Have you taken a Venice trip? Did you love it?
Initially, I’d always been a little underwhelmed by my Venice trips.
I had 2 problems with Venice:
- there were too many people
- much of it felt superficial and overly touristy
Plus, I struggled to find good restaurants in Venice. If you are a foodie, like me, you know, lousy food ruins everything.
I am, however, happy to report that my opinion about Venice has changed!
After recent trips to Venice, my feelings for the city have gone from meh to the big L-O-V-E.
5 Tips to Help You Have a Great Venice Trip + a Bonus Tip at the End
Get Away from Saint Mark’s Square
Piazza San Marco is beautiful, but it is also the most touristy area of Venice. Once you have taken in the piazza, head to some of the other neighborhoods to experience a quieter and more authentic Venice.
Did you know there are 6 Sestieri (neighborhoods) in Venice? San Marco is one of them, but there’s also Castello, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio, and Dorsoduro. You can see a good color-coded map of the neighborhoods -> HERE.
Each neighborhood has its campo (piazza or square), which is the heart of the district and where you can find the locals spending time in the evenings during the warm months.
Santa Croce, the smallest Sestiere, feels local and authentic. San Polo is where I found some of the best restaurants, and Dorsoduro has a laid-back vibe and is a great place to head for aperitivo (see below for more details).
Find Good Restaurants
Good food makes all the difference, and during this trip, I finally found some standout restaurants in Venice.
I had always enjoyed hopping between the Baccari, the traditional bars in Venice, and sampling various Cichetti, Venetian snacks (Bar All’Arco is forever and always my #1 for Cichetti), but until this trip, I had struck out on every restaurant I ever tried.
This time, I dug deep, researched a lot before going, and came up with some winners. Here are a couple of my favorites: Da Fiore where you must try the Risotto al Nero di Seppia (Squid Ink Risotto) and Antica Carampane. At the latter, if the soft-shelled crabs, Moeche, are in season, you must try them. They are fried, crispy, and delicious!
Visit Venice’s Islands
Exploring the islands will give you a unique new perspective on Venice and provide some welcome variety to your trip.
Lido
Stepping off the Vaporetto onto the Lido is like being transported to another world. The island has a distinct beachy vibe, and you will immediately notice how different it is from Venice proper. For one, there are cars (!!) and two, the island is very green with lots of vegetation and lush gardens. Rent a bike and explore the whole island on two wheels or spend the day with my friend and cooking instructor at her gorgeous house, learning how to prepare Venetian specialties.
Murano
Famous for its colored glass. Browse galleries and take in the incredible pieces these talented artists create. Ensure also to visit a glass factory to learn more about this unique craft and see the artisans in action.
Burano
Known for its colorful houses and hand-made lace production, this makes a perfect spot for a leisurely afternoon stroll. Take time to explore the charming streets and admire the incredible rainbow of houses. Stop into the little shops where you can still find sweet, older ladies making intricate lace by hand.
Torcello
This island is mainly undeveloped and feels more like a giant country field than an island in the Venice lagoon. Visit the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta and admire its Venetian-Byzantine mosaics and views of nearby Burano from the bell tower. For an easy snack, stop at Taverna Tipica Veneziana. With its outside tables and park-like setting, it makes a great spot to relax, recharge, or let kids run around and burn off some steam. For a much fancier option, have lunch at the refined Locanda Cipriani, part of the famed Cipriani legacy.
Ditch Google Maps
Google maps is iffy at best in Venice, resulting in a lot of lost time and frustration. Of course, you will need it for primary indications of which direction to head. Still, I recommend trying to orient yourself and remember the main routes you need to take using land markers (e.g., turn right at the gelato, go over the Rialto bridge, left at the piazza, etc.). Not always having your head down looking at Google Maps, will allow you to see and notice more and get to know the city better.
Take Water Taxis
Take a water taxi for your arrival and departure. It will make arriving and departing much easier. Plus, you will feel like a celebrity cruising in style along the Venetian waterways, hair blowing in the breeze, taking in the sites from your very cool, private boat. It immediately gets you in the Venetian spirit and allows you to start enjoying Venice from the moment you arrive. Bonus, if your hotel has its own dock, you will be able to go directly from the water taxi to check-in with just a few steps.
Bonus Tip – to ensure a better Venice Trip
Stay Longer
In the past, I’d only been to Venice on day trips. This time, I stayed for five nights. The extra time was a significant factor in why I enjoyed the city more. It allowed me to relax in the city. I didn’t feel rushed to try to fit everything into a small amount of time. I could wander and get lost, which is one of the best things to do in Venice. It also allowed me to sync up with the rhythms of the city. One of my most cherished memories from this trip was joining the locals in the evening along the Zattere (the waterfront promenade in the Dorsoduro neighborhood), grabbing a Spritz Select and a couple of Cicchetti (head to the easy-going Al Chioschetto for unique Cicchetti), sitting along the water, and taking in the sunset.
Many try and squeeze Venice in because they know it is a must-see, but they think a day trip or one night is sufficient. If you have the time, stay longer. I promise there is a lot more to see than just Saint Mark’s Square, and you’ll be glad you gave the city the time it deserves.
P.S. Looking for more great foodie places to visit? Make sure to check out my article about the historical market in Bologna.