Venice - things to do?
 

I'd love some insider tips on things to do in Venice. I will be there in August with my 13 year old over a few days and so far all I have planned is a day trip to Burano. Any suggestions or must-see spots?
Thanks!

Since you're going to the Lagoon, I'd include Torcello which is IMO the most picturesque and least crowded of the islands.

Other than that, my suggestion is to get a good guidebook and jointly figure out what you want to do and what's where. Venice is relatively compact and easy to get around. We like the DK Eyewitness travel guides as it gives you a drawing of each spot you might be interested in seeing.

One of my favorite things to do in Venice is just walk around without a plan and look into the churches, each of which offers something out of the ordinary, usually paintings. Get a good map, as it's easy to get lost--there are good maps in the back of the Eyewitness guides so you could carry that with you.

Without knowing what each of you likes to do, can't really advise more.

#1 thing for me is to take a public boat ride up and down the Grand Canale at night - the ancient fading facades of palazzos silently slip by - sublimely illuminated. Lord Byron mad a famous swim up the canal but I'd stick to the boats.

The Arsenale area is not on the main tourist trek - Venice's monumental old shipyards, some still working - public boats used to go thru there but not sure now - but can walk by it.

And yes listening to the string quartets on St Mark's Square at night - totally surrelalistic!

go kayaking, take the water bus about the place,

Venice is a place where I would just walk, walk, walk--which is actually easy to do because, a) there are no cars or roads, and, b) it's so easy to get misdirected that you end up wandering whether you meant to or not. Stop for gelato, go into churches, peek into shops. The atmosphere is unique in the world.

I also recommend the Blue Guide for Venice, which is a very old fashioned guidebook. Maybe it won't be to your taste. But to me, it suits that city perfectly.

Thanks everyone. I kind of figured that walking around and exploring the city would be the best bet, but wanted to see if I was missing anything.

I'll second Torcello - the farthest and most quiet of the island lagoons - and like Venice in general notorius for its colony of feral cats that lurk EVERYWHERE!

Just my opinion but if you just walk around the city without a plan, you will miss a lot!

* Piazza San Marco
* Campanielle Bell Tower
* Clock Tower
* Doge's Palace and Secret Itinerary Tour
* St. Mark's Basilica
* Bridge of Sighs and Prisons
* Grand Canal Cruise - Take #1 boat from Piazzale Roma and download Rick Steve's free audio tour
* Rialto Bridge
* Academia
* La Salute Church
* San Giorgo Maggiore Church - Best view from it's tower
* Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
* Scuola Grande di San Rocco
* Church of San Zaccaria
* Jewish ghetto
* Ca' d'Oro
* Le Fenice Opera House
* Diocesan Museum
* Ca' Rezzonico (Museo de Venice)
* Wander thru Dorsoduro sestiere
* Santa Maria dei Miracoli
* Santi Giovanni & Paolo
* Original Venice Walking Tour
* Scuola de San Giorgio degli Schiavoni
* Scula dei Carmini
* Torcello Island
* Burano

Thanks Joan, that's what happened when I visited NYC! No plan, and leaving with the feeling I had missed out. I will look through your list... thanks!

We visited Venice with our two sons ages 16 and 14 a few years ago. They enjoyed the ferry to Burano; we also got off at San Giorgio Maggiore across from Piazza San Marco and we all loved the view.

We spent a lot of time walking, and hired a private guide which I'd highly recommend doing. Even though we'd been to Venice a few times before, we learned so much more with our guide. She brought us to the market (the boys were appropriately grossed out by the fish), a tour of the basilica and the Doge's Palace (the cells were also quite interesting to my boys), which included a walk over the Bridge of Sighs.

We started our days with quick breakfasts at local cafes, and really loved seeing Piazza San Marco when it was virtually empty. I'd highly recommend at least one early morning spent there.

They also loved the gondola ride. We went at sunset, which was a perfect time. Rialto Bridge would be best done in the morning before the crowds appear.

Gelato makes everything better, so be sure to include that in your daily itinerary!

Venice is wonderful! Have a great trip!

San Giorgio Maggiore - go up the campanile, but make sure you won't be there at the top of the hour, we were. The bells began ringing in San Marco but not San Giorgio so I thought that we were safe. About a minute later they began to ring! Thankfully we were right by the elevator and had already looked out every side of the tower! Make no mistake the bells are REALLY loud when you are right there with them.

We took a walking tour of Dorsoduro that ended with a gondola ride. As it turned out our gondola had two other friendly couples so the ride was fun and just soooo different from the vaporetti, the canals were so calm and quiet in the evening. I can't wait to go back for another ride.

We were in the city for four days, we mostly wandered from site to site that was on our list. We stopped in a bakery and sat at a fountain while the pigeons walked through our legs to pick up our cookie crumbs. You have to find an open table in the sun, preferrably along a canal, have a drink and just watch Venice walk by you. We were on the Guidecca canal and watched a cruise ship go by, that was interesting.

Venice was wonderful, have fun!!!!

>>Just my opinion but if you just walk around the city without a plan, you will miss a lot!<<

I agree. The "oh, just wander around" advice, especially with a 13-year-old, is a bad recipe.

Some here have given you good ideas. JMHO:

I didn't "get" Torcello and the recommendations as a must-do. But I guess you'll decide for yourself.

A glass-blowing demo on Murano should be of some interest, but get out of the factory fast to resist the high-pressure sales. Then on to Burano.

The Secret Itineraries tour of the Doges Palace is kind of fun.

Stop by the gondola-repair shop.

San Marco at night -- yes. Grab a table and spring for some snacks and a drink while you listen to the music.

The Jewish Ghetto and its museum can be interesting and instructive for a 13-year-old.

you might look into the biennale celebration which will run late into the year.

I recommend lunch at Gato Nero in Burano.

Venice will be mobbed in August. Imagine a tsunami of tourists.


Thin, stops at Pantagruelica

Who said wander around without a plan? The need to polish one's own star is one of the saddest things about this place, really.

Don't wander around without a plan.
Don't look up when it's raining.
Don't take any wooden nickels.

I'm going to go have a Venezianoi now.

My advise is to keep it simple. Don't be a touristy tourist, don't try to see absolutely everything and visit any place next to Venice that you believe is worth visiting. A day-trip to Burano is enough. Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, spend most of your time exploring and you won't regret it, this is the biggest highlight of Venice, the city itself. Ofcourse, visit some of the most important attractions like: Palazzo Ducale, Basilica di San Marco, Gallerie dell'Accademia. Also you -have- to take a gondola ride in the Grande Canal, it sounds quite touristy and it's overpriced but believe me it worths every penny.

I didn't "get" Torcello and the recommendations as a must-do>

I never would recommend it as a must see - I was thinking OP was looking for 'insider' things that are not hyped in most guidebooks and to which people don't make a beaten path.

I loved the Via Garibaldi - a fairly typical main commercial stsreet like in any Italian town except - no cars or obnoxious scooters - kids playing, dogs running around and ordinary shops - kind of nice seeing a street like that sans a hoard of tourists.

and yes for me I like wandering at times without a destination - and the huge crowds in Venice pretty much stick to a few main gauntlets like from the Pza Roma and train station area to San Marcos - many parts see nearly no tourists and these are the most picturesque often and quintessentially Venetian.

Think about venicekayak.com. Great fun

You can buy the Chorus Pass which admits you to many of Venice's art filled churches. It will take you all over Venice, a good way to see a lot of different, less touristed areas and neighborhoods.. Many of the paintings you'll see were created for the exact space where they still are hung.

for me Torcello is a "must see" - where else can you see luminous mosaics in a 1000 year old Basilica in the shadow of the Dolomites? and with any luck far less mobbed with people than much of the rest of Venice.

Wendy - you don't say how long you've got in Venice which of course affects what you can see. it will probably be a good idea to keep out of the main San Marco area around the Basilica during the day; you can pre-book your visit to the Basilica for free. here's a link to the Basilica website which will take you to the booking site:

http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/eng/v...cat=6&subcat=5

I've linked to this website as you can also book guided tours of the Basilica, see opening times, etc. I would advise booking an entrance as early or as late in the day as possible - there are likely to be fewer people and it won't eat into your day so much.

The Secret itineraries tour of the Doge's palace is also well worth it [you have the opportunity to tour the rest of the palace by yourself after the tour] but again I would go early - one of the many complaints of the Doges was that in summer, their rooms were unbearably hot.

otherwise pacing yourselves and keeping out of the way of the crowds will be the key to having a good time. Good luck!

@annhig Well as a matter of fact, Torcello is not only place in the world that you can find a 1000 year old Basilica decorated with golden mosaics, in a scenic view. Hosios Loukas in Greece is of equal beauty, or even better. It is a UNESCO site while Torcello isn't. It's situated on the slopes of Mount Helicon home of the Muses, and is decorated with mosaics frescoes and chandeliers made by Constantinopolitan artists which were masters. It was one of the most celebrated temples of the Byzantine Empire built for the reconquest of Crete under the command of the Emperor Romanos II. So yes Torcello is beautiful but not the best, just saying...

The clock tower would be fun for a 13 year old. You get to go up, in smallish groups, into the Renaissance clock tower in Piazza San Marco. You do have to book in advance, they only allow so many people in every day...

http://torreorologio.visitmuve.it/en/home/

A neat thing about Torcello to me was also the long boat ride - not that a long boat ride is all that great but torcello being much farther out than Murano or Burano gives you a farther out view of Venice proper from a distance over the water.

I systhesize what ancient mariners must have felt when approaching what then was one of the world's absolute wonders - anticipation mounting as the visage gets closer. The boat ride itself is part of the lure here for me at least.

ann: >>for me Torcello is a "must see" - where else can you see luminous mosaics in a 1000 year old Basilica in the shadow of the Dolomites? and with any luck far less mobbed with people than much of the rest of Venice.<<

I might not agree, but at least you gave a reason.

>>The Secret itineraries tour of the Doge's palace is also well worth it [you have the opportunity to tour the rest of the palace by yourself after the tour] but again I would go early - one of the many complaints of the Doges was that in summer, their rooms were unbearably hot.<<

Good tip. Early is better. You'll be going into some of the upper reaches of the DP, where it can get hot.

I might not agree, but at least you gave a reason.>>

why "at least" Vincenzo? I always try to give reasons for my recommendations and I'm sure you do too.

<<So yes Torcello is beautiful but not the best, just saying..>>

Aagh - Petros - firstly I never said it was the best, though it is certainly unique, secondly, however lovely Hoisios Loukas is, the OP is going to VENICE!!!

This may help---do have a plan !





NAVIGATING IN VENICE
BEFORE YOU ARRIVE: Good web site to explore is: http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/

ARRIVAL IN VENICE: What a treat when you first view Venice from either entry point.

AIRPORT arrivals, you have 3 choices. The ALILAGUNA bus/boat service will cost a 12E each
and take 1:20 to the vaporetto stop at San Marco. The private water taxi service is expensive, about 100E, but it can hold up to 6 people with luggage if you can share the cost. It is much nicer and takes about: 40 to your destination of choice. The other option is the ATVO land bus from the terminal to Piazzale Roma from where you can take a vaporetto or water taxi to your hotel. I prefer the ATVO bus at 6E per or 11E roundtrip.
For TRAIN arrivals, you step out of the station onto the Grand Canal and also have 2 options. The vaporetto is a crowded water bus & a single trip will cost you 7E EACH. The private water taxis are wonderful, but will cost you about 50E depending the trip length.

TOUR GUIDES IN VENICE: We suggest www.walksinsidevenice.it for personalized and theme walking tours.

DO NOT MISS: Venice can be experienced in 3, 5, or 7 day scenarios. If you only have 3 days, here is what I would see first. You can see all of Venice by walking & using vaporetto
• San Marco square—the Basilica & Campanile [ascend the Campanile for great vistas]
• The Doge’s Palace & Correr Museum [ combo ticket includes both]
• The Bridge of Sighs [ the Palace tour will allow you to see from the inside]
• Rialto Bridge and food market [ a good early morning walk]
• The Frari Church & Scuola San Rocco [some of the best art in Venice]
• Galleria del Accademia & Accademia Bridge [ fabulous Renaissance art]
• The Palaces on the Grand Canal [ it takes 2 roundtrips to see it well]
• Isle of San Giorgio Maggiore [ take #82 to see Palladio church—ascend Campanile]
• Explore lagoon by vaporetto to see Burano & Murano [ takes a half day—plan well]

WHERE TO EAT: Food in Venice gets mixed reviews—I hope you like seafood. Here are a few places that we found to be good and not TOO expensive.
• Taverna San Trovaso [ on Rio of same name near Accademia Bridge—reasonable]
• Ristorante da Raffaele [ Good al fresco dining on canal near Santa Maria del Giglio.
• Osteria San Marco [ creative cuisine about 3 minutes north of San Marco]
• Alla Rivetta [ Small Trattoria near San Zaccaria church---always popular]

WHERE TO HANG: That is tough—all of Venice is a good place to hang and people watch.
However, here are several of the neighborhood campos that we liked:
• Campo Santo Stefano, Campo Santa Margherita, Campo Santa Maria Formosa

• And, by all means, the most fabulous Campo of all—Piazza San Marco . It is an after dinner tradition to sit and listen to the dueling bands at the various cafes lining both sides of San Marco. The music is great, but bring your wallet if you plan to sit. We usually have gelato and coffee—plan to spend 50E+ with tip, but it is worth it.

VAPORETTO FARES---2014: 1 TRIP=7E---24 HOURS=20E---48 HOURS=30E
72 HOURS =40E---1 WEEK = 60E



What to do with only TWO days in Venice

I could easily spend a month in Venice and still not get bored. Actually, I guess we have spent about that much time during our 5 visits together, including a week each in two apartment stays. But, if you have less time, here are the suggested experiences to best enjoy Venice.

• TAKING THE #1 VAPORETTO THE LENGTH OF THE GRAND CANAL

This is like taking a city bus tour to become acclimated in a new city. It is best done with a guide book that explains the marvelous historic buildings that you are passing [Rick Steves has a good one]. Try to do it both directions if you can since your views will be different depending on where you sit.

• SEE SAN MARCO SQUARE BOTH EARLY AND LATE IN THE DAY

It is magnificent when you have the time to enjoy it without the tourist hordes.
See it in the early morning light [take your camera] and again late in the evening after dinner to enjoy the wonderful dueling bands.

• GET LOST IN VENICE, PREFERABLY IN DORSODURO & SAN POLO

Take your map, just in case, but the point is to wander the small back streets and Campos away from the tourist path. I prefer starting at the early produce market near Rialto and wandering inland from there. Another landmark to watch for is the Frari church at Campo San Rocco. Campo San Polo is a good place for cappuccino.

• VISIT SAN MARCO BASILICA—SEE DOGE’S PALACE---ASCEND CAMPANILE

I know I said to avoid it during mid-day, but these are too important not to include.
Try to be there by 0900 to avoid the bigger crowds, and you may get lucky with smaller lines after 1600 at the Palace. The views from the Campanile are superb.

That is a full 2 days for you, so plan well. Many first time visitors are frustrated by the hordes of day trippers that clog the primary attractions. So, plan your time well between 1000 and 1600 to minimize the impact. Have fun!

Wendy, I too will be in Venice with my 13 y.o. for a few days in July/August. I booked a gondola rowing lesson with Row Venice on a friend's recommendation. http://rowvenice.org/

We are doing the cichetto row, which looks fun and offers a food reward at the end (plus I may need a little ombra after the rowing).

And your thirteen-year-old is interested in what did you say????