The Doges of Venice were the leaders of the city from the 7th through to the late 18th century, during the existence of the Republic of Venice. Alternatively, if you prefer a slower pace and more time at specific sites it would certainly be better to limit your explorations to one or two areas. Check your email to whitelist us! In the Early Middle Ages, the Republic of Venice emerged as a distinct state, soon forging a maritime empire across much of the Mediterranean. San Marco is spectacular but everyone wants to see it. Heading east from Cannaregio you reach Castello, an area best known for the Arsenale di Venezia (Venetian Arsenal), a complex of old shipyards and armouries that testifies to a time when Venice was an important naval power in the Mediterranean. East to read and refer while planning. Thirty minutes should be more than enough for a good look around just ensure that it isnt Sunday, when the basilica only opens for tourists at 14h00. San Marco can be escaped over the famous Rialto Bridge, an important 16th century structure and one of the most congested tourist traps in Venice. Murano is a mecca for glass blowing while Burano is famous for its colorful houses and lace. These cicchetti are somewhat like Spanish tapas (dont mention that to a Venetian!) Head in a roughly north-westward direction, but feel free to divert through the side streets to fully appreciate the area. Read my posts on AMSTERDAM, BERLIN, PRAGUE, KRAKOW, BUDAPEST and VIENNA to get you started! The next day we recommend getting up early to make the most of the first whole day in Venice. The northern sestieri of Venice is known as Cannaregio, much of which lacks the touristic domination of San Marco. The boat will lead you down the Grand Canal towards your hotel. As with the Doges Palace, visitors to the Museo Correr are required to store their bags in a locker room. Consider booking a private guide. Venice is a place I would recommend you spend 3, maybe 4 days in, but Ill stick with my theme of what you can do in 48 hours, as time is not a luxury some people have. 13h00 Lunchtime. Prefer a less high-brow activity? Cross the Rialto Bridge into San Polo to find the food and fish markets. Start with a Meal in a Venetian restaurant followed by a concert in the historic Church of San Vidal. Most people I spoke before my visit recommended September to November. Back Away From The Gram: Influence in the Travel Industry. Get a couple that look good and move down the street to try another location. Although presented as separate museums, they are in effect effect two wings of the same museum, sharing a building and single entrance fee. As a professor he took his bands to England, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Austria, Switzerland, and England. Although the basilica was built in the 11th century, it has experienced significant alteration since then. Get up early and visit Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs, then make your way over to the Rialto Bridge to avoid the crowds that will fill these sites later in the day. Most of the exhibits cover Venices Post-Medieval history, including its architecture, coinage and maritime heritage. Head to the Libreria Acqua Alta Bookstore the cities most famous bookshop. I just wanted to let you know that this post contains affiliate links, which means if you purchase something after clicking a link, I may get a small commission which is at absolutely no cost to you. and a fun, inexpensive way to have lunch or a light dinner. Often thought of as the ultimate romantic city, it also prides itself on cultural events like Venice Carnival (12 February to 1 March 2022), the Venice Biennale (59th: April 23 to November 27 2022), and the Venice International Film Festival (31 August to 10 September 2022). Including the Chiesa di San Polo (Church of Saint Paul), from which the area takes its name. If youd like something more upscale, that can easily be accommodated too! Instead wander into the backstreets and look for small, family run style cafes that arent full to the brim with holiday makers. Unless you are able to spend an extended period of time in Venice, two or three days is sufficient to see the highlights. The following day I returned (without my backpack) only to face another of the squares recurring problems flooding. Our Gondola ride was one of the more memorable events during our 25 day European holiday. While in southern Venice, hop on a vaporetto waterbus to the island of Giudecca. Many of the cafes in San Marco Square are prohibitively expensive, so if youre looking for something more reasonable, either bring a prepared pack-lunch or head away from the square into some of the side streets. Even though large cruise ships are now banned from the center of Venice, by 10:00 many cruise passengers will have begun to flood the streets. Piazza San Marco, St Marks Square in English, is the main public square of Venice. Stay on the water and take a 2-hour Romantic Sunset Tour in a Typical Venetian Boat or a Private Gondola Ride by Night. A joint ticket will get you into the Giorgio Cini Foundation, Borges Labyrinth, and Bosco with the Vatican Chapels. Buy your Vaporetto Tickets (options: single ride/1-day/2-day/3-day/7-day) from GetYourGuide. 14h00 Museo Correr and the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia. To get a great view of the island and the Lagoon, we recommend climbing to bell tower's observation deck.. Also talk to your Gondolier to agree on a price, length of ride, and where the ride will take you. RELATED: Already ticked Venice off your list? Pretty as a picture, it is worth the boat ride (or you could take a half day tour if you prefer!). Browse our hundreds of reports, webinars, one-pagers and checklists covering many topics related to child care. Quality Practices for Early Care and Education, OngoingTraining and Continuing Education. Early in the morning on Marks Square, after tables are set and before the tourists come. Cannaregio offers tourists charming little canals, pretty houses and some of the towns most interesting churches. My kinda 48 hours! Heading back southwards, take the street Fondamenta della Misericordia and enjoy a stroll through this striking canal stretch, which is very lively during the evenings. If you are staying more than two days you might consider a day trip to one of the other islands in the lagoon. I do suggest you buy a ticket online, in advance as the Doges Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Venice, and there are long queues. The Ultimate Overland Budget African Safari. Located here is the Venetian Ghetto, the historic hub of the citys Jewish community. Cannaregio is home to the Jewish Ghetto and Museum and some of the most characteristic streets for wandering. Entry Ticket for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection from Tiqets. Crowds, long queues, and a sea of tacky souvenirs. Next to the basilica is the Doges Palace. They can help you avoid the lines and give you a more immersive experience. Or see a Traveling Opera in a Historic Palace on the Grand Canal: different parts of the opera are performed in different parts of the historic palazzo Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto. These big boats move up and down the Grand Canal, as well as out to some of the other islands, all day long. Disclaimer: Almost all posts on this site contain Affiliate links, and this one about 48 Hours in Venice: Things to do, Where to Stay & Where to Eat is no different. You will enjoy visiting these two buildings during the following day. These are all great places to visit, however, I like taking an afternoon and just walking through the city. And a huge Thank You for reading the MakeTimeToSeeTheWorld travel blog. Buy a Fast-Track Entry Ticket Online from Tiqets. Coming to the post, 1 euro for the ride that was damn cheap. In the south of Venice is Dorsoduro, today home to several art galleries. Much of the architecture here is early 20th century, reflecting an industrial heritage evident across many parts of Northern Italy. The rooms are thematically well-organised and contain information sheets in several European languages. Are You Ready to Open a Child Care Business? READY MORE EUROPE TRAVEL INSPIRATION? What's the state of child care in your state. Beginning in 2022, local authorities plan to charge an entry fee of 10 per person in the high season and 3 per person off season to anyone not staying overnight in the city. Those seeking something a little older should check out Il Redentore (The Redeemer), a church designed by the prominent architect Andrea Palladio during the 16th century. Keep reading for tips on the best way to spend 48 Hours in Venice Where to Stay, Top 10 Things To Do & Where to Eat! More Details and Book Online. Entry Ticket for the Palazzo Contarini San Bovolo from GetYourGuide. Here, take the Vaporetto LN line to get to the island of Torcello. You can see chefs buying fish for their restaurants as well as locals looking for something for their table. For a more fancy, upmarket meal, Al Covino (small restaurant with a short three course menu (approx 40E) and local organic wines) and Boccadoro (awesome fresh pasta and home grown veggies) are great choices. Things to do in Venice (Italy) in 48 Hours, Planning the Right Itinerary for your Time in Rome, Euro Travel Coach, 2505 Waunona Way, Madison, WI, 53713, United States, Custom Itineraries & Travel Coaching Checkout, travel to Europe travel coach and planning guides, vagabond expat life travel blog Euro Travel Coach digital nomads. YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN THESE TRAVEL TIPS, TRAVEL HACKS, TRAVEL ARTICLES, TRAVEL DESTINATIONS GUIDES, TRAVELER RESOURCES AND RELATED POSTS ABOUT OTHER BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN EUROPE TO HELP YOU TRAVEL THE WORLD: Hi There! Get a map from your hotel or at a Tourist Information Center (TI) and get a good feel for the city and what you might want to see. If you are interested in learning more about Venice and its history head to the west of the St Marks Square, here you will find the Museo Correr (Correr Museum) and Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia (Venice National Archaeology Museum). READY FOR MORE? But if you get an early start it can be surprising how empty the city seems. Check the TI for a company that best suits your needs. 16h30 Leaving San Marco Square, head over to the Palazzo Contarini San Bovolo. Home Travel Guide 48 Hours in Venice Where to Stay, What To Do & Where to Eat! RELATED: Already hit the main tourist sites? Read CCAoA's full statement on this issue below. There are several ways of heading back to the airport depending on where you fly from. Deciding which part of the city to cover depends on ones preferences and capabilities. Entry is free to the Basilica itself, but there are small fees to enter certain parts of the basilica (such as the Treasury and St Marks Museum). Venice is on nearly everyones wish list for good reason. Together they have visited over 40 countries and counting! Take a Boat Trip to Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands three of the most interesting of the northern islands. And good job on scoring a cheap gondola ride! If you are only staying in Venice for two days and you want to discover the best points of interest, check out our 48-hour itinerary of Venice. The citys medieval history combined with its unusual setting makes Venice one of the most extraordinary cities in the world. Join over 300,000 travel lovers and get monthly updates direct to your inbox. The enclosed bridge was built out of white limestone in 1600 and connects the prison with the interrogation rooms in Doges Palace. Stroll through the neighborhoods narrow streets with small canals and enjoy the citys unique atmosphere and architecture. Browse Ethan's Articles on Archaeology Travel. BUCKET LIST INSPO Once you arrive in Venice, we recommend taking a vaporetto (water bus) to get an idea of this beautiful and surprising city. It will also help you know if the gondoliers English is good enough to tell you about what youre seeing. After walking around St Marks follow the signs (or use a map) to Rialto Bridge, the oldest and most magical of Venices bridges. Created in the 15th century, this out-of-the way gem is known for its twirling external staircase that gives it its name. As well as visiting the temples interior, you can also climb to its balcony where you will get a stunning view of St Marks Square. For modern art, a must-see is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection housed in an 18th century palazzo. Its a fun way to explore and meet some locals. Looking for fee assistance or respite care? There are a number of museums and art galleries to see. It is also home to some incredible art by Donatello, Bellini, and Titian and well worth the nominal entrance fee. 48 Hours in Venice Where to Stay, What To Do & Where to Eat! A Palace built in the Venetian Gothic style, its popularity has increased with the offering of its Secret Itineraries Tours. If you prefer the second option, the day begins bright and early in the vaporetto stops: Fondamenta Nuovo or San Zaccaria. Its nice to also see some less visited churches while you are in Venice. Great post! Your posts are going to be really helpful planning our itinerary and stay. Historical sources suggest that the settlement emerged around the fifth century, amid the collapse of the Roman Empire. Otherwise head further afield to the islands of the Northern Lagoon, containing further historic sites. Although administratively considered part of Dorsoduro, Giudecca has a very different feel from the rest of the city. For a normal everyday feed Id recommend staying away from Piaza San Marco and the main strip in that area food tends to be of average quality and grossly overpriced! Sometime near dinnertime the cruisers head back toward their ships and the streets begin to clear again. Or save a few Euros and get a Combined Ticket for the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Doges Palace. Forty-eight hours, two or three nights, in Venice will give you ample time to see quite a bit of the city. See ALL the amazing things. He loves cooking, hiking, listening and playing music, and wine, craft beer, and single malt whisky and holds a Level 3 certification from the Wine and Spirits Education Trust. If you are hungry, we recommend having spaghetti alle vongole (spaghetti with clams), an Italian classic, which is very popular in Burano. 09h30 Enter the Basilica di San Marco as it opens to avoid the crowds. The economy relies heavily on tourism. Pick one or two that you most want to see. This 48-hour itinerary is perfect for those that would like or have already booked a weekend break in Venice. The winding of the canal makes keeping your sense of direction a challenge at times. Visitors are asked to place their bags in a locker room, while an audio guide is available for an additional fee. This was certainly the case for me. Tagged: Cannaregio, Castello, Bridge of Sighs, Campanile, cicchetti, Burano, Custom Itineraries, coach, coaching, custom trip, Travel to Italy guide and tips, Trip Planning Services, Venice Italy Travel Tips, travel to Europe travel coach and planning guides, vagabond expat life travel blog Euro Travel Coach digital nomads, custom european travel itinerary, EURO TRAVEL COACH LLC | 2505 Waunona Way, Madison, Wisconsin 53713 USA TEL: +1-254-485-9700 | EMAIL ADDRESS, PRIVACY POLICY | COOKIE POLICY | SITE MAP, Copyright 2017-2021, Euro Travel Coach, All rights reserved | Visual design by Tawni Sattler. If you choose accommodations with a kitchen, you could make fresh Venetian Vongole e Cozze (Venetian Seafood with White Wine Sauce) using the food purchased at the local market! Venice. answer all your questions and recommendations are made where we believe they will improve your trip and help with your planning. Piazza San Marco is the main square in Venice and really is the heart of the city, hosting a variety of attractions including St Marks Basilica, Doges Palace, Campanile and the Bridge of Sighs. Take a sunset trip along the Grand canal in a gondola to a restaurant of your choice and enjoy some of the best views of Venice. USA AUSTRALIA MALDIVES If you want to go inside, Buy an Entry Ticket to the Palazzo Contarini San Bovolo in Advance. But is full of old world charm and a great selection of wines. The Doges Palace is one of the most popular attractions in Venice. This website is property of Civitatis Tours SL. We suggest heading to Piazza San Marco as a starting point for a brief visit to Venice.St Marks Square (Piazza San Marco) is probably one of the most famous squares, along with St Peters Square in the Vatican City. Coming from San Marco, cross the bridge and make your way along the Grand Canal to explore these markets and get some great views across the canal. We recommend visiting the Doges Palace with its exquisite rooms and decoration, its bloodcurdling prison and the beautiful Bridge of Sighs. The boats are beautiful and well appointed. Get off at Ferrovia (which is Venezia Santa Lucia railways vaporetto stop) and here, cross the Ponte delle Guglie and walk to the Jewish Ghetto, a wistful area where the Jews were forced to live during the Venetian Republic. If you have two days in the city, and one is devoted to the sites of Piazza San Marco, then I think the second day is best spent exploring Venice on foot. The major sights become inundated with people, especially in the summer. backpacker hostel in Venice read this post. These include Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace, Campanile, Gallerie dellaccademia, Peggy Guggenheim Museum, and San Sebastiano. It is unique, romantic, historic and truly one of the worlds most amazing cities. Child Care Aware of America is dedicated to serving our nations military and DoD families. And if youre looking for a backpacker hostel in Venice read this post. Like other visitors, I had to remove my shoes and socks and walk through a foot of water to enter the building. The temple is worth exploring and has a very particular story, since it was built to commemorate the end of a terrible plague that hit Venice during the seventeenth century. If you have the stamina and a long day set aside, it would certainly be possible to visit most areas of Venice on a brisk whistle-stop tour. Despite not having a lot of time to explore Venices museums and palazzos the day you arrive, you will have more than sufficient time to discover some of the citys most emblematic landmarks. The two are connected, with one leading straight into the other. Both the Correr and the archaeology museum juxtapose older artefacts with temporary exhibits of contemporary artworks, reflecting the citys place as a hub in the global arts scene. Built on over 100 small islands in a marsh area of the Adriatic sea, its uniqueness comes from the fact there are no roads but rather a series of waterways where boats are the only form of transportation. Your email address will not be published. Those interested in industrial archaeology will be particularly intrigued by the way architects repurposed old factories as fancy restaurants and hotels. Each post is carefully crafted to (hopefully!) If you depart from Treviso Airport, you can take a vaporetto to Piazzale Roma and take the bus from there. Our next stops are FLORENCE & PISA Click through to read more! So you have a booked a weekend in Venice and dont have a clue where to start. 15h00 Hop on a vaporetto at the S. Zaccaria (Danieli) stop on the southern waterfront. 15h30 From the southern side of the Venice island, get on a vaporetto once more and head to Giudecca for an evening stroll along the islands northern waterfront, taking in some of the industrial features on the western end. Enjoy some of the major sites in Venice. Avoid the busy stations on the Grand Canal and find a spot on one of the side streets. Greg Ball Greg is co-founder and partner of Euro Travel Coach (ETC), which crafts custom European vacations for independent travelers and leads small group tours to Europe. This is also probably one of the best ways to appreciate the citys architectural heritage, with most Venetian buildings predating the 20th century. AFRICA INDONESIA SRI LANKA. Straight after visiting the Basilica, we recommend exploring the Campanile. Even if you skip the line it is often quite crowded. There are also companies that offer cruises for smaller groups. Far starker are the palace dungeons, which those suffering from claustrophobia may wish to avoid. Walking towards the sestiere San Polo, you will reach the Ponte di Rialto. After visiting the Gallery, continue in the same direction (south) until you see the impressive Santa Maria della Salute, one of the citys most famous churches. As Luck would have it, I went in November and the numbers were bearable. Stay informed, connected, and inspired in an ever-changing ECE landscape. This leads into the San Polo sestieri, an area that contains many churches built or expanded during Italys Renaissance period. When not hunting down archaeological monuments at home and abroad and writing about these for the website, Ethan researches religion in early Medieval England and contemporary uses of heritage (Academia Profile). As you explore the streets in some of the less touristy areas, look for the spots that have plates of food on the bar. With its winding Medieval streets and majestic Grand Canal, not unsurprisingly Venice is one of the worlds most popular tourist destinations. If you enjoyed this article and are going to be searching for some of the things I mention anyway, I would love it if you could click through from the links above & thank you in advance! If you are fortunate enough to stay longer in Venice and have followed our itinerary, there are still many other attractions to visit in the city, as well as nearby charming cities such as Padua and Verona to discover. The Doge system ended when Venice was conquered by France during the Napoleonic Wars, and rendered further obsolete following the 19th century unification of Italy. Dosoduro is home to both the Guggenheim and Academia museums and also has lively nightlife. With so many beautiful hotel and apartment options throughout Venice and the surrounding areas, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. Or if you want to skip to another country, our guide to ISLAND HOPPING IN GREECE could be just what you need. Your email address will not shared with anyone else. Remember that from October to January the water level rises, and parts of the city floods. But if you plan well, you can spend a couple of days in this dream city and have a wonderful experience. It is a Franciscan church and also known simply as the Frari Church. Although like the majority of the Venetian population the church is Roman Catholic, it has an obvious eastern influence, particularly Byzantine. Either way, a good map is advisable. Read my full Disclosure here. At the airport take a water taxi, and enjoy a stylish, scenic transfer to your hotel while experiencing the lagoon and canals. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. There will likely be a ten to thirty-minute queue to get it; once inside, buy a ticket that includes entry to the Museo Correr and Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia to avoid further queues later. As this itinerary is for 48 hours, this wont apply to you, but it may help to keep the crowds to a minimum. For security reasons, you can not enter when carrying backpacks and other bags. With San Marco covered on the previous day, head on a whistle-stop tour of the rest of Venice. War with the Ottomans and the French had severely eroded Venices power by the 18th century, and in the 19th century it merged into the new Italian state. Many of the more important historical sites are to be found around the square. Cross it to reach the Rialto Market, a bustling and colorful market.. You will probably get to Venice either by train from a nearby city in Italy or by plane, by which you will need to take the bus to Piazzale Roma. For more about food in Venice read our recent Venetian Vongole e Cozze post. During what is known locally as acqua alta (high water) Saint Marks Square floods as it is one of the lowest points in Venice. Otherwise, if you are not a great fan of museums, we suggest taking a water boat to some of the most interesting islands in the Venetian Lagoon. RELATED: This is the seventh stop on my Europe By Rail in 25 Days Tour. This structure is the Cathedrals bell tower and is the symbol of Venice, thus it is one of the most photographed buildings in the Serenissima. 09h00 Kick off at the famous Rialto Bridge before it gets too congested with tourists. If you want to stay in a less crowded, less touristy area, look into the sestieri (districts or neighborhoods) of Cannaregio, Santa Croce, or San Polo. Your email address will not be published. Certainly if you are arriving at Marco Polo International Airport. Nighttime in Venice can be magical. Demanding Change: Repairing our Child Care System, State Fact Sheets & Child Care Data Center. Haha. After the walk, you will probably find yourself right back at St Marks Square where you can stop and and have a drink in one of Venices most popular cafs: Caff Florian or Caff Quadri. . Although a separate ticket for the Museo Correr and National Archaeological Museum is available (purchase these at the ticket office), the ticket for the Doges Palace includes these two museums, as well as the monumental rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana (National Library of St. Marks). The extravagant interior of the Senate Chamber in the Doges Palace. Entry to the palace is 7, or 6 for concessions, although the main architectural features can be seen from outside. Our Gondolier on the one of the smaller canals in Venice. You have several options with the most economical being a Vaporetto. The next stop is Campo Santa Margherita, which you will get to if you head south towards Dorsoduro district. This ticket remains valid for three months from the date of purchase, however because of the proximity of the four attractions it is probably more practical to see them together on the same day. This means that if you click on any of the links in this post (and make a purchase) I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. Gondolas floating along the Grand Canal as it flows under the Rialto Bridge at sunset. During this period, people from the Italian mainland fled to the island to avoid land-based Germanic and Hunnic raiders. Other churches worth a visit are San Giorgio Maggiore (with a great tower view back into the city), Santa Maria della Salute, and Santa Maria Assunta (I Gesuiti). A good option if you are planning to visit all three attractions. You can also book a private water taxi that can take you down some of the smaller canals that the bigger boats cannot navigate. It is one of the most authentic sestieri with a great atmosphere. At the top of the piazza you cant miss the Basilica and the Campanile. Report: Operationalizing Equity in Quality Rating and Improvement Systems. They were elected to the position by the citys aristocrats and served in that position until their death. Click the link to find out all about it! Thanks Danielle - I totally agree: getting lost in Venice is part of the fun! Both the exterior and interior are highly decorated with intricate mosaics, lending the church its nickname as the Church of Gold. When you leave the Palazzo Ducale, head to the most important religious edifice in Venice, the Basilica di San Marco.