3 Days Exploring Venice, A Personal Travel Story
- Amy
- Jul 2
- 14 min read
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We landed in Venice close to midnight. A taxi picked us up from the airport and dropped us at the city’s edge. From there, we boarded a boat that took us into the heart of Venice, our first real glimpse of the city. It was dead silent. All I could see were the silhouettes of houses lining the canals, with moonlight dancing on the still water. It felt surreal. Our boatsman greeted us, and we loaded our luggage like a hush-hush mafia crew sneaking out in the dead of night. The ride through the narrow canals toward our hotel, Hotel Kette, was fascinating in haunting quiet of midnight Venice. We passed quiet back entrances of homes and hotels, most with a single door leading to a long, dark corridor. Some had small patios with neatly arranged chairs, but everything was eerily dark and still. I couldn’t help but wonder, what does this city look like in the light of day?
“Venice bhi Mumbai ka Dharavi hi lagta hai.” That cheeky line from Ranbir Kapoor in Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani never really left my head. It made me curious....how could a dreamy, postcard-perfect place like Venice be compared to Dharavi, one of Asia’s largest and most misunderstood neighborhoods? Dharavi, after all, is the heartbeat of Mumbai, dense, chaotic, and full of character. Was it the narrow lanes, the maze-like layout, or something deeper that drew the comparison? I had to see it for myself. Here’s how Venice unfolded for me - 3 Days Exploring Venice, A Personal Travel Story.
Table of Contents: 3 Days Exploring Venice, A Personal Travel Story
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Where is Venice and How to Get There?
If you look at a map of Italy, Venice sits tucked away in the northeast corner, right on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. The closest airport to fly into is Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), but you could also land in Milan Malpensa Airport, which is about a 3.5–4 hour drive from Venice. That alone might make you wonder, is it really worth making the trek all the way to Venice? I was on the fence too. But in the end, I thought...romantic gondola rides, canals winding through the city, singing gondoliers... I mean, it’s the stuff dreams are made of! So why not?
Do You Need a Car in Venice?
When it comes to Venice, you definitely don’t need a car. In fact, cars aren’t allowed in the city center at all. You either walk or take water taxis, vaporettos (public ferries), or private boats. Honestly, for most of Italy, you can get by without a car if you’re sticking to the big cities. But if you do have one, it makes road-tripping between cities super convenient and scenic—especially if you're the type who likes to stop at cute little towns or off-the-beaten-path spots. Just keep in mind, car rentals can get pricey during peak tourist season.
Glide into Venice in style with this shared water taxi from Marco Polo Airport. It’s a scenic, affordable way to reach your hotel via the city’s iconic canals. Book Here.
Best Time to Explore Venice
We went in July, which meant full-blown summer and crowds galore. It's hot, it's busy, but it also means everything's open, buzzing, and at its most lively. If I had to pick the best time to visit Venice, I’d go with spring, it’s officially my new favorite! The weather’s just right, with temperatures in the comfy mid-20s, everything’s open, and best of all, I’m not melting in a hotel without AC. Walking around with a cool breeze on my face beats baking under the scorching summer sun any day.
April to June is usually the sweet spot for Italy, but heads up, in recent years, even late June has started hitting 40°C-plus, so things are definitely warming up!
Where did we stay?
Hotel Kette made a great first impression. The check-in was smooth, the lobby elegant. But the room? That was a bit of a letdown. The layout was long and narrow, with very high ceilings. The windows opened almost directly into another building, meaning no view and no privacy, so the curtains stayed closed most of the time. The furnishings tried to be luxurious, but the overall vibe felt dark and a little claustrophobic.
We were too tired to dwell on it. We munched on leftover snacks and crashed for the night. Morning brought disappointment number two: breakfast. The so-called dining area was more like a pantry; tiny, cramped, and completely underwhelming. The menu was minimal and cold, supermarket-style croissants, cornflakes, white bread with butter and jam. No hot items, no variety, nothing to get excited about. We quietly ate what we could, already planning to find a real Italian café for brunch.
I would highly recommend the below hotels for your stay in Venice:
Hotel Rialto - Location, location, location! It's literally right next to the Rialto Bridge, one of the most iconic landmarks in Venice. Many rooms and the breakfast terrace open up to grand views of the Grand Canal and the bridge itself! Typical price range is mid-range (€150–€300).
Hotel Monaco & Grand Canal - This is a 4-star luxury hotel with stunning views of the Grand Canal. Typical price range spans from mid-range to upscale.
Palazzo Cendon Piano Antico is a boutique hotel in a restored 15th-century Gothic palace by the Cannaregio Canal, just a short walk from Venice Santa Lucia station. Pay roughly €80–€160 per night at this charming historic hotel.
Hotel Al Malcanton is a cozy, family-run hotel in Venice’s quiet Dorsoduro district. €110–€160 per night is a good ballpark!
Day 1: St. Mark's Square and Basilica and Doge's Palace
Our first destination that day was Doge’s Palace, so we packed our bags with water bottles, sunscreen, and slipped into walking shoes. As we walked toward St. Mark’s Square, Venice finally began to reveal its charm. And then the Dharavi comparison started to make a little more sense, not in terms of poverty, but in terms of layout. The narrow alleys, the aged buildings with moss creeping up from the canals, and the way the city seemed to rise out of water.
As we entered St. Mark’s Square, I was floored. It’s a large open space surrounded by grand buildings: St. Mark’s Basilica, the tall Campanile (bell tower), the Museo Correr (museum that shows the history and art of Venice, with old paintings, sculptures, and artifacts), and of course, Doge’s Palace. The square had a peaceful, almost cinematic vibe. People were sipping coffee and Aperol Spirtz at terraced cafés, pigeons fluttering about, and street musicians filling the air with soft tunes. We took plenty of pictures and headed to Doge’s Palace.
Doge's Palace lies directly adjacent to St. Mark’s Basilica and facing the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront promenade. The palace is famous for its stunning Venetian Gothic architecture, beautiful pink-and-white marble façade, and rich history as the home of the Doge (Venice’s ruler) and government center. Visitors typically enter the palace through the Porta del Frumento (Grain Gateway), located on the waterfront side. This entrance leads directly into the grand courtyard. Here’s where things got a little annoying. Even though we had pre-booked tickets, we still had to queue to get inside. Once in, we were handed audio guides to explore the palace. The palace is huge, spanning four levels, each showing different sides of Venetian history.
We wandered through grand staircases which led to gilded halls. Once such masterpiece was the Great Council Hall, which features massive paintings by Tintoretto and Veronese. The rooms filled with historic artifacts, and incredible ceiling frescoes. Check out the Armoury, a fascinating collection of old weapons and armour. Each floor offered something special: political chambers, the Doge’s private quarters, the prison cells, and the famous Bridge of Sighs connecting the palace to the old prison. Sadly, the prison was closed for restoration during our visit, so we couldn’t explore the cells or passageways inside, only see the Bridge of Sighs from the outside. But even without that, the palace was incredible.
Doge’s Palace timings:
1 April – 31 October: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (last admission at 6:00 PM)
1 November – 31 March: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (last admission at 5:00 PM) .
Full price ticket: €30 (if bought online at least 30 days in advance)
Reduced price ticket: €15 (for children 6–14, students 15–25, seniors over 65, and certain card holders)
Combined Tickets:
St. Mark’s Square Museums Ticket (includes Doge’s Palace, Museo Correr, and others): €30 full price or €25 if bought online 30 days early
Museum Pass (access to multiple museums for 6 months): €40 full or €22 reduced
Audio guide: €5 extra
After the palace, we visited St. Mark’s Basilica nearby. Entry is free but expect long lines. The basilica’s golden mosaics, marble floors, and domed ceilings are breathtaking inside and out. Don’t miss climbing up to the balcony for great views of the square. Inside, the shimmering golden mosaics shouldn't be missed! And the Pala d’Oro altar piece, covered in gold and jewels, is a highlight. There’s also a treasury and museum showing religious relics and artifacts (small extra fee).
St. Mark’s Basilica timings:
Open daily from 9:30 AM to 5:15 PM
On Sundays and religious holidays, it opens around 2 PM after mass.
After wrapping up all our sightseeing on Day 1, we treated ourselves to dinner at Ristorante da Raffaele, a canal-side fine dining spot in Venice. It turned out to be the most expensive meal of our entire trip, and we felt every euro of it! But to be fair, the food was absolutely impeccable, especially the seafood. The pasta with scampi and the truffle pasta were both exceptional.
One thing to note: like most restaurants in Italy, there's a “coperto” (cover charge), but here it wasn’t just a couple of euros. It was significantly more than we expected and definitely added to the bill.
Still, sitting by the canal, enjoying beautifully plated food in that romantic Venetian setting? Kind of hard to beat.
Day 2: Rialto Bridge, Shopping at Mercerie & Gondola Dreams Come True
This was the day I had been looking forward to the most, gliding through the Grand Canal in a gondola, guided by a singing gondolier through peaceful alleys and under charming little bridges. But before I get into that magical sunset moment, let me first take you through how the day unfolded.
We started our day just wandering through the streets of Venice, no fixed plans, no guided tours, just soaking it all in. One of the places I was really curious to see was the iconic Rialto Bridge. Once we reached, we stood there for a while, taking in the view. From the top of the Rialto Bridge, you get a sweeping look at the Grand Canal. The canal runs in an S-shape from the Santa Lucia train station to St. Mark’s Basin and is a major waterway that connects the city’s neighborhoods and carries everything from people to produce.
About 20 to 30 minutes from the Rialto Bridge, we wandered toward the quieter side of Venice and came across the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. I’m not really into modern art, but the building itself, a beautiful old palazzo right on the Grand Canal, was definitely worth seeing. Next, we visited the Gallerie dell’Accademia. If you're an art connoisseur, you'll be blown away by the huge, detailed paintings that potrays Venice’s history. But the moment that truly stuck with me was standing in front of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. Its grand white dome glowing in the sun, right where the Grand Canal meets the sea, was simply unforgettable.
Then we returned to Rialto Bridge and just a short walk from the, we headed into the lively shopping streets of Mercerie. This is where you’ll find a great mix, from high-end Italian brands like Prada, Gucci, and Bottega Veneta to local souvenir shops like L'Isola for handcrafted Venetian masks and Murano glass trinkets. Mom-in-law and I weren’t looking to splurge, but we were definitely in the mood for some window shopping and browsing. It was the perfect way to chill before we broke for lunch.
Did you know Venetian masks go way back to the 13th century? They were used during Carnival so people could hide who they were, no matter rich or poor, everyone could join the fun without anyone knowing. Now they’re super detailed and beautiful, a big part of Venice’s vibe.
And Pinocchio? That wooden puppet with a growing nose is a huge deal here too, since the story was written by an Italian guy, Carlo Collodi, back in the 1800s. You’ll see lots of Pinocchio puppets around, totally part of the local culture and fun for tourists! |
We stopped for a late lunch at Campo San Polo (5 minute walk from Rialto Bridge), one of the biggest and most open squares in Venice. It had a relaxed, local vibe with kids playing, a few locals sitting on benches, and cafés lining the square that were perfect for a quiet break. We grabbed a table at a small restaurant Osteria al Ponte “La Patatina” and ordered pasta and wine, and just enjoyed watching the slow rhythm of Venetian life.
After walking around Venice for hours, we came across SUSO Gelatoteca, a small gelato shop located close to Rialto bridge, that had a queue that seemed to never cease. It smelled amazing. We couldn’t resist getting an Amorino-styled cone with two scoops, one chocolate and one lemon (based on popularity). It was cold, creamy, and just what we needed for instagram ! However, if you’d rather like a more authentic, family run place, then try Gelateria Ca’ d’Oro right by the Ca’ d’Oro Palace on the Grand Canal.
The sun was setting, and it was time for that magical moment. The gondoliers showed up in their classic striped shirts and straw hats, and the gondolas themselves looked so artistic, sleek, polished, with gold accents and cushy seats.
We queued up for a gondola ride near Ristorante da Raffaele, and once it was our turn, the four of us settled in comfortably on the plush red-and-gold seats. Our gondolier didn’t speak much English, but he was super friendly and full of charm. As we set off, people paused on the bridge above to snap photos. We floated past quiet homes with flower-filled windows and worn, centuries-old walls. As we drifted through the peaceful Rio dei Barcaroli and Rio dell’Alboro canals, it hit us, hardly anyone actually lives here anymore. Most of these buildings have been turned into Airbnbs or boutique hotels, a sign of how tourism now drives much of the city. We passed moss-covered walls and old stone bridges that still stand strong, untouched by time. It was amazing to see how Venice has held on to its charm without giving in to modern upgrades. Eventually, the gondola left the shaded back canals and made a dramatic entry into the wide, sunlit stretch of the Grand Canal.
On the Grand Canal, you can see beautiful old buildings like Ca' d'Oro, known for its fancy gold decorations. There’s also Palazzo Barbarigo with colorful glass decorations, Ca' Rezzonico, a grand old palace, and Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, where the Peggy Guggenheim art collection is. Seeing these historic buildings from the gondola is truly a special way to enjoy Venice’s beauty.
But the ride is pricey. A 30-minute gondola costs about €80 during the day and up to €120 in the evening. Singing gondoliers cost extra (€30–40), and it’s cash only.
Still, we went for it. Our ride was peaceful and romantic, especially as we slipped into quieter canals where the city’s noise faded into the gentle splash of water.
Where to catch a gondola:
Near Rialto Bridge
By St. Mark’s Square
Campo Santa Sofia (to cross the Grand Canal)
Gondola ride timings: Typically 9 AM to 9 PM, sometimes later in peak season.
Tips:
Always agree on the price and ride length before you get in.
Private rides (up to 5 people) have fixed rates, sharing saves money.
For a cheaper option, try the traghetto, a short gondola ferry locals use to cross for just €2–3.
Day 3: Murano and Burano Day Trip
Murano and Burano, just saying the names makes my toes wiggle with excitement! These two island villages, just a short ferry ride from Venice, are an absolute must-do. Murano is famous for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition, while Burano is a burst of color with postcard-perfect houses and charming canals.
We were practically bouncing with excitement as we boarded our ferry at Fondamente Nove to head to Murano. Since it's the closer of the two islands, Murano is always the first stop. The ride took about 20 minutes, and the cool summer breeze from the speeding boat was just what we needed to shake off the morning heat.
Murano is world-renowned for its glassmaking, a craft dating back to the 13th century. Back then, glassmakers were moved from Venice to Murano to prevent fire hazards in the main city. Over time, Murano glass became a symbol of luxury and craftsmanship, known for intricate designs, elegance, and innovation. We stopped at the Museo del Vetro (Glass Museum), which beautifully showcases the history and artistry of Murano glass, from grand vases to tiny, intricately decorated figurines. I was so tempted to buy one of those Murano vases, but wow, they cost a fortune! We also visited a working Murano glass factory to catch a live glassblowing demonstration. Kiu and Arya were absolutely mesmerized. It was like watching that glassblowing show on Netflix come alive for them. Pure fascination!
Before heading to Burano, we grabbed lunch at Approdo Pizzeria Ristorante in Murano. It’s located right on the canal, just a few steps from the ferry dock. The views were picture-perfect, colorful buildings all around, boats bobbing on the water, and pizzas that hit the spot.
Our next stop was Burano, and as soon as we stepped off the ferry, and as soon as we stepped off the ferry, it felt like walking straight into a coloring from my school days,solid primary colors everywhere. I mean, holy moly, the colors were unreal! Every house is painted a different bold shade, and the whole island has this playful, joyful vibe. It’s clearly kept polished for tourists, but it still feels real, charming, and full of life. The streets were colorfully adorned with ice cream parlours, open-air restaurants, and shops selling authentic Italian souvenirs.
Burano is also known for its lace-making tradition. Amma got super nostalgic here, she kept mentioning the lace curtains she bought from Burano back in the day when she sailed with Appa to Venice. It was sweet hearing her memories come alive in the same place, years later.
Final Thoughts: Is Venice Worth It?
That’s how Venice unfolded for me. To be clear, Venice is nothing like Dharavi in living conditions. There are no slums and certainly no signs of poverty. The canals, though rumored to be dirty, weren’t stinking at all. In fact, boatsmen have been actively cleaning the canals in recent years. So the comparison is more symbolic. Both places are iconic in their own right, full of complex histories, tightly packed architecture, and an unmistakable energy. But honestly, likening Venice to Dharavi risks trivializing both. Dharavi is not just a slum; it represents a microcosm of Mumbai. full of hard work, community, and innovation. Venice, on the other hand, is a floating museum trying to balance tourism with tradition.
It wasn’t perfect, the hotel was disappointing, breakfast was worse, and some tourist hassles got old fast. But between the quiet canals, magical boat rides, historic wonders, and moments of real awe, it was unforgettable.
Would I go back? Absolutely.
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Venice has my heart.. Such an amazing place full of life and character.. Loved it and I would go back in a heartbeat as well.. 😊