Three Days in Venice, Tips for Your First Trip
Three days in Venice, Italy is the perfect amount of time to explore the floating city. Where to eat + how to get around.
Venice, the floating city captures the hearts and imaginations of tourists. A series of islands separated by canals linked by bridges Venice makes for the ultimate romantic getaway. Just steps away from the main squares, crowds thin, streets shrink and the entire city becomes a maze lined with art, food, and wine, ripe for exploration.
Here are the most vivid memories from our trips to Venice and the recommendations we’ve been making to family and friends ever since.
Three Days in Venice
One of the most remarkable things about Venice is that there are no cars, bikes, or wheels of any kind permitted on the tiny streets. Consequently, Venice can actually be pretty peaceful outside of the major tourist areas. Small waves lapping canal walls, distant chatter, and footsteps are all that can be heard when exploring streets beyond the Rialto bridge.
The true treasures of Venice lie in these quiet corners. Finding them is as easy as public transit. In Venice, public transit is on the water. Enter the Vaporetti Venice’s public transit ferries. The most efficient, cost-effective method of transportation in Venice. While tourists head toward gold-gilded gondolas the poetically iconic Canal Grande, those serious about exploring all Venice has to offer, opt for Vaporetti.
Encroaching tides and sunken streets render maps somewhat useless in Venice. In other words, if you have always wanted to see Venice, don’t wait. Seize life. Grab hold with one hand and with the other grab a glass of wine to toast your wisdom in not counting on tomorrow.
Is Venice Really Sinking?
Yes, Venice is really sinking. More accurately Venice continues to battle rising sea levels today, just as it has since the fifth century. Family friends of ours have a home in Venice and it floods several times a year.
Come October they know to watch for acqua alta (high waters).
In fact, in November 2019 Venice was hit with the worst floods in 50 years. That year a state of emergency was declared. Irreparable damage was done and lives were lost as more than 85% of Venice was flooded.
You can still visit Italy during the winter months. If you do just be prepared to walk across elevated sidewalks created by a series of wooden benches placed in popular tourist areas like St. Mark’s Square.
The photo below shows a typical level of flooding in Venice when the tide comes in high without a major storm.
How to Get Around Venice
There are two great ways to find your way around Venice. The first is to get lost. It’s a small city that’s safe to explore on foot. With hotels dotting every few blocks, directions with emphatic gestures can always be found, when truly lost.
The second, believe it or not, is Google Maps which is detailed enough to follow, weaving in and out of narrow passages. Pro traveler tip. Download Google Maps to your phone ahead of time! Here are simple instructions: How to Download Google Maps for Offline GPS.
Is Venice Safe at Night?
Another remarkable thing about Venice is that it’s a very safe city to explore, even at night. Paolo created an entire series based on memories of walking through Venice at night. Venice is a safe city, even during Carnival. Although minding steps near canal edges is always recommended. As waters rise and recede, walkways become slick and curious tourists peering into the water have been known to take a dive in the canal.
Where to Eat in Venice, Italy With Three Days
Here is an updated list of our Top 20 Venice Food Recommendations. Below you’ll find stories from a few of our favorites!
The first rule, when in Italy, rely on the Slow Food App. It’s never guided us wrong. The second rule is to skip the main square in top tourist destinations. This holds especially true in Venice. Those who remain canal side in Rialto are doomed to eat overpriced pizza, pasta, and pastry that in no way, represent the best Venice has to offer.
In Venice, you want seafood fresh from the lagoon, baccalà, polenta, and Cicheti or Cicchetti. A local traditional appetizer lining the counters of bars all over Venice.
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Osteria Alla Staffa
Osteria Alla Staffa, nestled in the back half of San Marco, is an eleven-minute walk from Rialto. A mix of tourists seated at tables and locals standing at the bar, happily lift small glasses of white wine while trying the evening’s Cicheti.
A bottle of house wine goes for about 12€. On our visit, my Husband went straight for the Polpo, I straight for the Anchovy. Each bite was balanced perfectly but simply, fresh white bread soaked up fatty, salty, bright, briny bites.
Next up was a Cuttlefish Stew. Our friendly host joked he would jump in the lagoon if we did not like it since it had simmered six hours before we arrived. The rich, unctuous, tender squid akin fish that had cooked in its own ink did not disappoint and in fact fostered a frenzied eating pace as my Husband and I launched into a battle for each bite.
Trattoria Antiche Carampane
At Trattoria Antiche Carampane, try baked white polenta, caramelized and delicious. Half the fun of finding this restaurant is its proximity to Ponte Delle Tette a bridge that would send any man back to high school humor since it basically means Bridge of the Tits.
Baccalà is thankfully everywhere in Venice and at its best in All’Arco. It was as if the Cod, instead of being caught, air-dried, and cured in salt, fell asleep on a perfectly crisp crostini and dreamed itself in a whipped, creamy spread.
Three Days in Venice, Italy? Don’t Miss Al Prosecco!
If the weather calls for dining al fresco, try Al Prosecco. This gem of a restaurant is on the corner of Campo San Giacomo da l’Orio. Not only is the cheese and charcuterie platter always on point, but this is where locals gather.
The entertainment is parents kicking around a soccer ball with their kids after school. For us, this square is the heart of Venice.
Least Crowded Areas in Venice
Venice is made up of six sestiere (neighborhoods.) San Marco with its historic piazza and Saint Marks Basilica is where most tourist cluster. More introverted travelers will enjoy getting lost in the Giudecca. This section of Venice is full of churches and beautiful sweeping views of the canal.
Compared to the rest of Venice, the Giudecca is residential. Streets are empty on the weekends and shops stay closed during the day. It might sound boring but it’s a great way to get a feel for where the locals live.
Even with just three days in Venice, Italy we highly recommend taking a few hours to hop over to the Giudecca.
It’s also home to the old Molino Stucky mill which has been converted into a Hilton Hotel. It was here on the top of the hotel, in the Skyline bar where I truly fell in love with Venice.
This is the best sunset view in Venice. As evening lights reflect on the water, Venice comes alive. Gondolas, vaporetti, and countless small boats pass each other into the night in beautiful, orchestrated chaos.
Why Three Days in Venice, Italy?
To sum it all up, whatever you do in Venice, you almost can’t go wrong. Yes follow the tourist guides and see San Marco Square. Visit the famed and stunning Saint Marks Basilica. But make sure you leave plenty of time to get to Molino Stucky to catch the best sunset in Venice.
I count myself extremely fortunate to have found a partner who shares my passion for travel, food, and wine.
The trip I took was three days in Venice, Italy. It was the perfect amount of time because three days allowed me to get a taste of Venice. On every trip after, I wanted to stay longer and longer.
Plan to see one of the many museums in Venice, Italy? You definitely need that third day because you can spend two just wandering around eating cicchetti!
Plus, if you get out of the main tourist squares and head into the less crowded parts of Venice like the Giudecca, three days in Venice, Italy is perfect.
Source
- Two People Die as Venice Floods at Highest Level in 50 Years – The Guardian
- Is Venice Sinking? – by Rick Stevens
