Venice with San Geremia church in background. ()
Picturesque canals, blue-green water from the Adriatic Sea, gondolas, sumptuous Italian eats and an otherworldly atmosphere are all elements that make Venice a one-of-a-kind destination. With so many sights to see and lucky finds to explore, how do you conquer such a beautiful city in 48 hours? Use this itinerary to maximize your time for a memorable weekend getaway.
DAY ONE
The first day in Venice should be all about experiencing the noteworthy sights and crossing the must-dos off your bucket list. In order to do this, you’ll need to pay a visit to Saint Mark’s Basilica. Located at the Piazza San Marco, this famous city church is riddled with Italo-Byzantine architecture and features a storied past. Since you’re already situated at the beautiful Piazza San Marco, meander through this buzzing square and sip on a cappuccino at one of the many cafes. Don’t forget to gawk at Doge’s Palace, which was once the home to the Doge of Venice, the ruler of the city.
Of course, you’d be remiss if you didn’t take a gondola ride through the Canale Grande, Venice’s main waterway channel. With so many gondoliers coasting back and forth, you don’t need to book in advance. Look out for the Rialto Bridge, Venice’s most popular bridge.
DAY TWO
Your second day of Venice should include discovering the underrated treasures sprinkled across the city, so put Ponte de Chiodo on your list. This stone-built bridge is unique, as it has no handrails on either side. For the booklovers, be sure to take a few photos while sitting on a staircase made entirely of vintage books at the Libreria Acqua Alta. The book shop houses a sea of antiquated books, which can also make a great souvenir.
If food is one of the reasons that brought you to Venice, head to the beautiful gem known as Cantina do Mori. This traditional Italian restaurant is a local favorite serving appetizers and sandwiches, so you know the food here will be authentic. However, sampling Venetian dishes such as “Risotto al nero di seppa”— risotto with squid ink, “Bigoli in salsa” —spaghetti-like pasta with salt-cured fish and “Moleche” — small, green crabs, can be enjoyed in many restaurants throughout Venice.
If time allows, be sure to get lost in the streets of Le Mercerie for shopping, Fonamenta alla Misericordia for bars and restaurants and Via Garibaldi for a quiet respite. However, for views that will take your breath away, climb up the Campanile bell tower at the Piazza San Marco for the most gorgeous views of the city.
