A city rich in history, culture, art and architecture, the floating city of Venice is a true marvel. Who hasn’t fantasised at one point or another about taking a vacation here? It’s one of the most popular destinations in all of Italy, and little wonder, too, given there’s so much to enjoy and experience.
If you’re heading off on a Venetian trip soon, whether on a mini break or for a longer spell, keep reading to discover the places and attractions that you simply cannot afford to miss.
Architecture
Wherever you walk in Venice, you’ll be treated to spectacular buildings, bridges and palaces. There’s no other city in the world that looks or feels like Venice, and a big part of that is thanks to the architecture on display here.
While you may spot a few bridges here and there as you discover the city, make sure you head to the Bridge of Sighs behind yet another architectural masterpiece – that is, the Basilica di San Marco. Easily one of the architectural highpoints of the city, this bridge has a long yet macabre history.
It was initially part of the Doge’s Palace prison complex. After receiving their sentence, prisoners of the Serenissima had to cross the bridge to be interned in the New Prison, leaving traces of their misery behind them.
The Piazza San Marco draws in thousands of tourists every year, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive. Four of the most important Venetian architectural sites are located here: the aforementioned Byzantine marvel of St Mark’s, the Campanile, the Doge’s Palace and the Torre dell Orologio.
Art & Culture
Being such a hotbed of culture, Venice is home to La Biennale di Venezia – a vaulted exhibition of contemporary art and performance. As the name suggests, the event happens every two years, and takes place predominantly at the Giardini Della Biennale and the Arsenale.
If you’re unlucky enough to miss the Biennale, you can still visit both the Giardini and the Arsenale.
You’ll soon discover that there’s no shortage of captivating art to enjoy in the city, stretching from the historical to the most up-to-the-minute. For instance, in the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, you’ll find works created by some of the most influential American and European 20th-century artists. Meanwhile, stepping inside the three buildings that comprise the Gallerie dell’Accademia will take you on a journey through Venice’s long and storied past.
Entertainment
The Venetians know how to throw a summer festival, as you’ll witness if you arrive in the city on the third Sunday of July. The Festa del Redentore is a traditional festival dating back to the 16th century. It was originally founded to celebrate the end of the plague that spread through the city between 1575 and 1577. During the Festa, the entire town lights up with vibrant fireworks.
You might spot fireworks of a different kind when a high roller wins big at the Casinò di Venezia. Carrying the mantel of the oldest casino in the world, the venue may not be as flashy as today’s mega casinos, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in quality.
The casino is open all year round, with the exception of December 24th and 25th. A dress code for entry requires men to dress “respectably”, and ladies are permitted to wear casual clothes. If you’re hoping to enter the VIP gaming rooms, you’ll need to look the part so, at the very least, pack a few items of smart business wear.
And no, you don’t need to be an expert to enjoy classic card games like poker in this luxurious gaming room. However, it’s always a good idea to soak up some basic poker terms before diving into the famous title in order to enjoy the game.
And finally, imagine taking a trip to Venice and not taking part in Carnevale di Venezia! The quintessential Venetian celebration, this extravagant affair is a festival of lavish masked balls, excess, and gondola rides.
You will need to book in advance to attend most of the events and balls during Carnevale but luckily, here in the 21st century, you don’t need to wait to be formally invited. The exact dates of the carnival vary from year to year, but it always takes place in February during the days leading up to Shrove Tuesday.
