Venice is a city we’ve wanted to visit for a long time, and now that the opportunity arose, we couldn’t pass it up. Since we were traveling by car, we naturally had to find accommodation with parking. Well, this wasn’t an easy task. Affordable accommodations were scarce, and perhaps we should have planned ahead and booked accommodation a bit earlier instead of waiting until the day of arrival ๐
However, we found a reasonably nice “campsite” – in quotes because this campsite was full of small cabins made from containers, which were the only accommodation option available; there was no possibility to stay in a tent or camper van.
The campsite was Hu Venezia Camping in town, and it cost 100 โฌ per night. The area and cabins were tidy, and there was also a swimming pool, a shop, and a restaurant on-site. The campsite also had buses to Venice several times a day, but we missed this information and took a public bus from a slightly farther stop. The public bus ticket cost 3 โฌ per person.
In the city, the only mode of transportation is walking or using water taxis/busses on the canals.
There is an endless array of restaurants, and we recommend trying them out openly. Prices are noticeably cheaper slightly off the main attractions, and the food is likely to be tastier. It’s best to avoid restaurants immediately near popular tourist spots (famous bridges, squares, canals) unless the restaurant has excellent reviews. In these areas, prices are significantly higher, and the quality of food may be poorer, essentially living off their location.
If you dine, for example, in Piazza San Marco, be aware that there may be a significant additional charge on the bill, such as for live music.
Places to Visit in Venice
St. Mark’s Square – Piazza San Marco
Venice’s most famous and main square, surrounded by historical architecture that is nothing short of incredible. The square is filled with numerous attractions such as Basilica di San Marco, Campanile di San Marco tower, and Palazzo Ducale. The square is an excellent place to soak in the atmosphere of Venice and admire the surrounding buildings. As night falls, the square becomes charming with live music playing on restaurant terraces, attracting crowds. You can listen to performers even if you don’t go to the restaurants. Be aware that restaurants in the square can be quite expensive.
You can also encounter street musicians on other streets of Venice as the evening approaches. We came across a violinist whose music was incredibly atmospheric to listen to on a narrow street.
Rialto Bridge – Ponte Rialto
The ornate Rialto Bridge, built in the 16th century, crosses the Grand Canal at its midway point. The bridge is one of Venice’s most famous landmarks, and rightly so.
From the bridge, you can enjoy watching gondolas and boats passing below, as well as observe the endless crowds. Nearby, there are also gondola docks, so it’s easy to embark on a gondola ride if you wish.
Doge’s Palace – Palazzo Ducale and the Bridge of Sighs
Palazzo Ducale, located on the edge of Piazza San Marco, is a popular attraction and is admired for some time from the outside alone. The palace was built in the 14th century and now serves as a museum, so if you want to explore the inside of the palace, it’s possible. As seen from Piazza San Marco, on the other side of the building is the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the adjacent buildings. Legend has it that the bridge got its name because in ancient times, prisoners would sigh at the view before being imprisoned.
Grand Canal – On Water and Land
If you want to experience something truly Venetian, a gondola ride is an unbeatable option. However, gondola rides can be quite expensive, so luckily there are also cheaper alternatives to getting on the water. Options include water taxis and vaporettos, which serve as public transportation in Venice. Vaporettos are the cheapest option and allow you to travel through the Grand Canal and continue to nearby islands such as Burano. Vaporettos run on different lines, so it’s worth checking the options to see which route is most suitable for you.
Although the Grand Canal runs through Venice, it’s not accessible by foot everywhere. In practice, you can walk along it when crossing bridges or at water taxi/bus stops, and in individual spots where the streets are along the canal. The area around the Rialto Bridge is one of the best places to admire the main canal from dry land. Here, it’s a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and soak in the atmosphere of Venice.
Endless Labyrinth of Narrow Streets
One of the best activities in Venice was exploring the endless labyrinth of streets without a destination. Beautiful views await around unexpected corners, and the colorful buildings with their canals were altogether stunning. Venice was indeed as beautiful as we had imagined.
