Being one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world,
Venice is well-known for its waterways, historic attractions as well as its romantic ambience. Visiting
Venice can prove to be a unique and unforgettable experience. Read on for a list of tips that have been compiled to make your stay in Venice a sublime experience.
1) Getting lost in Venice is quite normal
It is very likely that travellers - first-time travellers in particular - will get lost while wandering out in the streets. Most of the streets were built back in the Medieval Ages without a proper order and feature numerous twists, turns and dead ends, therefore exploring out in the streets can be a complicated, yet enjoyable, process. Getting lost is considered to be quite normal during a visit to
Venice but concerned travellers may choose to carry around a basic GPS to make travelling around the city streets a bit easier.
2) Plan on where to eat beforehand
It is best to avoid most of the tourist-oriented restaurants in the city altogether as they tend to be highly overpriced. Most restaurants with menus in multiple languages and multilingual staff are usually focused on attracting tourists and can serve mediocre food that can be bought for a fraction of the price elsewhere. With regard to
Halal restaurants in Venice, there are quite a few of them in town including the Pizza e Poi, SKK Shock Kebab Italy, San Polo Kebab and the Doner Kebab which serve a wide range of International and local cuisine.
3) Try to avoid the very touristy areas
Very much like the restaurants targeted at tourists, most touristy spots in
Venice tend to be tourist traps and travellers may find themselves unknowingly spending outrageous amounts of money for food or items that can be purchased at a much lower price. It is best to stay clear of buying items that seem to be unusually expensive, regardless of the coercion of the shopkeepers.
4) Visit the attractions in Venice
Venice offers numerous attractions for travellers and there is plenty to see and do in the city. Some of the main attractions in Venice include Doge's Palace, the clock tower, Rialto market and bridge, Zattere, Correr Museum, Mocenigo Palace, Peggy Guggenheim Museum, Ca' Pesaro, Glass Museum and the Scuola grande di San Rocco, which are all worth a visit when sight-seeing in the city.
5) Don’t miss out on the ferry rides
The ferry rides are an absolute must when travelling in Venice. The only two ways to make your way around Venice is either by foot or by boat, which are both quite slow methods of transport. Though the ferry rides are somewhat overpriced, a ride is recommended for first-time travellers. It is possible to opt for a vaporetto when travelling long distances or a water taxi when travelling to and from the city.
6) Go shopping!
Shopping in Venice is a great way to pass time. Designer wear from brands such as Versace, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Prada are available as well, particularly around the area of Piazza San Marco. Atelier Marega is a good spot for hand-made masks and costumes, while Fanny is an accessory shop selling hundreds of brightly coloured gloves. Exceptionally-crafted local leather bags are available at Francis Model and Venetia Stadium is one of the best spots to go to purchase high-end scarves and shawls.
7) Stay safe and alert
Venice is a safe city and travellers will have little to worry about. However it is always best to take a few precautions to avoid having to face mishaps during your trip. Valuable items such as your wallet and passport should always be kept close to yourself to avoid the risk of falling prey to pickpockets in the streets - particularly at some of the busier areas of Venice. It is also recommended that you keep a copy of the receipts of all your purchases in Venice.
8) Avoid the heat of the summer
Travelling outdoors in the sweltering heat may be an unpleasant experience and it is best to choose to go outdoors when the temperatures are pleasantly cool and not humid. During summer in particular, it is best to avoid staying under the sun from around 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Being sweaty and wilted due to the heat can ruin a potentially fantastic outdoor experience.
9) Visit the Rialto Market
A visit to the Rialto Market is a great way to mingle with the locals and purchase some of the freshest food in the city. In addition to the wide variety of fruits, vegetables and meats, the market is particularly famed for its seafood.
10) Enjoy travelling!
And last but not least, it is important that you have a great time exploring the city! Take plenty of photographs, converse with a few of the locals and remember to enjoy every moment that you spend in the city.
