arriving there at 14h and leaving 15h on the next day (the plane leaves 18h50 but i figure i'll need to head to the airport around 15h?). it's not a lot of time, everyone says venices requires 2-3 days. but that's the time i have. it's very early in june and on a friday/saturday. i thought about seeing the main sights in the first day (basilica di san marco, doge, ponte del sospiri, etc). they are all close together. and using the last day to get lost in the streets in the morning (waking up very early and being outside at dawn), then relax before heading to the airport. is this enough to have a good time in venice? anything else i should do (or don't do)? i don't care about the overpriced gondola rides or glass production. thanks
Posted by
Bellevue, WA, USA
811 posts
save doge's on your 2nd day but be the first in line to get in, otherwise you could spend lot of time waiting to get in, waiting in line to see things, etc.
Posted by
Santa Cruz
186 posts
You will want to return! The top of the Campanile will give you a breathtaking overview of Venice. Also, a ride to the
airport on the alilaguana ferry (check on Saturday times) would be a memorable last look at a beautiful city.
Posted by
Bainbridge Island
3131 posts
I think it is best to visit St Marks first thing in the morning when the line is shortest. Get up early your second day, wander, then end up at St. marks about 15 minutes before opening. Be sure to go up on the balcony.
Posted by
Midland, NC, USA
7 posts
I found this on R.S site for planning your time in Venice. It's very helpful! http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/italy/venice3.htm
Posted by
Fontainebleau, France
893 posts
Plan where you stay carefully. You don't want to lose a lot of time getting to/from your hotel/airport. That said, I would recommend after arrival, getting to the train station area and taking the #1 Vaporetto for a 45min Grand Canal ride (like in RS book). End at St. Mark's. If the line isn't long - go in. Souvenir shopping/wandering and dinner after. Night time ride on Vaporetto or if there's stuff going on in St. Mark's you can do that. Next morning - get up early, be sure to take a Traghetto to cross the Grand Canal and get to the Doge's Palace for opening. I think St. Mark's opens before the Palace, so you can go there if you didn't the other morning. If you want to go out in style, arrange for a water taxi (approx. 110€). It is quite the experience, and will save you time as it can be as little as 15 minutes to the airport from some parts of the city.
Posted by
Kennesaw, GA, United States
74 posts
For me, the best parts of Venice weren't the tourist things like the Doge's Palace or the art museums, but instead riding the vaporettos, enjoying a place so different from where I come from. I had more fun wandering and stopping for a coffee than I ever would have had queueing to go in yet another cathedral.