Venice, Venezia, Queen of the Adriatic, City of Water, City of Masks, City of Bridges, The Floating City, “City of Canals. What ever name you know it by, it is one of the most famous cities in the world.

How to get there:

If you are with a tour, they will have transport sorted no doubt but if you are on your own you have a couple of options:

• Drive onto the island and use the car parks there (Note they are quiet expensive, approx. 30-40euro per day) and can fill up fast.

Or

• You can park just off the island and get the bus in. I did this and found it very easy (5 euro for 1 day parking, and 3 euro return bus). I used Venice City Park (https://goo.gl/maps/h6eL9gQXpTkYyVdZ8) but there are many options nearby. Bus stop located here (https://goo.gl/maps/g2Tbe4sknqERHshLA) it stops on same location on the way back, there is a pedestrian overpass to cross the road. There are numerous routes passing this way to and from Venice so there are no long waits.

Venice is quite big to explore but it can be done on foot or gondola or water taxi or water ‘bus’ as you like. I walked to all the famous locations, and a couple of not so famous locations also.

Some of the more famous locations need advanced booking (e.g. Saint Mark’s Campanile, St. Marks Basilica) if you want to explore inside and may have long queues but I was happy enough to explore from the streets alone.

I debated whether I should get a gondola ride or not, as I had read many reviews saying ‘you just cant go to Venice and not get a gondola ride’ but they don’t come cheap (70-100 euro) and to be honest I wasn’t overly impressed with what I saw of the gondoliers, from the streets. I decided against it, and I think it was a good decision. There are cheaper water taxis available, and even a bus like boat service that runs through the city if you really do want to get on the water to explore.

I only spent half a day in Venice walking around. I saw everything I wanted to see and more. Although I enjoyed my time there, I’d struggle to see how someone would want to stay there for a few days. I think it would get repetitive fairly quickly but each to their own – I’m sure there are nice restaurants etc. to explore!

Dorsoduro (https://goo.gl/maps/RUcV8apfTsKnuzMq5)

This was just an area off the beaten track with some narrow waterways and nice views to experience some Venice without the large crowds, nice to walk by, but not essential, if you have other areas/priorities to explore.

Bridge of the Academy (https://goo.gl/maps/nysoNSo5erEv9b2r7)

Not the most impressive bridge in Venice, but its fairly big and gives a nice view of the open waterways.

This isn’t a famous location but was probably my favourite spot in Venice. its tucked away in the corner right at an opening to small waterway and there was a constant stream (excuse the pun) of gondolas passing this way. So it was great to get some pictures, or just to watch the ‘traffic’ pass by, without any other tourists nearby (apart from the ones in the gondolas of course!)

Hotel San Moise (https://goo.gl/maps/vcdKdY5DAnSs8kFY6)

St. Mark’s Square

Nothing special to note specifically of here apart from it being the square where the campanile and Basilica are located.

Saint Mark’s Campanile (https://goo.gl/maps/LEYR6xx8AQvezpxA6)

This is the tower in St. Marks square, you have to get a ticket to go up to get a view of the surrounding area. I opted against it. Its pretty close to the open water, so the view isn’t great from all sides, and there other places to get nice views, after all, we are in Venice to get the views of the waterways, not the roofs..

St. Marks Bastilica (https://goo.gl/maps/bFzMdYCfnU6Vn8NG6)

An impressive building. The queues were big to enter, and you need to get a ticket. I admired the external façade, the interior would have to remain a mystery for me. No doubt on the to do list if you are in Venice for a few days.

Bridge of Sighs (https://goo.gl/maps/4bg2nfp92kzeg3G28)

The bridge of sighs, is so called, as prisons would sigh looking out that beaty of Venice, as they were led to their dark imprisonment. I liked, and the story too. Worth a visit, and its not far from St. Mark’s square.

Rialto Bridge (https://goo.gl/maps/aUibuzkaSkRYXUBm8)

This is one of the most famous bridges in Venice, and, although its impressive, it is also very crowded making it hard to appreciate, or even finding a location to get a good picture of it (yes, yes, I can hear you telling me that it would easy to get a picture of it from a gondola).

Terrace viewpoint (https://goo.gl/maps/3BrRkooTDVwaGRe76)

This is on the roof of the mall, and overlooks the rialto bridge. I would definitely recommend this, but even though it was free, you need to book in advance. I got lucky and they let me up without a ticket as it was quiet, but if its busy I’m sure I wouldn’t have been so lucky.

Their website says advanced booking is mandatory, so don’t take the risk, its worth it: https://www.dfs.com/en/venice/service/rooftop-terrace

Tips and prices:

Parking outside the island and getting a bus in is very convenient and I would recommend (5 euro plus 3 euro for the return bus) I was even able to buy the bus ticket at the car park desk.

Car parks on the island can be expensive, approx. 30-40euro per day and can fill up fast.

Note also for all these car parks, its generally priced per 24 hours, even if you stay for 1 hour, you will pay the daily rate.

If you are staying in a hotel in Venice try and pack a small bag only. Remember there are no roads in Venice – I saw a lot of people dragging their big suitcases over bridges and on cobbles, and none of them had a smile on their face when doing it…

The Terrace in the mall is a great look out point, but there is a reservation list. I was lucky when I was there the guy let me up without a reservation (its free) but if it was busier I don’t think he would have been so kind.

Croissant, espresso and water in random coffee shop 7 euro

Gondola 70-100 euro

Vaporetto (bus taxi, approx. 7 euro for single ticket, valid for 75 mins)