One day in Venice? Surely you jest! Nope.
Though not ideal, it is possible to experience the highlights of Venice in a single day. Some cities (think London, Paris, & Rome) seem to have endless must-do lists, but Venice—Ah, Venezia!—is all about the ambiance. Though I would plan more days, if you are limited to a single day in this “City of Water,” I recommend doing these five things and spending the rest of your time wandering the streets, eating in a quaint restaurant, hitting a few shops and maybe buying a piece of art from a street painter (but that’s a different story). First things first. Venice is popular (and small), and this means crowds. But it is possible to avoid them…if you are an early bird. Pick which site is the most important to you and go there immediately. One time, we arrived at sunrise after an overnight train ride. Our hotel room was not ready at that time of day, but we dropped our bags and roamed the empty streets, choosing to spend time in the nearly-empty Piazza San Marco.
Piazza San Marco
Piazza San Marco (St. Mark’s square) is the epicenter of activity in Venice. Breathtaking to behold, there is a reason why it is almost always full of tourists (except the early morning!). Three sides of the square are lined with buildings, each with arched walkways leading to stores, cafes, and gelato of course! The east end is where the action is. First up is the beautiful Basilica di San Marco, which is well worth a tour. The Basilica houses the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist, the city’s patron saint and to whom the basilica is dedicated. Upstairs you will find four gilded bronze horses (called a quadriga) which were brought from Constantinople after the Fourth Crusade. These horses once adorned the main facade of the Basilica but were brought inside in 1974. Still considered a symbol of the pride and power of Venice, they’ve installed reproductions on the facade overlooking the piazza. The piazza is the center of the city, and there is far more to see. To the north, just outside the Basilica is the smaller Piazzetta dei Leoncini, named after its two marble lions, and a great place for photos—who wants to ride the lions? Just beyond the lions is Saint Mark’s Clocktower, a Renaissance era clock on the upper façade. The center of the eastern end of the square is filled by the Campanile di San Marco. This remarkable red brick bell tower is the highest point in the city. To the south of the Basilica is the Palazzo Ducale, or Doge’s Palace, the former home of the Doge of Venice. Just across from the palace are two large columns depicting the patron saints of Venice: Saint Theodore with a crocodile representing the dragon he is said to have slain, and a winged lion representing Saint Mark (you’ll see this motif everywhere). While you are by those columns, move on over to the waterfront where you will see the lagoon filled with glossy black gondolas bobbing in the wake of a passing boat. Across the water is the white marble dome of Palladio’s church on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Just one word of caution: depending on when you visit, the entire Piazza might be covered in tidewater—after all, it is sinking.
The Bridge of Sighs
As long as you are down by the water, a short walk to the east along the shore brings you to the perfect vantage point to see the Bridge of Sighs. Built in 1600, The Bridge of Signs is an enclosed limestone bridge over the Rio Di Palazzo which connects the Prigioni Nuove (New Prison) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge’s Palace. If you look closely at the windows of the Bridge of Sighs, you will notice they are secured with bars. The view from these windows of the bridge was the last view of Venice convicts saw before their imprisonment. The assumption is the prisoners sighed at their final view from the windows before being taken to their cells. To get the best picture of The Bridge of Sighs, stand at the small foot bridge underneath and be patient as it is crowded with tourists most hours of the day.
Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bridge is the oldest bridge on the Grand Canal and an iconic symbol of Venice: if you’ve seen pictures of Venice, you’ve seen this magnificent structure. The current bridge was built between 1588-1591, replacing a wooden bridge that had stood in its place. You can walk from the center of the city but taking a water bus is a good way to see the aesthetics of the city’s waterfront on the way including the ever-present red and white barber poles marking gondola stops. The water bus is efficient and affordable, plus it gives you the option of moving around the boat if you’re looking for the ideal spot for photography. Beware, though, the Rialto Bridge often has a banner hanging from one side, depending on what’s going on in the city. If you feel like checking out local wares, get off at the bus stop and walk up one of the ramps on either end of the bridge and browse the shops that are housed there.
Gondola Ride
Although you can travel the larger canals in a water bus, there is nothing quite as iconic as a gondola ride through Venice. From the canals that seem to be tucked away, to the Grand Canal and everything in-between, gondolas for hire are easy to find. Although they are quite expensive, I recommend a gondola ride at least once in your life. If it is more than you are able to spend, find someone else to share the ride and cost with. Be forewarned that the canal water is somewhat stagnant and may smell a bit…rough.
Gelato
The last “must-do” in Venice is trying the local gelato. Gelato is easy to find, just ask any person with a cone in their hand to point out the closest cafe. The gelato is fresh and plentiful, many are made with ingredients such as pistachios from Sicily, lemons from Sorrento and amerena cherries from Emilia-Romagna. Take your adventurous tastebuds to the gelato cafe and try something truly unique!
Bonus
Bonus: the real reason for visiting Venice is the local ambiance. Walking the streets of Venice is an amazing experience (I especially love walking the canals late at night; with no car engines, the silence is beautiful). A quick walk away from the city center in any direction and you will find yourself immersed (maybe even lost) in a charming and unique experience. Wandering the narrow crooked streets, climbing the steps of an arched bridge while a gondolier pushes underneath. Colorful flowers on the front of a pastel building. Squeezing past four tables at a sidewalk café along a narrow sidewalk and the smell of real Italian cuisine. Ah, Venezia!
