First Time in Venice? Here's What You Should Do

Venice, the beautiful canal city, is one of the most popular destinations around the world. It is an Italian favorite that tourists from all over the globe dream of visiting. The city is filled with history and culture in every one of its corners. Home to hundreds of awe-inspiring sights, Venice is known for its beauty, which is why many newlyweds choose it as their honeymoon destination. If you are planning your first trip to Venice, you should use the following tips to plan your itinerary to experience the city to the fullest.

Visit Saint Mark’s Square

One of the most famous landmarks that you must visit whenever you are in Venice is Saint Mark’s square. The cultural venue has always been one of Italy’s most iconic landmarks that crowds come for from all over the world. There is so much history to see and learn about, so you can hire a tour guide to take you around or do some research yourself as you go. Other than the square itself, there are several landmarks connected to Saint Mark that you can explore as well while you are in the area. These include the Saint Mark’s Basilica and Saint Mark’s Bell Tower. You can also quickly navigate towards the Doge’s Palace and the Clock Tower. All of these venues are within walking distance of one another and should definitely be on your list as a first-time visitor to the great Italian city. 

Take a Gondola Trip

You can’t really say that you have visited Venice until you have taken a gondola trip down the streams of the city. As seen in an in-depth blog on expertvagabond.com/venice-italy-things-to-do/, gondola trips are a Venician tradition that tourists always want to try, especially if they are traveling as a couple and looking for a romantic getaway. You would get to cross from underneath different bridges, including the Bridge of Sighs, which is one of the most popular landmarks there. Make sure you choose your gondola carefully, though, and that you agree on a price for your trip before you actually hop on to avoid getting scammed. 

Shop at the Rialto Market

An easy way to fully immerse yourself in the Venician culture in every way possible all at once is by going shopping at the Rialto Market. The historic San Polo market can be found at the northwestern end of the Grand Canal, where you can get to it with a short gondola. It is the perfect venue to see all the Venetian historical elements gathered in one place and represented on the walls of the surrounding buildings while the gondolas float by everywhere. Add to that the lively culture in the trading system of the market where you can find fresh produce and souvenirs to bring back home. 

Climb the San Marco Campanile

If you are an adventurous tourist by nature who is looking to experience Venice for the first time with a little bit of a challenge, then climbing the San Marco Campanile might be the perfect go-to activity for you. You would not exactly need to go up the 98-meter structure using ropes and hooks as there is an elevator in place to get you straight to the top. However, the experience itself of getting to the top of the tower where you can stand right where Galileo himself once stood, is remarkable. 

Eat Traditional Meals While Standing 

Experiencing the true Venetian culture starts with experiencing its food and consuming it the way the locals do while standing up. Forget about fancy restaurants where you would pay fortunes for a regular meal and a nice drink. Instead, hit small cafes and food markets where you can get yourself a big fat meal for a couple of euros and eat your food while standing by a cart or as you walk around the city exploring a little more of its culture. Make sure you try different finger foods and cappuccinos so that you can get an authentic taste of Venice. 

Visiting Venice for the first time can be a truly rewarding and exciting experience. It is a city that is incredibly rich in history and culture, one that is known for its hospitality towards tourists from all over the world. If you are planning your first trip to this Italian city, make sure you do some research in advance and create an itinerary of all the spots you would like to see so that you do not end up wasting any time or missing out on seeing any special landmarks.