Italy is full of beautiful cities full of history, each with its monuments, its narrow streets and its peculiarities. It is undoubtedly a country that has a lot to see, and in each trip we could dedicate days to a single city, such as Venice, that city crossed by water channels that is unique in the world.
Today we will review the 10 things to do yes or yes when you go to Venice, if you are lucky enough to visit this beautiful city. And we are not just talking about going by gondola, which is also an experience, but there is much more. Enjoy all these ideas and write them down as essential if you are going to make a getaway to the city of canals.
Stroll and take photos on the Rialto Bridge
This is one of the symbols of venice, and also the oldest bridge that crosses the canals. Until the XNUMXth century it was the only way to cross the main canal in the city. It was built in the XNUMXth century, and has been standing ever since. It can be visited at any time, and it will always be full of people taking photos, because the views of the canal are great and it is one of the most touristic places.
Get to St. Mark's Square
This is the heart of Venice, a huge really beautiful square, one of the most beautiful that we can see in all of Europe. It is also one of the lowest areas, which is why every year it comes out in the news due to the floods it suffers with the so-called 'acqua alta'. In it are some of the most important monuments of the city, such as the Basilica of San Marcos, the Doge's Palace or the Correr Museum. An ideal place to stroll and have a coffee in a place like Café Florian, one of the oldest in the city.
Visit St. Mark's Basilica
To enter the Basilica of San Marcos, it is not allowed to carry a backpack or suspenders. They open at 9:45 a.m. and on Sundays at 14:00 p.m. In the Basilica can be entered for freeAlthough you do have to pay to see the Museum of San Marcos, the Byzantine Treasure or the Pala de Oro. We will be surprised by the domes and the golden tone that is everywhere, due to the mosaics decorated with gold leaf. In the museum you should not miss the sculptures of the Horses of Saint Mark, which were in the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
Enter the Doge's Palace
This palace was used as a fortress and also as a prison. It has a Gothic, Byzantine and Renaissance style. Inside we can see paintings by such important artists as Titian or Tintoretto. A visit can be made to see the different rooms, the armory area, the courtyards and the prison area. The entrance fee is 16 euros, although it is an unforgettable visit. We will also pass by the precious Bridge of Sighs.
Panoramic views from the Campanile
This is the bell tower of the Basilica of San Marcos, with more than Meters 90. At the top it has five bells and a golden angel-shaped weather vane. The entrance is eight euros, and we will have fabulous panoramic views to see all of Venice and even the nearby islands.
A gondola ride
The gondola ride is quite a business in the city, and it is not really cheap, but it is a classic, so if you want to do it you can negotiate the price before going up, which will be about 80 euros for half an hour or so. It is a romantic and very special idea to take the most authentic photos in Venice.
Venice's Carnival
Carnival is one of the most famous in the world, and their masks also. At that time, staying in the city is much more expensive, and if you cannot coincide with this festival, you can always go visit the Venetian mask shops. In them you will discover these famous handmade masks, really beautiful.
See the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute
This is the other most important religious building in the city, after the Basilica of San Marcos. It dates from the seventeenth century and was created for celebrate the end of the plague. Here we can also find paintings by Tintoretto and Titian. And the best thing is that the entrance is totally free.
Enjoy the museums of Venice
The most important is the Correr Museum of Venice, with painting, sculpture and naval items among many other things. To see this and other museums, the best thing you can do is take the Rolling Venice Card, because in this city they are not free. It costs 10 euros and gives entry to the Correr Museum, the National Archaeological Museum or the National Marciana Library.
Visit Murano and Burano
These are the islands of Venice, and you get there taking a vaporetto. Burano is very beautiful and colorful, and in Murano you can enjoy the artisans who create pieces with the famous Murano glass, and you can see the Glass Museum. Burano is famous for its colorful houses, perfect for taking impressive photos.