The one and only Venice. This unique city is full of charm, history and fragility making its 118 islands a UNESCO world heritage site along with its surrounding lagoon. It is no wonder tourists flock here and why everyone should be able to experience.
As an introvert, visiting Venice can be daunting. Over-tourism is a real issue and expect little to no personal space at times. The streets of Venice were never built to accommodate so many people.
The popularity also leads it open to frustrated locals and less friendly hospitality form those looking to take advantage of the tourists. With so many people, retaining repeat guests simply is not a priority in many places. All this can put a dampener on your trip if you let it get to you.
That being said, Venice is well worth visiting despite the problems and here I suggest some tips and tricks to keep you sane in this magical city, get the most out of it and survive as an introvert.
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Top Tips For An Introvert Surviving Venice
In case you just need some quick survival tips before you go I’ll summarise some below. Venice is a busy city but it is so worth seeing and with a few tips you can find moments where you are not over stimulated with the large crowds.
1. Eat Cicchetti
Cicchetti is perfect for those who want to explore local cuisine without having to dine in and deal with other people. Particularly good if you are a solo traveller too. These little tapas styled food bites are great to grab and go minimising the social interactions. Grab enough to fill you up and head off to a quiet spot to eat them.
2. Visit Tourist Hotspots Early Or Late
Off peak season is the time to go if you’re an introvert. But even when you are there, early mornings are your best friend. Most people don’t want to be up at the crack of dawn on their holidays so you get some peace and quiet even in the busy areas.
3. Explore Far Away From St Marks Square
Most people congregate around St Mark’s square but that means the streets the other side of Venice (apart from the main through fare from the bus station to St Marks square) are quiet. This is particularly true in the more residential areas. You get cobbled streets and canals with next to no people, also this is where the locals eat.
4. Explore The Islands
Every island has its own unique feel but all of them are quieter than Venice. The further you head away the quieter and more peaceful the lagoon and islands are.
When Should You Visit Venice?
If you hate crowds, avoid the summer months. Venice can get hot and humid and the narrow streets were not designed for the amount of footfall the city sees today. If all you can see if the back of someone’s head, then you really can’t appreciate the full beauty of the city.
A good rule of thumb currently is that if the date you want to travel requires day trippers to pay the tourist fee then it likely is a day to avoid. The dates and prices change year on year as they adapt to the trial. If you stay overnight then you are exempt from paying (you pay a city tax at your hotel) but still need to register online.
Unless you particularly want to see carnival, avoid February as events of course draw in visitors. As much as being whisked away to Venice for Valentines sounds like a dream come true, it is also many others dreams.
The advice I got from one of my tour guides about when to visit for the quietest time (for Venice, so still a bustling city) is the last two weeks of January. Makes sense given the cold weather and people still paying off the winter festivities but could be worth it if you embrace it.
How Long Should You Spend In Venice?
Whilst you could tick off all the ‘must see’ tourist attractions in Venice in a day you will miss out on the quintessential Venice experience.
To embrace Venice is to really take the time to slow down. The way the streets wind their way to little bridges crossing the canals doesn’t lend itself well to rushing.
Even if you choose to get the Vaporetto, the journey is longer than you expect. So rushing around in a day, usually stuck behind a slow moving crowd then queuing to get into the attractions will leave you feel exhausted.
Even staying just the one night would completely change your experience in Venice. Watching the sunset over St Marks basin is a wonderful experience and everywhere is a little quieter so you can appreciate the finer details of the square.
Get up early the next morning and the whole atmosphere is transformed from stressful energy to peaceful morning. Not to mention you catch a glimpse of the real livelihoods in the city as workers deliverer goods on the canals.
To really feel like you have explored Venetian lagoon then go for no fewer than three nights and I believe this will still feel like an action packed holiday.
It takes a full day to explore the main highlights of Venice and the other full day explore the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello. Hoping between these can easily take a day. Even tours which use speedboats take anywhere from 4.5 to 6 hours and these do not always include Torcello.
The remaining time on travel days can easily be spent wandering and exploring the streets and doing a spot of souvenir shopping before heading home. Getting lost in the streets of Venice should be viewed as a perfectly valid way to spend your time. It is worth it.
As to how long you need to spend, you then need to add another day for any additional activities you want to do. Venice has a huge number of musuems to explore, beaches to lounge on (Lidos) and even the Dolomites is only a few hours away. If you have the time it is well worth spending it in the city. You will not get bored!
So lots to do, so how are you going to get around?
Should You Get The Vaporetto?
The vaporetto may be Venices equivalent to the local bus service but it is expensive as a tourist. A single trip will cost you €10. You can get travel passes for unlimited travel starting at €20 for 24 hours up to €60 for seven days on the water-buses but it does not include to and from the airport. It is also really slow, especially if you get on one going the wrong direction.
That being said, if you didn’t choose to get a water taxi transfer then it is definitely easier with a lot of luggage to hop on the vaporetto to the nearest stop to your hotel. Venice streets are cobbled and dotted with stepped bridges so it is difficult even without the tourist herd to drag a suitcase (bring a backpack if you can). You can still expect a short walk to your hotel from the stop though so make sure you can lift your luggage.
Every route is scenic on the vaporetto but if you take one that takes you down the grand canal then you can see many famous landmarks from the water such as going under the Ponte di Riatlo bridge. Treat the vaporetto as a boat ride.
It is also super easy to get the vaporetto out to Murano, Burano and Torcello. Instead of taking the tour, hop on and enjoy the sights of the lagoon and see the Venice skyline disappear into the haze and you can spend plenty of time meandering around these little islands.
If you do choose to get the vaporetto, then a bit of forward planning can really save you some cash. The city of Venice is walkable and the journey is super enjoyable too so work out when you really will use the vaporetto. For example, could you plan to explore the islands the day after you arrive and only get a two day pass?
Five Day Itinerary For Venice
Here I suggest a five day itinerary when you visit Venice to see all the best bits without knackering yourself out. Pick and choose what works for you and be flexible with the weather and tide times. I travelled over New Year (which was amazing) but bank holidays can also impact what is open so both forward planning and flexibility is wise.
Day 1- Arriving Into Venice
There are a few ways in which to arrive in Venice. Firstly, we will start with the airport as the others link up later anyway. Venice Marco Polo Airport is the closest to the city although you can fly to Treviso Airport.
Make sure you get yourself a window seat on that flight. Expect a birds eye view of the Dolomites and then of Venice dotted in the Venetian lagoon. Just before I landed I actually saw flamingos in the lagoon so if wildlife is your thing keep your eyes peeled.
Once you have landed, the easiest (and affordable way) for most people to get into the city is to take the ATVO shuttle bus. It only takes 25 minutes and costs 12€ for the journey. There are other buses which will be cheaper but this one is set up for luggage and a direct trip to Piazzale Roma. This is the only place you will see any vehicles in Venice.
Another way to enter the city is by train which will drop you off near Piazzale Roma and both of these journeys you still get a good view over the lagoon on the main bridge into Venice. The downside to getting the train from the Venice Marco Polo Airport is that there is no direct train.
Piazzale Roma is at the North East side of the city. Venice is a walkable city but to give you an idea of scale, it is a 35 minutes walk to San Marcos Square. It may look shorter but there is a bit of meandering up and down streets to find the bridges that cross over the canals. Afterall, Venice itself is made up of 118 islands connected by over 400 bridges.
Alternatively, there are plenty of vaporetto stops outside the bus and train stations. For those who have a lot of luggage or simply don’t want to walk as far, the vaporetto can drop you off closer to your hotel (or even at it for some luxury hotels). You probably are no more than a ten minute walk from a vaporetto stop anywhere in Venice.
For those wanting to enter Venice is style, you can arrive by water straight across the lagoon from the airport. You can get a shared water taxi for 35€ per person but if you want a fancy private affair you are looking closer to €200. It takes around 50 minutes but you should be dropped off closer to your hotel where possible.
Don’t feel the pressure to get the water taxi straight from the get go. Due to the shallow lagoon the boats are only allowed on set routes and you can get the vaporetto later out to the islands such as Murano and see the Venice skyline from the water.
Day 2- Explore Piazza San Marco
St Mark’s Square is the centre piece of Venice and everyone’s first time to the city needs to include the main attractions. To explore the main squares exquisite architecture and surrounding streets visit early or late in the evening as this area is understandably the busiest part of Venice. When you are heading into Doge’s Palace it is also worth pre-booking your tickets unless you fancy waiting 45 minutes (and that is the average, not worse case scenario).
St Mark’s Basilica
I started my day in the Basilica (due to the time slots of my pre-booked tickets) and it is a work of art. Every grande gold wall is covered in intricate designs, you could spend a whole day in there and not take it all in. The audioguide really helps in here to point out specific artworks that you may have missed both inside and out.
You can also go onto the terrace which overlooks the square from above but this is not included in the ordinary ticket. You can add this one in some cases with the skip the line or pay for it at the start.
Doge’s Palace
Once you have finished paying your respects head over the Doge Palace where the Venetian gothic architecture sings in all its glory. You begin by entering a large courtyard, surrounded by intricate archways and sculpture before heading off into various rooms full of historical artefacts.
You can walk across the bridge of sighs just like those before you and head into the prisons. Unlike those unfortunate souls, you can walk back out!
The highlight of the palace is the Paradiso. Located in the chamber of the great council it is the longest canvas painting in the world. Not only is this entire wall covered in magnificent paintings, the rest of the walls and ceilings are covered in small canvas. Be sure to allow plenty of time to appreciate all the pieces in their exquisite detail.
Caffè Florian
You would have definitely worked up an appetite by now. There are cafes in Doge Palace and in the Correr museum in which to grab a bite but also consider caffè Florian. This is the oldest cafe in Venice and is situated in the square.
If you need a budget friendly option then eat like a local and grab some cicchetti. This is the Venetian version of tapas. Usually there is a nice slice of baguette with a range of toppings but other options as well. Some of these bacari (bars) have stalls and seating either inside or some even have a secret garden in the back.
Just remember if you are grabbing some then dont sit in the street. The same goes if you bring pack lunch as sitting in the street and not in the designated spaces can cost you a hefty fine.
Museo Correr
Now that you are nice and refreshed, time to hit yet another museum. I was really pleasantly surprised by this one. I didn’t hold high expectations or really knew what it was but it was really worth it. Firstly, you are on the upper level of St Marks square and get a gorgeous view over to the basilica. The cafe in this museum has seating looking over that direction.
Once in you are met with the light Venetian gothic style. Nothing but sophistication here as gorgeous statues sit below glass chandeliers. There is also a lot more depth to the history of Venice here too.
St Marks Campanile
The bell tower is the tallest structure in Venice at nearly 99 metres giving you one of the best panoramic views of Venice and the surrounding lagoon. It also opens later than the rest of the museums so there is no rush to get to this tower.
Once you are inside, a lift takes you 60 metres up so if you want the best view of Venice consider watching the sunset from up there. The sunsets are impressive enough along the grand canal let alone the whole of Venice with the dolomites mountains in the distance on a good day.
You also have access to San Marcos History gallery if your brain can absorb even more information as fascinating as it is.
Tourist Passes
As I have suggested several attractions today it is worth having a look at whether a tourist pass would be useful for you to save a few euros.
You can choose from several such as the Venice city pass or museum pass. Even then there are different levels making the whole thing confusing but worth a look into depending upon what you plan to do. The best comparison I could find of these passes are on this VeniceLover website.
Although a word of warning, if you don’t plan to visit all the extras then it can be more expensive then just buying the tickets of the places you want to visit. If you do choose a pass make sure that the attractions you want to see are included and whether you want to bolt on a vaporetto pass as this normally isn’t included in the basic tickets.
Day 3- Exploring The City
Spend today getting to know the city like a local. I really recommend getting away from St Marks square here.
Google maps is your friend here. Zoom in and you will find loads of the museums, churches and other places of interest. There are also lots of audio guides available to download which also help show you some hidden gems. Access normally lasts for a month so plenty of time to dip in and out on your holiday.
A often overlooked space is the Jewish Quarter: Ghetto Ebraico. You can take a tour or pop into the museums to learn more about Jewish culture in Venice. I recommended getting a tour as I learnt so much about this area and mine was part of a food tour so was no where near as in depth as a dedicated tour would be.
Also I recommend following the canal up from here to the edge of the city and look back onto the mainland. It gives you a real sense of being on the lagoon and on a clear day you can see the Dolomites.
I also really recommend getting lost in the streets of San Polo. Here is where you get a real sense of Venetian life and it’s so much quieter than San Marco. You can turn around a corner and find no one. It’s a nice relief from being across the water. Once you have finished head across the famous Ponte Di Rialto bridge but mentally prepare for the crowds again.
Today is also the day to get in those must have experiences such as a gondola ride. You can book rides shared and private in advance or there are plenty of places to get on a gondola.
A tip for those who are already skint from being in Venice is to get the Traghetto. This is a larger gondula with two oarsmen just crossing the grand canal. It may not be as romantic as a private sunset tour through the canals but you get to experience a short taster trip for only a few euros each way.
Another way to get on the water is to take a kayak tour. You can either go through the canals or out into the lagoon depending on the weather and your personal preference and it supports the local Venetian rowing club. They take plenty of photos on route and you get to explore the city in a completely new way.
Finally I would say if you are into cocktails and a the Venice skyline that you head across to Giudecca. Here you will find the Skyline rooftop bar. The view from this place is amazing and you can see the whole city up here with a cocktail in hand. The drinks are on the pricey side but considering the cost of the bell tower pick your poison. It was here that I went to watch the New Year fireworks in Venice and it sits at the top of the poshest hotel I have been in so far.
If you’re not into that scene and want some more peace and quiet then stroll past San Marco and down to the park. There are some nice statues and you get good views across the canal. For those who run it’s a good chance to stretch the legs out too. For those introverts, it’s a welcome break of quiet.
Day 4- Murano, Burano and Torcello
As an introvert this was my favourite day of the trip really. Everything was worth seeing but these islands with there slow pace of life offered me somewhere to breathe.
I chose to skip the tour based upon some reviews of pushy sales practices in the glass blowing demonstrations and headed out by myself. You also can enjoy exploring the far side of Venice.
Getting on the vaporetto at F.te Nove is likely the quickest option even if it’s a bit of a walk then guessing directions of the vaporetto and waiting to come round. Also it gives lovely views over the cemetery and out to the lagoon so is worth an explore.
Consider getting a vaporetto day ticket and start out on the furthest place you want to go as the vaporetto is slow and get less frequent the further out you go. Don’t panic though they are all well served.
The furthest out is Torcello. This is the least developed of the three and has a museum and church on it. Otherwise it is a bit of wildlife haven with great views over the lagoon. The journey itself is worth it as you get great views of the Venice skyline before entering the haze and only seeing shallow marsh and feeling like you could be anywhere.
Definiety keep your eyes peeled as you make your way for the local wildlife. Birdlife is plentiful here and little marshy islands appear out of nowhere. Once you have finished looking around Torcello. The most peaceful of the three head to Burano.
Burano is amazing and completely different feel to that of Venice. Yes it still has canals but the houses are brightly painted giving it a fun feel rather than sophisticated pallet of Venezia. There is a square full of people selling lace (the traditional trade of Burano) and of course coffee shops. Turn off the main streets and you can find many quiet spaces to soak up views of the lagoon.
The last island and the busiest is Murano. The look and feel here is very industrious for of course the making of murano glass. There are many routes to explore and lots of shops selling glass. If you do want a souvenir and want something authentically Venice make sure to get a certificate proving its murano and not mass produced and imported in.
You can watch glass blowing here too although people can be pushy with trying to sell you items which isn’t ideal for those introverts. Another option is to pop to the museum and learn all about the glass with its worldwide reputation.
Depending upon the time you return, consider paying your respects at the San Michele cemetery. This is a peaceful oasis of trees and greenery and of course graves. If you do visit remember to be respectful and no photographs are allowed inside, however, it is the perfect place to get away from the hustle and bustle.
Grab yourself some dinner and as you likely have a day pass for the vaporetto consider hopping on for a sunset cruise along the grand canal.
Day 5- Say Goodbye To Venice
The final day in Venice. Sad times. I had a fairly early flight to catch so my morning consisted of walking through the city back up to the bus station to catch the shuttle bus. You can buy your tickets online so all you have to do is make sure you are at the stop in time. It’s all well labelled.
The good thing about the early start is that the streets are quiet. I even got a good view of the Ponte di Rialto without an insane amount of crowds. Definitely worth getting out early or late in this city for the perfect photos opportunities.
Should you find yourself some more time on your hands today, then ask you hotel if you can leave luggage with them or choose one of the many luggage storage facilities so you have the freedom to enjoy your day. Storage closer to the train or bus stations is probably worth it so you dont have to walk back and forth. Last thing you need is to miss your bus.
Enjoy the last of the city making sure to tick off the last boxes or just explore some more streets you haven’t yet. For example, just off San Marcos square is a street full of designer shops but more interestingly there are some galleries further along.
Just keep an eye on your watch and allow ample time to get back to where you need to be. Meandering cobbled streets, dragging luggage over stepped bridges, questionable google maps and getting through the crowds means it normally takes longer than you think it will.
Got More Time In Venice?
Fortunately, depending upon your interests there is still a lot more to see and do and that’s not including just slowing the itinerary above down for a more relaxing time.
More Museums And Churches
I have covered the main tourist attractions in the itinerary above but Venice has over 52 museums which could keep you going for a long time and not to mention seeing the 139 church buildings. So whether you head to Leonardo da Vinci Museum to see some wonderful art or the Natural History Museum there is something for everyone.
Explore Lido
This is especially true if you want to get away from the crowds but also true for those beach lovers. Lido is a combination of beaches and parks giving it yet another different feel unlike the other islands. There are even some small pockets of history to indulge in between lounging it up.
You can visit Lido any time of year but the vaporetto is less frequent in the off season as of course beach locations have a life of their own in the summer months. Also many of the beaches are privately owned and the free ones can be busy in the high season but the further away you are from the vaporetto the quieter the beaches will be.
To The Dolomites
This world famous mountain range is only a few hours away from the city. For convenience and to not worry about anything but the scenic views then a group or private tour is the way to go. You can also hire a car on the mainland whether in Mestre or from the airport or use public transport.
You can get a direct train to Belluno from Venice which drops you off at the foot of the mountains or make the changes to get further in. It is also possible to get the bus although there are also connections to be made here depending on where you want to go.
If you are craving out of the hustle and bustle of Venice then the Dolomites are a excellent idea.
As you can see you can easily spend a long time in Venice and barely scratch the surface. Even making return visits and you will have lots more to do and see. Taking your time to appreciate more than the main tourist spots will make your trip a lot more enjoyable.
Using Google Maps In Venice
Venice is an incredibly disoriating for navigation. Once you are away from the grand canal (and you will be as you cannot walk the whole ‘seafront’) you enter a maze of narrow streets. Sometimes you need to take a ‘detour’ to get over the canals.
To the main places on more through fares there are signs on the buildings but these in busy areas are so easy to miss and sometimes it is easy to miss the narrow opening they wanted you to go down too. So maps can be useful.
A word of warning though is that location on your phone can sometimes struggle with where you are. Being placed one size of the canal to the other can greatly impact your route.
Another thing when using directions is that you will select walk and the route will include a vaporetto or traghetto crossing. Make sure to inspect your route to check whether there is actually a bridge or if it has the ferry logo.
Depending on time of day it might be a quick crossing but otherwise it might be quicker to take an alternative route. Not to mention cheaper if you do not have a vaporetto pass.
Flooding In Venice
Venice now has MOSE, a massive dam created to protect against storm surges and rising tides so flooding is less likely now than it used to be, however, St Mark’s square still experiences acqua alta (high water).
As it is the lowest part of the city, extreme high tides just cause the water to rise up in the square. Check the tide times and acqua alta forecast to see if you will be wading through this water if you head over at that time!
Conclusion
There is a reason Venice is on everyone’s bucket list and I do believe everyone should visit at least once. Over-tourism is a real issue here and everyone would benefit from some appropriate planning in order to mitigate the extreme crowds. For those who are introverts, Venice can easily become too intense and stressful which is a real shame. But with some careful planning from times to visit and places to escape the worst of the crowds an introvert really can enjoy travelling to Venice. Happy Travels!
