In Love In (and With) Venice
Venice is one of the most romantic places on earth. Luckily, you don’t have to be Casanova to enjoy the romantic vacation of a lifetime in Italy’s most romantic city. With the right mix of culture and cliché, planning and spontaneity, you, too, can experience Venetian romance at its best.
Evening in Venice – just before the great storm / Photo by admin
Most Romantic Time of Year to Visit
Venice, or Venezia, as it’s known to the locals, has the best weather in late spring and early summer. Unfortunately, that also makes it the busiest, most crowded and most expensive time of year to go. Skip summer altogether, as the heat and the smell from the canals is decidedly unromantic. Autumn is a possible alternative as the weather cools and the crowds thin. However, it also marks the start of high water season which can sometimes be inconvenient – and wet. The best bargains and fewest crowds can be found during the winter, but be ready to bundle up since winters are indeed cold. On the bright side, snuggling up to keep warm can be very romantic.
Most Romantic Things to See and Do
While just about any activity can be romantic if you’re in love, there are certain things to see and do in Venice that are particularly romantic. From gondola rides to simply losing yourself in the city, the following is a list of the most romantic things to see and do in Venice:
Romantic evening in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin
Go for the Gondola
It may be cliché, but no romantic visit to Venezia is complete without a gondola ride. However, for the most romantic experience possible, it’s good to keep a few things in mind:
- Gondola rides can be expensive. Gondola fares are set, but do get more expensive at night or if they are booked through an agency or your hotel. They are also more expensive the longer they are (average is 40 minutes) or if your gondolier sings (not all do). The fare goes down significantly if you share your gondola with other riders, but that’s not terribly romantic.
- Venice is divided into six neighborhoods. For a more secluded (and possibly less expensive) ride, board a gondola in one of the less busy neighborhoods.
- If you simply cannot afford a gondola, try a traghetto instead. A traghetto is similar to a gondola (though not as romantic) and will take you across the Grand Canal for less than a dollar.
Evening in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin
Sunrise, Sunset
There are several things to do in Venice that are exponentially more romantic when done either at sunrise or at sunset. Here’s just a partial list of the best dawn and dusk has to offer:
- Walk the city at sunrise – While it may be hard to want to get out of bed before dawn, the effort is well worth it. The streets are quiet and empty as the locals are setting up for another gorgeous day. As sunlight begins to flood the city streets, grab a latte at a local café and relax as the city comes to life.
- St. Mark’s Square – This location is magical at both ends of the day. Travelers and romantics in the know recommend dancing in St. Mark’s Square at dawn as one of the most romantic things a couple can do in Venice. If it happens to be close to evening, climb Giotto’s Campanile (bell tower) for a stunning view of the city at sunset.
- Take a twilight photography tour – Walk the city’s most beautiful sites and photograph them while they’re bathed in romantic swatches of color and light. Make sure your tour includes the Bridge of Sighs, a romantic location in its own right.
Lost in Venice, Italy / Photo by admin
Touch a Heart
There is a street in Venice, Sotoportego dei Preti, where those seeking love can find a heart in an arched stone entryway between two houses. Sotoportego dei Preti might be hard to find but legend has it if you’re in a relationship and you touch the heart together, your love will last forever.
Venice is, in a word, romantic. Losing your map and losing yourself in the city is one of the most romantic things you can do. Let the city take you where it will and let your heart lead the way.
Contributing blogger Cora Righton lives for romance, having chased it down the streets of Italy for most of her adult life.
About Europe Explored
EuropeExplored.com serves as a resource of the very best travel destinations from within Europe, including natural attractions, cities, sights, museums, amusement and theme parks, and much much more. We hope that we can help you choose the best holiday destination for you, and ensure easier travel throughout Europe. If you have any questions, or suggestions, please comment below and We'll do our best to answer you.Subscribe
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to receive more just like it.
