Best and Worst things to do in Venice

We just came back from an incredible week in Venice and it is definitely one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Here is our ranking of the best and worst things to do in the city of love.

The Best :

( in no particular order, all of these were amazing )

1) Visit Teatro La Fenice 

An amazing visit of this beautiful Theatre. Entrance ticket is 6 euros for students and 8 euros for adults. Plus, you get a free audio guide with very interesting explanations. The pictures speak for themselves, this is a must see !

 

2) Go to the top of the Campanile

For 8 euros, you get a great panoramic view of the whole city : Piazza San Marco, the Basilica, the lagoon.. So beautiful.

 

3) Visit The Doge’s Palace. 

You buy a ticket for 10 euros ( student price ) or 16 euros ( adult ) and you can visit The Doge’s Palace, where you can see the largest painting in the world, and also cross the famous Bridge of Sighs. With this ticket, you can 3 other museums of Saint Marc’s Square. You’ll learn loads about the historical background of Venice and this’ll keep you busy for the whole afternoon, definitely a great value for money. Only downside, the audio guide is 5 euros extra, so yeah, you’ll just have to spend a little time reading the explanation boards instead 😉

 

 

4) Relax by the Pool of the Hilton Hotel 

This is our little secret tip: The hilton Molino Stucky hotel in Venice has a free access to their rooftop swimming pool. Amazing view on the city and such a refreshing swim, plus they have a Nutella bar! Welcome to Italy.

 

 

5) Visit the Scuola di San Rocco

We promise you’ve never seen such an incredibly beautiful sealing. Entrance is 8euros and definitely worth the money. Pictures inside are forbidden so if you want to know what we’re talking about, i guess you’ll just have to see for yourselves 😉

6) Take a boat trip to Murano and Burano 

Burano for it’s glass fabric demonstrations ( Very impressive ) and Murano for its charming colorful houses. Take the boat at Fondamente Nuove and Murano is just 10mn away. Such a nice getaway from the hoards of tourists in Venice!

 

7) Visit The Biennial exhibitions 

Until November 2014 in Palazzo Mora and Palazzo Bembo, you can visit the Time Space Existence, architecture exhibitions. Entrance is completely free and as a bonus you’ll get amazing views of Venice. ( Especially from Palazzo Bembo which gives you a great view of the Rialto Bridge. )

Time Space Existence in Palazzo Mora

8) Get lost

Yes, the best advice we can give you is to just wonder around in these beautiful streets. Don’t be afraid not to know where you’re going, discover the offbeat tracks where there are hardly any tourists. Relax, don’t look at that map too much ( or you will go crazy ) and that’s when you’ll fall in love with all the beauty around you.

 

 

The Worst 

1) Saint Marc’s Basilica 

This may seem like a shocker to you but we don’t recommend waiting 45 mn in the hot sun to visit a church for 10 minutes. The inside is honestly nothing special compared to other places we’ve visited. If you want to have access to the upper lever of the Basilica, be prepared to pay for it. Also, beware, if you are wearing clothes that show either your shoulders or your knees, you will have to pay 4 euros extra to cover up with a paper blanket and get in. The good point is that you don’t want to wait in the line, you can book a ticket for the time you wish to come for 2 euros.

The basilica is however, very beautiful from the outside, so if you’re not an absolute fan of churches, you can skip the inside visit, in our honest opinion.

2) Buy a gelato in Saint Marc’s Square

Unfriendly service, Flavors that have probably never seen any fruits or actual cream in their existence and cones that taste like cardboard. You’ll be disappointed and missing out on some amazing ice cream if this is the only place you get one. Rather, go to one (or all) of our favourite Gelaterias that make their own  » gelato artigianale » ( Own production ) – Suso, Venchi , and Gelateria Ca d’Ora.

3) Take a gondola ride

If this is your idea of a must do in Venice, think again. They’re expensive ( 80 euros a ride and 100 euros at night ), Your gondolier won’t sing unless you pay even more, otherwise he’ll most likely be on the phone, or talk loudly to his colleagues. Not the most romantic experience at all! If you’re a group of friends, or a family, why not do it and share the costs? Other wise, if you really want to splurge on something, we’d recommend having a drink or dinner at the rooftop terrace of Hotel Danieli 5*. You’ll have an amazing view on the lagoon and top service. That’s romantic!