The first time I visited Venice was a few years ago. It was a university trip that focused on learning as much about Venetian art as possible. Of course, everything happened in a time-lapse.
I had heard a lot about the city. For some, it was beautiful, for others, it stinks and is not worth visiting. I decided to not have any expectations and see what would happen. That time, when Venice was covered with a cold February fog and the gusts of wind threw an icy rain in my face, I fell in love with this city.
While living just over two hours away from this magical city, it would be a sin to not visit it. I told Luke how beautiful it was a few years ago, how stunning are the houses and palaces that hover over the water as in a magical fairy tale. When we entered the railroad on the lagoon, I felt that maybe I had set my and his expectations too high, that maybe the city was nowhere near as pretty as I remembered it, but as we exited Santa Lucia train station into a totally different world, soaked in the Italian sun, I was sure it seemed even more beautiful than before.
Venice is one of those cities in which I would like to live for a while, to memorise the complicated net of its streets and canals. It is also worth seeing if you have just one day. Here are some recommendations of what to do in Venice when you only have 24 hours.
Grab Breakfast in Boresso
We arrived in Venice in the morning, and since I need a coffee to properly function, we entered one of the first cafés we found, and it was a great choice. Boresso offers tasty cornettos and other breakfasty sweets, good coffee, and also some things for lunch. It's not an Instagramable spot, but the prices for Venice standards are great and it had a local vibe that we truly loved!
Tip: Venice is full of "tourist traps". If something is much more expensive it doesn't mean it's better, or even good. So be careful!
Get Lost and Then Find Your Way
Getting lost in old towns full of narrow streets is one of my favourite things to do when visiting different places. Yet, what's even better is getting lost in the labyrinth that tangles around the island, where canals make everything more confusing.
P.S. If you think that the directions on the walls don't make any sense to you - well, they do. They take the canals into account, which can be confusing even for people with a perfect sense of direction.
Feel the Vibes of San Marco Square
If one would have to pick the heart of the city, there is no doubt it would be San Marco Square. You can approach it from many sides. For us, it opened up as a picture, framed with old arcades, which were probably used for selling goods. The spectacular church of Saint Mark is one of the main attractions there, as well as the tower that is an emblematic symbol of the city.
You can drink super expensive coffee in one of the cafés, or simply enjoy the hustle and bustle of the people walking around, immerse in the arguments of seagulls, or observe the vibrant life of the square.
Walk towards the basilica to discover the Doges Palace, and further still towards the famous James Bond hotel - Danieli. Have a look at the gondolas that sway on the water, with the spectacular structure of San Giorgio Maggiore church, that emerges from the fog on the nearby island.
Wander Around Mercato Rialto
To feel the local vibe, visit Mercato Rialto, which has operated for over 1000 years, although the current neo-gothic construction was built in the 17th century. The place is divided into two parts: in one you can buy seafood, in another fruit and vegetables, and also flowers. One might say it’s the most local place in Venice, where you can hear bargains, drowned out by the screams of seagulls that come here to feast.
If you will come here around 7-7:30 a.m., when the market opens, you can see fishermen coming with their boats filled with seafood.
Fun fact: if you go for an early morning stroll, you can see boats with fruits and vegetables, and even Amazon packages, being unloaded. It's a unique view.
Pass Over Rialto Bridge
Right after San Marco Square, the Rialto Bridge is the most popular spot in Venice. It was built at the end of the 16th century, and it was the first bridge over the grand canal. Aside from the utilitarian form, it was also a place where merchants could sell goods in little shops built in the structure of the bridge. Nowadays, those tiny stores sell souvenirs and jewellery.
Try to get to one of the docks around it to see it in its full splendour.
Eat Delicious Gnocchi in Baci & Pasta
Nothing warms your belly better than a hot plate of pasta or gnocchi. We found this place accidentally and we absolutely loved it! You can pick gnocchi or pasta (various types) and sauce. Everything is handmade and literally melts away on your tongue. The food was an affordable price and honestly delicious! We also had a talk with the very friendly owner of the place!
Find Your Favorite Book in Libreria Acqua Alta
As Luke and I are both book worms, we couldn't skip this place! This bookstore got its fame because it is constantly flooded during acqua alta. Because of that, they keep the books inside bathtubs, bins, and also... a gondola. When the water comes, the books are safe. You can find new editions there, as well as vintage collections. The Libreria also offers tonnes of vintage postcards - we spent a lot of time picking some - and their own souvenirs (bookmarks, wooden models, matchboxes decorated with classic book covers, and much more). Did we manage to leave without buying a book? Not really.
Oh, and btw, there are stray cats that wander around the place, adding even more charm to it. Be aware that if you travel with a dog, you might not be able to enter.
Take a Gondola Ride
Is a gondola ride overpriced? Definitely. Is it worth the money? Hell yeah! I always wanted to try it, but it was way over my budget the last time. It finally happened on our one-day trip. Because of the low season and few tourists, we could get a ride for half the usual price.
I love water and I really enjoyed the boat ride, where you can just sink in to comfortable seats and admire beautiful buildings. All of this is accompanied by the hustle of water and the gondolier whistling and singing songs. I am not sure if we would enjoy it that much if the canals would be filled with other gondolas, but because the city was really empty, we absolutely loved it.
A gondola ride in the peak season costs 100 euros. One gondola can take up to 5 people. You can find gondoliers on literally every corner of the city.
Have an Evening Stroll
Dimmed light reflected by the water creates a wonderful spectacle on the walls of houses that hover over the canals. It was a wonderful experience to walk around Venice in the evening, despite the freezing damp air. I might admit it was a bit gloomy because there were no people at all. Maybe it was because in Acqua Alta we saw a book about criminals in Venice, or maybe just a general problem with a too-big imagination, but at that moment the city looked like a perfect location to write a criminal book. I bet it is a bit more cheerful in the summer, but whatever the season is, don't miss that experience.
Get a Unique Souvenir in Grafiche Ellemme Venezia
Like every touristy city, Venice is full of booths that sell souvenirs and, as per usual, most of them are mass-produced in Asian countries. If you are looking for some more local and artisanal gifts, visit Grafiche Ellemme Venezia. Founded in 1989, the place uses Heidelberg printing presses to produce unique art and souvenirs: postcards, bookmarks, prints, ex-librises and more.
Window Shopping
Venice is full of beautiful boutique shops, where you can see artisanal goods: from hand-made carnival masks to stunning stationery, to writing accessories, Italian shoes, wooden models, unique chess sets, and clothes. The city is a perfect spot for either real- or just window-shopping. Just go with the flow and look around you to find amazing goodies.
Soaked in the rain or covered with bright rays of sun that blind you, Venice is a unique place. Different from any other European town. After all, it was built on the water, without any passages for cars. Enchanted in time, ready to be discovered again and again, while fooling passers-by with its dead ends, bridges, and streets that create a maze that connects earth with water.
Maybe it was a lack of crowds or simple luck to see Venice this way. Or maybe it was her own charm that lures me to visit her and search for its secrets again, again, and again.
