It’s quite obvious from the number of tourists that flock to Venice year after year, that this popular Italian tourist destination is on many people’s bucket list.
There is no denying that it is a unique and historic city, but is Venice really worth visiting?
Some travellers will argue with a resounding yes, that Venice is well worth the effort.
Some, however, are left feeling underwhelmed by their trip to Venice.
These visitors, would probably advise you to go else where.
In this article, we are going to take an honest look at the question, is Venice worth visiting, and work out if it’s going to leave a long lasting impression on you or wishing you’d picked Paris or Rome.
So if you’ve been wondering, ‘is Venice worth it?’, let’s dive right in and answer the question right now.
Why is Venice, Italy so Famous?
In order to answer the question, is it worth visiting Venice, it’s worth understanding why it’s such a famous destination.
Venice is, without a doubt, an extraordinary city.
But is Venice a nice place to visit?
Located in northern Italy, Venice is the capital the Veneto region.
The city is built on more than 100 islands, all separated by canals, in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea.
Over 400 bridges connect the islands together, and are one of the reasons Venice is known as ‘the floating city’.
People often ask if Venice is sinking, and sadly the answer is yes, by a rate of 1-2 millimetres per year.
No cars are allowed in the city, so you either need to walk or use the canals to explore Venice.
A city that relies solely on its canals for transport is certainly a peaceful one to explore, even when crowded.
Venice is blessed with some of the most beautiful architecture in the world from the Gothic and Renaissance periods.
You will stumble across the city’s rustic Italian charm at every twist and turn.
Some would say it’s a city worth getting lost in, as quite honestly, it is inevitable, given the labyrinth of walkways and streets that wrap around the Venice canals.
These unique reasons might help you decide, is Venice worth seeing?
Venice is also home to some world famous landmarks, including the Rialto Bridge across the Grand Canal.
The famous Saint Mark’s Basilica, Doge Palace, Clock Tower and the Bridge of Sighs are all located in Saint Mark’s Square, which in itself is a huge tourist attraction.
Gondola’s are also famous in Venice, with approximately 350 of these vessels lining its canals, to help you enjoy a romantic view of the city from the water.
Who Should Visit Venice
All of these unique features, and more, attract around 36 million tourists to Venice each year, but do they all fall in love with the city?
There are many people who adore Venice, and return to the city time and time again.
If you ask these visitors, is Venice worth going to, I’m sure they would give you a resounding yes.
Some visitors are left wanting more, and we will talk about why that is later in the article.
The people who believe Venice is worth visiting, love Italy and Italian culture. There is, without doubt, something incredibly romantic about being surrounded by its beautiful architecture and rare infrastructure.
Many visitors love ambling through the streets of Venice, observing the city’s unique culture whilst enjoying a refreshing spritz along the way. This is possibly one of the top things to do in Venice for all visitors.
If this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, you might be one of those people asking, ‘should I visit Venice?’
Venice is also a city with a long and significant history. In the early years of the city, it was an independant republic. In 1797, Napoleon overthrew the Venetian government and the city fell under French control.
It has also been under Austrian rule, until becoming part of Italy in 1866. There is plenty to learn about this city, so it really appeals to those interested in both Italian and European history.
Religion also plays a huge part in Venice’s culture. There are 139 churches in Venice, with around 80 still operating. The remainder have become community buildings or galleries. Those people who follow religion will most certainly cherish a visit to this city.
Art and crafts is also a significant part of the Venetian culture, with famous painters such as Giovanni Bellini, Tiziano Vecellio, Tintoretto, Gianbattista Tiepolo and Canaletto to name but a few all being born in Venice.
The area is also known for the beautiful Murano glass and Burano lace. The development and refinement of these crafts in particular have made Venice famous around the world.
Given the things that make Venice a special place to visit, it genuinely appeals to those people who are passionate about Italian heritage, art and culture. If you need a little bit more from a city break, you might find yourself a little disappointed with a trip to Venice.
How Many Days in Venice
If you are going to visit Venice, giving yourself enough time to explore the city is crucial to enjoy the best of it. You could spend a day here, but you will only scratch the surface. A day will only allow you to see the main sights, which is OK if that’s all you want to see. If you really want to experience Venice, allow 3 or 4 days in the city.
Giving yourself the extra time will allow you to explore all of Venice and it’s beautiful canals. If you want to get off the beaten track, you will need time to do this as you will be spending a lot of time walking.
It’s also a great idea to allow enough time to visit Burano and Murano. I’d suggest a minimum of half a day in each location, but you want to take your time, you could easily spend a full day at each place.
3 or 4 days in Venice will easily allow you to explore the city and nearby islands, any less time and you could feel rushed, any more and you could find yourself struggling to find things to do in the city.
Things You Should Know About Venice
If you are considering visiting this part of Italy, there are most definitely plenty of things to know about Venice before booking your trip.
With the huge number of tourists visiting this relatively small city, it can get very crowded, especially in the summer months.
It also makes some of Venice’s most famous attractions and experiences very expensive.
Both of these factors leave many tourists asking, is Venice a good place to visit?
If you are not excited by the idea of visiting Saint Mark’s Basilica or the Doge Palace, maybe Venice isn’t the city for you.
Sadly, due to its popularity, Venice has become somewhat of a tourist trap in parts. A 30 minute gondola ride, for example, costs €80.
The restaurants in the centre of Venice are not necessarily known for their great food and reasonable prices either. If you want to enjoy delicious Italian cuisine, my best advice is to get off the beaten track and look for traditional restaurants where the menu is only written in Italian.
A lot of European cities offer a more dynamic experience than Venice. Many have a wide variety of attractions, that appeal to a number of people, which allow different types of tourists to enjoy visiting these locations.
Whether you’re travelling as a family, in a group or as a solo traveller you are bound to find places you want to see and things you want to do in most other European cities.
Venice, hasn’t really developed in the same way as other cities.
Whilst there are different districts in Venice, to a tourist, they appear very similar on the surface. If you consider London, in comparison, there are distinct differences between places like Covent Garden, Camden and Leicester Square, that even a first time visitor will appreciate.
Final Thoughts on Whether Venice is Worth a Visit
Venice is an experience to visit, but is it worth going to Venice when there are so many other interesting European cities to visit.
Yes, Venice is worth visiting if you have a specific interest in what it has to offer. If you don’t, however, maybe choose another destination or limit your time here.
As the famous travel quote says, “Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times”. For this reason alone, Venice is worth visiting at least once.
Venice is a very special destination, and all those that visit will undoubtedly appreciate its beauty and culture.
If you are in any doubt about whether you will enjoy visiting this city, spend some time researching ‘things to do in Venice’, and if you do not find enough activities to inspire your trip, maybe Venice isn’t the city for you.
Having visited Venice myself, I can honestly say that I did like exploring the city. I particularly enjoyed visiting the colourful island of Burano and wished I’d spent more time there.
Is Venice somewhere I’d go back to? No, it isn’t.
If you asked me, ‘is Venice nice?’, my honest reply is yes, but plan your trip well so you don’t get taken advantage of.
Now we’ve discussed, ‘is Venice, Italy worth visiting’, what do you think?
Does a trip to Venice, Italy appeal to you now?
