Venice? Is it worth it? Not enough time?

[CosyNavyLeader]

We have an opportunity for a child free weekend away.

Friday flight out 11.35am. Land Venice 2.45pm.

Sunday flight back home. Depart Venice airport 3.30pm. Land back home 5pm.

Flights are £200 for the both of us in total.

I can find accommodation for around £150 for the two nights.

Is it worth it? Has anyone else done such a short trip?

Is it enough time to at least feel like we've seen enough of Venice?

It will be in January, 2nd to 4th. Not sure if this would still come under the Christmas crazy time or if it will be quieter (which is better for us if we are on a tight schedule)

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thankyou!

We managed to walk and see enough of it in a day trip so I think you have plenty of time.

For me, it was definitely worth visiting.

Thankyou for the reply.

I think alot of my anxieties lie with leaving the kids.

And I'm half thinking if someone tells me not to go, I'll think "okay I won't" and the decision is made for me!

Its worth it!

Yes, it is enough time and worth it. Just make sure you stay in the centre of Venice and don’t need to travel in and out each day.

My friends and I stayed in Italy and had a schedule of 2 days Rome, 2 days Venice, 2 days Florence, back to Rome for the final day. In your case there's not going to much left of Friday by the time you've checked into your hotel, although enough time to find nowhere nice to eat dinner. That leaves Saturday and Sunday morning. It can be done though it'll be hectic especially if you want to visit the islands of Murano (glass making) and Burano (fabulous). Personally, I'd want two full days to see Venice.

It will be absolutely freezing and it’s hideously expensive but yes you have enough time. I’m not a fan.
I’d go to Rome.

Couldn't find any flights to fit unfortunately.

It's my husband's birthday weekend. Just trying to see if a small city break is do-able.

These are the only flights that are reasonable times to allow for the most time in location.

I need more thinking time before I book.

We did three nights in Venice in September and it was wonderful. I loved it so much but I’m not sure if it would be as appealing if it’s cold/wet but it is a magical place. I’d check what to expect from the weather.

We did the following-
A food tour(half a day) - if you are a foodie it’s a great way to see Venice and learn a bit about the history.
Glass making tour(half a day) - this was free with the hotel it was nice because we got to do a boat trip as part of it (it was on a nearby island) and it was interesting but they do push hard for sales. I wouldn’t have bothered for a shorter trip

St marks square, bridge of sighs , Rialto bridge, - lovely to walk around and see sights
Doges palace(couple of hours) - beautiful
Bell tower (30 min) lovely views of Venice but it was rammed so didn’t stay long

The rest of the time we just walked around and took in the scenery.
Doges palace and the bell tower are on st marks and bridge of sighs is a couple minutes walk away.

Yes, absolutely. The nice thing about Venice is that it's ridiculously beautiful, and even doing something as simple, quick and inexpensive as taking a vaporetto down the Grand Canal is a gorgeous experience.

Yeah that sounds fun. Venice is not particularly big.

Not sure what the weather will be like at that time of year. I would hope there are not many tourists but you never know with Venice.

We went in January and I got the feeling it was much better than going peak season due to the crowds. There were still loads of tourists but we were able to walk around easily without too many hoards of people in front of us. As long as you book a lovely hotel and a few lovely meals out then it will be fabulous!

If you do go, I highly recommend an ice cream in Gelateria Alaska.

I have been to Venice twice, once for a weekend many years ago and once for a day whilst on holiday in a different part of Italy (we got the train there for the day). It's enough time.

Thankyou for the replies.

I'm not overly concerned about the weather. Life is too short to let weather forecasts get in the way.

We are just happy to have an opportunity to explore a new place.

Glad to hear lots of people had a lovely time there.

We went at that time of year. It was not quiet but quieter for sure. The weather was stunning, sunny and crisp. The light in Venice is nothing like I’d ever seen before. It’s a beautiful place.
Research your eating out well and it won’t be too expensive.
It’s a perfect city break.

Thankyou.

We aren't big on sit down fancy restaurants meals. We are more into the street food scene with some wine and beers in more rustic pub type establishments. Bacari I believe they call them?

Venice is amazing. just so unique. I thought the Murano trip was a waste of time though. Ferry trip to a glass factory basically

We did it in a similar time frame . You just won’t have time for all the islands but you’ll see the main things

Interesting. I'll research and see if it appeals to us.

Yes it’s lovely l! We did a day from
mestre and got a walked all over. Just exploring away from the tourist traps it is beautiful. Two days is great. Lots of cheap but great pasta and gelato and they do these bar snacks that are reasonably price.

I’ve been 5 times and still feel like I have a lot to see! I wouldn’t try and do too much, just wander about and get lost. I don’t think food is that expensive, the cicchetti bars are reasonable and will fill you up (as long as you not gluten intolerant and love carbs!).

I think you would have enough time.
What area is the hotel in?
Friday night - nice walk in local area to hotel and dinner/drinks.
Saturday - plan your day well - the rialto bridge is lovely but busy and crowded and just a bridge!! Great views of the grand canal from the centre.
St marks square/doges palace/st marks basilica and the bell tower all in one area so can be done in an afternoon for example, very expensive in st Marks square!!
Sunday - you will have all morning to do anything you feel you’ve missed.

i would say leave murano and burano - i loved them, particularly burano but it’s quite a long time on the boat to get there and I feel you don’t have the time for that.
Also - a gondola ride - expensive and very touristy - but an experience!!

I love Venice - one of my favourite places ever.

Fondamenta della Misericordia in Canaregio is a great street for these , with an Aperol Spritz.

You have nearly 2 days, sounds perfect tbh. The weather in winter is often (not always!) cold and clear, with a beautiful light.

I would recommend buying a day ticket for the Vaporetto (not cheap!) on the Saturday, and exploring by boat- especially if the light is good, the lagoon is beautiful.

Get away from the tourist areas and into the back streets- it's all beautiful.

100% worth it. Venice is one of the most beautiful places in the world. I spend a week there every year for my job and it's 100% the reason I don't want to ever quit. You don't even need to plan anything really - you can just meander the streets, pausing for the occasional coffee/ ice-cream, and ducking into the churches you pass. Though equally, if you're into churches, Venice has some of the best - and planning an itinerary between them is a pretty good means of seeing the City. You don't need to engage with Vaparettos unless you want to (though getting it too/ from the airport, across the lagoon, is fun) as you can walk everywhere. If you did want museums, then the Academia and the Peggy Guggenheim collection are both great.

The weather won't be nice but it should be a bit less crowded than it usually is and the locals might not be so grumpy, so if sunshine is not a major issue then it might be better to go in January than during the summer peak time and even than during (in my opinion) better times to visit of Spring and Autumn

Venetians are pretty unfriendly and grumpy as a whole (at least I think they are) I think it is something to do with being from the North of Italy and living somewhere so crowded with tourists all year round. The city is definitely worth visit though