Venice: Planning Your Trip

There are many major cities in the world that feature on people’s travel bucket lists. But Venice tends to be one that crops up much more than others. This isn’t all too surprising. Venice really is a place like no other. In 2019, the city experienced over 13 million overnight stays from tourists, 2 million of these visitors coming from other areas of Italy, 11 million of these coming from international visitors. This number is steadily increasing. So, if you’re planning a trip to Venice, you’re not alone. There are countless things to do within this city and most people don’t travel for all too long, so it’s a good idea to get a plan together before arriving. This will allow you to book tickets for necessary attractions in advance, book reservations at restaurants you particularly want to eat at and generally organise yourself much better. Here are a few suggestions for you to take into consideration!

Accommodation

Before you plan any activities, it’s best to book your accommodation. Like most city breaks, trips to Venice can involve a whole lot of walking around, so you’re going to want somewhere comfortable and homely to retire to each evening or night. There are a number of high end hotels around, as well as rented accommodation options like AirBnB, so no matter your budget, you’re bound to find something that suits your needs. You may want to look into luggage storage Venice if you plan things on your last day before you check out.

St Mark’s Basilica

One of the main attractions that people make time for in Venice is St Mark’s Basilica. It is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice and a huge piece of architecture. Stunning design inside is bound to wow.

The Doge’s Palace

The Doge’s Palace is another essential landmark to visit while you’re in Venice. Formerly the Doge’s residence and the seat of Venetian government, the Palace is the very symbol of Venice and a masterpiece of Gothic architecture. There’s room after room of stunning stunning architectural design, as well as information regarding the history of the space. You also get the opportunity to pass through the Bridge of Sighs, named because of the Sighs of prisoners you could hear coming from it. The bridge itself is enclosed and made of white limestone with windows sealed with stone bars. It passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the New Prison (Prigioni Nuove) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace.

The Campanile

Located next to St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s palace is the Campanile. This is a huge tower which allows you stunning views across Venice. There are viewing platforms to look out of at all angles, so no matter what area of Venice you want to see, you’ll be able to see it.

A Gondola Ride

What’s a trip to Venice without a Gondola ride? Gondolas are the traditional form of transport in Venice. While nowadays, most people opt for water buses (vaporettos) or water taxis, the gondolas remain as a tourist attraction. A gondola ride can be costly, and they operate at a set rate throughout the city, but if you have the cash available, it’s definitely worth fitting into your trip. Your gondolier will give you information about Venice as you travel the waterways. They will also capture a picture of you and anyone else who’s in your gondola with you!

The Medical Museum

The medical museum is an attraction that flies a little below the radar when it comes to most visitors’ to do lists in Venice. But it’s definitely worth a look if you have the time and are able to fit it in. The medical museum is located in Venice’s main hospital. It is traditional and features countless exhibits of Venetian medical history. It’s relatively small, so you won’t need to spend all too long there. However, it’s more than worth making time for.

The Jewish Museum

If you’re interested in Jewish history, the Jewish museum is located in the campo of Venice’s Ghetto Novo. It features a number of exhibits focused on Venice’s Jewish history. There are guided synagogue tours and a humber of kosher establishments, restaurants and eateries nearby.

These are just a few things to do while you’re in Venice. Hopefully, they help you to organise your trip well with major sites as well as smaller attractions.