Venice - a city on the water

Here is the ideal express route for 4-5 hours: 📍 1. Piazza San Marco (Piazza San Marco) The only real square of Venice and its “heart”. Basilica of San Marco: Cathedral decorated with golden mosaics. Important: be sure to book your ticket online in advance, otherwise you will lose a couple of hours in a huge queue. Campanile (Bell Tower): Take the elevator to the observation deck (takes only 5 minutes). From here you can enjoy that classic panoramic view of the red roofs and the lagoon. 🌉 2. Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) and the Grand Canal The most famous and beautiful bridge in Venice, spanning the main waterway - the Grand Canal. Tip: If you arrive at the Santa Lucia train station, do not walk straight to San Marco. Take the water bus (vaporetto no. 1) and ride along the Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco (or vice versa). This will save energy and give you better views! 🏰 3. Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Located right on St. Mark's Square. Even if you don’t have time to go inside (and there are huge halls and the famous The Bridge of Sighs, be sure to take a photo of its stunning pink and white Gothic façade. And the Bridge of Sighs itself can be seen from the embankment (Riva degli Schiavoni), where it connects the palace with the prison. 🍷 4. Get lost and eat like a local Move a couple of streets away from the main crowds of tourists. Venice is a labyrinth. What to eat: Instead of a long lunch at a restaurant, try a traditional bacaro. Order a glass of local wine (ombra) and cicchetti - small sandwiches or snacks that stand on the counter. It's cheap, tasty and very Venetian! 🛶 5. Gondola ride (optional) Riding is expensive (from 90 euros for 30 minutes). If you're on a budget but want to cross the Grand Canal the Venetian way, look for traghetti - large gondolas that transport people from one bank to the other for just a couple of euros. You will have to stand, but the emotions are the same! 💡 Lifehacks for a short visit: Shoes: Only comfortable sneakers! There are hundreds of bridges in Venice that you need to constantly cross. go up and down. There is nothing to do there in heels. Water: Don't buy bottled water (it's expensive). The city is full of public fountains with clean, cold and tasty drinking water. Take an empty bottle with you. Navigation: Maps in Venice often lie, as GPS has poor reception in narrow alleys. Follow the signs: Per San Marco (to San Marco), Per Rialto (to Rialto) or Ferrovia (to the station).