25 Photos To Inspire A Trip To Venice
There seem to be two opinions about visiting Venice. Some people view it as a “must-see” destination in Italy, and others have no interest in ever visiting Venice because of the crowds and overtourism.
I’ll admit… I fell into that second category. Venice was never at the top of my list of places to visit in Italy. I could think of dozens of off-the-beaten-path towns I’d rather explore.
But I ended up in Venice because of a generous gift from a family member. They wanted to treat my husband and I to a 4-night trip to Venice, complete with a “cheesy” gondola ride. Of course, we appreciated the gesture and I came around to the thought of Venice (and the gondolas).
And guess what… I loved it! Venice’s beauty and uniqueness completely won me over. Yes, there were a few moments when I was overwhelmed by the crowds, but we quickly figured out how to avoid that.
To me, it was a photographer’s paradise. The architecture and the colors of the buildings against the green canals. Incredible! The charming alleys and bridges with laundry hanging above. Wonderful!
I want to share some of my favorite photos from Venice and a few tips for avoiding the crowds and enjoying your stay. Here are 25 photos to inspire you to visit Venice.
You MUST eat cicchetti while in Venice! They are delicious and cheap (at some places). I highly recommend visiting Arcicchetti Bakaro. The cicchetti are wonderful, and the area is relaxed and away from the touristy shops.
Right next to Arcicchetti Bakaro is Bacareto Da Lele. They also sell delicious bites, but a bit different from what their neighbors serve. Try both places and see which you like better.
10 pieces of cicchetti and 2 glasses of wine will set you back only €12 at Arcicchetti Bakaro. It’s the perfect midday snack for two.
Also Read: Best Tips to Travel Italy on a Budget
We asked our gondolier if he could take us around quiet areas away from the crowds, and he happily complied. We also had a really interesting conversation with him about his job and living in Venice. Don’t shy away from chatting with your gondolier!
Make sure you take time to explore the nooks and crannies of the island.
This is the street we stayed on in the “Castello” neighborhood. This area didn’t feel touristy, but it was only a 20-minute walk from Piazza San Marco. If you want to stay in a quiet area away from the crowds, I recommend staying on the east side of the island.
This bar was in Piazza San Marco. The piazza is obviously very crowded during the day, but we passed through it around 8:00 in the morning, and it was completely empty. Try to be there either early in the morning or in the evening to avoid all the day trippers.
Another perk to getting up early and staying in a quieter area is that you can see the locals start their day. You’ll see kids on their way to school and older ones out doing their grocery shopping. It will help you appreciate that Venice is home to real people.
Get onto some of the quiet alleys to get some photos of yourself without people around.
Restaurants can be hit or miss in Venice. Do some research ahead of time or talk to a local while you’re there to find some restaurants that serve local dishes.
Rather than doing a day trip, try to stay on the island overnight. There’s a completely different atmosphere in Venice in the mornings and evenings. You’re much more likely to fall in love with it if you stay there. I would suggest staying for 3 nights.
Don’t bother booking a gondola ride in advance. You’ll find plenty of these “gondola service” signs as you walk around the city. Stand by one and a gondolier will come by soon enough.
Are you convinced to visit Venice? I hope so! Do you have questions about staying there? Leave them in the comments section below!