Venice is one unique place where almost everything is interesting
Updated: May 2023
Ask a group of people why they want to visit Venice and you’ll likely get as many answers as there are people. Everyone has their own reasons for visiting this unique city where almost everything is interesting, photogenic, and worth exploring.
Before visiting any particular site, take time to soak in the city by simply walking around its small streets and alleys. Stop by famous landmarks like St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge, although they can be crowded with tourists during the day. If your stay is longer, come back in the evening or early morning when the crowds are thinner.
The Basilica di San Marco is located next to the square and is one of Venice’s biggest attractions. Entry is free but you may have to stand in line for a while. The wait is worth it though as the church’s interior is covered in breathtaking mosaics from floor to ceiling.
Right next to the basilica is the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), the former residence of the city’s rulers. There is an entry fee to visit the palace but it’s the only way to cross the famous Bridge of Sighs leading to the courtroom. Inside you’ll find Tintoretto’s “Paradise,” the world’s largest oil painting.
Three small islands popular with tourists are Murano, Burano, and Torcello. Murano, famous for its glass-making, is the closest and often crowded with tourists watching glass-blowing demonstrations. If you prefer a quieter experience, seek out smaller out-of-the-way shops where you can watch glass-blowing without jostling with crowds.
Burano, formerly known for its lace-making, is now mostly inhabited by fishermen. The island’s brightly colored houses are a striking sight from a distance. Legend has it that they were painted this way to help fishermen returning late from a long day at sea find their homes quickly and easily.
Torcello is the farthest and least populated of the three islands with fewer tourists as well. Here you can visit Venice’s oldest church, also adorned with mosaic walls and floors like St. Mark’s Basilica.
These are just some of the many reasons why people want to visit Venice. We haven’t even mentioned the gondolas and gondoliers navigating the watery alleys or the famous yearly Carnival with its masks, costumes, merry-making, and music.
