city highly vulnerable to flooding (acqua alta). So don’t go there on rainy season, because your trip can be ruined by floods.
Venice is a magical city with a unique spirit. Some people say it is ugly and it doesn´t smell good, which I disagree. The best way to visit this destination is to get lost in the streets and find the most unexpected and picturesque places. It is a place where time seems to stand still, allowing visitors to experience the beauty of a bygone era while contemplating the complexities of the present.
Note
Venice is sinking at a rate of about 1-2 millimeters per year, and climate change is causing sea levels to rise. This combination makes the city highly vulnerable to flooding (acqua alta). So don’t go there on rainy season, because your trip can be ruined by floods.
On a budget: Venice doesn't exactly have cheap accommodation. To do so, you will have to stay outside the Venice center, which makes daily logistics quite difficult (since you can only get around on foot or by boat). I stayed at the Hotel San Zulian, very close to Piazza San Marco, and I highly recommend it. It's one of the cheapest, very central, the rooms are super ok and includes breakfast. €145 per night in high season and €69 in the low one.
I went from Florence (Villa Constanza) to Venice (Tronchetto) by Flixbus. The journey takes about 4 hours and if you buy tickets in advance you can find them for €5.99. Beautiful landscapes along the way and tokens to charge your phone.
To get to Villa Constanza from the centre of Florence: take the T1.3 tram at Stazione Santa Maria Novella (scheduled every 7 minutes) which takes 25 minutes. Payment with Apple Pay/contactless and costs about €2.
From Tronchetto to the centre of Venice (reference point: Piazza San Marco) there are two options: take a boat or go by foot. The walk is a bit long (about 50 minutes) but very easy and allows you to pass by several not so touristy nice spots. The boat trip takes about 30 minutes and costs €10.
If you are coming from Marco Polo airport: €8 (30 minutes) - ACTV Line 5 - from the terminal entrance to Piazzale Roma. You can buy your ticket at the airport exit, usually there is no queue there.
If you are coming from Treviso airport: €10 (40 minutes) - Flixbus - buy online in advance - catch at the terminal entrance and get off at Tronchetto station.
Getting around Venice centre is only possible by boat or on foot. I highly recommend walking, as it is much cheaper, but taking a boat trip is also a great experience. Each trip costs around €10 to cross the Grand Canal.
1. Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal: walk along the Grand Canal until you reach the bridge. Cross it until you reach Rialto Market;
2. Crazy Pizza: great pizza slices 4 minutes walk from the bridge. Each slice costs €2.50 and they are open from 10:30 am to 11:50 pm;
3. Piazza San Marco: the entire route from the Rialto Bridge to here is fabulous; stop as many times as you need on the bridges to watch the gondolas passing by or simply eat a cannoli (a traditional Sicilian sweet that you have to try). At the Piazza, there are several terraces, almost all with a small orchestra. I totally recommend visiting the San Marco Basilica (entrance is free, but there are parts inside that require a ticket, such as the Museum, the Treasury and the Golden Shovel. Please note that backpacks are not allowed);
4. Bridge of Sighs: right next to Piazza San Marco. Despite the crowds, it deserves a look;
5. Acqua Alta: a beautiful old bookstore with second-hand books. Very touristy, but well worth it. There's no entrance fee, but there are some places where you can make donations for the cats that live there (if you don't like cats or are allergic, be careful). Open every day from 9am to 7:15pm.
1. Campo San Moisé: a very nice area for a stroll, with several shops such as Versace, Cartier, Prada, among others. If you want to take a gondola ride (€80, 30 minutes), this is a good starting point. Ask for the last stop to be at the Santa Maria della Salute Basilica.
If you don't want to take this ride, take advantage of the bridge with the incredible view of this square and continue by foot to the Basilica Santa Maria della Salute.
An alternative to the famous €80 gondolas: Traguetto, the public gondolas that cost €2. There are several points to catch them along the Grand Canal, however, they are a very short ride. They only cross the Canal and are shared by several tourists and locals;
2. Basilica Santa Maria della Salute: free entry. Open every day from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 5:30pm;
3. Dorsoduro (neighborhood) - a more relaxed and artistic neighborhood. Take a leisurely stroll and stop for a bit to eat at Campo Santa Margherita (a lively square for lunch/dinner or just for a drink);
4. If you have time, get lost. There are always wonderful corners and alleys to be found.
- Rialto Bridge and Grand Canal (cross to Mercado di Rialto and eat a slice of pizza for €2.50 at Crazzy Pizza);
- Piazza San Marco: Basilica San Marco and Bridge of Sighs;
- Acqua Alta: a beautiful old bookshop with second-hand books;
- Campo San Moisé: stroll through the luxury shopping area and, if you want, take a gondola ride (€80, 30 minutes). An alternative to the €80 gondolas: Traguetto, the public gondolas that cost €2;
- Basilica Santa Maria della Salute;
- Dorsoduro (neighbourhood) - stroll and stop for a bit to eat at Campo Santa Margherita (a very lively square for lunch/dinner or just a drink);
- If you have time to spare, get lost. There are always wonderful corners and alleys to be found.