The canals, the culture, the cost!
It’s not cheap to visit Venice, Italy.
The good news is you don’t have to sacrifice seeing the sights to stay on budget. Here’s a list of some of the ways to spend your free time in Venice — for (almost) free!
- Free Walking Tour (tips expected) — Venice has more than one option for you to choose from. If you decide to go with Venice Free Walking Tour you’ll have your choice of three times, depending on the day. You’ll hear about the history of Venice while you learn the lay of the land. Also ask your guide any questions you may have, even for a restaurant recommendation or two! While this is a free tour, you do need to register. Spots fill quickly! And if you enjoy your tour, please tip your guide!
- Audio Tour — Learn as much as possible about the city as you wander through it. Download one of several free audio tours. Play a different one for each area you wander through.
- St. Mark’s Piazza And Basilica — St. Mark’s is not included on the free walking tour mentioned above, but it’s still a must if it’s your first trip to Venice. And it’s also free. St. Mark’s Basilica is breathtaking. It was completed in the 13th century and shows just how prominent the city was at that time. If you plan to go inside, this is where you need to pay attention. Tours are free — if you’re OK with standing in line for about 45 minutes!! If you can afford to pay 3€, you can make online reservations for a specific time and skip the line. (This option is only available from April to October.)
- Bridge Of Sighs — Before leaving St. Mark’s Square, walk around the side of Dodge’s Palace. You’ll find the hidden Bridge of Sighs. Prisoners walked through the bridge on their way from the dungeon to their execution. It’s said that they “sighed” as they looked out the windows for the last time.
- Rialto Bridge — It’s one of the most famous bridges in the world. When you see — or sail under — the Rialto Bridge, you know you’re in Venice! It’s another landmark in Venice that is free. Window shop your way up, down and around the bridge. And don’t forget to stop and snap a picture of the Grand Canal from the top of the span.
- Venice Card — This option is not free, but it may save you some money, depending on how long you plan to stay and how you spend your time. The Venice Card ranges in price from 28€ to 80€, depending on your age and what you hope to see. Each pass is good for 7 days. Included are a variety of sights and museums. If you decide to buy a card, make sure that the places you want to see are included.
- Vaporetti — Getting to all of those sights can also eat through your budget. We’re talking €10 or more a trip. There is a way to save here too! If you plan to get out and explore the city, check out the ACTV. It’s also called the tourist travel card. The card lets you travel almost anywhere you want by Vaporetti for a certain period of time. You can buy a 12 hour pass for around $25 to a pass for seven days for around $70. If you’re between 14 and 29, you have the option of the three-day Rolling Venice Card for around $30.
- Traghetto — Can’t afford to fork over a ton of money to enjoy a private gondola ride through the canals of Venice? You can still get the feel of one. Jump on a traghetto for a quick trip across the Grand Canal. This trip will cost you less than $5 instead of the $100+ for a private gondola cruise. Keep in mind there will be other people riding with you. This post will help you find one of the seven points along the canal where you can jump on board.
- Learn the Lingo — If you’re a deal hunter, keep your eyes peeled! Ingresso libero means free admission, gratuito and gratis mean free, and ridotto translates to a reduced price.
- Cheap(er) Eats — The final tip I have for Venice is to avoid eating in tourists areas, such as restaurants in and near St. Mark’s Piazza. You’ll pay for location … and may even be charged a sitting fee for a table. Food in Venice is fantastic, but adds up quickly. Keep your eyes peeled for something called bacari. They are tiny bars that are standing-room only. They offer little bites to eat, called cicchetti, for as little as a euro, while you enjoy a glass of wine.
This free downloadable map of Venice will also help you plan!