Majestic palaces, century-old bridges, cobbled alleys, narrow canals and a labyrinth of spectacular islands. Venice is all this. Timeless and suspended in the water, Venice is the romantic city par excellence, where you can spend an unforgettable weekend, between the smell of the sea and the sound of the water plowed by gondolas.
From the vaporetto to organized tours, from routes with audio guides to thematic itineraries, you have many possibilities for visiting Venice.
I advise you to walk through its streets, cross the dozens of bridges and stroll through its fields, letting yourself be guided by its beauty.
If it is your first time in the Venetian capital, you cannot miss the most beautiful places in the city. Here are some that I recommend you visit on a weekend in Venice.
St. Mark's Square
Among the many wonderful places that tell the story of Venice, Piazza San Marco is in my opinion the first to visit. In addition to being one of the most beautiful squares in the world, it is considered the living room of Europe and a living testimony to the elegance and grandeur of the ancient Republic of Venice.
Scenic from every angle, Piazza San Marco is home to the majestic Basilica of San Marco with its oriental domes. If you also want to visit the interior, you will be struck by the beautiful Byzantine mosaics, made with marble tiles to decorate the floor.
And if you are here at sunset, you will be able to admire how the gold of the mosaics is filled with a splendid light.
A visit to the Clock Tower is another unmissable attraction in Piazza San Marco.
Positioned at the end of 1500 at the entrance to the main commercial artery of the city, the tower is a masterpiece of beauty.
The gold and blue enamel dial indicates time, day, moon phases and signs of the zodiac.
Consider that this clock has been ticking the hours and minutes for five hundred years.
On the terrace of the tower, the statues of the Moors punctually strike the bells to remind us of the passage of time.
Here you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Venice.
You cannot leave Piazza San Marco without first stopping at Caffè Florian , the oldest café in the world, dating back to 1720.
It is a location full of history, which envelops you inside for its elegance, for the frescoes, for the furnishings and outside for the view of a square that you never get tired of looking at.
I recommend you enjoy the superlative Impero coffee, in the company of the music of a live orchestra, making this moment magical.
And for a stay with all the comforts in this area, I suggest a suite at the Gritti Palace , overlooking the Grand Canal.
This noble palace is a place of art and elegance, which has managed to preserve the familiar and intimate atmosphere of a private residence, with one of the most spectacular views of the city's lagoon.
Once you have checked in and left your elegant and practical travel bags in your room, you can be transported into a sophisticated culinary experience, having dinner at Lineadombra , in the Dorsoduro district, a splendid location with a terrace on the Grand Canal, where you can enjoy dishes from a elegant and refined.
You will feel like you are suspended in the water in the enchantment of Venice.
The Grand Canal
To visit Venice well, a trip on the Grand Canal , the city's main artery, aboard the vaporetto is essential.
This canal is four kilometers long and divides the historic center of the city in two, and for all Venetians it is simply the Canalazzo.
At times very deep, the canal has the shape of an upside down "S", which goes from the junction of the Libertà bridge to the San Marco basin.
You can also walk along the canal admiring the magnificent buildings, churches and historic villas. For me it is the most beautiful street in Venice.
The canal is also famous for its 4 bridges. Among these, the Rialto bridge is the most impressive and important.
After almost four centuries of wooden bridges built to give all citizens access to the Rialto market, in 1551 it was decided to erect a notable masonry work. The structure has three corridors separated by two rows of shops and is completely covered by porticoes.
On the Rialto Bridge you will find beautiful shops and you will be able to enjoy one of the best views of Venice and the Grand Canal.
And since you're here, I recommend a snack at the famous Cantina Do Mori , the oldest Venetian restaurant, where you can enjoy cicchetti, bruschetta, meatballs and fish polenta.
Between ancient walls and copper pots, you can sit on high stools or in the outdoor space, a few meters from Rialto and the fish market.
Another attraction that I suggest you see during your weekend in Venice is the Bridge of Sighs .
Situated in such a position as to overlook the Rio di Palazzo, this stone bridge connects the Palazzo Ducale to the Palazzo delle Prigioni and has become one of the most emblematic places in Venice.
The name given to it comes from the long sigh that the prisoners made when crossing it, aware that this would be the last time they would see the outside world.
You cannot say you have truly visited Venice without having taken a gondola ride , the city's means of transport par excellence.
Symbol of elegance, tradition and discovery, the gondola will allow you to admire, from an unprecedented view, majestic architectural masterpieces overlooking the water and suggestive views.
If you can, take the tour in the late afternoon, when, as the sun gradually sets over the city, you admire the Grand Canal changing colour, letting yourself be lulled by the swaying of the water.
If you are looking for a creative place for a special dinner, I suggest Zanze XVI in Santa Croce.
In addition to having won an episode of the 4 Restaurants program hosted by Alessandro Borghese, this restaurant offers innovative cuisine, with surprise menus, in which there is always a revisited traditional Venetian dish.
Murano and Burano
During your weekend in Venice, I recommend you explore Murano and Burano, the fascinating islands in the lagoon, famous throughout the world for their unique artisan traditions and the beauty of their environment.
With a journey of approximately 40 minutes from Venice aboard the vaporetto, you will reach Murano , renowned for the production of blown glass. Here, the skilled hands of craftsmen have perfected the art of glass making for centuries, transforming it into true works of art, which have made this small island famous.
Walking through the narrow streets, you will be able to admire ateliers and shops where glass is expertly shaped into splendid jewels, sculptures and decorative objects.
You will be able to attend live demonstrations and purchase authentic and precious Venetian souvenirs, or even just admire the beauty and creativity of the master glassmakers.
After exploring Murano, hop back on the vaporetto and head to the enchanting island of Burano .
This colorful island is like a living painting, with its houses painted in bright colors, which seem to come from an artist's palette.
It is said that its houses are colored to help fishermen find their homes during foggy days. Each house has its own unique and captivating color, and their arrangement along the canals creates an unparalleled color show.
Burano is also famous for lace, an ancient art passed down from generation to generation. You will be able to admire the skilled artisans intent on creating delicate lace masterpieces and perhaps take home a piece of this timeless tradition.
Walking around Burano is like being immersed in a fairytale world, where time seems to have stopped and beauty is everywhere you look. The winding streets, quiet canals and little bridges create a relaxing and romantic atmosphere.
And to make your tour of Burano even more unique, I suggest you book a table at the Trattoria Gatto Nero , where you can taste incredible Venetian specialities: fried moeche, mantis shrimp and tagliolini with spider crab, served on the tables overlooking the canal.
Your holiday in the Venetian capital is almost over. It's time to take the vaporetto back to the center of Venice.
Before leaving the city, remember to go to the My Style Bags store in Sestiere San Polo, 601, where you can admire the delightful new collection of travel bags.