As one of the world’s most popular travel destinations, Venice is a magical, old city packed with once-in-a-lifetime things to see and do. Consider the following five must-do things in Venice to help you experience the best of the city’s charms.
Get Lost
The most adventurous thing you can do in Venice is get lost. Leave your city map in the hotel room and explore the quaint, narrow alleys. Aimlessly meander along the charming bridges and winding cobblestone streets where something new and impressive surprises you at every corner. Admire the romantic architecture of the city and its historic buildings. Awe over the magnificent palaces and churches. Stroll down the picturesque promenade and bask in the breeze from the beautiful waterfront.
Visit St. Mark’s Square
You can’t visit Venice without experiencing its world-famous landmark, St. Mark’s Square. At this splendid piazza, you can enjoy several of the city’s top attractions all in one location. Tour St. Mark’s Basilica and ogle its stunning Byzantine architecture and elegant interior of mosaics, sculptures, and other features of gold, bronze, and marble. Capture photos of the ornate Doge’s Palace and its lovely Bridge of Sighs. Check out the enormous 14th century Clock Tower that displays Zodiac signs and moon phases as well as the time. Climb the tower and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the city.
Ride a Gondola
You can’t return home from Venice without experiencing a romantic gondola ride. Sure, you can take a water bus along the busy Grand Canal, but a traditional gondola ride down the quiet back canals of Venice is something not to be missed. Coast smoothly through the narrow waterways and admire the multi-colored buildings, adorned with assorted flower arrangements and Renaissance architecture. Ask the gondolier to sing you an Italian song.
Indulge in Aperitivo
Aperitivo is the Italian word synonymous with happy hour, only happy hour in Venice is a special event in and of itself. Aperitivo follows the close of the city’s normal working day where, for the price of a drink, the bars offer free snacks. These snacks are not merely pretzels and peanuts but delicious Italian foods like homemade pasta, salamis, cheeses, biscotti, and cakes. If that is not enough, you get to surround yourself with the locals and immerse yourself in the lively Italian language and culture.
Shop at the Rialto Market
Another must-do in Venice is its historical Rialto Market. For centuries, locals and visitors alike have been coming to this fabulous market to purchase fresh fish, produce, and handicrafts. Located near the scenic Grand Canal, the Rialto Market today offers a colorful array of goods where you can choose delicious Italian food goodies as well as antiques and crafts. This market is the perfect place to buy your souvenirs.
