Travel Throwback | 7 favourite things in Venice

Over the last few days, I’ve finally come around to organizing my travel photos, many of which had been sitting around on my desktop for far too long. Some of the photos are from a few years ago, and some much more recent. But through this, I hope to share a few of my favourite places and memories, and hopefully add some inspiration for your future adventures.

To start it all off – Venice. My husband and I travelled to Italy for the first time three years ago with Venice being our first stop. The city still remains one of the most beautiful places we’ve been with no shortage of scenic streets, incredible food, and architecture.

Now on to the favourites:



1. Piazza San Marco / St. Mark’s Square
The heart of Venice is lively during the day and romantic at night. We found ourselves here immediately after checking into our B&B on our first day, and every evening after that. The day time is very busy as the Square serves as access point to three of the most famous places to visit: St Mark’s Basilica, St Mark’s Campanile, and Doge’s Palace. If you find it a bit overwhelming, try coming back at night. The square gets much quieter as the cruise ships leave for the day. The air becomes a bit cooler, the lighting is perfect and you’ll have plenty of time to stroll along to the music.

2. Doge’s Palace
The historic residence of the Doge of Venice is easily one of the most iconic landmarks of the city. The exterior is built in a Venetian Gothic style with its beautiful arches overlooking the water. The interior shows off the wealth of the Venetian Empire at its peak. There is no shortage of beautiful rooms covered with art and gold trimmings. It’s a must see.

3. Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Located in the slightly quieter Dorsoduro neighbourhood, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection showcases an amazing collection of modern art from Dali to Pollock. Even if you’re not massively interested in modern art, the audioguide provides great information and it’s ends up being a really nice change in scenery. There’s even a lovely terrace at the back which overlooks the grand canal – perfect for an afternoon break.



4. Cannaregio
During breakfast one day, the owner of the B&B recommended Cannaregio as a part of the city that retained a proper neighbourhood feel. On our last day in Venice, we strolled along the water and spent the morning exploring the area. The streets are noticeably quieter, and we saw residents just going about their day. It’s just a beautiful neighbourhood and feels much more lived in. If you have a few days in the city and need a break from the tourist hotspots, this might be just the place.

5. Dal Moro’s
Venice is a pricey city so it’s no surprise that Dal Moro’s Fresh Pasta to Go is one of the most highly rated restaurants. It’s technically more of a takeout counter, rather than a restaurant so if you’re looking for a proper sit down place, this might not be for you. But if you love cheap eats and pasta – it’s seriously amazing. We had a pesto pasta and a squid ink pasta, and I still think it’s one of the best we had our entire trip.

6. Cicchetti
Cicchetti is the Venetian version of tapas and seriously this stuff is amazing. If you love tapas, you need to try it in Venice. As much as I love pasta, we actually spent the majority of our evenings at Cicchetti bars, munching on all various snacks with an obligatory glass of wine.

7. Wander the streets
In the end, the best part of Venice is just wandering the streets. We spent four days in Venice, and most of that time was spent walking around. There are so many beautiful streets and canals to explore, and if you need a break, no shortage of cafes and gelaterias for a snack. Just be careful to not get too attached to the camera like I did. The city is so photogenic that it takes some serious restraint to not snap a photo every few steps!







If you’re planning a trip to Venice, try to stay a few extra days. All the iconic landmarks could be done in a day. But a few extra days will give you the chance to explore the city at your own pace, take in the sights, and appreciate its quieter sides.

I would love to know your thoughts!