Venice: The floating city of timeless charm
- Akshay Umashankar
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
Venice- the floating city that feels like a fairytale. We almost skipped it from our itinerary, but it turned out to be one of the most magical destinations we’ve ever visited. Here’s our honest guide based on real experiences and actual costs.
Getting to Venice
We travelled to Venice from Florence via a bullet train (Italo). The journey takes about 2.5 hours one way, and you’ll arrive at Venice Santa Lucia station (the last stop).
Important tip: There are two stations:
Venice Mestre - Located on the mainland, cheaper accommodations nearby.
Venice Santa Lucia - The actual Venice island station.
If you accidentally book Venice Mestre, don’t worry, it’s just one stop before Santa Lucia, and you’ll still be allowed to travel.
Other options:
Flights to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE).
Train tickets cost €50–€75 each way per person, depending on season. Book early during peak months.
Getting around Venice
Gondola rides: Iconic but pricey at €90 for a short ride.
Private water taxis: Very expensive.
Vaporetto (Water Bus): Best option! Cheap, efficient, and you can buy a day pass for unlimited rides.
Best time to Visit
We visited in October, and crowds were manageable. Avoid July-September as cruise ships bring thousands of tourists each day.
Pro tip: Check cruise landing days here: https://www.cruisetimetables.com/venice-italy-cruise-ship-schedule.html and plan around them to avoid massive crowds.
First Impressions
Stepping out of the train station felt like walking into a postcard. The view was breathtaking and Venice instantly became one of our favourite destinations.
Top attractions
Most highlights are around Piazza San Marco
Doge's palace: Stunning from outside, but inside was underwhelming for us.
St. Mark’s Campanile: Climb or take the lift for panoramic views.
Bridge of Sighs: Historically significant; prisoners’ last view of Venice.
Rialto Bridge: Crowded! Best photo is from the street, not on the bridge.
Vaporetto (Water Bus): Cheapest way and best to explore Venice hopping between stops to admire the views
Food and Drinks
Like every place, Venice has it's own form of cuisine called Venetian. Few of the things to eat at Venice would be
Cicchetti: Venetian tapas, a must-try.
Aperol Spritz: The pride of Italy; every café serves it.
Tiramisu: Popular, best ones at Tre Mercanti
Pesto Pasta: Unique Venetian twist; we loved it at Osteria Da Noi 2019
Pro tip: Food is expensive in Venice. Explore side streets for better deals.
Shopping & Souvenirs
Avoid buying souvenirs near the waterline as they’re overpriced.
We found 5 fridge magnets for €1 in shops between Rialto and San Marco, compared to €5 for one near the canals.
Day Trips
If you have time, visit Burano (1.5 hours by boat) for its colorful houses. We missed it due to time constraints but it’s on our list for next time.
Costs & Budget Tips
Stay in Venice Mestre for cheaper accommodation.
Gondola prices are fixed (day vs evening rates). Though you can take a pass on this attraction!
Vaporetto day pass saves money if you plan multiple rides.
Final thoughts
Venice is magic worth every moment. Despite being skeptical initially, it became one of our top-rated destinations for its history, beauty, and charm.
Would we return? Absolutely. Maybe for Burano next time! Ciao!!
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