Venice Top Tips
Here are my top tips:
- Getting around Venice is easy. Everywhere is signposted back to St Mark’s Square - Piazza San Marco or the Rialto bridge - Ponte di Rialto so you can't get lost. Explore the back streets and quieter areas away from the hustle and bustle and you'll find lots of gems, whether that be cosy bars, restaurants and splendid architecture. The Jewish Ghetto and Cannaregio districts are particularly lovely. The island is mostly walkable although there are of course many bridges over the canals to negotiate. You can get around the main sights and across to the islands by Vaporetto (water bus) which is quite easy to navigate. Buy a 24-hour or 3-day ticket for best value. The Vaporetto runs until late in the evenings.
- San Giorgio Maggiore is a well-kept secret. If you are in Venice in busy times, nip across the water for the best view. It's free entry to the San Giorgio Maggiore church which is very theatrical and houses art treasures such as ‘The Last Supper’. There's a small charge for the lift to the top of the bell tower where the view is equally as stunning as from the Campanile San Marco without the queues.
- When in Venice of course you must have a Bellini at the famous Harry’s Bar, but you must also try the local aperitif - Aperol Spritz. Most bars serve Aperitivos, generally between 7pm and 9pm, when locals can relax post-work over a glass of Prosecco or Aperol and some snacks. It’s a great way to experience local culture, to people-watch, to unwind with a drink after a long day of sightseeing… You will see all the locals drinking the bright orange drink in the evenings before dinner. Aperol Spritz is a citrus taste similar to Campari.
- If you want more than a city break, Venice Lido has a beautiful sandy beach on the Adriatic and it’s just a quick hop across by Vaporetto or Water Taxi. Venice Lido has beachfront hotels with the glamorous feel of the Côte d'Azur, it’s where the Venice Film Festival is held in September. You can spend days on the beach and pop across in a water taxi in the evenings for a meal or concert when the day trippers have departed and Venice is much more relaxed and serene.
- Venice can equally be a family friendly option, there are several award-winning camp sites across the lagoon at Punta Sabbioni, located along the Adriatic coast, such as Marina di Venezia and Camping Union Lido. These have all the amenities you could possibly need, pool complexes and direct access to the sandy beach. There are also mobile homes here where families can enjoy the freedom and space of a campsite and easily explore Venice.
- For a more relaxed ambience in Venice, go off peak if you can, when the city isn’t besieged by day tourists and cruise passengers. February has the week-long Carnevale when the Venetians don masks and costumes and September has the Regatta Storica, an historic gondola race and parade of boats along the Grand Canal.
Whichever option you choose, Venice is unique and has something for everyone, you won’t be disappointed!