5 Things You Should Know Before Visiting Venice Italy
Venice surprised us so much. I don't know why our expectations were set so low, but we loved Venice much more than we thought we would. The water, architecture, and feel of the place combine to form a genuinely magnificent city. It has some unique quirks, though. Keep reading to find out what you should know before you go.
1. There Is A Lack Of Locals
You're not going to get a local experience in Venice because relatively few locals still live there. It's expensive to live in Venice, and the logistics of living on an isolated, sinking island have driven many of the residents away. Venice is one of a kind and beautiful, but it is also commercial and full of tourists.
2. You Will Get Lost
One of the most charming things about Venice is how easy it is to get lost. There are winding roads and alleyways all over the place. You will get lost, so embrace it. St. Marks Square and the Grand Canal are the busiest parts of Venice. But if you go exploring and get lost, you'll find quieter spots where you can be on your own.
There are tons of alcoves and hidden alleyways.
All the roads are made of water.
3. Unless You’re Walking Transport Is Expensive
Walking is the cheapest way to get around.
Walking around Venice is free. But going long distances with your luggage is a pain because of the cobblestone roads and stairs. Other modes of transport definitely aren't cheap. We arrived in Venice by train. Taking a water taxi from the train station to our Airbnb cost us 80 Euros. And that was just one way. We had to pay the same for transport back when we left. The water buses take longer but are cheaper. You can buy a one day ticket for 20 Euros each. The buses were on strike through during our trip, so we walked and used the water taxis.
Everyone should ride the gondolas at least once.
What about riding a gondola? Gondolas are pricey, as well. During the day, a 30-minute ride will cost you 80 Euros. At night the price climbs to 120 Euros. Want your gondolier to sing or play the accordion? That's extra. We got a great deal on our ride because we booked a walking tour with Dark Rome, and our ride was included in the price. That's the best way to go.
Water taxis are an expensive but fun and quick way to get around.
4. Water Has Always Been A Problem
You probably already know that Venice is sinking and prone to flooding. But our Dark Rome tour guide also pointed out how the Island has stored freshwater for its residents through the years. There are cisterns throughout the city that would collect rainwater. Then the water was delivered to the residents. Pretty smart!
Rainwater collectors.
5. It’s Beautiful, But The Food Is Average
The seafood in Venice is fresh and a good bet.
Venice is a place for tourists. Most of the restaurants know this and serve average food. We had decent meals in Venice, but the food simply can't compare to Florence or Rome.
Pizza Americana doesn’t look good at all!
Everyone we saw was drinking wine spritzers.
Conclusion
Venice is a fascinating city. It's almost wholly designed for tourists these days, but it's full of history and charm. It's easy to get lost in the architecture and magic of the place. We only had time to stay for one night, but we could have easily spent two to three days here. What about you? Have you ever visited Venice? Do you want to go? Let us know below in the comments.
This blog post was made possible by Dark Rome Tours.