Guest post by Della Driscoll of The Violet Network
Venice is the totally unique canal city of Italy and a top romantic destination on every couple’s bucket list. As a picturesque location with colourful canals, historical buildings and charming walkways, you’ll be in Italian heaven roaming the streets. Whether you’re heading on a romantic weekend away or a family trip, we offer various accommodation options in Venice. As a beloved city to us, here is our guide to spending 3 days in Venice.
On arrival to Venice, it’s time to sit back and take a moment to marvel at its beauty. Venice is a city for lovers and a city of magic – and you can see that in the scenery. The canals are unique in how they’re intertwined, and the city sits on stilts – how many locations can say that?
Spend your first morning wandering around the haven of Venice, exploring the busier canals and the tiny backstreets with local houses and quaint coffee spots. Take your pick of bakeries and grab a classic Italian pastry to kick start your morning and a cappuccino too – but make sure you have it before 11 a.m.
When you’ve got your bearings, it’s time to explore the most famous city sights, including St Mark Basilica and Square. St Mark’s Basilica is one of the top sights in Venice and a gorgeous Basilica to mooch around with intricate design and art. The best part is the Basilica features a balcony, allowing an enchanting view of the square below. The Square features the St. Mark’s Campanile and Clocktower, the endless restaurants, bars and cafes to enjoy. Plus, as a bustling location, you can feel the city’s soul right here. Why not join a tour to get an in-depth perspective of the best sights of this remarkable city?
St Mark’s Square sits in the heart of the San Marco district, the prime area for top sights, including Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and Teatro La Fenice, and a hub for restaurants, accommodation options and shops.
Rialto Bridge needs to be next on your list as the most popular bridge in Venice, overlooking the Grand Canal and connecting the San Marco and San Polo districts. You can expect this sight to be rather busy, however, it’s worth it to capture the view of the Grand Canal and to meander through San Polo.
The San Polo district is a tiny area; however, features the Rialto market, Basilica S.Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (which houses Renaissance pieces) and many other quirky and charismatic shops to browse.
End your evening with dinner in a traditional Italian place, eating your weight in a bowl of pasta ragu and a much-needed glass of wine.
Start your morning the right way with an Italian breakfast of coffee and pastry before setting off to the most sought-after experience in Venice: riding a gondola. Gondola experiences are found all over the city, but one of the best is riding a gondola under the Rialto Bridge. You can’t get more authentic Venice than experiencing a gondola ride under the oldest bridge over the Grand Canal. Soak up the sights as you paddle along and see Venice from a different angle.
After your refreshing ride, head to the gem of Liberia Acqua Alta, a unique bookshop, ideal for book lovers. Renowned as one of the most beautiful in the world, spend a while flicking through the books and taking that essential photograph. From here, explore other nearby sights, including Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo.
San Marco and San Polo are the most favoured districts in Venice, as the others are often overlooked. Grab a bite for lunch, such as a freshly-made sandwich and scoop of gelato and make your way over to Cannaregio. Walk across the Ponte delle Guglie, stroll around the many churches and enjoy canals wherever you look.
Appreciate the city turn from day to night as you take a Grand Canal Cruise, witnessing all your favourite sights from the water’s edge. Finish off the night with a classic pizza, a glass of vino and several scoops of gelato.
For your last day, go to the Dorsoduro, Venice’s university district. This district features more than meets the eye. Around the Campo Santa Margherita, you can discover many rustic eateries, vintage fashion boutiques and hipster shops, ideal for your last chance for souvenir shopping. As an art paradise, Dorsoduro also features the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Gallerie dell’Accademia.
Following exploring Dorsoduro, head back to your favourite area within the city and roam around, savouring the last moments in the beautiful Italian city – and relaxing. Find one of the rural restaurants and eat like the locals, and end your time finding a touch of live music back in St Mark’s Square.
Alternatively, a last-day option can be a day trip from Venice to Murano and Burano. Murano is only 10 minutes away from Venice and is famous for its glass-blowing factories and the Church of Santa Maria e San Donato. Burano is recognised as one of Europe’s most colourful towns and a gorgeous experience. Spend your time walking along the colourful fishermen’s houses and browsing the local shops on the island.
That’s our guide to 3 days in Venice. With your itinerary ticked off, discover your dream place to stay with our Venice apartments. Check out the full portfolio at Oliver’s Travels and get in touch with our concierge team for some local tips and help booking any fabulous extras to make your trip forever memorable.
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