Four things to do in Venice

A view of the entire St. Mark’s Square from the Campanile bell tower. It may be a long line to wait, but this view is certainly worth it. / Courtesy of Rachel Sang-hee Han

• Published Mar 12, 2015 5:46 PM KST
• Updated Mar 12, 2015 5:46 PM KST

Traveling your way to the most romantic city in the world

By Rachel Sang-hee Han

There’s nothing quite like Venice: the gondolas, the architecture, the cityscape and the history.

And like many other Italian cities, it’s overwhelming to decide where to go and what to do. Especially when there are so many fellow travelers walking busily pass you with maps, books and cell phones. It’s not known to be one of the most visited and romantic cities in the world for nothing. The following four activities are just the tip of the iceberg, but some interesting ones I thought would be worth your time and wallet.

1. Burano

Fans of the K-pop princess IU may recall the streets lined with very colorful houses in her music video “Every End of the Day.” The video was shot at Burano, an island close to Venice and another better known neighboring island Murano, where you can find the famous Murano glassware. There’s no place quite like it: the canals, bridges and colorful houses lined up are more than enough to make the island quite different, but it’s the bright neon colors that make the area that more unique.

However, the colors actually have a nobler, practical purpose.

Because the weather around the area can get so rainy and foggy, the houses were painted in such bright colors to help fishermen find their way home. Even now when a village needs a new paint job, they need to register and apply to the government, which will then give them a selection of possible paint colors according to the neighborhood. The island is also famous for its lace and lacemaking techniques, which dates back to the 1500s. Burano lace was first produced by nuns and gradually made its way into the daily routines of the wives of many fishermen who live on the island. For those who want more history on the lace and embroidery culture, Burano also has a museum dedicated to the technique and art.

2 Santa Maria della Salute

Visiting a cathedral in Italy becomes something of a habit: every city has at least one cathedral or basilica that is famous or holds a special meaning to the people. The most important one in Venice is the Santa Maria della Salute, or the “Saint Mary of Health.”

The cathedral was built during the city’s devastating outbreak of the plague in 1630, thus the dedication to Our Lady of Health, or “Salute” in Italian. By 1631, nearly third of Venice’s population was killed due to the plague, and the city stepped up with a plan to build a new church dedicated to not the plague or a patron saint of the city, but to the Virgin Mary herself, who was at the time considered to be a protector of the country.

It’s a quite eerie place, possibly because most of the sculptures and decorations of art adorning the grand architecture bear some type of reference to the Black Death.

The cathedral now represents the city of Venice and while it’s impossible not to notice the huge white and grey dome, it has become a very important part of the famous Venetian skyline, along with the gondolas, canals and bridges.

3 St. Mark’s Square

If you have seen photos of Venice under water during high tide flooding, chances are you have already seen the St. Mark’s Square. The square is one of the most popular and famous sites in the city, and has been referred to as the “Drawing room of Europe” throughout history. The St. Mark’s Basilica stands on one side, while the Campanile bell tower stands in front of it, and the entire square is lined up with a very elegant arcade of cafes, shops and bars. Prepare yourself for a lot of people and an equally astounding number of pigeons, not to mention the ridiculous price (10 to even 15 euros) of a cup of coffee at the cafes.

It’s also possible to go up the Campanile bell tower, which I highly recommend despite the very long line, and take a glimpse of the skyline, canals and architecture of the beautiful city. For more dazzle, you can also enter the St. Mark’s Basilica and witness an extraordinary collection of gold glass mosaics covering the entire upper level of the building.

4 Cannaregio district

Venice is a city of tourists but there are some hidden districts that are yet to be busy with souvenir shops and restaurants. Like the Cannaregio district, which is located far north from the city center, making it a hideout from the bustling streets of vendors and travelers.

It’s always a bit risky to dine at a restaurant close to the center of the city, which is why I would recommend you to take the time and effort to venture out. You may have to walk a bit up and over numerous bridges and canals, but it will be worth it. The streets of Cannaregio are lined up with restaurants and bars, perfect for either a romantic evening or a family gathering. The menu differs, but many offer “set menus” where you get appetizers, first and second courses with a choice of beverage. The quality may not be the best or most extravagant in the city, but it’s so much better than the dry pastas and greasy fried seafood you have to pay for at the more “touristic” places.

If the weather’s right, many locals and travelers will buy a glass or even a bottle of wine and sit near the canals with their legs dangling over the water, listening to the music and chats coming from nearby bars and restaurants. It really doesn’t take much to enjoy the city of Venice; you only need to know where to do it.

This particular district was also the home of many Jews, who were restricted to live in a certain area, namely the “Venetian Ghetto.” Now this area has become a cultural and historical area for Jews and tourists alike, where you can find kosher bakeries, restaurants, cafes, shops and museums.

Tips and tricks

1 Wear comfortable shoes. Because Venice is surrounded by canals it is very difficult to walk on more modernized reconstructions of any kind as the streets are mostly cobblestones. Not only does this make it very uncomfortable to walk on, but sometimes dangerous because you can very easily trip and fall. So unless you are going to a wedding or attending your own, stick with safe, comfortable shoes.

2 Beware pickpockets. This is an obvious one, but yet I’ve seen so many travelers lose their wallets in Venice. Keep an eye on your bags, pockets, purses at all time, especially when you are using the waterbuses or the “vaporetti.”Not only does it get super crowded inside those speedy boats, everything happens in a flash from getting on and off and it’s only a matter of time you are getting pushed into the side and back, so it’s the best place to lose anything, from sunglasses, money, wallets and other belongings. Hold onto your bags and purses and make sure you have an eye on every pocket.

3 The gondolas can be romantic but pricy. When in Venice, take the gondolas, but be sure to check the prices stated on the signboards before you step into one of them. The official price for gondolas as a taxi is 80 euros for up to six people for a 30-40 minute ride, but the prices vary depending on the time of the day and additional time. Many travelers or Italians say that it’s possible to bargain your way through, but I find this a bit difficult unless you speak fluent Italian or have the courage to fight your way against the gondoliers.

Rachel Sang-hee Han is a former staff reporter at The Korea Times and former editor at CNN Travel. She lives in Germany and runs a travel blog at rachelsanghee.com.