Looking for the best hotspots in Venice?
Venice is a very special city. Very touristy, but not less attractive because of that. Whenever you have the chance to travel to this magic city, just embrace it and enjoy the beautiful view. Just don’t expect to see a hotspot on every corner there ;-). I really like cities that are situated at the waterfront. To do everything by water taxi in Venice is probably the best part about it!
The outlook of the city is a crisscross of laneways with luxury shops, restaurants, and gellaterias. Looking out from one of the many small bridges you can spot lovebirds stepping into a gondola to cruise the Grand Canal. It’s a super touristy thing to do but still.. next time when I visit Venice with my love I certainly want to do the same thing :-). Although maybe I should go for a speedboat trip instead!
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Not long ago I was in Venice for 36 hours to visit a photo exhibition of Sebastiao Delgado, which will be still there till September 2015 at the San Marco square. For illy he specially made beautiful photos about life on coffee plantations in for example Tanzania, India and Indonesia.
In this mini Venice city guide I will show you my favourite discoveries of the city!
design hotels in Venice
Nice hotels in Venice are: Bauer Hotel with a nice club, Generator Hostel for affordable luxury and the luxury JW Marriott Venice Resort for the best view over the water and the city from the infinity pool. I stayed there and would definitely go back one day!
Coffee in Venice
At Florian it feels like you’re going back in time. This coffee bar exists since 1720! It reminded me of the coffeehouses in Vienna. Classic with Italian grandeur. You will find Florian close to the San Marco square. Super touristy so you will find it in every guidebook around, but that makes sense. A place where you will enjoy your espresso for sure!
Here is where you go shopping in Venice
A nice concept store in the city centre is LOFT from Ottico Fabbricatore. Or go to oddities Officina Veneziana where you can buy pretty much everything you want. From dried starfish to ceramics.
For the luxury brands of Venice you have to go to the streets in the neighbourhood of Calla Larga XXII Marzo, Mercerie and in the neighbourhood of the Rialto bridge. Nice for window shopping too ;-).
Street art in Venice
You maybe wouldn’t expect it in Venice but you will find a lot of street art here. Most of the art work are small stencils which have been sprayed on the centuries-old city walls in a fling. But if you start looking for them, you will find them in the newer alleyways as well!
Eating ice cream in Venice
What is more thrilling than enjoying a homemade ice cream on a warm summers day? In Venice you will find a lot of gellatarias with ice cream in all sorts of flavours. I’m in love with pistachio ice cream! You will understand that I couldn’t resist the temptation ;-). One of the best ice salons of the city is La Mela Verde!
The hipster suburb of Venice
Don’t expect too much hipness in Venice ;-). But as soon as you start walking more out of the city centre you will be surprised by the authentic Italian vibe. A neighbourhood that I can recommend to visit is Cannaregio, here you will find the nicest neighbourhood restaurants (Osteria’s) and you will find yourself being with the locals!
Apperitivo in Venice!
A new hotspot in Venice is wine bar and restaurant Estro. Only 20 minutes walking distance from the San Marco square and certainly worthwhile visiting! A nice spot for an apperitivo when you are in Venice!
Good restaurants in Venice
One of my best discoveries in Venice is Venissa. A vineyard in the city, with a hotel, osteria and restaurant in an industrial setting (see photo below).
In the suburb Cannaregio you will find a lot of different restaurants. Not too trendy, but certainly with a good vibe! My favourite spots are: Torrefazione Cannaregio, Al Timon, Osteria Anice Stellato and Paradiso Perduto.
Or go to Corte Sconta for a nice long dinner night.
My 36 hours in Venice was for a coffee trip through Italy with illy. An amazing journey where I learned all about the real espresso. Read the full story of that coffee trip here!
Tip: are you an Italy lover? Check also our city guides about Milan, Florence and Rome.
Venice Travel Tips
>> KLM flies from € 119,- from Amsterdam to Venice. Check here for the lowest fares.
