Take a step back through time in Venice, one of the world’s oldest tourist and cultural centres bursting with endless adventures and stories of the past. The beauty of Venice also lies in the fact that its buildings have remained mostly unchanged and that you can spend an entire day wandering Venice’s streets, piazzas, canals and never be bored.

If you are planning a trip to Italy sometime soon, you really have to spend cater a few days in your itinerary to explore the sinking city of Venice. It will definitely be one fulfilling trip that you’d remember for life.

Still not convinced that Venice is worth your time or curious to find out what is awaiting your discovery? Here are 12 Reasons Why A Trip To Venice Will Be The Best Decision Ever.

#1 BEFORE THE CITY SINKS

At the forefront of all the reasons why you need to plan a visit to Venice now is that the city of Venice is gradually sinking at an unprecedented rate which means that there will be a day where Venice will no longer exist.

Today, the effects of sinking have increased the threat of flooding in Venice which actually already occurs about four times a year due to high tides. And just within the last century, the city has sunk by about 9 inches. Well, what are you waiting for?

#2 BURANO

Perhaps best known for its vibrant coloured houses lined up along the canal, Burano is an island in the Northern Venetian Lagoon that would be a good a day trip from the main city of Venice. Burano is also renown for lacemaking and “lume glass working” — a technique created on the nearby island, Murano.

Take a day to check out Galuppi Square — the centre of the island which is filled with plenty of shops displaying their laceworks — and make sure that you don’t miss out on a photo opportunity with the most famous coloured house on Burano, “la Casa di Bepi Suà”.

#3 GET LOST IN VENICE 

One of the most magical things that you can get up to in Venice is spending a day or two just being lost in the city, wandering from street to street and over bridge after bridge.

Although this may seem daunting to some, channel your focus instead on the infinite possibilities and discoveries that you will encounter. Should you find yourself lost, don’t be afraid to ask a friendly local who will point you the right way.

#4 GOOD OL’ ITALIAN FOOD

No matter how good an Italian restaurant is, nothing can beat what you can find in Italy — the home of pizza and pasta. Considering that Venice is a city on the water, it is common for Venetian restaurants to incorporate plenty of fresh seafood into its dishes; a double hurray for us!

Some suggestions on where to eat in Venice include Dal Moro — a humble eatery situated along a small backstreet which serves delicious pasta in a little white carton — and Al Giubagio — a warm and intimate restaurant which offers the best of Venetian cuisine perfected by a lovely view of the sunset over the waters.

#5 FAMOUS BRIDGES

For the uninitiated, Venice is also regarded as the “City of Canals” and of course, the “City of Bridges”. And there is really no question about this considering that there are around 400 bridges in total that are constructed over Venice’s waterways. 

That being said, there are some noteworthy bridges which carry such rich histories and would justify a trip to Venice anytime. This includes the Bridge of Sighs — a footbridge connecting the Doge’s Palace by which the prisoners would walk towards prison or the executioner — and the Rialto Bridge — arguably the most photogenic bridge in Venice.

Photo Credit: Italy Magazine

#6 MURANO GLASS

A glass made on the Venetian island of Murano, Murano glass is crafted from techniques which are centuries-old and it is celebrated worldwide for its appearance, elegance and beauty. Till today, the glassmakers of Murano are considered the masters of glassmaking and their techniques in glassblowing are actually passed down within the family.

To fully immerse yourself in the wonders of Murano’s glass industry, we would highly recommend you take a day trip to Murano to explore the glass factories, the Museo del Vetro — a glass museum in a 16th-century palace — and seize the opportunity to bring back some authentic Murano glass home with you.

#7 RIDE ON A GONDOLA THROUGH THE CANALS

Probably the most iconic symbol of this romantic city, a ride on the gondola through Venice’s canals would make a romantic activity with your partner. There will also be plenty of photo opportunities so be sure to get out your camera and start snapping!

Albeit a delightful experience, do be aware of the fares in booking a gondola ride as such fares are actually standard and set officially. It would be best to arrange your gondola ride ahead of time so that you do not end up forking out an extravagant sum for the short ride.

#8 SPRITZ, VENICE’S QUINTESSENTIAL COCKTAIL

This one is for all of you alcohol lovers. Typically served as an aperitif in Northeast Italy, Sprtiz is a wine-based cocktail which originated in Venice. This red-coloured cocktail is prepared with prosecco wine, a dash of bitter liqueur before being topped off with sparkling mineral water.

And the beauty of Spritz is that there is no single composition for the drink as the recipe for the drink varies from each city or small town. Have the time of your life drinking through Venice whilst appreciating the charming city surrounding you.

#9 ST. MARK’S SQUARE 

Often known in English as St. Mark’s Square, Piazza San Marco is one work of art that would stun you with its grandeur and magnificence. Previously serving as the centre of civic and religious life, Piazza San Marco is deemed one of the finest squares in the world and one of the main attractions in Venice.

There are also plenty of historical attractions situated around Piazza San Marco for example, the Basilica di San Marco, Palazzo Ducale and Piazzetta.

#10 THE ARCHITECTURE

Most of the buildings in Venice feature a Venetian Gothic architectural style which is a combination of Gothic lancet arch with Byzantine and Moorish influences. This is the reason why many buildings in Venice have ornate decorations and pointed arches. Prime examples of this style of architecture would be the Doge’s Palace and Ca’ d’Oro. 

In addition, what we love about Venice is that most of its historical buildings have retained its original appearance until today. This means that when you are visiting Venice, it would be as if you are strolling through history and it will definitely prove to be an unforgettable experience.

#11 THE GRAND CANAL

The main waterway of Venice, the Grand Canal follows a natural channel which passes by the San Marco Basilica to Santa Chiara Church and actually divides the city of Venice into two parts.

With an average depth of 17 feet and covering a distance of slightly more than 3 kilometres, you would find plenty of gondolas and boats travelling along the Grand Canal as this is the main bulk of Venetian transportation. This is one picturesque scene that you must not miss.

#12 THE RIALTO MARKETS

If you are an avid foodie like us, you would understand the excitement we feel whenever we visit a market. The Rialto area was actually the first part of Venice to be developed and as it grew into a centre of commerce, the Rialto Market became a place where trading of imported goods and food would occur. 

Nonetheless, one thing has remained constant over the past seven centuries and that is the fact that the Rialto Market has continued to whet appetites with the countless seasonal produce, gourmet food options and fresh fish that are brought over from all parts of Italy. Let the feast begin! 

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Eating in Venice does not mean you have to go broke; you can eat well and happy with tightened purse strings, if you know where to go. While there are plenty of tourist traps, it is still possible to find good, reasonably-priced restaurants and eateries.

Bacari – traditional Venetian wine bars – are your best bets. When you need a little snack and a glass of wine, or if you are feeling peckish, you can “bacaro-hop” and try different cicchetti – cheap Venetian bar snacks. Below, you will find our guide to Venice’s top budget restaurants where you can dine and wine at sensible prices.

ALL’ARCO

One of the most popular and highly-recommended Bacaro in Venice, All’Arco is just a stone’s throw from the iconic Rialto Bridge. What makes All’Arco stand out from the numerous bacari – other than its array of cicchetti – is their team of friendly staff and impeccable service.

Calle dell’Ochialer 436
Tel: +390 41 520 56 66
Mon to Sat: 8am – 3.30pm
Nearest Vaporetto Station: Rialto-Mercato

AL MURO

If you are visiting Mercato di Rialto – the most famous market in Venice – visit Al Muro for lunch. It is packed with locals and tourists alike getting a quick bite during meal times.

Campo Bella Vienna
San Polo 222
Tel: +39 041 24 12 339
Daily: 9am – 3pm, 4pm – 2am
Nearest Vaporetto Station: Rialto-Mercato

ALLA BASILICA

Avoid all the touristy restaurants at Piazza San Macro and head to Alla Basilica, which is just a short walk from the Bridge of Sighs. It serves an extremely value-for-money set lunch which comes with a first course, a main course, and a side dish for €14/pax.

Calle degli Albanesi, 4255
Tel: +39 041 522 0524
Tue to Sun: 12pm – 3pm
Nearest Vaporetto Station: San Macro San Zaccaria

CANTINA DO MORI

Established in 1462, Cantina do Mori is the oldest bacaro in Venice. For those who are planning to go on a bar crawl, this Venetian institution is a must-visit. Snack on a selection of cicchetti, and head over to All’Arco (read above) for more tasty small bites.

Sestiere San Polo, 429
Tel: +39 041 522 5401
Mon to Sat: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Vaporetto Station: Rialto-Mercato

ENOTECA CANTIONE GIA SCHIAVI

Unlike the other bacari in the city, Schiavi is more like a wine shop that sells cicchetti to its regulars who want to munch on something while sampling the different wines that are sold in the shop. Schiavi has quite a selection of affordable wines, so if a wine label catches your attention, you can always grab a bottle to take home.

This family-run bacaro has been around for almost 60 years, serving 20-30 different cicchetti each day, and the variety rotates based on the owner’s preferences and inspirations of the day.

Fondamenta Nani, 992
Tel: +39 041 523 0034
Mon to Sat: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Vaporetto Station: Accademia

OSTERIA AL SQUERO

Just a few units down the road from Schiavi is Osteria Al Squero – right across Venice’s last gondola repair shop – a lovely bacaro which serves cichetti with classical music looping in the background.

Dorsoduro, 943-944
Tel: +39 335 600 7513
Nearest Vaporetto Station: Accademia/Zattere

OSTERIA CÀ D’ORO ALLA VEDOVA

Osteria Cà D’ Oro Alla Vedova is famous for its cicchetti, in particular, its polpette is to-die-for. We are usually not big fans of meatballs, but the one here totally blew us away. It was so good that we ordered extra portions.

Besides having cicchetti at the bar, you can also choose to dine in for a proper meal. Pastas and main courses are well-priced between €10 – €12, which is relatively affordable by Venice’s standards.

Cannareggio, 3912
Tel: +39 041 528 5324
Mon to Sat (closed on Thu): 11.30am – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Sun: 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Vaporetto Station: Cà D’Oro

PASTICCERIE DA BONIFACIO

There are many wonderful pasticceries in the city, and while you cannot get a full meal here, they offer traditional Venetian pastries as well as cheap aperitivo. Pasticcerie Da Bonifcaio, just a few minutes away from Piazza San Macro, is one of our favourites. It is the perfect pitstop between meals. Come here to have an espresso and enjoy some Italian pastries.

Calle degli Albanesi 4237
Tel: +390 41 522 75 07
Fri to Wed: 7am – 8pm
Nearest Vaporetto Station: San Macro San Zaccaria

ROSTICCERIA SAN BARTOLOMEO

For an affordable meal in Rialto, go to Rosticceria San Bartolomeo, one of the most popular rosticcerias in Venice. Pastas are available for €7 – €8.50, while you can get main courses like Venetian-style squids, grilled sole, and cotoletta alla Milanese from €9.50 – €16.50. Manage your expectations, though. Rosticceria San Bartolomeo is an old-fashioned canteen/eatery rather than a restaurant – fuss-free, and no ambiance to speak of. The staff are quite nonchalant and to a certain extent arrogant, so it might be a challenge trying to get their attention and having your orders placed.

From Rialto bridge, walk towards Campo San Bartolomeo and on the left, look out for Sottoportego Della and you will be able to spot Rosticceria Gislon (its old name).

Calle della Bissa
Tel: +390 41 522 3569
Mon: 9.30am – 3.30pm
Tue to Sun: 9.30am – 10pm
Nearest Vaporetto Station: Rialto

If you are heading to Venice, you must also go for a day trip to Burano, the happiest island in Italy.

A linear of rainbow houses with flower pots sitting on the windowsills, rivers after rivers lined with gondolas and little boats, and a big blue sky with the fluffiest clouds – that is Burano, the happiest island in Italy.

La Bella Burano, bella bella bellissimo.

What would seem like just a dreamland or a postcard is actually real and we were completely in awe upon stepping foot on this beautiful sanctuary of tranquility, peace and joy. We would go as far as to say that a trip to Burano should be on everyone’s bucket list, just because life should be colourful like a rainbow – just like that. Join us into the brilliant world of Burano, the happiest island in Italy.

WHAT TO DO IN BURANO

This may seem obvious, but everyone comes to Burano to admire the beautiful landscape, and to take postcard-worthy photos. Take as many photos as you like, and post them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest. Burano is such a lovely place that you will immediately feel happy just being here.

After taking a million photographs, check out some of the lace shops, which Burano is also known for since the 16th century. For those of you who are interested, there is a lace museum where you can find out more about the origins and history of lace making.

WHERE TO EAT IN BURANO

When visiting Burano, make sure to stop by Al Gatto Nero (Via Giudecca 88 – 30143 Burano Tel: +39 041 730120) for lunch. Known for serving the freshest seafood in Burano, if not Venice, Al Gatto Nero is a popular choice for visitors to Burano – even Jamie Oliver ranks it as one of his favourite restaurants. He even spent a few hours learning how to cook Al Gatto Nero’s signature risotto from the owner, and needless to say, the restaurant’s popularity skyrocketed after that.

Another place where you can dine at is Da Romano (Via Galuppi, 221, 30142 Burano Tel: +39 041 730030). On the menu, you can find a wide variety of seafood dishes, but it is famous for the risotto. Fans of Da Romano even went to the extent of proclaiming this as the World’s best risotto, and while we cannot say for sure if it was the best in the world, we have to agree that Da Romano’s Squid Ink Risotto (€16/pax, min 2 pax) was indeed exceptional. Perfectly consistent risotto that is neither too watery or dry.

If we had to choose between Da Romano or Al Gatto Nero, we would go to the latter because it is located in a quieter stretch in Burano; it is less crowded and touristy. But if you are greedy like us, go ahead and dine at both places.

GETTING TO BURANO FROM VENICE

Hop on Vaporetto number 12 from Fondament Nove, which departs every half an hour. It takes 40 minutes from Venice. A single trip costs €7, so it is probably worth getting the day pass and you can explore the other islands like Murano and Torcello in the same day.

Burano is only 40 minutes away, and it is the perfect day trip from Venice.

Venice, or the City of Water, is one of the most beautiful and romantic cities. While some people may find that Venice is too expensive, touristy and over-rated, it will always be one of my favourite places in the world. Sadly, Venice is slowly sinking, so if you have never been there before, please make a trip before it is gone. Here are some postcards from Venice.