What makes a wonderful weekend in Venice? You’re probably thinking gondolas, grand cafés, pasta and prosecco, and you’d be right – but here’s my first timers guide to enjoying the best of the best in 48 hours…
FIRSTLY, WHEN SHOULD I VISIT VENICE? | VENICE CITY GUIDE
As with any European city, you’ll benefit from visiting off-peak during early Spring and Autumn when the crowds are less and the temperatures are comfortable. My city break was early November, it was cool and wet but very quiet away from the usual tourist spots.
Exciting news for Welsh readers, Cardiff Airport recently announced they’ll be flying direct to Venice in 2018!
HOW DO I GET TO VENICE FROM THE MAINLAND?
If you’re arriving by ship you can walk across the road from the port exit and catch the local bus or People Mover that takes just a few minutes to Piazzale Roma. Arrivals from Marco Polo Airport may benefit from getting the shuttle bus or water taxi.
WHAT SHOULDN’T I MISS DURING MY WEEKEND IN VENICE?
- Saint Mark’s Basilica and Square
- Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal’s oldest crossing
- Doge’s Palace, Gothic Architecture and Museum
- Saint Mark’s Bell Tower
- La Fenice, an iconic Opera House
The view from Saint Mark’s Bell Tower
The opening times vary throughout the year, but taking a trip up the Bell Tower is a must if you want to see the best view over the 118 islands that make up Venice. You can book tickets online if you’d like to beat the peak season queues, in November I walked straight in.
WHERE SHOULD I GO TO EAT IN VENICE?
There’s an abundance of restaurants along Rio San Leonardo and Strada Nova to fuel a weekend in Venice, just see where your eyes and nose leads you. For those not sparing any expense however, places like Club del Doge (recommended by The Foodaholic) and Caffè Florian (my Pinterest find on Gastrotravelogue) in Saint Mark’s Square may be just the ticket.
Caffè Florian, The oldest coffee house in the world
Opened in December 1720, Florian really does feel like you’ve gone back a century or two with its polished dark wood and golden furnishings. The prices may make your eyes water (around €10 for a hot chocolate), but it’s a very special “when in Rome Venice” experience.
The Roman Guy’s Venice Food Tour
After a trip to Rome I connected with The Roman Guy who organise tours across Italy, including Venice. They invited me to experience one of their tours on my final day that worked out perfectly. If, like me, you have a mid-afternoon or evening flight this is a great way to fill in the hours and discover the hidden gems of Venice from a local expert.
Our guide Giuliano met us near the Rialto Bridge and took us straight to ‘Bacarando’ for Cicchetti. Think of this as an Italian version of Spanish Tapas or British bar snacks. What did we have? A glass of Prosecco and deep fried cheese containing meat, fish or vegetables – scrumptious!
After this we took a short gondola ride over to historic fish market to learn about the origins of Venice’s food scene. Nearby was ‘Al Merca‘, our second food stop where Venetians get together over a spritzer and panini.
‘Pane Vino e San Daniele’ truly felt like a local favourite away from the tourist hub. Biting into bruschetta (and mastering the correct pronunciation), we pondered over a choice of classic dishes including a favourite of mine, lasagne. This was washed down with a glass of red wine and coffee – we decided to skip gelato for a hot drink indoors because of the time of year. I should mention Pan Vino’s lasagne is possibly the best I’ve had anywhere, so rich and meaty!
Giuliano’s passion and friendliness made this a fun two and a half hours, and it’s always lovely to meet other travellers who share your love for food and travel. Visit The Roman Guy for more details about the tour, as well as other itineraries in Venice and Italy.
Further reading: Tips for a cheap city break to Rome, A city guide to Lecce in Puglia and Planning an amazing trip to Amsterdam
Disclosure: My food tour was complimentary of The Roman Guy, however all opinions are my own.