Venice is one of the most beautiful and magical cities in Italy. Dubbed as a water world, Venice won’t run out of surprises. Read on the article below and discover the best free things that you can do in the city!
1. Explore the Arsenale
This place occupies a large part of eastern Venice. Also known as the Serene Republic’s shipyard, this place dates back to 1104 and dubbed as a vast city filled with warehouses, wet and dry docks, rope-walks and workshops that was a gem of the pre-industrial world. Although not open to the public regularly, the Arsenale serves as a place for exhibition by the Art and Architecture Biennales, which usually takes place from June to November, or check out labiennale.org. You can also check out arsenaledivenezia.it for occasional concerts that are held there.
2. Head to Burano
Enjoy the charm of this neighborhood filled with cute pastel-colored houses lining the banks. Check out the Museo del Merletto and the church of San Martino made by Tiepolo located in the main square of Piazza Galuppi.
3. Have some air at Giardini Pubblici
If you feel the urge to go to a green space, head out to the eastern end of island Venice, where a district was laid out to have a public park. You can find a children’s area in front of the Giardini vaporetto stop, where there are swings, slides, and climbing bars.
4. Visit Ghetto Ebraico
“Ghetto” is Venice’s Jewish community and was once the area where iron was smelted, or known as gettato in Italian. Visit this place and get a dose of Venice’s history.
5. Go to Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore
Hit two birds in one stone at the monastery-island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Get cultured in its amazing Palladian church; get awed by Andrea Palladio’s 1565 artwork, the artist’s first ever solo church project, and have the most beautiful view of Venice in its watery context as a series of islands in the lagoon from the church’s adjacent bell tower. Also check out Tintoretto’s two great, late canvasses inside the church.
6. Bask under the sun at Lido
Have fun under the Venetian sun and soak up the beach at Venice’s seaside strip. Make sandcastles or join other beach bums. Hop off the main waterbus stop and start strolling to Lido’s main street, Gran Viale, and hire a bicycle or hop on the number 11 bus and go to the dunes at Alberoni.
7. Explore Rialto
This is where one of the earliest settlements took place in Venice because it was relatively high and dry, and still remains as the city’s commercial center. Come here to get fresh produce like fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat. The market has recently become a buzzing nightlife scene.
8. Check Out Maria della Salute
Marvel at the beautiful architecture of this Venetian Baroque masterpiece, the “La Salute,” as the locals call t. It was built between 1631 and 1681 for the City’s delivery from its final plague epidemic in 1630. Salute, which means Health, and light are were built into the very fabric of this church. Also check out Tintoretto’s art inside, the Marriage Feast at Cana.
9. Head to San Zaccaria
Never skip this very Venetian church that was built in the 1440s with a Gothic style but turned out Renaissance by the time Mauro Codussi finished it 50 years later. It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist’s father, whose body supposedly lays under the second altar on the right. Check out the two amazing masterpieces inside: the Madonna and Four Saints by Giovanni Bellini and the Tuscan artist Andrea Castagno’s human saints and putti on the ceiling vaults of the San Tarasio chapel. You can also have a picnic on the quiet square outside.
10. Visit St Mark’s Basilica
No one dares to miss Saint Mark’s Basilica, Venice’s main church that is decorated sumptuously inside out. There’s nothing understated about this beautiful church. Attend the 7am, 8am, or 9am mass to avoid huge crowds.
11. Slow Down at St Mark’s Square
After a day full of tours, relax at Piazza San Marco, dubbed as “the drawing room of Europe” by Napoleon. Enjoy scenic views of Venice, cafes, jewelleries, shops and dreamy domes. Have a stroll while soaking up the Venetian vibe or just simply people watch.
