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Discover Venice, one of the most romantic cities in the world
A trip through the main locations of this beautiful Italian city
In this article, we will show you what to see and do in Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
For a long time, the city of Venice was the economic center of Europe and the most important place on the continent, because it was the first port through which goods entered, which had to be distributed throughout the European territory.
This economic power, which once reached, is still alive today, thanks to the majesty of its buildings and architectural monuments, including its beautiful canals where gondolas pass, which has been considered one of the most romantic walks in the world.
Get to know 10 important places in Venice, the city that is located on the waters
1. Venice Grand Canal
All cities in the world have a main avenue, which is used to reach the most important places in that city; in Venice, the main avenue is its Grand Canal.
With an S shape and its 4 kilometers long, the Grand Canal of Venice is one of the symbols of the city, passing through several of the most important sites, such as its palaces, churches and, mainly, bridges.
The four bridges that you can see traveling along the Venetian Grand Canal are the following:
Accademia Bridge, which is 48 meters long and connects to the Accademia Gallery.
Puente de los Descalzos, a place that is close to the Santa Lucia train station.
Constitution Bridge, the most modern of the four bridges.
Rialto Bridge, the oldest, most famous and most beautiful of all.
One of the most iconic ways to get around Venice is through the gondolas, which you can take in tourist places, such as Saint Mark's Square, the Rialto Bridge or the Santa Lucia train station.
However, in several of the city's alleys, you are likely to bump into a gondolier, offering his services.
Traveling by gondola is one of the most romantic ways to get to know Venice, and you can order a gondola ride with a serenade, impressing your partner, making the trip more romantic.
The passage through the Grand Canal can also be done in "Vaporetti", the water buses, which move along this important water route.
2. St. Mark's Square
The nerve center of the city, and the seat of its most important buildings; the imposing Plaza de San Marcos, is undoubtedly one of the most notable points of Venice.
The Plaza de San Marcos has a length of 180 meters long, and about 70 meters wide; that have made it be considered one of the best and most beautiful squares on the continent.
This place is where the Venetians meet to make their celebrations, such as the iconic Venice carnival, cultural shows or any meeting that deserves a celebration; however, it has a curious point, and that is that this square is the lowest place in the entire city.
This means that when there is high tide, the Plaza de San Marcos will be flooded, being a very curious view of Venice, but the flooding will not prevent the square from being traveled, since when this happens, the police place footbridges to be able to walk the square.
Among the main buildings you will find:
The Doge's Palace.
The Basilica of Saint Mark.
The Campanile.
3. Rialto Bridge
The majestic beauty of this impressive bridge over the Venetian Grand Canal makes millions of tourists around the world come to this site.
The shape of the bridge with its unique arch, has two ramps joined in a central portico; that are completely decorated, with small arches on their ramps.
It is an important place where tourists walk; being one of the most beautiful postcards of Venice.
It was built in the 16th century to show the economic importance that the city had acquired, replacing the old wooden bridge, which had collapsed on a couple of occasions.
4. Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace is one of the most important historical buildings in Venice, since for a long time, it was the site from which the city's political decisions were made.
This palace is a large complex that has several rooms, the rooms where the doges or city leaders lived, the weapons room, a prison and other patios.
A particularity that covers the beautiful façade of the Doge's Palace is the changing color of the building, depending on the tonality of sunlight.
Nowadays, in this prestigious palace there is a museum, where you will be guided through the main rooms, the prison; telling you in their guided tours, everything related to the ancient government of Venice and other curiosities of the site.
The Doge's Palace is one of the unmissable visits in the beautiful city of Venice.
5. St. Mark's Basilica
The Basilica of San Marco, is the best known and most imposing religious temple in Venice, located in the square of the same name, and a place that receives millions of people every year.
The magnanimity of this beautiful architectural monument manages to reflect two eras, two cultures, and two ways of building, which come together in Venice.
This impressive basilica shows the union between the West and the East.
Among its oriental elements, the impressive dome stands out with its onion figures at the ends ; recalling the times of influence of the Eastern Roman Empire in Venice.
From the West, its straight lines around the building and its Gothic points; in addition to its arches at the main entrance.
Inside you will find different works of Byzantine art, as well as different mosaics, where the golden color will predominate.
Another attraction is the tomb where the body of San Marcos rests, brought in the 9th century, which is why this religious temple was built.
It was not always the Cathedral of Venice and a public building, on the contrary, since its foundation it was the private church of the Venetian duchy, until 1807, when it was opened to the public.
Inside, in addition to the five naves, its altar and religious monuments, you can also visit a museum.
6. Rialto Market
Since the 13th century, the Rialto Market has been an important economic point of the city, where in the days of yore, food and luxury goods were obtained.
For a long time, Venice was the entrance of merchandise from Europe, including luxurious merchandise, such as silk and Chinese porcelain, or the renowned Arab tapestries.
Today, the market is still alive showing its daily hustle and bustle, being an experience to go through its stalls, or enjoy Venetian cuisine in its surrounding restaurants or bars.
When you visit the Rialto Market you will notice that there are two sections, one that sells fruit, and another that specializes in fish; always offering its customers fresh and quality food.
If you go first thing in the morning, you will be able to observe how the fishermen take their catch to the market traders, being one of the most picturesque views of the city.
7. Santa Maria della Salute Church
When in the seventeenth century the city of Venice was affected by the plague, the Venetians wanted to pay homage to the Virgin Mary, to thank the end of that dark period.
It took fifty years to complete this church, which exudes beauty from the outside, with the sculptures of the four evangelists and its two domes.
Inside, we will see other sculptures and various ornaments, but it is the images on the ceiling that most impress the visitor.
They are representations made by Titian and Tintoretto, where we will see biblical images such as: the sacrifice of Isaac, the death of Abel, the confrontation of David and Goliath, among other images loaded with realism and impressive realism and beauty.
8. The islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello
Murano, Burano and Torcello, are three Venetian islands which are connected by bridges, offering you a picturesque visit to other parts of the city.
Murano, is recognized worldwide for the manufacture of its famous glass. In this place you will find numerous Murano glass shops and the Glass Museum.
Burano is another colorful island, known as the fishermen's island; which has numerous colorfully painted houses, offering a beautiful view to tourists who wish to visit it.
Torcello, is today an island where few residents live, but there are archaeological sites and ancient buildings, which reveal the former Venetian glory.
9. Travel through the neighborhoods of Venice
Not everything in Venice is the Grand Canal, there are several beautiful neighborhoods to visit, both walking through its narrow streets, and by boat through its different canals.
There are several Venetian neighborhoods, however, we will focus on three:
The Dorsoduro Quarter, the place where the Venetian museums are located, which is why it is called the museum quarter; in it you can visit the Museum of Contemporary Art, or the Gallery of the Academy, among others.
The Barrio Castello, a neighborhood that shows the real Venice, with its bars, restaurants and places that Venetians visit, away from the tourist centers.
The Barrio Cannaregio, in this part of Venice, several of the most important monuments are located, but you will also find the oldest Jewish quarter in all of Europe.
10. Fondaco Dei Tedeschi viewpoint
If you want to find a romantic place to observe the entire city of Venice, the Fondaco Dei Tedeschi viewpoint is the place to appreciate the best views of this magical city.
The Rialto Bridge, the market, the Grand Canal, the Basilica of San Marcos, and the surrounding houses can be seen when accessing this viewpoint.
It is located on the terrace of the fourth floor, of a renowned Venetian shopping center, near the Rialto Bridge; but to visit it, you must make a reservation.
These have been some of the most important places to see in Venice, and some activities you can do, when traveling through this magical city in Italy.
