Venice in Winter
Visiting Venice, Italy: A Two-Day Escape
To be honest, Venice (Venezia) was never high on our bucket list. As someone who prefers avoiding crowds, I pictured Venice as overly touristy. But since we were staying in Verona (read more on that trip here), and it was only a 1-hour train ride away, we decided to spend a couple of nights exploring this iconic city.
We timed our trip for the first Monday after Epiphany, when locals returned to work, children were back in school, and weekend tourists had mostly left—turns out, the perfect time to visit!
First Impressions: From Crowds to Magic
Arriving at the train station, my first thought was: “Am I in Disneyland?” I worried Venice would be exactly as I feared—crowded and overwhelming. But after walking a few minutes over bridges and away from the train station, we entered a quiet, magical maze.
Our home for the next two nights was Hotel Ai Cavalieri, perfectly located for exploring on foot.
Dining in Venice
Venice is known for pricey restaurants, so we made sure to do some research ahead of time. Even with many places closed for holiday, we enjoyed incredible meals.
We tried as many Venetian specialties as possible:
- Fresh and fried seafood
- Squid ink pasta
- Cicchetti (Venetian small plates)
- Spritz, of course!
Exploring Venice Early
We prefer early morning exploration, before the city wakes up. Walking Venice at sunrise allowed us to capture stunning photos of the canals, bridges, and squares without the crowds.
Despite being surrounded by water, we didn’t take a gondola ride or enter main attractions like Doge’s Palace or St. Mark’s Basilica. Instead, we enjoyed slow-paced sightseeing, appreciating Venice’s architecture and landmarks from the outside—including Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square.
Neighborhoods to Discover
If we return to Venice, we’d love to stay in Cannaregio. It’s a quieter neighborhood with charming cafes and restaurants, still walkable to the main attractions, offering a more local experience away from the busiest areas.
Final Thoughts
Venice is truly remarkable. Even in just two days, we fell in love with the city’s canals, architecture, and atmosphere. Timing your visit wisely and exploring slowly makes all the difference—it’s a magical city worth seeing, even briefly.
Plan Your Visit
Thinking of visiting Venice? Check out our Venice (Venezia) City Guide for where to eat, where to stay, and what to try. Looking to book an experience while there? Check out these great options from local guides!
