Last Updated on 09/19/2022
After two years of living in Italy, I finally made it to Venice! I don’t know what took me so long, but I wish I would have gone sooner. Venice is truly a magical floating city. We spent the weekend there exploring the narrow bridges and labyrinth of canals, stopping into museums and cicchetti bars along the way. In this guide, I’ll share where to stay, where to eat, the best cicchietti bars and things to do during your trip to Venice.
Where to Stay in Venice
Hotel Bisanzioย was quite a find! It was the perfect location, close enough to walk to everything but also in the quieter Castello district. The breakfast was hearty and we really enjoyed the views on the terrace outside our room. They were so kind and upgraded us because we had Alfie! We paid about 95 euros a night, which is a steal forย Venice (you can’t compete with off season prices).
Where to Eat
Many restaurants were closed when we visited. Winter is the perfect time to Venice, but for a few weeks in January, a lot of the places I had intended on visiting where closed. I had read so much about Al Timon and Osteria Mocenigo. We also ate at Scalinetto. The place was full and I was glad I made a reservation. The black ink calamari risotto was excellent and the prices were reasonable.
I feel like Venice is always synonymous with expensive, mediocre food. So do your research and try to avoid tourist traps (places with photos on the menu or someone outside trying to get you to eat there).
Opening in 1720, Caffรจ Florian is one of the oldest coffee houses in the world. I cheaped out on spending 7 times the usual cost of an espresso shot in Italy (and I read there’s a 6 euro charge per person if there is music playing), but I understand visiting here is more of an experience than simply coffee. So, if visiting the world’s oldest coffee house is on your bucket list, this will fit the bill (just don’t be shocked when you get it).
The Best Cicchetti Bars
You don’t have to have a fancy sit down meal to eat well in Venice. You’ll find little snacks and open-faced sandwiches at the cicchetti bars and enotecas all around the city. The Bellini is said to have been invented in Venice, so better get one (or two) of those for good measure.
Al Merca – Drinks were only 3 or 4 euros each and the bartenders were very friendly. There’s a few benches, but it’s mainly standing room and people stand around the small piazza in front of the shop. We actually ended up going here two nights in a row. Get an Aperol Select Spritz, it’s the less bitter version of the bright orange Aperol Spritz you might be more familiar with.
Birreria Forst – We were eating peanuts and pecorino and drinking wine when a group of gondola drivers came in. They stood at the bar with their matching striped shirts and had several drinks before leaving. I loved it.
Cantina Do Mori – This cozy little spot had quite the wine selection and was reasonably priced.
Things to do in Venice
We got the Museums Pass because we wanted to visit multiple museums in Venice. Visit the Doge’s Palace to actually walk inside the Bridge of Sighs. There was a large crowd around the bridge outside, but inside the museum there was hardly anyone. Be sure to look for signs though because we almost missed this when were were exiting.
Find ticket and museum pass information here.
Another insider spot you should visit is the cafe inside the Correr Museum. You can see all of San Marco square from above.
As with most cities in Italy, the top activity is simply strolling the narrow passage ways and getting lost in the beauty that is Italy! Venice was a labyrinth and I actually got a little anxious at one time when were were trying to get back to the hotel. Google Maps was a lifesaver! Even if you don’t have an international data plan, GPS will still work and you can see the little blue dot (you) when you’re in airplane mode.
We made sure to walk over to the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and see where the island comes to a point.
Visiting the rooftop terrace of the DFS store is simply a must do! It is free and there are stunning views of Venice to be seen from the top.
The instafamous Acqua Alta Library is also a must see! From Santorini to Paris, I love visiting unique bookstores and had to check it out. A few spots feel a little staged and people were waiting to take their photos (how could you not snap photos of this place?). However, there was also a quality inventory of interesting books, vintage postcards and reasonable priced wall art.
How to get to Venice
I took a train right to the Santa Lucia train station. Venice also has an airport with frequent departures on European budget airlines. If you’re coming from the USA, you might want to look at flying into Rome or Paris and then taking an EasyJet or RyanAir flight to Venice. I usually check Skyscanner to see who is offering the best deal.
Getting around Venice was doable on foot, but there are also plenty of water ferries and frequent ports. We only used a water ferry once to get from the train station to the hotel. Be careful when you are using Google Maps to walk around and be sure to adjust the setting to “Avoid Ferries.” Once the directions showed us walking right across the water! Needless to say, we had to backtrack quite a bit to find an actual bridge.
What to Wear
Keep in mind that it’s not uncommon for Venice to flood in the winter. I decided to wear my rain boots so I didn’t have to worry about it. These aren’t as clunky as other rain boots so you can still be comfortable walking all day. If the flooding gets really bad, there will be a place where you can buy plastic bag covers.
Shop the Post
Also Read: 20 Photos that Will Inspire you to Visit Venice in the Winter
Very romantic, Madam !
“On my page in the Book of Fate, there was written that on the evening of the 28th of September, by five o’clock, German time, I should see Venice for the first time, as I passed from the Brenta into the lagunes, and that soon afterward I should actually enter and visit this strange island-city, this heaven-like republic. So now. Heaven be praised! Venice is no longer to me a bare and a hollow name…” (Goethe)
Such an amazing journey, beautiful pics would definitely love to explore the way you did
Thank you so much, Maria. It’s so sad to see Venice flooded right now. I hope the city recovers quickly.
Hi
Florian now has a music fee of whooping 12 euro. The coffee is 3 euro at the bar but 7:50 if you sit down. Together with the 12 euro-Walzer that sums up to 19:50… for an espresso. Gotta be some sort of world record lol
Thanks for the updated info. That definitely has to be up there with the most expensive caffe in Italy!
Ciao Marie!! Venice is amazing in the winter. Enjoy every minute!
Thank you so much for this post! My husband and I are going to Venezia next week and this is a great guide already! xx
What a splendid post! I was in Italy last month but Iโm definitely long overdue for another trip to Veniceโฆ
Thank you! There’s no such thing as too many trips to Italy!
I love this! You guys have had some pretty awesome places โ all the pictures are simply beautiful. That has to be one of the most memorable, not many people get to say that they have accomplished that! Great Job!
We are very fortunate to live in Italy and travel all over the country! We really loved Venice!
Ahhh Venice looks so pretty – it’s been on my list for awhile! Thanks for this guide, looks like there’s so much to do and see! Definitely keeping this handy for when I go
It is such a gorgeous city! Would definitely recommend it!
Beautiful photos! I have to admit, i wasn’t really that fond of Venice when I visited 8 years ago but your post has inspired me to give it another go. x
I could see Venice getting too crowded! Give it a go in the off season ๐
omg your photos are so beautiful! I can’t wait to finally get to venice this summer – great tip about the maps, I can totally see myself getting lost… But isn’t that the magic of venice? ๐
Would you say a weekend was enough time to explore?
Hi Rachel, We were there for two nights. I would have liked to have been there for three, but I think Venice is doable in a weekend. We had time to go to two museums, but not to see Burano or Murano. So, I think it just depends on how much you want to see ๐ Enjoy!
Beautiful photos. I so need to go to Venice and shoot this city. Thanks for sharing
Yes, so many photo opportunities! I took a TON of photos. Hope you get there soon!
I’m going to Italy at the end of October, I am so excited to visit Venice. I’m saving this post for when I start really planning my trip! I love all your suggestions.
Perfect! I hope you find it useful. Enjoy your trip. October will be wonderful!
These photos are so pretty! I’ve never been to Venice and really want to go ๐
It is such a lovely city! Definitely add it to the bucket list!
I love your pictures. Followed you on Instagram and Raphie is cute and sassy ๐
Thank you!! Her real name is Alfie, but “Ralphie” fits perfectly when she’s grumpy! Haha!
I’ve just booked flights to Venice for April, it’ll be our third trip but we’ve not been for over a decade now. Last time we had 6 nights, this time I’ve pipped it with 7 nights as I know I want to take it slow and take a billion photographs!!!
7 nights?! How wonderful! Enjoy!
Your photos are just beautiful! I wanted to pin every single one. Venice is also on our list this year and we also don’t live all that far away! I can honestly say this post makes me want to book the next bus. ๐
Thank you, Kay! It’s nice being so close to these gems! : )
Venice is one of my favorite cities in the world. I haven’t been in the winter yet, but it sounds amazing! Love your photos!
Isn’t Venice amazing?! It really was special in the off season too. We loved it!
You’re making me want to go back! The first time I went to Venice I wasn’t in love with it like everyone said I would be. I thought it was nice enough but after a day I was ready to leave. I think if I went back I may like it more! Your photos are stunning!
You definitely should give it another try… maybe in winter or shoulder season (when it’s at least warm enough to sit outside… I do love eating outside!). It’s impossible to take a bad photo in Venice!
Lovely photos!
Thank you! Venice is one of the most photogenic places I’ve been!
I had the opportunity of travelling to Italy last year and loved the place. Too much mosquitoes but, its a beautiful place. Venice is so romantic. I want to visit again actually and take a good look. Great shots here!
https://www.missymayification.co.uk
Thank you so much, Missy May! It really is a beautiful country!
I’m definitely going to save this post! Italy is one of the next places I want to visit! The photos you took are so lovely! xo
McKenzie
http://www.thrivergirl.com
Thank you, McKenzie! Italy really is wonderful and you should definitely go!
Pinned this for later! Thanks for sharing and love how you captured Venice!
xo Bryn
http://www.waketonroad.com
Thanks so much Bryn! Venice is just too gorgeous ๐