Arriving in Venice is like entering a movie set. Its charming laneways, old buildings and decadent foods are hard to match. You could spend all day wandering through the streets, passing over one quaint bridge after another, getting lost in it all. But, if you wish to do something else in this beautifully unique city, here are 10 ways to spend your time in Venice!
1. MASK MAKING
When you think of masks, you think of Venice and the very popular event, Carnival. There are many elaborate mask shops throughout the city, but nothing compares to making your own. We found a charming little shop to create our own as a family. Sitting inside the shop, surrounded by masks for inspiration, was such an immersive experience. We each chose the shape, and then designed our painting with the help of the mask artist/owner. We had the freedom to create our own designs reflecting the personalities of each family member. It was such a memorable experience for us all, and hanging our personalised Venetian mask on the wall back home was satisfying. Book your mask making workshop here.
2. GET LOST IN A REAL LIFE MAZE!
Venice is a perfect city to explore on foot, my ideal way to take in a new city’s sights, sounds and smells. Forget a map. Spend time wandering the streets, predominantly narrow laneways edged by interesting buildings and stores. With nearly 400 bridges, you could spend all day walking around, stopping at a cafe or restaurant, and not getting bored. It’s fun to get lost in the maze that is Venice!
3. RIDE A GONDOLA
You can’t go to Venice without also going on their canals. Although you pay for the experience (a fixed price of 80 euros for 30 minutes), a gondola ride is something you must do when visiting the city. It’s impressive to watch how the gondoliers steer the boat using their oar, and if you’re lucky, like us, you’ll get one that sings the whole way too. The kids also loved watching him duck under the low bridges! Floating on the bustling Grand Canal as motorboats zoomed by was undoubtedly an experience.
4. TAKE A WATER TAXI
There are a few ways to get to the island of Venice, mainly a train, bus or water taxi. I suggest the water taxi as it’s a great way to arrive into this canal city. The ferry terminal is at the airport, so it’s perfect for rolling your suitcases straight from the aeroplane onto the taxi. Be sure to find the nearest stop to your accommodation so you know where to get off. It’s a lot faster ride than a gondola, but the experience of entering the city this way is like no other!
5. SHOPPING
Part of the charm of Venice is wandering through the streets. To make it more interesting, there are plenty of interesting stores to peruse. Our kids loved the candy and chocolate shops; the Rubber Ducky store was a family favourite! Of course, the mask shops were popular too.
6. FOOD
Need I say more?? Italy is a great family destination as you can usually find something for even the pickiest eaters. Most restaurants supply free bread or savoury biscuits on the table, even before the meal has arrived. The portions are large, so we suggest ordering one meal for two children. Make sure you try seafood in Venice, as this is what the region is known for.
7. TREASURE HUNT
One fun, educational activity in Venice is going on a treasure hunt. It’s the perfect thing to encourage your children to walk around all day! We have created a free Treasure Hunt in Venice downloadable; simply print it off before you go! Your kids will love ticking off the list and feel a real sense of achievement.
8. EXPLORE LOCAL AREAS
Suppose you are feeling overwhelmed with tourists in Venice. In that case, I suggest heading to a quiet local area, finding an outdoor seat and watching the locals go by. We stayed in such an area and were surprised at how quiet and peaceful it was. Only when we rounded the corner to St Mark’s Square did we realise where all the tourists were! Here, we saw how groceries were delivered by boat to the supermarket every morning, how rubbish was collected and how the locals brought their boats inside a workshed to repair. A great educational experience!
9. GLASS BLOWING
Another iconic craft right at home in Venice is glass blowing. To see a glass-blowing demonstration is well worth the 50-minute trip to Murano. It’s an amazing technique that will keep your kids captivated. And don’t be afraid to buy a glass souvenir just because you think it won’t withstand the trip home. I had my heart set on a delicate Christmas tree ornament. They packed it so well that it made it all the way around Italy to Australia via Dubai without a break.
10. VISIT A BOOKSHOP
I love exploring bookshops wherever I am in the world, and there’s no shortage of interesting (and quirky!) bookstores in Venice! The most famous is the Librairie Acqua Alta, with bathtubs and gondolas stacked with books. It’s a great place to spend an hour or take some interesting photos.
There are our top 10 things to do in Venice with kids. Let us know your favourite or if you have any to add to the list!