Okay, so Venice in June… Let’s just say it’s an experience! Last summer I spent three days wandering those legendary canals and trying to navigate the absolute madness that is the city during peak season.
First of all, gliding along in a gondola is pure romance, even if it costs a small fortune – totally worth it, though! The canals are just as stunning as you imagine – …with a bit of a traffic jam on them.

There’s something about the water, the bridges, and all those cute little boats that makes you feel like you’re in a dream – … just with a million other tourists in the same dream with you.

Venice – Get to Know the Heart of the City

St. Mark’s Square is a beautiful piazza surrounded by stunning buildings. The whole place feels so alive – pigeons everywhere, street musicians playing, restaurants and cafes are buzzing, and yeppp… it’s filled with hordes of tourists.
Hint of the day: Get there early to avoid the crowds.
Also, buy your tickets online and in advance. There’s a bundle ticket available HERE! – … It’s a great way to check out all the iconic spots in the area without buying individual tickets for each one. Your visit to the St. Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile are all included.

The stunning St. Mark Basilica is the kind of church that makes you drop your jaw, and I’m not even a church type of person, but this one is unreal! – … well, and Sagrada Familia in Barcelona too, but that’s a story for a different travel diary. – The outside is gorgeous, but once you step inside, it’s super grand, almost over-the-top vibe with all those gold mosaics covering the ceilings. Don’t forget to look down as well, because the floors are just as breathtaking. It’s like walking on a giant, ancient puzzle. Honestly, the whole place feels like a mix of art and history. You’ll be staring for ages just trying to process how they even managed to pull that off back in the day.

The Campanile bell tower – you can go up and trust me, the view is insane!
Okay, it’s quite a climb with 323 steps – or a convenient elevator – but you’ll be glad you did it!!!
You can see the whole city, the canals, the lagoon, and even the islands in the distance.

Doge’s Palace is like the local royal mansion. It’s a super fancy building right next to the square, and it used to be the home of the Doges – basically the Venice version of a king. The architecture is amazing. Inside it’s all marble floors, fancy paintings, and rooms that look like they were designed for someone who reeEaAaally loved gold. You can walk across the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the palace to the old prison. The name comes from the idea that prisoners would cross it on their way to their cells and let out a *big sigh* because, well… they were about to have a pretty rough time.

Canals
They’re the thing that makes Venice… well… Venice. It’s like the city is just one big, watery labyrinth, and instead of roads, you’ve got canals. No need for cars here – just hop on a boat. It’s kind of magical and weird at the same time, really. Gondoliers are out here living the dream – or not… – trying to navigate you through the narrow canals without getting stuck in a literal traffic jam.

The Grand Canal is basically the heartbeat of the city, the main street – but way cooler because it’s a canal. You can hop on a Vaporetto (a water bus) – or a Gondola, if you wish – and just ride up and down the canal, taking in all the sights. Honestly, it’s the best way to see Venice!

The Rialto Bridge is one of the oldest and most famous bridges crossing the Grand Canal – it’s lined with cute shops and it’s seriously picturesque for any Instagramer.
Just below the bridge is the Rialto Market, where you’ll find fresh seafood that the Venice fishermen catch that day, and different fruits and veggies. So much life is happening there, perfect for a glimpse of local life – it’s bustling, noisy and totally chaotic, but in the best way.

Hidden Gems in Venice

The best part of Venice? Getting lost. No… Seriously! Don’t stress about following a map too closely. Just wander through the narrow streets, bridges and squares – and I promise you’ll stumble upon hidden treasures like the Libreria Acqua Alta, a cute little bookshop. It has this cozy, quirky but almost chaotic vibe with piles of colorful books around. It’s kind of become a local landmark and definitely a must-see if you love books or just want to experience a truly unique spot in Venice!

Santa Maria dei Miracoli
This beautiful little church is often overlooked by tourists, but it’s a must-see for those looking for a peaceful spot to admire Venetian art and architecture.

Ponte de Chiodo
There are 400 bridges in Venice and this is one of two special bridges because they don’t have any guard rails.

Cannaregio
Cannaregio neighborhood has a much more relaxed and laid-back atmosphere, the less touristy area of the city. The more north you go, the fewer tourists you meet. This part is actually a great place to taste the local Venetian cuisine, away from the tourist traps around Piazza San Marco.

Jewish Quarter
The heart of the area is Campo del Ghetto Nuovo, a beautiful, colorful square, home to the museum, two synagogues, art galleries, and kosher restaurants. The Jewish Museum is a fascinating and informative place to learn about the history of the Jewish community in Venice.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi
A historical trading palace turned into a luxury department store, this is a great place to get some shopping done. The rooftop terrace offers stunning views of the Grand Canal and is free to visit.

Trip to Murano and Burano

One of the day trips we took and I can totally recommend is a boat trip to the nearby islands Murano and Burano. We bought our tickets through Get Your Guide as always – everything went perfectly with them, again – you can take a look at their offers HERE

Murano
This super chill island and basically the glass-making capital of the world with its centuries-old tradition. You can visit a glass factory and watch an artist at work, then enjoy a stroll through the streets, and canals.

Burano
Probably the most colorful, Instagram-worthy place you’ll ever visit. The buildings are all painted in these vibrant, bright, almost neon colors – but by bright I mean bright… pinks, blues, yellows, green, and the whole rainbow in between. It’s actually a tradition – the fishermen used to paint their houses in vibrant colors so they could spot them easily from the sea when they returned home. On top of the colorful buildings, Burano is famous for its lace-making, so check out some shops to pick up unique souvenirs.

The Venetian food

One of the best parts of Venice is the cicchetti. They are the local cheap answer to tapas / pintxos and aperitivo – I’m talking like €1-2.
So, please do me a favor and head to a local bacaro (a wine bar) to taste some small plates of fried seafood, and meatballs with a glass of Spritz or a local wine.
A La Vecia Papussa is a secret bar and one of those local favorites… In fact, it is so secret that only the word “Bar” is written above the door.

There were a few other MUSTs on my food list to tick too, since we are in Italy – duh. 🤌
– authentic pizza ✓
– spaghetti carbonara ✓
– spaghetti nero di sepia a la marinera ✓
– focaccia ✓
– real coffee ✓
– tiramisu ✓

Venice’s not-so-glamorous side

The crowds are INSANE.  Seriously, I’ve never seen so many people in one place and it can be a bit overwhelming. Overtourism in Venice has become a pretty serious issue in recent years and it’s putting a lot of pressure on the locals. Many locals have been pushed out of the center because the rents have skyrocketed, and now a lot of them are living in Mestre or other nearby towns. It’s a tough situation because Venice relies so much on tourism, but it’s also losing a bit of its soul in the process.

Let’s talk about pickpockets – As much as Venice is a dream, like any major tourist spot, it does have its fair share of petty theft, especially in crowded areas and narrow streets. Keep your belongings close and stay alert when you’re in busy spots. Also, this lady is doing anti-theft work in God’s name:

AaaAaanyways…

Venice is an unforgettable city – it’s stunning, unique, and definitely worth visiting!
Sure, it’s got its challenges with crowds and pickpockets, but that’s all part of the wild, beautiful charm of this floating city.

Actually, you know what? I’m gonna leave some random pictures here for you to convince you with some more Italian vibes 🤌 … and then you can go buy your tickets.

… Just be prepared, and maybe go in the off-season for a slightly less chaotic experience! 

See you at the next one,

Noémi

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