Hi I am planning to visit Venice during a business trip to Milan. How much time should I plan for to have a quick glimps of the essence of the city? 1 day? 2 days? 3 days? Thanks.
Posted by
Elk Grove, CA, USA
6898 posts
There are people who post on this site who do day trips to Venice from Florence. What's a glimpse? I would suggest that to see and feel the essence of Venice, you would need 2 full days and 3 nights. This would give you enough time to see the best museums, walk the best streets and to travel to and fro on the vaporetto. Many will do more - many will do less.
Posted by
Portland, OR, USA
805 posts
Definitely spend at least one night, if not two or three, in Venice. Night is the best part. I will never forget dancing on St. Mark's square in the moonlight last summer.
Posted by
Bay Area
3551 posts
The last 2 trips I did 3 nights and 5 nights and I am ready for another 3 nights. so stay as long as you can afford. it will be worth it.
Posted by
jScotts Valley, California, USA
30 posts
Venice is a city that has to be savored not gulped. Best tasted after dark when most visitors have gone home. Give yourself enough time to wander and get lost there to experience the essence.
Posted by
nolongeravailable
102 posts
Michael,
First trip I took was 1 day on a cruise ship...sad sad sad barely saw anything
2nd trip 3 nights saw all primary tourist sites essentially the important items were covered.
It was a quick inhalation of a bellini and zoom!
3rd trip 4 nights, Burano, Murano, Torcello, roamed farther out covered all nieghboorhoods...
Relaxed over the most exquisite plate of gnocchi on Burano, cruised the Grand Canal appreciating each building without wishing the vaporetto could go faster because I had so much to see.
I can now honestly say I have done Venice. I dont need to go back, but I would still love to go back
Just because people do a day trip, or Rick Steves says how quick you should do it doesnt mean thats the way it should be done!
Buon Viaggio
Posted by
Bentonville, Arkansas, USA
10 posts
Stay in Venice as long as you can. My 1st trip was two days, next year went with one friend in flat for 10 days, 2 years later to Venice flat with 4 friends for 10 days, this year with husband for 9 nights. Use Venice as a train connection base for Ferrara, Bologna, Venezia, Padua etc. and return to the city which most tourists left before sundown.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
I think nights are the best.
Depending on your preferred pace, you can see a lot of the city's tourist sites in one day, another day to explore some of the nearby islands.
Nights are great for wandering, finding that hidden gem cafe, window shopping, dancing in St. Marks or just wandering along quiet canals. With limited time, two nights will give you a good taste of Venice.