72 Hours in Venice | Travel Guide Series

Venice is truly a dream. Scenes of bright, colorful houses line the water and gondolas bring people around the canals. It’s the capital of Northern Italy’s Veneto region, known for its historic buildings, bridges and canals (and rightfully so). It was just as I’d imagined it would be, though even more magical.

If you ever find yourself with the opportunity to visit Venice, below is a recap of the city’s highlights, which can easily be fit into a 3-day visit to Venice. (If you have more time, venture out to the nearby islands - Murano, Burano and Torcello - and take a famous Gondola ride along the canals!)

The Doge’s Palace

The Doges Palace is a three-story, gothic-style mansion that was owned and inhabited some time ago by the Doges, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice. It is was where they held all of the important government meetings. In fact, many of the rooms had secret doors that lead to the private rooms of the royal family. The Palace’s walls are covered with frescos – and all along the ceilings, too: fresco after fresco with thick, gold rimmed frames.

Oddly enough, in the basement was the prison. The prison’s walls were covered with graffiti, still very much legible. These cells came to be known as the Pozzi (“wells”) and were lined with wood and connected by corridors. Surprisingly, the cells were used to hold prisoners all the way up until the 1930s, despite their inhumane and crowded conditions.

The Rialto Bridge

After wandering through the Doge’s Palace, we rode a water taxi a little ways down the Canal to Ponte di Rialto (the Rialto Bridge), the oldest bridge crossing the Grand Canal. Some of the best views of Venice and its canals can be had on the steps of the Rialto Bridge.

Once you’ve taken in the views, spend some time walking through the San Polo district and the neighborhood of Rialto. My travel partner and I choose a nearly empty plaza in one of the bridge’s nearby neighborhoods to picnic at, and it was lovely.

St. Mark’s Square

At Venice’s central square, Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s Square), quartets play for viewers and shops and gelato spots line the square. All along the main walkway are countless shops selling Venician masks, unique jewelry and other items. Lining one side of the square is St. Marks Basilica, tiled with mosaics. On another side is the Museo Correr, Many choose to climb the Campanile bell tower for views of the city from the top.

By day, loads of tourists are dropped at the square via cruise ships to pick up touristy items, wander the canals, and then quickly part ways with the city. It’s at night is when this square truly shines: when tourists file back onto the ship and the locals and lingering visitors stay for a little ambiance. The shops close down, lights illuminate the square, and couples young and old settle in with one another.

Dinner on the Rialto

When you visit Venice, be sure to take some time to transport around the sunset hour. The sun was about 30 minutes from setting when we left from our hotel, hopped the boat, and made our way back to the Rialto. The views as we rode along, of the sun kissing the tops of the colorful houses and buildings lining the water was breathtaking. Breathe in the sea air and take it in.

We were headed to the Rialto block, a popular nighttime spot for visitors, both for it’s cheap(er) drinks and variety of restaurant options. There were five restaurants on the strip, all menus distinctly different from one another. All tables were to the right of the restaurants, lining the canal.

Amazing food with an amazing view: what could be better?

—

Venice truly stole our hearts. For more on Italy, continue to explore the blog!