Sei Bellissima, Venezia!
“A realist, in Venice, would become a romantic by mere faithfulness to what he saw before him.” —Arthur Symons
This quote perfectly describes just how enchanting Venice is. It’s not overselling it to say that Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Ever since traveling there for the first time when I was a teenager, Venice has always been one of my favorite places. Breathtaking streetscapes, gorgeous architecture and fascinating culture – Venice has all the ingredients for the making of an unforgettable vacation.
Its beauty and mystique is unbeatable in so many ways. It is a place like nowhere else in the world, where untouched history meets the present day. The winding, narrow alleyways offer a mysterious adventure, never quite knowing exactly where your next turn takes you. The beautiful canals and charming gondola rides promise to take you to a whole different world – one of romance and fantasy. During the winters, the fog emanating off of the water creates an ominous, yet surprisingly romantic atmosphere. It is for so many reasons that Venice will forever hold a special place in my heart.
My love for Venice began almost two decades ago. I first traveled to Venice at the age of 16 when I studied abroad in Italy and was living with a host family. I’d travel there with friends on the weekends. We’d saunter around the streets, marvel at the shops, and flirt with the younger gondoliers. We’d order gelato and gasp at the sight of the price of a Coca Cola sold in Piazza San Marco. Though I’m clearly not the same as that 16-year-old girl that first fell in love with Venice, my adoration for this beautiful city has not changed. And I’ve been lucky to be able to go back about a half a dozen times since then, so I’ve grown quite familiar with Venice over the years.
One great thing about Venice is that you can pretty much see everything in just a few days. You can walk almost the entirety of the main island in a day, and then have time to spend hopping to some of the other islands on the other days. Plus, the public transportation is incredibly cheap and efficient, which gives you no excuse not to hop on the vaporetto and head off to see some of the other islands.
What to Know Before Going
Beware of Acqua Alta
Acqua Alta (or Italian for “high water”), is the term Italians use to explain the exceptional tide swings that occur periodically in Venice. A combination of high tide and low atmospheric pressure (beware of those full moons!) force water into the Venetian Lagoon, making it difficult to navigate Venice on foot. If you’re traveling to Venice in the fall, winter or spring—most often occurring in the months of October, November and December, but generally occurring between the months of September and April—be sure to bring your wellies. I do not say this to deter you from going during this time (see below), but only so that you come prepared. Often times you can check the tide swing online on weather sites about a week or so ahead of time, so you can decide whether or not you will need to bring appropriate waterproof footwear.
Time of Year is Key
If you read the paragraph above, you’re probably thinking “Great, then summertime is the best time to visit!” Nope. Think again. Summer brings such horrible swarms of tourists that summertime is almost not worth visiting Venice at all. Imagine ships nearly three times the size of Venice’s tallest buildings, carrying 6,000 people, dumping off all those people into a city that is as wide as Central Park is long, adding to the existing population and non-cruise ship tourists. It’s overwhelming, to say the least.
After being on the receiving end of a lot of angry Italians, the Italian government finally banned cruise ships of a certain size from entering the city back in 2017. However, that doesn’t stop cruise-goers from stopping there: the ships simply must let them off in a different place. So even though cruise ships can no longer technically sail through the canal (well, I think this actually is going to keep happening until about 2022, but the government is lessening it until then), this does not mean there will be less tourists in the tiny city. And “cruise season” definitely is a thing—most cruise lines only operate in this area during the summer months. So if you want to avoid the swarms of people and actually enjoy your time in Venice, don’t—I repeat: DON’T—travel to Venice in the summer.
My favorite time of year to visit Venice is the winter. Yes, the winter. It’s cold—really cold—but trust me, you’ll survive. And it will be worth it. Despite the freezing temperatures, Venice in the summer is simply magical. There is a smell that can only be experienced in the winter—and it’s a fresh, crisp air smell and not the stinky sewer smell you might experience in the hotter months. On really cold days, you can see steam dancing off the water’s edge, creating a calming, soothing effect. The tourists are gone, the passageways are empty, and all you hear are the sound of pigeons wings and your own footsteps. You won’t have to fight through crowds at Piazza San Marco, you can actually get into decent restaurants without a reservation, and—most importantly—you won’t have to deal with the swarms of day-trippers and rude tourists that bring the city to its knees during the summer months.
Getting There
Although a small island, Venice is very well connected to the rest of the world. The most convenient way to travel to Venice from the U.S. is, of course, by plane as many airlines fly directly to the Marco Polo International Airport, located 8 miles from the city center. Getting from the airport into the main part of the city though—that part isn’t so easy and can feel like a daunting task for some travelers.
There are four main options to get from Marco Polo into the center: private boats, public boats, taxis or buses. Though expensive, my recommendation is to splurge and hire a private boat to and from the airport. Using one of these sleek private boats is not only a more luxurious way to arrive, but it’s typically the fastest. A private boat transfer can get you into the center of Venice in just 25 minutes. Though this is spendy option (usually about 100 euro), hiring a private boat to take you from the airport to the center is worth every penny.
If you’re trying to save on costs, the Alilaguna public boat (or “vaporetto”) costs only 15 euros per person one way. The boats run often so you shouldn’t have to wait too long to get into the city. However, they make a lot of stops typically so it can take up to an hour to get to your final destination. Though taxis and buses are available as well, they’re actually more expensive than the vaporettos. But if you’re short on time and can’t afford a private transfer, the bus or a taxi might be your best bet.
Once in Venice, getting around is pretty easy. Walking along the canals and through the beautiful city is one way to explore Venice. Of course, there’s a faster (and less tiring) alternative – the water taxis or water buses that I mentioned above. But my favorite way to appreciate the charm and uniqueness of this wonderful city built on water is by the Gondola (more on that below).