A Guide to Venice With Your Family - Must See Attractions for a Trip To Venice
Venice with your family best idea you will have.
I absolutely adore Italy, and Venice specifically. My love affair with Venice is no secret, as it is a city like no other. As soon as we arrived, I was in wonder and disbelief. It just felt so unreal visiting it for the first time. It feels like you’ve just arrived on a magical island.
The kids will also be enchanted by a trip to Venice! And you don’t have to worry about any cars since there aren’t any.
See a List of our top Hotel and apartment recommendations to stay at while visiting Venice!
“To build a city where it is impossible to build a city is madness in itself, but to build there one of the most elegant and grandest of cities is the madness of genius.” – Alexander Herzen
The city’s history is reflected in its intricate details of the palazzos, its elegant bridges, and grand churches. You’ll probably never want to leave but at least you’ll have plenty of pictures to look back on.
We would recommend spending 2 to 3 days before moving on to your next destination.
Essentials For Your Trip To Venice:
We’ll walk you through our top recommendations so that you will be ready for a trip of a lifetime!
Read up on Venice. You will have a better experience if you have a guide book that will provide maps, itineraries and suggestions to local spots for dining purposes and otherwise. Also, to be prepared for if and when your phone dies or have a bad internet connection there’s no need to worry.
When it comes to exploring Venice, wear the proper shoes! You’ll be doing a LOT of walking since there is just so much to see at every turn. We would recommend the tennis shoes shown here. They also look good in dresses and jeans!
Carrying a small Italian dictionary and phrasebook would also be a good idea since Italian is the official language in Venice.
A travel adaptor is a must in Europe to plug into the outlets so you’ll need to purchase yours ahead of time to take with you. This one also includes USB ports to plug into the converter.
Explore Venice with your family
Exploring Venice-
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Just wandering the main city of Venice is an experience on its own. You’ll explore the canals, cross the elegant bridges and relax in the small squares that accent the city. You’ll enjoy the city just watching the water taxis and gondolas from an outdoor cafe or restaurant. You can get around the city by walking alongside the canals or taking water taxis and vaporettos.
Visit some of Venice’s most famous attractions!
Venice with your family will be a picturesque opportunity
The View of Venice From The Rialto Bridge
The iconic view from the Rialto Bridge is marvelous and also a great spot to take some unforgettable pictures.
Venice with your family
St. Mark's Square
St. Mark’s Square is the heart of Venice. It’s the largest square in Venice where the government buildings are located. There are also several of the most popular museums, including the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica (both listed below).
Recommendation:
Climb the Campanile di San Marco
The Campanile is the bell tower. It is one of the most recognizable landmarks in St. Mark’s Square and Venice’s skyline. The only way to the top is by elevator. You’ll have one of the best views from the city from the top. Galileo used the tower as an observatory to study the skies.
Hours vary by season and the site specifically states:
- October 1 – March 31: 9.30 a.m. – 5.00 p.m. (last admission 4.45 p.m.) (entrance: ticket 8 € , reduced children between 6 and 18 years of age 4 €, reduced over 19 years of age 6 € only for groups with more than 25 people)
- January 7 – 24: closure for maintenance work
- April 1 – April 15: 9.00 a.m. – 5.30 p.m. (last admission 4.45 p.m.) (entrance: ticket 8 € , reduced children between 6 and 18 years of age 4 €, reduced over 19 years of age 6 € only for groups with more than 25 people)
- April 16 – September 30: 8.30 a.m. – 9.00 p.m. (last admission 8.45 p.m.) (entrance: ticket 8 € , reduced children between 6 and 18 years of age 4 €, reduced over 19 years of age 6 € only for groups with more than 25 people)
skipping the lines are the way to go when your traveling to Venice with your family
Doges’ Palace
The powerful Doges ruled the Venetian Empire until 1979. The Doge was a chief magistrate elected for life by the Venetian nobles. The Palace was built in Venetian Gothic style. It was one of the first things anyone would see when arriving in Venice as their ships sailed and arriving at St. Mark’s Square. It is one of the most well-known attractions in Italy. It is now a well known museum with incredible history. As you tour the Palace you’ll have more amazing views of Venice.
Expect large crowds and a long wait in line to get in.
Recommendation:
venice with your family
St. Mark’s Basilica
The crown jewel of Venice is St. Mark’s Basilica. The cathedral is topped by golden domes and gorgeous gold-leaf mosaics blending the architecture of East and West.
There is no entrance fee to gain admission to the basilica, but to enjoy the museum, you’ll pay 5 euros. Entrance to the Pala d’oro costs 2 euros and admittance to the Treasury costs 3 euros.
You can skip the lines (which we highly recommend so that you avoid the long lines getting in) by reserving a Skip the Lines St. Mark’s Basilica Guided Tour.
The Bridge of Sighs
Venice is full of canals, so naturally, there are countless of different bridges. Besides the Rialto Bridge, the Bridge of Sighs is the other best known bridge in the city and most beautiful.
The bridge is a short distance from St. Mark’s Square and connects the Doge Palace with the Prigione Nuovo (new prison). The Bridge of Sighs connected the old prison to the inquisitor’s office where the prisoners were put on trial. The most prominent prisoner who crossed the Bridge of Sighs to the new prison from the Doge’s Palace was the Latin-lover, Casanova. He escaped the prison after 15 months. The beautiful view was a convict’s last sight of Venice while crossing the bridge and looking through a window form the bridge. According to tradition, the prisoners would sigh while looking at the outside for the last time before losing their freedom; and often their life before being executed.
Tourists today can walk through the bridge during a tour of Doges’ Palace, some prefer to just take photos with the bridge in the background. You can also take a gondola ride that passes from underneath it.
Take a Gondola Ride
It’s definitely touristy and cliche but your trip to Venice would not be complete without it. It’s part of the Venice experience!
The rates of the Gondola ride start at 80 euros per 40 minutes and starts at 100 euros after 7pm. Just make sure you agree on the price and length of time before getting into the gondola. The gondolier will even sing to you and be a tour guide telling you stories of Venice, pointing out important landmarks.
venice with your family
Take a day trip to the Islands of Burano and Morano
The islands of Burano and Morano make great day trips! You can visit both in one day or take a seperate trip to see each at your own pace. The islands are within the Venice district.
Murano
Murano is an island made up of several small islands that are connected by bridges and canals, similar to the main island of Venice. It’s not nearly as busy as the main island of Venice and feels like a nice getaway. Depending on where you depart from, you can reach Murano in about 10 minutes by vaporetto.
This glass island of Venice is famous for its Murano glass. Most people come over to see the glassmaker demonstrations and take some back with them. Read more about Murano here.
Venice with your family
Burano
Burano is famous for pastel-colored homes in the Venetian Lagoon. It’s only 40 minutes by vaporetto from Venice. Similar to Venice and Murano, it’s connected by canals and bridges and filled with colorful fishing boats which match the brightly colored houses. It’s honestly a photo-lover’s paradise. I felt like I was walking in a storybook touring this charming little island.
For more on Burano, click here. Venice was nothing short of spectacular. We truly love this city and it was hard for us to say good-bye. Hope you found this to be beneficial and wish you the best of luck on your future trip!
Where To Stay in Venice:
Hotels
You can start by looking at the top-rated Venice hotels. Many are either near Saint Mark’s Square, a very popular tourist destination as you’ll see below.
For a Luxurious Stay:
St. Regis– On the Island of the Lagoon and wonderful views of the Grand Canal it this marvelous hotel features a panoramic restaurant and bar, and Venetian-style decor. Providing a luxurious setting right in the heart of Venice this beauitful hotel is surrounded by shops, and restaurants. It’s only a 5 minute walk from St. Mark’s Basilica.
JW Marriott– This 5 star resort includes lush gardens, a rooftop pool deck and a church. They also have rooftop restaurant that specializes in Venetian cuisines. Their family restaurant is also set by one of the pools. This luxurious hotel with modern decor provides a complimentary shuttle to take you right to the private dock of St. Mark’s square within 15 minutes.
For a mid-range hotel –
Palazzo Veneziano– A modern hotel with available babysitting service. Located by S. Basilio ferry stop, this hotel offers free WiFi in its elegant rooms. St. Mark’s Square and the Basilica are approximately a mile away from the property.
Apartments
- Use Booking.com, and AirBnB and VRBO to find apartments for rent. This will save you or even feel like an upgrade since you will find a luxury two bedroom apartment for the cost of what you would pay for a small hotel room (four stars).
- Here are some apartment picks you might enjoy:
- San Giorgio degli Schiavoni apartments–
- You can choose from 1 or 2 bedroom apartments that will include a small kitchen and proper ventilation. Overlooking the garden, San Giorgio degli Schiavoni offers a view of the canal, a garden and patio.
- It’s a short walk to St. Mark’s square as well (10 minutes).
- Ca’ Giulia – If you’re looking for a great value then consider Ca’ Giulia where you can get a two bedroom apartment. This area is considered to be a quiet area with a shared lounge, balcony, and shared kitchen. A buffet breakfast is served daily.
- It’s only a 5 minute walk to the Rialto Bridge as well as the local restaurants and shops.
- You can choose from 1 or 2 bedroom apartments that will include a small kitchen and proper ventilation. Overlooking the garden, San Giorgio degli Schiavoni offers a view of the canal, a garden and patio.
More activities for kids:
- Have the kids make a Venetian Mask in a mask studio.
- Visit Venice Lido Beach!
- The kids can take a dip in the water; build sand castles; and write messages in the sand. There are also bicycles for rent where the vaporetto arrives from St. Mark’s Square.
- Take a family friendly sightseeing Tour of Venice.
If you’re interested in working with Chic Little Travelers, you can contact us here.
We visited Venice a few year ago and loved it! These are great tips. We made masks too and it was so much fun!
I have not been to Venice for many years but remember how much I loved it. So many photos ops! Were your children with you on this trip?
Awww! Such a beautiful city, country and trip! 🙂 It is my absolute dream date to have an evening in Venice having dinner, tasty wine and sail the canal! Thank you for the wonderful recommendations!
Wow! Beautiful pictures. Venice has been on my list for a while, and your pictures make me really want to get there. Thank you for sharing.
This would be a dream! Whenever I go to Venice, I’m for sure taking my sister because she speaks a little Italian. I wish it was all open to travel now!
Love Venice and your details of this city are so helpful. Haven’t been to Burano or Morano, maybe next time! Your pictures are beautiful!