10 must-do activities to do during your trip to Venice
Written on : 04 November 2020 By : Chloé Girod
There is something very pleasant about travelling in Italy, and even more so in one of the most romantic cities in the world, Venice! Imagine strolling along the canals, discovering the city in a gondola or enjoying a good pasta dish in one of the intimate restaurants in St. Mark's Square. So come aboard with us to discover the must-see things to see in Venice, this magical city straight out of the most beautiful fairy tales!
St. Mark's Square is undoubtedly the most famous square in Venice. It is undoubtedly the best place to start a visit to the city. This square has an intimate atmosphere in spite of its size and is a meeting point for locals and tourists alike, with the numerous cafes and restaurants in the surrounding area, where you can stroll around and meet up for a chat. It is bordered by the Basilica of San Marco, the Torre dell' Orologio and the Doge's Palace.
St. Mark's Basilica is a must to visit, with its Italian Byzantine architecture dating back to 1092, making it one of the most important religious buildings in northern Italy. Originally the private chapel of the Doge, you will be charmed by its magnificent sculptures, frescoes and mosaics as well as its dome-shaped ceiling. The treasures in this basilica come mainly from the booty brought back by Venetian ships after the fall of Constantinople.
In St. Mark's Square you cannot miss the Campanile of St. Mark, the highest building in Venice with a height of 98.6m. Originally made of red bricks, the building was created in the 9th century to serve as a watchtower, but it was badly damaged and collapsed in 1902. What you see today is therefore a reconstruction, but this does not take away from its charm. Feel free to go to the top to enjoy the incredible view of the whole of Venice.
Venice is made famous for its multitude of canals throughout the city, giving the illusion of being a floating city, the largest of which is the Grand Canal, winding around the city. Stroll along the canal to admire more than 170 magnificent 13th-century buildings, demonstrating the importance of this route for centuries, it was the main trading route of the city and many merchant ships passed through it. This is why many families built their palaces on the banks of the Grand Canal with their beautiful Gothic and Venetian façades. The Vaporetto, the equivalent of the public bus, is the best means of transport to admire the city and the various master bridges. You can also buy day passes to avoid having to pay again and again. You can also take advantage of it for a gondola ride at the end of the day, there is nothing more romantic!
3. Le Ponte di Rialto
With its many canals, Venice is inevitably lined with many bridges.
The Ponte di Rialto is undoubtedly the most famous and most emblematic of the city as it overlooks the Grand Canal, linking the districts of San Marco and San Polo. Originally it was a wooden bridge, but after its collapse the stone bridge was built in 1588. It is a real crossing point for locals and tourists who wish to observe the boats on the Grand Canal, take photos and easily reach two emblematic districts of Venice. At the end of the bridge you will find a pretty and lively food market where you can find the best fresh produce in the city, much appreciated by chefs. You will also find many souvenir shops and handicraft shops such as mask-making workshops.
This is another unmissable bridge in Venice, although it is only a small bridge compared to the others, it remains one of the most visited and photographed. Legend has it that when criminals were taken to the Doge's Palace, they would take one last look at the city and sigh for their punishment. They were then locked up in the dark cells of the prisons, from where Casanova orchestrated his famous escape.
5. The Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace is one of the most famous buildings in Venice, set in St. Mark's Square overlooking the Grand Canal. This magnificent palace with its white stone arcades was the residence of the Doge of Venice, the ruler of the Venetian republic from the 8th to the 18th century. They were elected by the Venetian aristocracy and their mandate was for life. It is highly recommended to visit the interior, and there are many guided tours to discover all the wonders of this beautiful building.
6. The Cannaregio district
This area, slightly off the beaten track, will show you the real Venice. In 1516 the Jews of Venice were forced to settle here, creating the first ghetto in the city. Today it is a quiet place where you can stroll around admiring the beautiful façades and taste the local gastronomy in the many small restaurants in the area.
This is another popular and lively area of Venice, home to the Arsenal, the largest and busiest shipyard until the end of the 17th century. With its 16,000 workers at its peak and its production methods kept secret, it was possible to build a ship ready to sail in just one day! Just next door, you can visit the Naval History Museum, which retraces the whole of Venetian history, displaying many booty brought back during the maritime wars. The area is also very lively, you will find many restaurants and shops for all budgets along Via Garibaldi.
8. Santa Maria Basilica
The Basilica of Santa Maria Della Salute is located on the other side of the Grand Canal and faces St. Mark's Square. It is undoubtedly the second most famous basilica in Venice. With its Baroque architecture dating back to the 17th century, and its beautiful decorations both inside and out, you will be sure to be charmed by the building. Although it is not as well-decorated as some churches in Italy, it is worth a visit for its four statues of the apostles and its magnificent dome.
Venice is surrounded by numerous islands, each with its own speciality. Murano is famous for its glass and Burano for its lace.
Numerous guided tours are organised to discover the secrets of manufacturing and visit the factories. For example, you can visit Murano's many glassblower's workshops and stroll through its small streets surrounded by canals or learn about the creation of the world-famous Burano lace. To get there, you will find many ferries that depart regularly from Venice.
10. Lido beach
If you are looking for a quiet place away from the tourists after a long day sightseeing through Venice, the Lido is the place to be! This small island separates Venice from the Adriatic Sea and has a lovely beach. Situated right next to the dynamic Venice, it was a very fashionable European seaside resort in the 20th century where royalty and celebrities crowded the island. While today the large hotels occupy a large part of the beach, you can relax on the public beaches further north of the island.
