Venice: What We Did, What We Ate, Where We Stayed
Venice is one of those cities that doesn’t feel real until you’re there. No cars, just canals, winding streets, and bridges that take you in every direction. We’ve been multiple times, and while some spots are absolute must-sees, others are better when you stumble upon them. Here’s what we did, what we ate, and where we stayed.
WHAT WE DID
Exploring the Heart of Venice
Venice is a city meant to be walked. We started in Piazza San Marco, taking in the massive square and the details of St. Mark’s Basilica before heading up the Campanile for a full view of the rooftops and lagoon. The Doge’s Palace was worth the visit, especially walking across the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the palace to the old prison. It’s easy to see how it got its name—if you were crossing it, you weren’t coming back.
Dylan had a very different highlight in St. Mark’s Square—the pigeons. He quickly realized that if you stand still with food in your hand, the birds will land on you. This turned into a full-on pigeon frenzy, much to the horror of some tourists and Lisa but to the delight of others.
We skipped the overpriced cafés in the square for meals, but we do stop there for hot chocolate, which is worth every euro. Thick, rich, and almost like drinking melted chocolate, it’s one of our favorite Venice traditions.
From there, we wandered wherever the streets took us, which is how we ended up on the Rialto Bridge, then at Rialto Market, watching locals haggle over seafood and fresh produce.
Venice from the Water
Seeing Venice from the canals is just as important as walking it. We took a water taxi from the train station down the Grand Canal, which is the best way to see the palazzos without paying gondola prices. But we also did the classic gondola ride once—yes, it’s overpriced, but it’s a bucket list thing.
For Lisa, the gondola ride turned into something unexpected—a friendship that’s lasted over a decade. When we got off the gondola, we realized we had left a hat behind on his boat. Later that day, he showed up at our hotel with the hat, a note, and his number. That turned into a friendship that’s still going strong ten years later.
Not As Iconic Landmarks
One of our favorite stops was Libreria Acqua Alta, a bookstore where books are stacked in gondolas and bathtubs to protect them from flooding. There’s a staircase made of old books in the back that leads to a great canal view.
Another spot that felt completely different from the main areas was Cannaregio, Venice’s former Jewish Ghetto. It’s quieter than other neighborhoods, with great local restaurants and an interesting history.
We also made time to see Murano and Burano—Murano for its glassblowing workshops and Burano for its bright, colorful houses.
The Art of Venetian Masks
Venice is famous for its Carnevale masks, and even outside of the festival, they’re everywhere. We stopped into a few traditional mask shops, where artisans still handcraft them using techniques that go back centuries.
Some are elaborate and covered in gold leaf, others simple but haunting.
We learned about the different styles—like the Bauta, which covers the whole face and was once used for both disguises and political secrecy, or the Plague Doctor mask, with its long beak originally designed to hold herbs to “purify” the air. Whether you’re planning to visit during Carnevale or not, checking out the mask-making process is a must.
Offbeat Tours
For something a little different, we found a Venice crypt and underground tour, which took us beneath churches to see ancient crypts and hidden passageways. Venice is sinking, and you can see it in places like these where water seeps into once-hidden rooms.
Another strange but interesting stop was Poveglia Island—an abandoned island that was once a quarantine station and later, an asylum. We didn’t actually step foot on it (it’s technically off-limits), but we took a boat tour around it, and the stories alone were creepy enough.
WHAT WE ATE
Venice has a reputation for tourist-trap food, but if you know what to look for, there are some great finds.
Cicchetti – marinated seafood, fried mozzarella, and prosciutto on crusty bread.
Sarde in Saor – Sweet and sour sardines, a classic Venetian dish. We have not tried yet.
Thick Hot Chocolate – Venice does hot chocolate right—rich, thick, and almost like pudding.
Select Spritz – Less bitter than Aperol, more complex than Campari. A true Venetian spritz.
WHERE WE STAYED
Our first trip, we stayed at the Gritti Palace, one of the most stunning hotels right on the Grand Canal. It was a splurge, but the kind that’s worth it.
During COVID, we stayed at Numa Palazzo Orseolo, a more modern boutique-style hotel near Piazza San Marco. It was quiet, stylish, and felt like having a little corner of Venice to ourselves—except for the flooding. Every night, like clockwork, the lobby would flood. The staff took it in stride, setting up temporary walkways and acting like this was just another Tuesday in Venice.
Venice is one of those cities that’s easy to love, even when it’s crowded and a little chaotic. Whether you’re seeing the landmarks, getting lost in backstreets, or finding local food spots, there’s always something new to discover.
Want to hear more stories, tips, and things we learned along the way? Listen to our full Venice podcast episode here.
