Venice is an amazing city. Breathtaking actually. Built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, it has no roads, only canals. It’s the most visited city in Italy and has so much to offer tourists. Venice is also an art lover’s paradise.
The city is filled with masterpieces from different eras, from ancient sculptures to contemporary installations. When I traveled here, I fell in love with this magical city surrounded by water. The entire experience is one that I will never forget. There are so many pros to visiting this city, but yes, unfortunately, there are a few cons. If you’re considering a trip here, there are important things to know before you to decide if Venice is worth the visit.
Is Venice Worth Visiting: Yes and No
I’m sure you’ve heard that Venice is an enchanting city. It is a city of waterways for roads and romantic gondola rides. One of the defining features of Venice is its romantic atmosphere, which is often hailed as one of the most romantic cities globally. The cityscape is dotted with breathtaking structures like St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, which transports visitors to an ancient era full of rich history and cultural significance. But is Venice worth visiting? I would say yes, without a doubt. However, there may be reasons you may not want to.
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Pros of Visiting Venice
Let’s start by saying that there are more pros to visiting Venice than cons, which makes Venice worth visiting. Let’s jump in and see what several of them are.
Venice is Pedestrian Only
Venice’s status as a pedestrian-only city is one of its most distinctive features, contributing significantly to its unique and enchanting atmosphere. You don’t need to worry about getting hit by a speeding car navigating the tiny alleyways. You just need to put on your most comfy shoes and hit the pavement.
Take your time roaming through this beautiful city. Peek into local shops filled with tantalizing trinkets, quirky souvenirs, and that perfect little something you didn’t know you needed. Discover the coziest cafes tucked away like well-kept secrets, serving up the finest Italian espressos and pastries that’ll make your taste buds do a happy dance.
Culture of Venice
Without a doubt, Venice has a very vibrant cultural scene. If you happen to be visiting Venice in February, you are in luck. The Carnevale di Venezia (Carnival of Venice) is held during this month. The carnival is full of spectacles and pageantry, with people wearing elaborate and beautifully made Venetian masks. This carnival is a very large part of Venice’s culture. It dates back to 1162, celebrating the Venice Republic’s victory over its enemy, but then was unfortunately banned by the Holy Roman Emperor in 1797. In 1979, the carnival was able to resume to help restore its festival heritage, which also helped Venice with its economy.
Art of Venice
Venice is very well known for its art scene. The Gallerie dell’Accademia showcases Venetian art from the 14th to 18th centuries. Wandering through the halls of the gallery, you will be mesmerized by masterpieces of renowned artists such as Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese. I certainly was.
Venice also has numerous artisan workshops. Two of my absolute favorites were the glass blowing in Murano and the lace-making in Burano.
Island Excursions
Speaking of Murano and Burano, these are two great excursions. You can easily take a vaporetto (water taxi) or book an excursion, which I highly recommend to get the absolute most out of visiting these islands.
Murano is well known for its glass-making. Once, it was the manufacturing center for Venetian glass that was exported to all of Europe. Although glassmaking continues, it is done on a considerably reduced scale.
Murano is most notable for its intricate lace-making and its brightly painted homes. Lace-making began here in the 16th century; however, only a small handful of women on the island continue to make the lace. Keep in mind, if you want to purchase lace on the island, know that if the purchase price is low, it is not handmade lace. If you’d like to know more about lacemaking in Burano, you can visit the Museo de Murletto (the local lace museum). This will give you a wealth of information on lace-making.
The brightly colored homes have a huge significance to this island. They were to be painted in vibrant colors, which would help the fishermen see their homes from the water when returning home, especially during foggy weather. The brightly painted homes also gave unity to this island. If you love photography, this is definitely your place to be.
History of Venice
Venice defied the odds and literally rose from the water. In the 5th century AD, when the mainland faced barbarian invasion predicaments, many people had the brilliant idea to set up shop on a bunch of islands in a lagoon. Thus, Venice was born as a refuge for those fleeing the chaos.
Moving forward, Venetians became savvy sailors and traders. They literally created a maritime empire! (Much like our Amazon today!) The Venetian Golden Age hit its peak in the 13th to 15th centuries. During this time, Venice became more of a republic and elected leaders (Doges), those of great wealth, of course. Therefore, the Doges Palace, St. Marks Basilica, became the architectural “bling,” showing off the Venetian wealth.
However, all good things come to an end, and we end up with what Venice is today…which isn’t bad for us who want to travel there. Venice is now a charming time capsule. Its canals, bridges, and historic buildings shed light on a bygone era.
Historic Architecture of Venice
Venice is filled entirely with beautiful historic architecture. I was amazed at every turn. Everywhere I looked was just stunning. Three main points of interest in this amazing architecture can be found in St. Mark’s Basilica, The Doge’s Palace (Bridge of Sighs within the palace), and The Rialto Bridge.
St. Mark’s Basilica
A number one reason why Venice is worth it is St. Mark’s Basilica. It is a dedication to St. Mark, the patron saint of Venice. Legend has it that his relics were brought to Venice from Alexandria in the 9th century, making the basilica a revered pilgrimage site. But St. Mark’s Basilica is more than a religious monument; it symbolizes Venetian power and wealth. The winged lion, a symbol of St. Mark, became the emblem of Venice, adorning the city’s flags and architecture.
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Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace was formerly the majestic residence of the elected leader of the Venetian Republic and the very heart of governance. Within its walls, the center of political intrigue converged, making the decisions that would shape Venice’s destiny.
The palace housed the institutions that governed the republic, including the Maggior Consiglio (Great Council), the Senate, and various councils. It was a hub of political decision-making during Venice’s Golden Age. One of the most iconic features within the Doge’s Palace is the Bridge of Sighs, connecting the palace to the prison. Legend has it that prisoners, upon crossing the bridge, would sigh at their final view of Venice before imprisonment. And let me tell you, the view is amazing, so I’d probably be crying my eyes out!
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The Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) has been wowing Venice crowds since 1951. Crafted from Istrian marble, it offers a warm hue in the Venetian sunlight, adding to its aesthetic appeal. The Rialto Bridge offers travelers a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Canal. If you are into photography, this structure is one to take advantage of.
The Rialto area around the bridge is home to Venice’s primary commercial center. Rialto Market continues to thrive, offering tasty food of fresh produce, seafood, and Venetian specialties.
Another thing that makes Venice worth visiting is the shopping, which is a large part of the area surrounding the Rialto Bridge. All sorts of little Venetian boutiques are tucked away along the streets, making it a great place to pick up some souvenirs.
Cons of Visiting Venice
Now that we’ve skimmed through some of the fantastic reasons why Venice is a top-notch destination but let’s play fair and chat about a few things that might give you pause in deciding if Venice is worth it. Don’t worry; there’s nothing too major here. Venice is basically a pro paradise, so let’s dive into the short list of cons that may make you change your mind. Who knows, maybe that won’t even be cons for you.
The Crowds
Yes, I said it because I am not a lover of crowds. Crowded places make me cranky, to see the least, and I feel I am not alone in this. The huge rise in tourism to Venice has been a bit of a Debbie Downer. The cruise ships bring in 100s of thousands of tourists every year. And during peak season…it’s truly a mess. The streets are overcrowded, and the queues can take forever. (This is why I highly recommend the “skip the line” tours that I have sprinkled through this post and all of my other posts.) If you do happen to enjoy going off the beaten path, you can get away from the crowds. The most crowded areas tend to be in the areas of the Rialto Bridge and San Marco Square.
Limited Nightlife
If you love a good nightlife, you may not find it in Venice. It’s pretty subdued, if we are being honest. Of course, there are many charming bars and restaurants, but none really host a huge nightlife atmosphere.
Floods (Acqua Alta)
We’ve all heard about the flooring that can happen in Venice. Pictures of people wading in water up to their thighs… could it be a fun adventure? I mean, if it were to happen while you were there, I guess the only thing you could do is make the most of it, down a pair of galoshes, and start making your way through the water. I’ll let you decide if that would be fun.
High Costs
Everything is at a premium in Venice. It’s a tourist town, and that is the number one source of income here. You will, without a doubt, have to endure the high costs of almost everything on the island, from food to drinks to souvenirs, etc. I recommend going off the beaten path and staying away from the “tourist traps.” You will have more luck in finding everything you need at a smaller price point. Don’t fall prey to the waiters eagerly and aggressively trying to get you to “dine with them.”….you will pay a premium for that meal.
Bridge Crossings
This was one of the first things I noted while trying to get my huge suitcase up and over the numerous bridges. One, did I need to pack an obscenely huge suitcase? No, no, I didn’t. (I now pack very light and only with a travel on, probably due to the laughing memory of my struggle to get my suitcase over those bridges.)
These bridges are also not very friendly to those with mobility issues, so that’s another thing to keep in mind.
Fun Fact
If you happen to ascend St Mark’s Campanile, as I did, you will notice that you cannot see any of the canals from that viewpoint. It’s pretty astonishing if you ask me. An entire city full of canals, and not even one can be seen from the top of the Campanile.
FAQs
I hope that I have given you plenty of information for you to decide if Venice is worth visiting. Below, you will find some commonly asked questions with answers.
How many days in Venice is enough?
Two days is plenty of time to see everything you’d really want to see and to allow some leisure time to stroll the island. I would book your tours before going and book the ones where you can “skip the lines.” This will save you tons of time. I offer my best recommendations throughout this post.
Is Venice sinking?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is yes. It is attributed to natural and human-induced factors and the rising sea levels.
Which is better, Venice or Amalfi Coast?
Both of these places offer their own uniqueness and are vastly different. If you are looking for architecture, culture, and art, then Venice should be on your list. On the flip side, if you’re daydreaming of basking in the sun and drinking in breathtaking views, the Amalfi Coast is where it’s at.
Can you drive in Venice?
Nope. It’s pedestrian-only. Once you leave the train station you can access the island by walking or vaporetto (water taxi).
In Conclusion:
So, is Venice worth the visit? The answer depends on what you’re looking for in a vacation. If you love history, art, and unique architecture, then Venice will not disappoint. But you may want to consider other destinations if you’re not a fan of crowds and high prices.
Despite its problems, Venice remains a fascinating city. It’s a place where you can step back in time, take a gondola ride, sip a cup of espresso in a quaint cafe, and submerge yourself in a rich culture and history. And for many, these experiences make Venice well worth the visit.
