48 hours in Venice with kids
Visiting Venice is like a kid being at a candy store for the very first time. At least the experience was like so for me.
There were so many things to marvel at: the busy canals of water buses, ferry and gondolas, people disappearing out of sight into narrow alleyways, and palazzos that tower above your head.
Venice is a very charming place and it is quite enjoyable for many age groups. But for toddlers? Maybe not otherwise.
We traveled with our 2 year old and we made the mistake of not bringing a more reliable mode of transportation for him. And when you have a little toddler who prefers to be carried around everywhere it can become a little stressful, especially for a mama at 26 weeks of pregnancy.
However, our trip was still a blast.
Here are some of the things we enjoyed during our Spring family trip to Venice.
NOTE: Before anything else, I think you must know that there are absolutely no cars in Venice. Everyone travels via by foot, water buses (also known as vaporettos), or gondolas. So make sure to bring a comfortable footwear! There will be a ton of walking.
I think every journey to Venice begins at Piazzale Roma where the train, bus stations, car parking and terminals are located. If you drove to Venice, this is where you will park your car.
This is also where you will find the water buses that will transport you to your next destination not to mention, it is a pretty awesome way to introduce the entire family to the many gems of Venice.
Things to do in Venice with kids
Mid-day at Rialto Bridge.
Cross under the Rialto Bridge via a vaporetto/gondola
You can easily amuse your kids by riding a vaporetto from line one and crossing under one of the oldest stone arch bridge in Venice, the Rialto Bridge. My toddler absolutely enjoyed this part of the trip, pointing at over a hundred other water transportations and waving at everyone as we went.
Despite being old, the bridge is still in use and can get extremely busy throughout the day as merchants come and go at this point. Not to mention, hundreds of other people soaking in the scenery that overlooks the grand canal.
I wouldn’t recommend taking your kids here during peak hours, especially if you are getting around with a stroller. If you must do so, be prepared to fight your way through to get from one side to the other.
Take an early morning walk at Saint Mark’s Square / Piazza San Marco
One of the most relaxing and entertaining moments of our trip to Venice happened at this popular square of Venice and our time was easily consumed just admiring its famous architectures including Doge’s Palace, Palazzo Ducale, Pontei Di Sospiri or also known as the Bridge of Sigh, and the clock towers just to name a few.
If you want to enjoy a peaceful and quiet atmosphere, we recommend visiting as early as 7 am, or earlier. This is when the you will get the most of this area as everyone is still asleep or perhaps just waking up to get ready. Besides, everything didn’t seem to start ’til almost mid-day, water buses didn’t run until 8 am and most restaurant and stores didn’t open until 11 am.
Depending on your kids age, they may enjoy chasing and feeding a flock of pigeons. NOTE: Be careful not to get robbed by guys selling bird seeds. We were forced to pay 10 euros for less than a handful of seeds. Not going to lie we were pretty upset but the enjoyment it brought my toddler and I guess in this case, my husband, was definitely priceless.
Early morning in Saint Mark’s Square.
Just a few steps from Piazza San Marco, you will find this gorgeous scenery of the grand canal facing the beautiful Church of San Giorgio Maggiore.
Explore the colorful houses of Burano
One of the highlights on my family’s trip was Burano. These vibrantly colored houses made us smile, for no other particular reason but that. I’m pretty sure my son, having recently learned his colors, had a knack naming the colors on each houses and you bet there were many.
For teenagers looking for Instagram worthy posts, this is it. So I’m sure they’ll love it too. I mean, I’m not even a teen and I did.
See how glass is made in Murano
Note: To get to Murano and Burano, you need to take line 12 vaporetto from San Zaccaria. One way tickets cost €7.50 per person. We didn’t think about day passes nor did we know about it ’til the end, but if you plan on visiting the islands it is best to invest in day passes. You will save a LOT.
Stuff yourselves with food from Rialto Market
If you’re like us and have extreme love for food, you won’t want to miss Rialto Market. You’re going to want to check out the wide variety of seafood and cheeses that they have not to mention fresh fruits and vegetables. Be prepared, you are going to experience a different aroma.
This book shop claimed themselves the “most beautiful bookstore in the world” and if you have a knack for reading and eyes for pretty things and love a little bit of history, you would agree. The Libreria Aqua Alta is filled with books, magazines, and maps that are stacked up wall-to-wall in every room creating a very unique display for people visiting the shop. But the most especial part? It’s the books that are organized and kept safe in a big gondola, waterproof bins, and bathtub when the waters in the Venice are high and city is flooded.
Not particularly ideal for toddlers as it can be super crowded and getting around the library can be very tough especially when you’re carrying a toddler. Strollers won’t be able to get through as the walkways are very narrow.
And that’s a wrap! Hope you find this helpful in planning our your itinerary to Venice with kids.
48 hours in Venice with kids Visiting Venice is like a kid being at a candy store for the very first time.
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