Should you visit Venice? Here’s our view

A Whirlwind Romance with Venice: Three Unforgettable Days

Venice, a city born from the sea, a place where every corner holds a piece of history and every canal whispers tales of its past. Our journey through this enchanting city began as we disembarked the bus at Piazzale Roma Station. From here we set out to discover the heart of Venice.

Day 1: The Grand Unveiling

Our first day was a whirlwind of awe and wonder. The moment we stepped onto the narrow streets, Venice cast its spell on us.

Calv was instantly smitten with the skill of the boatmen, marvelling at how they all avoided each other in the busy waterways.  If it had been up to him we would never have made it past the 1^st bridge!  As it was we aimed to cross as many bridges as possible, an aim which was helped as we took a few wrong turns along the way (I know – it’s a surprise…!)

The Rialto Bridge was the first main bridge we found; a magnificent architectural feat, greeted us with a bustling crowd of tourists. It was impressive, indeed, but oh, the crowds!

We moved on to St. Mark’s Square and its stunning basilica. The beauty was worth the wait in the queue, although the conflicting signs about entry fees left us a bit puzzled.  Just to be clear you do have to pay to visit the basilica, and extra to visit the Pala D’or (the golden altar) inside.  We didn’t pay the extra, but did catch glimpses of this wonderful altarpiece.

Whilst standing in the queue we were able to appreciate the outside of the basilica and the Doges Palace, the bell tower and the unusual clock that overlooks the square.

As we stepped inside the basilica, the wonderful mosaic-adorned ceilings and exquisite floors captured our attention. Read more about the basilica here.

We next stumbled upon the Bridge of Sighs (just a short hop from the square), with its romantic yet dark history. Legend has it that condemned prisoners sighed as they crossed from the inquisitor’s office to the prison, although this tale may be more fiction than fact (well it is actually – read about it here).

Whilst Calv loved watching the boat ballet (and I do agree the boatmen and the gondoliers were extremely skillful) my favourite thing to look at as we walked around the city were the shop windows showing off authentic Venetian masks, and the costumiers with historical costumes on display. They were truly amazing (and there were a lot of them). Sadly my budget extended only to a purchase from a stall (which was pricey enough!!)

Day 3: Exploring the Unplanned

Unfortunately, illness confined me to quarters on the second day. However, on the third day, we were back on our feet.

On our third day, we chose to forgo the pricey gondola ride (80E for 40 mins), opting instead for a 25E each day boat ticket. We used this to ferry us to the islands of Murano, famous for its glass, and Burano, renowned for its colourful houses and lace. The cruise along the Grand Canal at the end of the day was a highlight, revealing Venice’s intricate beauty from the water; and of course seeing many buildings that aren’t visible except from the water.

Despite taking a few unintended detours at the beginning of the day (we had been aiming to walk to a particular pontoon via the Ghetto) but under the scorching sun, we eventually cut this plan short and boarded a waterbus at an earlier pontoon to head out first to Murano, passing the intriguing cemetery island on the way.

Murano was a treasure trove of glass creations, with workshops and shops scattered across the island. Its ageing buildings added to its rustic charm. Burano, our next stop, offered a burst of colour with its picturesque houses and intricate lace shops. There was also another leaning tower here – they appear to be quite abundant throughout Italy (although none as impressive as the iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa). Both islands were beautiful. A little quieter than the main island (although that’s not really saying much) and therefore with a different vibe. There are plenty of canals and bridges still to explore. Definitely worth a visit.

The journey back to Venice was a crowded one, and also a long one, which meant we regretted our decision not to take a seat when we had the opportunity. Back at the main island we disembarked at San Marco, headed down a couple of pontoons to hop on Line 1, which took us all the way along the iconic Grand Canal, revealing one architectural marvel after another. It was genuinely a highlight and I would say is not to be missed 🙂

Venice, a city I had been unsure about, turned out to be an absolute delight. Its magic lies not just in its famous landmarks but in its labyrinthine streets, vibrant canals, and the sheer joy of getting lost and finding narrow dead end streets (meaning you come to a canal with no bridge to cross). If you ever have the chance, Venice is a must-visit, a city that will steal your heart and leave you yearning for more.

We stayed: Camping Serenissima

Our next stop: Verona (staying at a cheap sosta within walking distance)