A weekend in Venice

Venice is universally considered to be one of the most beautiful cities not only in Italy, but in the world. Every visitor immediately falls in love with its unusual urban design, its inestimable artistic heritage and its picturesque waterways. Marvel at architectural masterpieces such as the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco, get about in an iconic gondola, then enjoy a typical Italian aperitivo. Take advantage of our tips to organize a smart trip in a perfect Italian style

Attraction

Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco is the heart of Venice, the only square worthy of this name in the Italian city (other small squares are known by the name of “campi”, fields, or “campielli”). Piazza San Marco has at its centre the magnificent Basilica di San Marco, the cathedral of Venice. This is the most famous of the city’s churches and one of the best-known examples of Byzantine architecture. Marvel the gilded Byzantine mosaics covering the Basilica’s walls, and discover the history of Venice by admiring the historical events illustrated through the mosaics. The Basilica is open from 9.45 to 17.00 during the week, from 14.00 to 16.00 on Sunday and during holidays. Admission is free, but appropriate clothing is required (shorts and tops are not admitted).

Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)

Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), next to the Basilica, is an impressive Gothic-style structure composed of layers of building elements and decoration from its original foundations in the 14th century to the significant Renaissance and opulent Mannerist adjunctions. This Palace, made up of three large blocks, was the heart of the political life and public administration of the Venetian Republic, and became part of the Civic Museums of Venice network in 1996. Palazzo Ducale is open from November 1st to March 31st from 8.30 am to 5.30 pm (last admission 4.30 pm) from April 1st to October 31st from 8.30 am to 7 pm (last admission 6 pm). A single ticket cost 19 € and is valid for the Doge’s Palace and the combined itinerary of Museo Correr, Museo Archeologico Nazionale and Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. Children aged from 6 to 14 and students aged from 15 to 25 are eligible for reduced ticket (12 €) href=” http://palazzoducale.visitmuve.it/en/pianifica-la-tua-visita/tickets/”.

Canal Grande

Either by water bus (vaporetto), gondola or private taxi, a trip down the Canal Grande is a must you cannot miss when in Venice. For its entire length, the Canal is flanked by beautiful palaces, historical synthesis of more than 500 years of the best architecture of the city. The best time to do it is early in the morning, when fewer tourists are around, or in the evening, just before sunset. The Canal Grande is a canal in Venice that forms one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city and that offers some of the most iconic sights of the city. A trip down this Canal can be very expensive, but by following our tips you will be able to find the smartest option for your budget. For a cheap trip to this picturesque canal, take the vaporetto N. 1 or N. 82 from Piazzale Roma or the railway station (the best places to sit down are those outside, located at the front of the boat). The bridges of Rialto and the Academy are definitely the best stops if you want to go down for a walk into town, but if it’s your first trip you might decide to remain on board all the way up to San Marco (and possibly also for the return trip to admire the buildings on the opposite bank). A single ticket is valid for 75 minutes and costs 7,50 € (tickets for children under six years old are free). If you stay for a weekend, you might prefer a 24h ticket (20 €) or a 48h ticket (30 €). If you are between 6 and 29 years old, a good option is the Rolling Venice Card (6 €), that offers great discounts for bars, events, and museums. Once you have it, a 72h ticket will cost 22 € instead of 40 €! href=“http://www.veneziaunica.it/it/content/rolling-venice” If you cannot resist the temptation of an Italian gondola ride, don’t worry! We have a smart solution also for you. Do you know that in Venice you can cross the Grand Canal by gondola “ferry” (gondola traghetto) or gondola ” da parada”. This gondola, controlled by two men, offers the chance to get to the other side of the Channel, and compensates for the lack of connections (bridges) between the two sides. This gondola is quite large and can carry up to 14 people. Why you should choose this option? Well, the price will make you smile: the cost of a trip is only 2 €! You can take this gondola from 5 locations: S.Sofia; S.Tomà; S.Maria del Giglio; Riva del Vin/Riva del Carbon); Punta della Dogana. Do you want to be romantic but saving money? Buy a nice present and take advantage of the gondola trip to surprise your partner! Do you dream a cheap, longer gondola ride? You do not have to spend 400 €. If you pre-book your gondola ride, the price will be around 1 € per minute! Half an hour of tour costs you around 32 € (children under 1 year do not pay) href=”https://www.venetoinside.com/tours-activities-in-veneto/tour/venice-gondola-ride/”; but many interesting offers combining gondola rides and museums can be found at this website: href=”https://www.venetoinside.com/tours-activities-in-veneto/listing/gondola-tours/”. Advantages of longer gondola rides? You will discover the small and picturesque narrow channels that can only be reached by gondola!

Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs)

Part of the impressive collection of bridges in Venice, the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) is one of the most known in the world. It connected the halls of the courts between de Duke Palce and the New Prison, and can only be seen from two places: Canonica Bridge and Ponte della Paglia. Its name is based on an old legend, according to which, in Serenissima’s time, the prisoners who crossed the bridge, sighed at the standpoint of seeing for the last time the outside world. Although the legend is totally unfounded (there is almost nothing to see from that angle), its name well evokes also the last breath of the prisoners in the free world: once convicted in the kingdom of Dogi, they never went back. The emblem displayed on this bridge reveals that it was built in between the 16th and 17th century, in Istrian stone, white and elegant.

Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)

Even if Piazza San Marco may be more famous, the Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) remains the true heart of Venice. The current structure was erected in just three years, between 1588 and 1591, as a permanent replacement for the old boat bridge and three wooden bridges that had spanned the Canal Grande at various times since the 12th Century. Nowadays, it is one of the fewer ways to cross the Canal Grande on foot (another possibility is the Accademia Bridge, built in 1854). It is almost impossible to miss the Ponte di Rialto: if you are at the train station or in the Piazzale Roma, simply follow the signs to “Rialto.” Do the same if you’re walking from the Piazza San Marco (head for the clock tower, cross the arched passage, and walk through the upscale shopping streets known as the Mercerie until you reach the Canal Grande, then turn right and walk two blocks to the bridge). The bridge can also be reached via vaporetto (the N. 1 stops at Rialto!)

The Cannaregio Sestiere

The Cannaregio sestiere has always been characterized by two distinct souls of the area: one popular, the other noble, which have always lived in harmony with each other. The noble zone of Cannaregio is close to the Canal Grande and presents among its palazzi some of the oldest and grandest palazzi in Venice (for example the Ca’ Vendramin). The popular part of Cannareggio centres around two tourist streets, the Lista di Spagna and the Strada Nova, known today as the journey from the station to the Rialto bridge. One of the reason to visit the Cannaregio sestiere is that here you can find the oldest ghetto in the world, where in 1516 the city’s Jews were confined. From those years, this zone has maintained its ethnic flavour, and for this reason here you can admire two synagogues and some traditional shops.

Libreria Acqua Alta (bookshop)

If you love books and you are looking for secret wonders in Venice, do not miss this library, just a few steps from Piazza San Marco! Known as one of the most original bookshops, in this Libreria you can find a selection of new and used book set out in very unusual shelves: boats, gondolas, thanks. Books are everywhere, not only as products to sell but also as parts of this unique furniture: old encyclopedias (those that no one buy anymore) are now steps of a wonderful staircase, others cover the walls of one outer colourful courtyards.

Food and drink

Historic cafés

Harry’s Bar, opened by Giuseppe Cipriani in 1931 right on the St Mark’s bay waterfront, is one of historic cafés you cannot miss if you want to feel the very essence of the cafe society that once played so large a part in the affairs of Europe. Why? First, it is the home of important Italian drinks and dishes, such the Bellini (a mixture of sparkling prosecco and white peach juice, named after the fifteenth-century Venetian painter Giovanni Bellini) and the Carpaccio of beef (a plate of trimmed sirloin sliced wafer thin and dressed with a Jackson Pollock spray of mayonnaise mixed with lemon juice). Second, it is renowned as one of the twentieth century’s most famous bar, serving the likes of Orson Welles, Charlie Chaplin and Ernest Hemingway. In 2001, the Italian Ministry for Cultural Affairs declared it a national landmark, and it is easy to understand the reason: the cultural atmosphere of Harry’s Bar, the warm immediacy of it, the quality of its drinks and dishes, contribute to make this bar a piece of history which is as dignified as any monument. Our tips: go to Harry’s Bar for a coffe and let its fascinating story intrigue you. If your budget allows it, try a glass of Bellini (18 €) and taste some delicious olives and hot nibbles from the restaurant (offered for free during the Aperitivo time).

Smart places for lunch

Highly recommended by Venetians, at the end of Via Garibaldi you can find Trattoria Alla Rampa, where Venetian dishes are cooked everyday using fresh, seasonal products. Lunch is served in a rustic dining room at the back, and for 45 minutes, from 12pm to 12.45pm there is a very convenient 13 € menu’operai, a fixed worker’s menu including pasta, main dish, wine and coffee. Thought for locals, if there is space, also toursts can take advantage of this cheap menu. However, even when you have to use the a la carte service (starting at 1pm), prices remian reasonable: pasta from 10 €, main dishes around 14 €. Local specialities include a delicious zuppa di pesce, spaghetti alle vongole, risi e bisi (typical Venetian rice and peas) and seppie in tecia (squid cooked in its own black ink served on a bed of polenta). If you like the idea of having healthy lunch in a wonderful city, you should try the Spighe, that offers everyday 8 different organic, vegetarian and vegan dishes at good prices. Some examples? Tasty seaweed risottos, red cabbage flans, sweet pumpkin soups with leeks, basmati rice with fresh vegetables. The quality of the food is confirmed by the fact that, from late morning until early evening, tables are full (consider also the option of take away, ideal for a picnic during the summer). Prices varies: choose your dishes, everything will be weighed and you will have your bill. In general, a full plate comes to 10€-12€. A very good quality deal for lunch is offered at Ogio, characterized by a bright modern dining room placed in a charming building that was originally the Convento dei Crociferi (the Crusaders’ Convent). Also in this case, fresh and local ingredients are mixed with ability by the chef, who prepares everyday more than 5 different pasta dishes. Prices are very competitive: a big plate of penne all’arrabbiata or of mushroom risotto, including a bottle of water and an espresso, will cost around €8. Our tips: do not miss the occasion of admiring some Tintoretto and Titian paintings in the very close Gesuiti church.

Affordable typical dinners

A good restaurant to try in Venice is the Chinellato Trattoria, located in the Calle dei Albanesi, behind Piazza San Marco. The restaurant is open every day from 10 to 21 and on Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 to 15. The place is small but very welcoming, and it is well known for its traditional dishes. An example? Spaghetti alle vongole, fritto misto and fegato alla veneziana. Menus including pasta, main dish, dessert and coffee start from 20€. Al Timon is popular hangout for students and young Venetians from all over the city, and is often not considered by tourists. The setting is perfect: its tables are at the edge the Ormesini canal, and live jazz concerts are arranged on a boat used as a floating terrace. Al Timon is a quintessentially Venetian restaurant whe you can feel a truly Italian atmosphere. Ask a spritz if you want an aperitivo, and try local specialities such as fresh radicchio topped with gorgonzola, mascarpone and walnuts. Prices for a dish of meat and vegetables, water and wine start from 30 €.

Accommodations

If you look for a simple but cosy accommodation, try the Generator Hostel Venice. Located on the island of Giudecca, close to the canal, this hostel offers rooms and dormitories where historical and contemporary designs are mixed with harmony. In a building dated 1800, Generator Hostel Venice will make you feel home by offering free Wifi, safe, personal locker and bar area. Bathrooms are shared but clean, but you also choose to stay in one of 20 en-suite rooms. The location is pretty good: the centre of Venice is reachable in just 10 minutes of breathtaking trip aboard a ferry or a gondola. Prices are around 16€ for shared rooms, 38€ for en-suite rooms. The next option is in San Polo, 100 meters from the Canal Grande, where the Haven Hostel San Toma offers nice bedrooms with cupboard, desk and, if required, also a private bathroom. There are in total 27 rooms and travellers can use a small laundry room placed inside the building. Also in this case, you can use the free WiFi. Stilll in doubt? Consider that this hostel is not only in the centre of Venice, it is also in the neighborhood known for some of the best restaurants in Venice! Prices from 25€. For those willing to travel a bit more, Padova and Treviso (two 30-minutes distance cities from Venice) might be a good solution. One train ticket costs around 4€ and the train takes less than half an hour to arrive to Venice. Choosing an accommodation in Padova or Treviso will allow you to spend less for your b&b or hotel, visit another Italian city and taste a bit more of Italy, far from the throngs of tourists who invade Venice everyday. Do you need other reasons? In Padova you will find the Cappella degli Scrovegni (Scrovegni Chapel) containing a fresco cycle by Giotto, completed about 1305 and considered to be an important masterpiece of Western art! In Treviso you will admire many buildings which remind the important role the city held during the centuries: it was home of a university, two Popes and many artists and intellectuals who contributed to call the town “little Athens”. Finally, many hotels offer great bargains every month (have a look at some travel fare aggregator websites to have an idea of the prices!)

Transportation

Marco Polo Airport (Aeroporto Marco Polo di Venezia), is located 10 km far away from Venezia. The bus service between the Airport and the Venezia is secured by the 5-AeroBus line. With a journey lasting about 20 minutes you can get to a major Venetian tourist terminals in Piazzale Roma, where you can reach the historical centre taking advantage of the specific lines of public transport ACTV navigation. The 5-AeroBus line runs from the bus lane located a few meters from the arrivals area (Port B). Bus ticket can be bought at every Tabaccheria (look again at the ‘T’ sign). One ticket costs 8 € and is valid for 75 minutes from validation on city buses. You can also buy a return ticket (15 €), or a bus+ferry ticket (14 €) valid fro 90 minutes. Tickets include a baggage whose sum of the three dimensions does not exceed cm. 150. Tickets are available online href=”http://www.veneziaunica.it/en/e-commerce/services” or at three points in the Airport: ticket machines present at the baggage claim area; Ticket Hellovenezia located in the arrivals; ticket machine at the bus boarding shelter. The boat service from the Airport to the city centre is provided by Alilaguna company. This can be found at the exit of the arrivals area: you should identify at your left the blanket shelter and follow the path for 7 minutes until you arrive at the Dock. The stops in Venice are San Marco, Rialto, Fondamenta Nuove, The Spiers. Travel time: F. Nine (38 minutes), Lido (58 minutes), San Marco (1 hour and 12 minutes), Rialto (57 minutes), Spiers (42 minutes). Regular tickets cost 15 €, return tickets cost 27 €. If you buy them online, you might receive a discount! For more info look at the page Href=”http://www.alilaguna.it/en/tickets1/fares”.