Getting lost in a new place is not always a pleasant experience. Angry, anxious, somehow vulnerable are what we typically feel. But losing orientation in an amazing place like Venice is a completely different story.
Venice is a city unlike any other. No matter how often you have seen it in photos and films, the real thing is more magical and dreamlike than you can imagine. The capital of northern Italy’s Veneto region is built on more than one hundred small islands in the Adriatic Sea. With turquoise water shimmers everywhere, canals where streets should be, and marble palaces and churches seemingly rising out of the water, it reflects centuries of history in what was an important trading center between Europe and the Orient. And in the medieval world, Venice is one of the greatest capitals.
Explore in My Own Way
With its maze-like alleys and narrow waterways snaking away from the bustling Grand Canal, Venice is the perfect place to get utterly lost. In fact, ask most people who have ever been there and they will recall with at least one anecdote about losing their orientation. It’s a mystery of Venice – a city that you can truly see, only by getting lost.
While wandering around, I found a wonderful little shop that sells fabulous masks and costumes. There was a church that features blueprints and replicas of Leonardo da Vinci’s inventions, as well as a Venetian-style cafe where drinks and sweets were gingerly served like hundreds of years ago. I encountered numerous picturesque scenes and corners that I can hardly know by name. But the best part of getting off the beaten track is that we didn’t have to push through the tourists to make our way.
However, no matter how far did you get lost, the journey will inevitably end up in the Piazza San Marco. Here, tourists and locals congregate for a coffee or a Spritz. So, my best advice on exploring Venice: “Put down your map and get lost.”
Tips for visiting Venice
- Rolling Venice Pass is highly suggested for young visitors (14-29 years). It costs only 4€ but it grants discounted access to many attractions. Additionally, you can buy a 72-hour public transport pass for 18€ rather than the regular price of 33€.
- For older travellers, the Venezia Unica City Pass is a great alternative.
- From Venice, it’s easy to make a trip to Burano. Though the island is located just seven kilometres northeast of Venice, its appearance is entirely different.
- Overall, accommodation in Venice main island is small and pricey, and if I remember correctly, you have to pay a relatively high city tax. Another option is to look for accommodation in Murano – the glassmaker island, where rooms are more spacious and you only have to pay a very low city tax.
- A Venetian speciality which you should try is the Squid Ink Pasta. My Master was a bit reluctant to try it at first because of the black colour, but the dish at Rivalonga Restaurant in Murano turned out really tasty.
those really adorable views!
That’s very kind of you 🙂 Many thanks
I totally agree, Venice is the best place to get lost))
Even GoogleMap cannot help, so I gave up on map 🙂 There were a few occasions that I walked in circle for several times before I found the way out.
Beautiful photos! And I totally agree getting lost just means going exploring. 🙂
Thanks a lot 🙂
Beautiful photos! And I agree that getting lost is the best way to explore 😀 When did you visit? Looks like late summer, but can’t be sure.. Doesn’t look too crowded!
I was there in May, middle of May I think. Actually it was raining cat and dog just a few minutes earlier. That’s why you do not see many people on San Marco Square 😉
I totally agree! Google Map does not work in Venice! Love the post!
Getting lost in Venice is one of the best things to do if you have the time when you’re there. There’s much to be discovered beyond the main tourist drag and attractions. One just has to stray off the beaten path 😉
Indeed 🙂 Thanks for reading, Angelina
Your pictures are lovely. Just the right amount of romantic sunshine.
Many thanks 😉
Congrats on your post and point of view about visiting Venice: as an inhabitant of the Veneto region, I can tell you did the right thing. “Dancing” around the alley is the way to visit Venice 😉
Hahaha “dancing” is really a suitable word. Thanks a lot for your compliment 🙂
I’m going to Venice this weekend and I have pretty much no formal itinerary – I can’t wait to get lost as well!
You will enjoy it, especially if the weather is nice 🙂 But bring warm clothes because Venice is quite windy. The temperature might not so low but the wind will makes you feel much colder. Enjoy Venice 😉
Well written and you have gorgeous photos.:)
Thanks a lot 🙂
Beautiful post and shots!
One needs at least two weeks to really see Venice.
Great photos! Keep clicking 🙂
Beautiful. Lovely.
Thanks 🙂
What a fabulous Venice gallery! There is nothing quite like getting lost in Venice 🙂
Totally agree! 🙂
Some stunning photos here, Len. I can see why people want to return to Venice, again and again. The domes of the Piazza would be a good central point to orientate oneself, I guess?
That one is easy 🙂 But it becomes a challenge when the object is smaller, for example, the water bus stop. I saw it across the canal, but couldn’t find the way to go there. That’s the mystery of Venice, I guess 🙂
My gosh, it sounds like a cryptic crossword puzzle!
Wow so beautiful and “Put down your map and get lost.”❤❤👍👍
Thank you for your compliment! After two visits, I found it’s the best way to explore Venice. Google Map does not work very well in this maze 😀
Awesome batch of photos–thank you for sharing!
Thank you! 😀
WOW ! Thank YOU FOR the lovely post and pictures, they are superb!
My pleasure! I am glad that you like them 🙂
Agree – it’s striking how few people there can be if you were to walk one or two streets further from the usual tourist hot spots (e.g. San Marco) 😉
While Venice is a mad house during the day, it is literally a ghost town at night. I used to get lost in some of the dark alleys, and I must admit I was freaking out 🙂 Not a single soul around, and the only thing I heard was my footsteps.
Indeed, it takes on a different ambiance come nightfall when most of the tourists would have returned to the massive cruise ships 😉
Great pictures! We loved Venice too when we visited! Such a magical place 🙂
It is! Thank you for your compliment 😉
I love getting lost, especially in Venice. Maybe my fondest memories of travel are from Venice. During my first visit, it was December and foggy. I wandered the streets hearing voices carry around the canals but never seeing anyone.
That sounds mysterious 😉 I didn’t experience fog in Venice, but I did walk around at night. I must say it was a bit eerie. There was absolute silence and the only sound I could hear is my footstep. After running in circle for a few times, I found my way back to the hotel 😛
I am doing a travel list and itinerary…I need to go to this place asap…please Corona,enough..let us travel again!
Great job Len…as always! Cheers.
Same here. I made an imaginary travel list 🙂 Hope we can do some trip abroad next year.