Venice Things To Do

Venice may be a very small city by relative standards, but it’s gone from being one of the most powerful and wealthy port cities in the world to one of Europe’s most popular cruise destinations. Mediterranean cruises often stop in Venice, or have the canal city as their departure or arrival point. The typical one day you’ll get to spend in this enchanted city as a cruise ship passenger will likely not be enough, but you can consider it a sample platter and then plan a return trip when you can visit for a bit longer. Here are some things to know about visiting Venice by cruise ship.

Venice is simultaneously popular and polarizing. You’ll hear most first-time visitors to Italy say they have to include Venice on their itinerary, but you’ll hardly hear anyone who’s been there have anything but strong opinions about it. Venice, if you believe the hype, is the kind of city you either love or hate – no gray area in between. To a certain extent, how you feel about Venice is based on your expectations about it before you arrive and how you handle the city once you’re there. Yes, Venice sometimes requires a little more work than some other cities to fully appreciate, but it’s absolutely worth it. If you want to be in the “I love Venice” camp after your trip, then here are the first-time visitor tips for Venice that you need to know.

Venice‘s most famous square, Piazza San Marco, is home to more than just the beautiful St. Mark’s Basilica and bell tower. Another attraction on the square is the clock tower, Venice’s Torre dell’Orologio, which makes up part of a building on the right side of the basilica. The base of the tower is an arched walkway to one of the main thoroughfares leading from the square, but before you walk through be sure to stop for a few minutes and look up.

In stark contrast to Carnival festivities in Rio, New Orleans and elsewhere, the Carnival of Venice, like the city that hosts it, is straight out of a historical drama. Resurrected by the Italian government in the 1970s as part of their attempt to promote Venetian culture, Carnival centers on the profusion of elaborate masquerade masks worn by the city’s residents and the more than 30,000 annual visitors who attend the two week-long festival.

It’s no myth – Venice is notoriously expensive to visit. You’ll get more out of your stay if you can spend at least one night on the islands, but that may mean watching your euros more closely in other areas. The good news is that seeking out the cheap eats in Venice can often help you eat better – and more like the locals do. Here are some budget dining tips for Venice.