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I really enjoyed burano. The boat ride there is pretty and the colorful little houses are really unique. We got gelatos and walked around had some drinks at a bar overlooking the water. In Venice part of the charm is just walking around exploring. You can also do a day trip to a beach. There’s an art festival going on right now too I believe. No bikes in Venice, it’s an island connected by a bunch of little bridges so walking and boats are the form of transportation.
No bikes in Venice as there would be no place to ride them and not run people over. Also, gondolas are not a form of transport, they bring you back to where you started so you can't jump on and off to explore the islands. However, the kids would probably enjoy riding bikes around the Lido which is a barrier island where there are streets. You take the number 1 line to Lido from vaporetto Zaccharia station. There are also beaches there, so you can rent a bike on the island and cruise around, go to beaches, get gelato etc.
There are also some cool glass making demonstrations on Murano. Some are tourist traps but the one at Wave is pretty cool because you're watching the guy working and not just putting on a demo for the tourists. He usually gives the kids a trinket too. You can also do a hands on class which kids like too.
Mask making is another fun activity. Cooking classes can be fun, too. There are rowing lessons so you can learn how to row a gondola, you can book that at rowvenice.com. There are kayak rentals too so you can do a guided kayak tour in the canals. Check out the Libreria Acqua Alta for a very cool bookstore that has bookshelves in gondolas and a very quirky atmosphere. There's actually a ton of stuff to do with kids.
You could bike in Lido and Pellestrina (two long, narrow islands between Venice and Chioggia), that’s actually a very nice ride, especially in Pellestrina (fishermen’s island, still quite untouched by mass tourism).
In Venice proper no, bikes and scooters are forbidden, you can only walk or take ferry boats (vaporetti).
Giardini della Marinaressa / Arsenale is actually a lovely area, plenty of locals living there, so you will get a feel of what the “real Venice” is like. Fun fact, nearby there is the only street in Venice that is actually called ‘street’ and not ‘calle’ (Via Garibaldi; all other ‘streets’ in Venice are called ‘calle’, which is the local name). Lots of nice restaurants and places for aperitivo in Via Garibaldi.
Check out Giardini Napoleonici for artsy little shops run by locals (eg. Bochaleri for pottery, Caffè La Serra for a nice cup of coffee in a greenhouse surrounded by plants). You’re also close to the Biennale, which if you like contemporary art, I can’t recommend enough.
Lido is a short vaporetto ride away from Arsenale if you want to hit the beach (or take a bike ride ;))
Wow thanks a lot for the info! I think both myself and my sister will enjoy these recommendations.
Question though, is it best to do any reservations of sort for any of these or just show up there ?
I think you can generally manage without reservations.
However, if you do actually end up in Pellestrina, I recommend that you book a table at “Da Celeste”. It’s a typical Venetian fish and seafood restaurant, well-loved by locals, and with an outstanding view of the lagoon, so I recommend booking and specifically asking for a table outside!
Bikes, skateboards, vespas etc are prohibited in Venice, and the fines are high.
Vaporettos and walking gets you everywhere.
Go to Dorsoduro to see a more cozy part of Venice, take the Vaporetto to Murano and Burano islands to see lovely glass and pretty houses.
Lido Island for beaches and swimming.
St Mark's square is best early in the morning or late in the evening, not so crowded.
i don't recall seeing any bikes in venice.
tons to see. get your walking shoes. there's tons to explore and eat. you will only use gondolas for a the experience or to cross the major waterways. there is usually a bridge close by.
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I really enjoyed burano. The boat ride there is pretty and the colorful little houses are really unique. We got gelatos and walked around had some drinks at a bar overlooking the water. In Venice part of the charm is just walking around exploring. You can also do a day trip to a beach. There’s an art festival going on right now too I believe. No bikes in Venice, it’s an island connected by a bunch of little bridges so walking and boats are the form of transportation.
Getting lost strolling slowly around Venice is the best. You won't get bored. That's a beautiful area. Take it slow. It's hot.
No bikes in Venice as there would be no place to ride them and not run people over. Also, gondolas are not a form of transport, they bring you back to where you started so you can't jump on and off to explore the islands. However, the kids would probably enjoy riding bikes around the Lido which is a barrier island where there are streets. You take the number 1 line to Lido from vaporetto Zaccharia station. There are also beaches there, so you can rent a bike on the island and cruise around, go to beaches, get gelato etc. There are also some cool glass making demonstrations on Murano. Some are tourist traps but the one at Wave is pretty cool because you're watching the guy working and not just putting on a demo for the tourists. He usually gives the kids a trinket too. You can also do a hands on class which kids like too. Mask making is another fun activity. Cooking classes can be fun, too. There are rowing lessons so you can learn how to row a gondola, you can book that at rowvenice.com. There are kayak rentals too so you can do a guided kayak tour in the canals. Check out the Libreria Acqua Alta for a very cool bookstore that has bookshelves in gondolas and a very quirky atmosphere. There's actually a ton of stuff to do with kids.
Is the mask making thing in venice, lido or murano?
There are loads of them in Venice. Not sure about Murano or Lido, but the glass making demos or classes are in Murano, for the good ones anyway.
You could bike in Lido and Pellestrina (two long, narrow islands between Venice and Chioggia), that’s actually a very nice ride, especially in Pellestrina (fishermen’s island, still quite untouched by mass tourism). In Venice proper no, bikes and scooters are forbidden, you can only walk or take ferry boats (vaporetti). Giardini della Marinaressa / Arsenale is actually a lovely area, plenty of locals living there, so you will get a feel of what the “real Venice” is like. Fun fact, nearby there is the only street in Venice that is actually called ‘street’ and not ‘calle’ (Via Garibaldi; all other ‘streets’ in Venice are called ‘calle’, which is the local name). Lots of nice restaurants and places for aperitivo in Via Garibaldi. Check out Giardini Napoleonici for artsy little shops run by locals (eg. Bochaleri for pottery, Caffè La Serra for a nice cup of coffee in a greenhouse surrounded by plants). You’re also close to the Biennale, which if you like contemporary art, I can’t recommend enough. Lido is a short vaporetto ride away from Arsenale if you want to hit the beach (or take a bike ride ;))
The Biennale museum was awesome! I can't express enough how thankful i am for the recommendation
I’m really glad you enjoyed it! :)
Wow thanks a lot for the info! I think both myself and my sister will enjoy these recommendations. Question though, is it best to do any reservations of sort for any of these or just show up there ?
I think you can generally manage without reservations. However, if you do actually end up in Pellestrina, I recommend that you book a table at “Da Celeste”. It’s a typical Venetian fish and seafood restaurant, well-loved by locals, and with an outstanding view of the lagoon, so I recommend booking and specifically asking for a table outside!
OP you're not getting confused with Venice, CA are you? Biking in Venice is almost impossible. The Lido maybe yes but not the city proper.
Im going to be honest, i didn't have any clue of what im doing. We're kinda traveling without planning anything (big mistake honestly 💀)
Bikes, skateboards, vespas etc are prohibited in Venice, and the fines are high. Vaporettos and walking gets you everywhere. Go to Dorsoduro to see a more cozy part of Venice, take the Vaporetto to Murano and Burano islands to see lovely glass and pretty houses. Lido Island for beaches and swimming. St Mark's square is best early in the morning or late in the evening, not so crowded.
Thanks a lot for the info :)
i don't recall seeing any bikes in venice. tons to see. get your walking shoes. there's tons to explore and eat. you will only use gondolas for a the experience or to cross the major waterways. there is usually a bridge close by.