7 Excellent Reasons to Visit Venice, The Floating City

Venice is one of Italy’s most visited destinations, a captivating city crisscrossed by ancient waterways. Old buildings and grand palaces rise from the water, adding to the timeless feel of the place. Blending history, art and culture with a good dose of delectable food and drink, it’s somewhere that should be on everyone’s bucket list. No trip to Italy is complete without visiting this city, and our travel experts at Plum Guide are here to show you why. Take a look at our top reasons to visit Venice.
Venice’s most defining feature is its network of canals. Winding their way through the city, these waterways function as roads, transporting people, goods and services around the city. The best way to explore is with a traditional gondola ride. Be sure to choose a private ride for the best experience. Although it’s more expensive, it’s an excellent way to see the more hidden parts of the city compared to the public vaporetto or water bus.
There are around 150 canals in the city, but the largest and most famous is the Grand Canal, which forms a 4-kilometre-long ‘S’ through Venice’s historic centre. It’s lined with centuries-old palaces, many dating from the 13th and the 18th centuries. They were home to Venice’s rich and noble families who constantly wanted to outdo one another, resulting in an impressive display of architecture and artistry. Spanning the Grand Canal are four famous bridges, including the iconic Rialto Bridge. This marvellous landmark once played an important role in connecting the political district of Saint Mark’s with the economic community of San Polo.
Island hopping
There are over 100 islands in Venice, separated by canals and linked by bridges – sometimes, you’re not even aware you’re crossing between them. Each of these islands has its own distinct character, providing plenty of things to see and do. There are several ways to island hop between them, whether you get around on the waterbus, hire a water taxi or charter a private boat.
One of the most interesting islands to visit is Murano, known for its glassmaking tradition that dates back to the 13th century. Watch the craftsmen in action at the many workshops and pick up a few vases, chandeliers and sculptures to take home – these glass creations make one-of-a-kind souvenirs. Burano is also worth a stop if you’re interested in arts and crafts. The island has a long history of lace-making, and as well as visiting the Lace Museum, be sure to browse the shops for products like handkerchiefs, doilies and tablecloths. For something completely different, why not enjoy a beach day on Lido? This 11-kilometre sandbar is best known for hosting the Venice Film Festival but also has sunkissed beaches to relax on.