Venice: attractions, restaurants, itineraries

Venice - the city of gondolas and carnivals

It's unlikely that anyone could resist the charms of Venice - a sunlit, fairy-tale city that more closely resembles an engraving. It is made up of 122 islands, connected only by bridges. The Grand Canal flows right through the city, splitting it into two parts. There's little need for walking in Venice, as instead of streets there are canals, and gondolas serve as the main form of transportation. Some canals are so narrow that one can easily touch the walls of the buildings on the opposite sides with their hands. There are almost no shores here, and the houses seem to emerge right out of the water. The old part of Venice is a monument where almost every building has a centuries-old history. It's no wonder it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage list. Venice is Europe's living room, where thinkers, architects, and painters have found refuge for centuries. In return, they created a world of artistic reality, filled with a marvelous diversity of shapes and textures. Here, luxurious palaces neighbor simple homes and shops, where one can buy the famous Venetian masks. And only in Venice is there a casino that can be reached by gondola. Even though the prices in the city are incredibly high, it doesn’t deter tourists in the slightest. After all, where else can one ride on gondolas and, dressed in an ancient costume, participate in a carnival?

When to go?

The peak tourist season for Venice is the summer months, as many want to combine strolling through the city's ancient streets with beach relaxation. However, the most comfortable conditions for exploring the city are observed in September and the second half of May. During these periods, there are significantly fewer tourists, and the weather is pleasant. From November to January, the city experiences the "high water" season.

Winter is often when floods occur, and the weather is damp and windy. However, it is also during this time that numerous tourists flock to the famous Venetian Carnival. Its dates change every year, but by tradition, the festive event starts 12 days before Lent in the Catholic calendar.

What to buy?

The main souvenir and hallmark of Venice are the carnival masks. Their abundance and variety can make your head spin. In tourist spots, one can encounter souvenir shops selling inexpensive masks of Chinese manufacture. However, if you wish to take home an authentic Venetian handmade mask, look for genuine artisan shops and be prepared to pay more than 20 euros for a souvenir.

Another emblem of the city on water is Venetian or Murano glass. Glassmaking artisans have made Venice world-famous for many centuries, and the craft is still alive and flourishing. Head to the island of Murano, where you can purchase an authentic vase, chandelier, decorative plate, or even commission a custom-made stained glass directly from the artisan.

Also, visit the island of Burano if possible – it's the birthplace of the world-renowned Burano lace. In Burano, you can not only buy hand-crafted lace products but also meet the craftswomen.

What to try?

The three pillars of traditional Venetian cuisine are pasta, seafood, and coffee. Pasta is made at every corner here, just like in any other Italian city. And it doesn't really matter whether you order pasta in a cozy home-style cafe or sample it in an expensive restaurant with a Michelin star – in both places, they will prepare this dish deliciously, as Italians know their pasta well.

Seafood holds its esteemed place in Venetian cuisine thanks to the city's coastal location. Be sure to treat yourself to shrimps, langoustines, squids, sea bass, and other marine life.

Drinking coffee in Venice is an entire ritual. There are a great many traditional Italian cafes in the city, but the best way to enjoy this bitter hot drink is on the main square of St. Mark, sitting at a table on an open terrace. The main local snack to accompany wine, cicchetti, is comparable to Spanish tapas. These can be small "one-bite" portions of olives with nuts, shrimp in sauce, sardines with onion and raisin, and much more.

Venice, Italy

Venice - the city of gondolas and carnivals

When to go?

What to buy?

What to try?