It would be accurate to say that there is no city on earth like Venice, Italy. Venice is truly a piece of art that attracts millions of tourists every year. The city is also the hottest honeymoon destination in Europe, blessed with thousands of years old magnificent architecture, beautiful canals, and colorful streets. You’ll find something worth capturing for Instagram at every corner of Venice. Whether you are visiting Venice for the first time or second, there is no shortage of tourist attractions in this picturesque city. Here are the top 5 things that you don’t want to miss in Venice:
1. Grand Canal
One cannot leave Venice without taking a gondola ride in Grand Canal. Venice is the city where cars are banned due to its canal streets. Yes, that’s absolutely true. Instead of cars, people via gondolas, water buses, and water taxis. You can spot many famous attractions on the way through Grand Canal. There are four bridges and among them; Rialto Bridge is the most popular. If you don’t have a budget restriction, then we recommend you to hire a gondolier but if you don’t want to spend much, waterbus or Vaporetto is the best option.
2. St. Mark’s Basilica
Located in St. Mark’s Square, this massive Basilica is the most visited attraction in Venice. Dating back to 9th century, St. Mark’s Basilica is the finest example of Byzantine and Gothic style architecture. Once you enter the Basilica, you’ll notice more than 80,000 feet of stunning mosaic. One of the mosaics above the left door at the entrance features the story of Basilica; how the sacred relics were stolen in 828 A.D. and what happened afterward. The church is often named the Church of Gold’ because of its gold interior and a number of mosaics which are made of gold. The scenes and colors inside Basilica look different depending on the time of the day you visit.
3. Piazza San Marco
St. Mark’s Square or Piazza San Marco is the largest square in Venice. It is home to many notable attractions including St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Campanile. In addition to the popular landmarks, the Piazza features some of the best Italian restaurants and cafés. Piazza is usually busy during the day because a majority of city tours start from here. Whether you want to explore the popular attractions, sip a coffee in a café, or shop for souvenirs, Piazza San Marco has it all. Tourists recommend visiting the square in the early morning or late evening because of huge crowds.
4. Doge’s Palace
Palazzo Ducale or Doge’s Palace is a picturesque palace located in St. Mark’s Square. Doge’s Palace which is now turned into a museum was the city’s administrative hub for around 1000 years. It was also a residential place of the leader of that time. It’s recommended to buy tickets in advance if you want to avoid the long queues. You should also buy the secret itineraries tour which will let you stroll through the hidden passageways inside the palace from where you can see the torture chambers, prison cell, and private council rooms.
5. Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges and the most famous on Grand Canal. For more than three hundred years, this ornamental stone bridge was the only way to cross Grand Canal by walking. The bridge was first made of wood but after it collapsed, Antonia da Ponte constructed it entirely from marble. You can walk across the Rialto Bridge and enjoy the breathtaking view of Grand Canal. There are also many shops on the bridge for cheap shopping.
