10 Things You Probably Don’t Know About Venice

Venice is one of the must-see cities in Italy that every traveller should visit. Every nook and cranny of the city spells romance. There’s more to just gondola rides when you’re in Venice. Here are 10 things you may probably haven’t heard of about “The Floating City.”

1. Venice is composed of more than 100 islands.

A more detailed map will show you that Venice comprises of more than 100 islands separated by canals. They are intricately laid out but not so complicated to navigate. You can go from one island to another by crossing tiny bridges here and there. The Grand Canal is the biggest division between the islands.

2. The best way to tour Venice is by Walking.

Walking around Venice will give you the best view of the city. Those maze-like alleys will lead you to 16^th century churches and piazzas that few travelers get to see. The candy-colored streets of Burano Island are best explored walking.

3. Venice canals do not smell.

Contrary to what other tourists say, Venice doesn’t smell at all. If anything, you’ll smell salt water in the canals. Some say though that during summer when water levels are lower in smaller canals they can smell a bit. Other than that, Venice stays odor-free.

4. Venice is an almost car-free city.

With people used to walking and taking boats, cars are of little use in Venice. You will rarely see cars parked in the city. The absence of tire sounds and cars honking makes Venice even more serene than it looks.

5. Food and lodging in Venice is pricey.

Knowing that the city is beautiful per se can be both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is being flocked by tourists all-year round and the curse is being over charged for being one of them. Hotels and even hostels are expensive in Venice. Budget hotels are rarely available there. Food is  too pricey to even taste delicious. The best way to go is to eat where locals eat not in tourist-oriented restaurants.

6. Transportation costs a lot in Venice.

Riding a gondola may be romantic but it can rip off your wallet. Make sure you check the official gondola rates before you even get into one. Bus-boats are pretty expensive, too. That’s why the best way to tour the city is by walking and you get to appreciate it at your own pace.

7. Venice sleeps early.

There’s no nightlife in Venice. Shops and restaurants close early. However, Venice at night is probably the time when it’s most beautiful. The lights that illuminate the streets, the fog over the canals, and the blanket of stars hovering above are just some of the reasons why Venice is deemed romantic.

8. Getting lost in Venice is a must.

Venice is best appreciated when you’re just wandering around. You will be surprised that getting lost in quaint alleys is a wonderful experience after all! Allow yourself to be surprised by Venice in every turn.

9. There’s practically no off-season in Venice.

Venice is packed with tourists the whole year. It’s also one of the most popular stops in Mediterranean Cruise itineraries. Avoid the herd and go where nobody else goes because every Venetian local knows that the undiscovered gems are hidden in the city’s puzzle streets.

10. Venice has the most exquisite churches.

Every traveller must set his foot on St. Mark’s Basilica and revel at its splendour. The St. Mark’s piazza in front of the basilica is equally spectacular. San Giorgio Maggiore is also a must-see. It was designed by famous Italian architect Andrea Palladio. If you have the time, you can spend one Sunday morning listening to Benedictine monks singing Gregorian chants.

Venice can captivate you at first sight. It’s a city worth the travel and the money. But it doesn’t mean that you can’t travel to Venice on a budget. Venice has a lot to offer for every adventurous traveller willing to veer away from conventional tourist activities.