You are planning to visit the beautiful city of Venice, Queen of the Adriatic, and you only have forty-eight hours ?
If you think it’s impossible to cover a beautiful, historic city of art like Venice in one weekend, you may be mistaken! It can be done and I will give you some tips to see and cram as many things as possible.
Following these tips, I guarantee that you will get a wholesome idea of the wonders that are part of Venice and will go home with a splendid memory, and a memorable experience.
Some useful information before deciding how to spend your weekend in Venice
As you have decided to spend your weekend in Venice, whether it’s your first time in the capital of Venezia, or you are a seasoned visitor to La Serenissima, here are some of my tips that you may find useful:
Choose a smart place to stay
Since you only have 48 hours, you ought to consider the idea of basing yourself in the centre of the city and choosing an accommodation in the beating heart of the Venetian capital. There are many options for a vacation home or hotel in Venice, suitable to all budgets: sleeping in the Serenissima is not always synonymous with excessive spending. To ensure a choice of the most centrally located accommodation possible, I recommend you stay in the San Marco, San Polo and Dorsoduro districts, but even the slightly off-centre districts of Casareggio and Castello may easily suffice.
If you want to save a little, choose a Bed & Breakfast, or BnB: you can find some of them very close to Piazza San Marco, and be right in the heart of the historic city center.
Preparation starts at home for this vacation
With only two days in Venice, preparation is key and you should be properly equipped for this vacation – including tickets for local transportation.
If you arrive having already purchased the vaporetto (Local transport) tickets, for example, from the comfort of your home through the dedicated web portal, you will have saved a lot of time.
Simply choose the travel solution you prefer, buy the ticket and then validate it once you board the vaporetto.
What better way to take advantage of this characteristic and unique Venetian public transport than without having to queue at the ticket office, even if only for a minute, or more during rush seasons…
Choose street food for lunch
Venice, like other important cultural capitals of Europe, offers numerous solutions for refreshment and rejuvenation of the tired tourist!
My advice is to take quick, easy lunch breaks which don’t take too long – leaving you with more time to enjoy the city.
If you only have a weekend in Venice, you certainly can’t afford to waste time on gourmet and extravagant lunches! In Venice you will find many street food options, a great way to taste some local specialties and experience Venetian cuisine without overspending, both on your pocket and on your valuable time.
Buy online tickets for must-see attractions
Buying tickets online is an excellent way to save time and not miss out on must-see attractions. By purchasing the entrance tickets directly on the dedicated websites, you can directly start enjoying the attractions and using the facilities the moment you get there, without queuing at the ticket counter and deciding which ticket to buy on the spot.
How to spend your weekend in Venice
It is now time, after some clever initial pre-planning and pre-vacation preparations, to decide what can be done to achieve maximum utilization out of your 48 hour weekend in Venice!
Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace in Venice is one of the most famous and recognized examples of all the architectural wonders of the Venetian capital. The former gubernatorial residence of the 120 Doges responsible for governing the Serenissima, today it is a Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architectural masterpiece, as well as being an authentic museum destination that houses the priceless works of master artists such as Tintoretto, Tiziano and Bellini.
You can roam around the richly decorated rooms, the internal courtyards and its famous prison.
This palace will leave you speechless both for its majesty and for its incredible collection of precious artworks that decorate its halls.
Piazza San Marco and Basilica of San Marco
Piazza San Marco and the eponymous basilica are the architectural fulcrum of all the art of the city of Venice. These are considered “a monument within a monument”, given the iconic and historic stature not only of the cathedral but also of the Piazza and the famous bell tower.
The Basilica has been the Guardian of the “treasure of San Marco”, since its construction, synonymous with the great power of the Serenissima, majestic in its facade adorned with mosaics and bas-reliefs.
If you go up to the terraces of the basilica, you can enjoy a view of the celebrated St. Mark’s Square from above and bask in the excitement. I also recommend you climb the bell tower of the basilica, a remarkable experience not to be missed.
Clock tower
Without leaving St. Mark’s Square, you have the opportunity to visit the Clock Tower, a building dating back to the fifteenth century, famed both from an architectural point of view and for the precious materials used in its construction and decoration. The clock face is inlaid with gold and blue enamel, with Roman numerals marking the hours encased in marble. It not only marks the exact time, but has been designed to indicate moon phases and the signs of the zodiac. In the days of Epiphany and Ascension, a lateral opening is activated on the sides of the clock to slide small statues in sequence, referring to the Nativity and the three Magi according to the occasion. This fascinating show is activated at the stroke of every hour on these festive and auspicious days.
La Fenice
The Gran Teatro La Fenice, located in the San Marco district, is the most important and an internationally recognized opera house in Venice.
Dating back to the end of the eighteenth century, the Gran Teatro La Fenice was rebuilt twice due to the damage suffered by two fires, one in 1836 and one in 1996. Despite these difficulties, the restored Venetian opera house is host to numerous international events and has featured renditions by some of the most well-known and important composers in history.
The classical and sophisticated architecture leaves one breathless: the stages, the stalls and even the foyer are regal and very elegant.
Rialto bridge
The Rialto Bridge, located in the San Polo district next to San Marco, is the most famous of the Venetian bridges. Famous the world over, it can be defined as one of the defining visual symbols of the city. The Rialto Bridge spans the Grand Canal and is the largest of the four bridges connecting its two sides. Dating from the sixteenth century, the bridge has been at the centre of the Venetian economy for years: today you can discover, alongside the canal, a fruit and vegetable market that has been organized since the year 1000!
Here you can indulge yourself by not only buying some vegetarian delicacies at this market, but also with photography, capturing and immortalizing the splendid scenery laid before you.
Palazzo Cà d’Oro
Located in the northernmost district of Venice but still reachable rather quickly, Cannaregio, the Palazzo Cà d’Oro, or more simply the Cà d’Oro, is one of the best known and admired architectural monuments in Venice.
The Cà d’Oro overlooks the Grand Canal and the facade is highly suggestive, both for the decorative materials with which it was built and because it literally seems to float on the water. Inside you will find a museum of fascinating artwork collected by Giorgio Franchetti, including a painting by Mantegna, and frescoes by Giorgione and Titian.
The Jewish quarter
If you stay a little longer in the Cannaregio district after visiting The Palazzo Cà d’Oro, another attraction you should not miss is the Jewish quarter which was, during the time of the Venetian Republic, one of the first and most well known ghettos of Italy.
(More information about the Venetian Ghetto on Wikipedia)
Even today it is the seat of the Jewish community in Venice. Inside, you will find two of the five Venetian synagogues and, if you inquire beforehand you can book a visit.
Also, within the quarter, you can visit the Jewish Museum of Venice, the quaint shops and taste some gastronomic delights of the Jewish tradition.
Dorsoduro
Should you not choose Dorsoduro as a place to stay for your forty-eight hours in Venice, I still recommend you take a look at this district that stands out from the others, perhaps in the Saturday evening hours of your Venetian weekend.
Dorsoduro is the district of museums, art galleries and avenues of the Venetian nightlife. Let yourself be taken in by the eclectic atmosphere and you will feel like a bohemian artist inspired by spending your evening here! However, if you choose to visit it during the day, remember that this neighbourhood houses the Accademia Gallery and the famous Peggy Guggenheim Museum.
Finally, to get a little more into the Venetian atmosphere and if you want a choice of alternatives to the activities described above, 1 can recommend the following:
- have an aperitif in Piazza San Marco, a must if you visit Venice;
- organize and enjoy a gondola ride, sailing along the canals below the bridges, is a must-do activity, at least once;
- buy an authentic carnival mask, perhaps walking through the streets of the Castello district, full of craft shops;
- climb the Bridge of Sighs and fully experience the magical sensation, especially in the evening;
- photograph the sunset over the Venetian skyline from Giudecca.
If you still have some time left, among the various Venetian islands I would advise you to visit Murano, with its glass art famous the world over!
A small island with so much to offer, steeped in history, art and tradition, you shouldn’t miss it, even if you have only 48 hours!
Where to sleep in Venice in a weekend
If you have decided to spend a weekend in Venice you will surely be interested in Venice – Where to Sleep where you can find the neighborhood that best suits your needs to find hotel accommodation.
Alternatively I can recommend the following proposals divided by price ranges
High price
In the district of Giudecca theHilton Molino Stucky Venice is a 5 stars hotel in a ancient mill that merges in one building the efficiency of the modern with the beauty of the ancient. Inside this luxury hotel you can find many reastaurants, a swimming pool at the terrasse and a wellness center (the largest in the city) open 24h.
In the heart of Venice (only 80 meters to S. Narco square) the Baglioni Hotel Luna – The Leading Hotels of the World is a 5 stars hotel especially appriciated by lovers of romanticism because of its originl affrescos and a beautiful view of the lagoon.
Average price
Only 100 meters from S. Marco square Rosa Salva Hotel, is an elegant hotel and ideal for visiting the city starting from a very central position.
In the district of Castello, mid-way from S. Marco square and Rialto bridge (hence in the heart of Venice) the Hotel Da Bruno is a good restaurant where to stay for visiting this very romantic city.
Low cost
Very central and very close to S. Marco square the Hotel ai do Mori is an optimum place where to base for visiting this romantic city. The reception is open 24h.
Another interesting hotel due to his position is the Hotel Santa Lucia, simple and with a dehors where breakfast is served.
How to reach Venice
By airplane
Venice airport is the Marco Polo. From here you can reach Venice by taxi in about 15 minutes for a cost of around € 40. A cheaper option is the shuttle ATVO which for 8 euros and departures every 20 minutes takes you in 20 minutes directly to Piazzale Roma, alternatively you can take the ACTV bus (line 5) for 1 euro (the luggage you will cost you an additional ticket) which instead takes about 30 minutes having to make several intermediate stops. For Mestre the line is instead the 25.
Another option certainly more exciting but also more expensive (around 80 euros) are water taxis, motorboats for passenger transport.
Also by sea, it is also possible to take the boats of ALILAGUNA which lead to Lido, Cruise Terminal or Murano for a cost from 8 to 15 euros depending on the destination.
Attention, many flights of low cost airlines prefer to land at Treviso airport which is further away but is still served by ATVO for connections to Venice.
By train
If you have chosen the train to visit Venice you will have a nice surprise, at the exit from Santa Lucia train station you will immediately find yourself in front of Grand Canal, and you will immediately be immersed in the Venetian reality, where instead of roads and cars there are canals, gondolas and boats.
By car
If you have chosen the car to reach Venice, the main highways that take you to the Serenissima are A4 (from Turin and Trieste), A27 (from Belluno) and A13 (from Bologna).
To get to Venice you must first arrive in Mestre, and after passing Calatrava bridge you will arrive in Piazzale Roma where you will necessarily have to park.
If you want to save some money you can park in Mestre and then reach Venice by train or bus.