Venice, Burano & Murano. Italy
Some people say Venice is overrated. For me, nothing of the sort — there’s a reason so many people go. I thought it was a beautiful place, gorgeous to walk through the little streets and canals — everything about it felt magical.
Time of Year I Visited
I went at the end of April. A tank top was fine during the day, but I needed a light jacket at night — it got a bit colder once the sun went down.
Worth knowing: Venice gets acqua alta (seasonal high tide flooding) mainly between October and January, so if you’re visiting then, pack waterproof boots and check the forecast.
Did I Feel Safe?
I felt safe overall, but there are some dark spaces I made a point of avoiding.
Where I Stayed
Hotel da Bruno: I got bed fleas during my stay and when I raised it with the property, they didn’t even acknowledge the complaint. It’s a shame, because even though the rooms were super tiny, it had a good location.
What’s Worth Doing
Dorsoduro neighbourhood: Similar to San Marco, but more modern, bigger, and more spacious to walk around in.
Chiesa di San Pantalon: Free to enter, and the ceiling painting is extraordinary. You can’t skip this one.
Teatro La Fenice: I found it gorgeous inside — I took a thousand photos because it was just insane how beautiful it was.
Libreria Acqua Alta: A bookstore near Piazza San Marco that keeps its books inside gondolas and bathtubs — a flood-prevention measure, since the area floods regularly during acqua alta. It’s become one of the most photographed spots in the city, and it’s easy to see why.
For the Sunset Lovers: I went to watch the sunset from the area around Fondamenta delle Zattere ai Gesuati, near Ponte Longo, in the Dorsoduro neighbourhood — facing the Giudecca canal. The view was beautiful, and it’s much less crowded than other sunset spots in the city.
The Gondola Ride: I booked a 30-minute gondola ride through Civitatis — shared with other people, five of us on the boat in total. I thought it was a great option: I paid €39.50. If you want something more personalised, just you or you and one other person, it’s closer to €80-90, since the price applies to the whole boat regardless of how many people are on it.
Burano & Murano: I took a ferry from Venice to visit both in the same day. I decided to go to Burano first thing in the morning because it’s more Instagrammable and I wanted fewer people around for photos — by midday it starts filling up. Intensely coloured houses, a waterfront that looks unreal — I genuinely fell in love with Burano. The best thing to do is get lost in its little streets, grab a coffee, and just look around. It’s beautiful.
I went to Murano in the afternoon. Personally I felt it was smaller, and what there was to see came down to the Murano glass pieces (I bought some thinking of my grandfather, who loved those things) and at least one glassblowing demonstration. Most of these are free, but there’s a former church — The Glass Cathedral (Ex Chiesa di Santa Chiara) — a paid venue where they put on a kind of show: a man makes about three large pieces while you watch. I got myself a little glass of champagne and sat through it — felt like a good option. If you don’t want to spend, there are other places that show you for free.
What I Ate
We all know gelato in Italy is something special, and I have two spots worth trying.
Suso: Try the Olimpia flavour.
Gelateria Gallonetto: I went here because there was always a long line — and when there’s a long line, it’s usually because the product is good. Try the tiramisù flavour, it’s insane.
Bar all’Arco: I tried cicchetti here — the small Venetian snacks, usually served on little pieces of bread, that you eat alongside a spritz. They were good, but what I really loved was something else they had — a kind of fried empanada filled with cheese. That was fantastic.
Terrazza Sommariva: They supposedly have a pasta made inside one of those giant wheels of cheese. The food itself was just okay, but the waiters made the experience — they invited me to watch them prepare the pasta inside the giant wheel of parmesan, told me to film it, take photos, and one of them even fed me a bite of tiramisù. They made it really fun, and even though I was alone, it all felt respectful — more like they included me in the show because I was solo. I had a great time.
For the Gym Rats
I went to Power Gym Venice. It’s small, but it does the job — has some decent machines, and you can get a day pass. Good vibe at the entrance.
Things to Consider
There’s an access fee for visiting Venice now. It applies between early April and late July, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays within that window (not every single day). If you’re staying overnight in a hotel, you don’t have to pay it — your accommodation already covers the city’s tourist tax. The fee only applies to day-trippers: around €5 if you register at least 4-5 days ahead, €10 if you book closer to your visit. Worth checking the official calendar and registering early if you’re only visiting for the day.
How Long Did I Stay?
3 days. I feel like Venice deserves more time than people give it — a lot of people go and come back in the same day, and I don’t think you really get to enjoy and see everything it has to offer that way.
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