Having lived in Venice for two years, I thought of giving tourists some advice on how to respect and enjoy this beautiful city. No “what to do” or “what to see”, at least not for now, just some common sense tips and personal opinions which I hope will be useful to someone.
Visit at least one museum
Having to pay for a ticket might be a repellent for people who are on a budget. After all, isn’t Venice itself an open-air museum? That is certainly true, but if you limit yourself to merely strolling around, you miss a major part of the city’s cultural and artistic legacy. From the historical Doge’s Palace to the modern Peggy Guggenheim Collection, there are many places that deserve your money and time. Like travelling, culture is one of those things that make you richer no matter how much you spend.
If you can walk, walk…
Water transportation can be quite expensive (unless you buy a pass, which I advise you to do if you plan to cover long distances or visit some island) and overcrowded, so walking is usually the best option. Just be prepared for your legs to hurt at the end of the day, after crossing all those bridges.
… but be respectful
Streets in Venice are not like regular streets. They are very narrow, some more than others, which makes it necessary to walk in a line. Stay on the right side of the street and try not to block the way if you have to stop. Bridges make no exception: I know you really want to take that picture with a cool background for your Instagram profile, but be mindful of people trying to make their way to work.
Do not leave trash around
This is a rule that might apply to any destination, but tourists are particularly tempted to ignore it in Venice since trash bins are so hard to find. Do your best to keep your trash with you until you find a bin, or try to reduce it altogether: Venice and the environment will thank you.
Eat local
In my opinion, it’s worth it to spend a little more and enjoy a warm meal in a nice place, instead of risking a fine by sitting on a monument to eat your bland sandwich (note that benches, like trash bins, are hard to find). Also, they do have McDonald’s here, but you’re in a country that’s world-renowned for its cuisine and it would be a shame not to make the best of it. Of course, beware of tourist traps that will overcharge you just for being a visitor. There are many “osterie” frequented by locals where you can find good deals and good food. There’s also no lack of cafés with cheap lunch offers and great homemade desserts.
Don’t try to bathe in the canals
I never thought I’d have to clarify this, but remember that the Lido is the only bathing site in Venice. Diving into a canal is in bad taste and dangerous for both your health and your wallet (you could and should be fined). If you’re feeling hot, read point one instead. Museums usually have air conditioning during Summer.
Beware of the birds
Firstly, you should know that feeding pigeons is forbidden in Venice and that they carry diseases. Secondly, both pigeons and their bigger, nastier relatives (seagulls) are a threat to your food. Be very careful with it if you’re around them, otherwise you may end up starving or even hurt. They’re merciless evil creatures.
Stay the night
You might have heard that from 2019 same-day visitors will have to pay and extra tax to access the city. This is not the right place to judge this initiative, but the fact that it will be implemented might be an incentive to choose a hotel on the island, even if it’s just for one night. You’ll still pay a tax, but it will be included in your hotel* bill, and you’ll avoid nervously rushing to the train station instead of enjoying a relaxed evening in Venice. Plus, no daylight experience compares to seeing St. Mark’s Square at night, when there’s no one around and the atmosphere is just magical.
*I’ve been speaking of hotels, but hostels and B&Bs are also an option. Just note that a certain B&B company is negatively affecting the city’s real estate economy, causing rents to raise and people to move to the mainland. Be mindful with your choice.
These are just a few things that I wish future visitors of Venice would take into account. If you have any comment or additional advice, please feel free to share!
The Travelling Robin 