The WITGW House guide to 24 hours in Venice
Whether you're a visitor seeking Venice beyond the tourist spots or a local in search of fresh experiences, we've crafted the ultimate guide to eateries, nightlife, shops, and cultural hotspots hosting exciting events. Last Update: Sunday, 4th May, 2025
Caffè
The Caffè Florian became famous for coffee but also for its delicious hot chocolate, called “the Indian broth”, and was also the only place to admit a female audience in derogation of the prohibitions imposed by the Serenissima Republic.
Address: P.za San Marco, 57, 30124 Venezia
Gelateria
this waterfront spot on Fondamenta Zattere has served top-tier gelato with views of the Giudecca Canal. Don’t miss their signature Gianduiotto: hazelnut chocolate gelato topped with whipped cream.
Address: Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 922, 30123 Venezia
Lunch or Dinner
A Michelin-starred seafood restaurant in Burano is set for our lunch on May 8th, 2025. A review will follow shortly.
Address: via Giudecca 88, Burano, 30142
VENICE M'Art inside THE VENICE VENICE HOTEL
offers fine cuisine complemented by a panoramic terrace overlooking the Grand Canal and the iconic Rialto Bridge. Husband-and-wife team Francesca Rinaldo and Alessandro Gallo, founders of the esteemed Golden Goose are certified hoteliers now, with their first foray into the world of hospitality with the restoration of Venice Venice.
Address: Sestiere Cannaregio, 5631, 30121 Venezia
Opening in 1976 it is an elegant, old school setting frequented by George Clooney, Sting, Harrison Ford, Phil Collins, Hugh Grant, Madonna, Paul Newman, Denzel Washington, Barbra Streisand, Anne Hathaway, Jude Law and many more.
Accessible by boat or foot!
Address: S. Marco, 1809, 30124 Venezia
CIP'S CLUB · IL PORTICCIOLO · BAR GABBIANO
HOTEL CIPRIANI, A Belmond Hotel
can easily be reached directly from St Mark's using Hotel Cipriani's free shuttle boat. Simply look for the Cipriani pontoon.
AI GONDELIERI a Michelin-starred
Tucked behind the Guggenheim, this rustic, wood-paneled restaurant serves no-frills, meat-driven regional fare—braised lamb rack with spinach tortino, butter, and parmesan is the standout. The wine cellar is stacked with serious reds, whites, and sparkling bottles, and the cocktails pull their weight. Back in the day, old regulars like Luis Chillida, Marisa González, and even a discreet Oteiza would drop in.
Address: Calle S. Domenico Dorsoduro, 366, 30123 Venezia
Recommendation by Anca Ungureanu
nails it—elegant, no-frills, and home to the best Giudecca view in town. GP’s obsession with top ingredients meets sharp, honest cooking. Go for the raw fish platter or the sea bass with caponata. No gimmicks, just the real thing.
Address: Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1473, 30123 Venezia
Recommendation by Diana Moldovan
VINI DA GIGIO a Michelin-starred
offers Venetian culinary magic beyond the tourist path. Try the grilled eel, spider crab tagliolini, or spaghetti with squid ink. For a true Venetian experience, don’t miss the fegato alla Veneziana and baby fried squids. Simple, authentic, and unforgettable.
Address: Fondamenta San Felice 3628, Venezia
Recommendation by Diana Moldovan
Just across from a historic gondola workshop, the restaurant offers an authentic Venetian experience with a stunning canal-side view. Enjoy cicchetti like sarde in saor, stockfish, and crostini while sipping an Aperol Spritz by the canal. Cozy, authentic, and ideal for watching gondola craftsmen at work.
Address: Dorsoduro 943–944, 30123 Venezia
Closed on Mondays
Prices: Cicchetti from €1.50; Spritz €3.50
Recommendation by Claudiu Ionescu
ANTICHE CARAMPANE
A timeless menu featuring classic Venetian dishes, expertly crafted with the freshest ingredients, staying true to traditional recipes and flavors.
Address: Rio Terà delle Carampane, Sestiere San Polo 1911, 30125 Venezia
Nightlife
the place where writers, painters, artists, aristocrats, kings and queens would meet. Among them, there were: Barbara Hutton, Katharine Hepburn, Gary Cooper, Giancarlo Menotti, Peggy Guggenheim, Orson Welles, Frank Lloyd Wright, Joe di Maggio, Truman Capote, and Ernest Hemingway. The keys to the success of this tiny bar were: service, freedom, and lack of imposition.
Address: Calle Vallaresso, 1323, 30124 Venezia
With a 4.7-star rating from 100+ reviews, ECC Venice—hidden inside Il Palazzo Experimental—mixes Wes Anderson-style charm with standout drinks. Creative non-alcoholic options, like a mushroom and curry-infused mocktail, cater to diverse palates. A secret garden and canal-side seating offer a tranquil escape from the city’s bustle.
Address: Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1410, 30123 Venezia
Recommendation by Diana Moldovan
Cultural
BIENNALE ARCHITETTURA 2025 19th International Architecture Exhibition
The 19th International Architecture Exhibition, Intelligens. Natural. Artificial. Collective., curated by Carlo Ratti, runs May 10–November 23, 2025, in Venice. It explores adaptive, resource-conscious design as a form of intelligence.
How To Enjoy La Biennale: Start your journey by visiting the Romanian Pavilion.
Human Scale, an exhibition and research project by artist Vlad Nancă and architecture duo Muromuro Studio (Ioana Chifu, Onar Stănescu).
Curator: Cosmina Goagea; Commissioner: Attila Kim; Team
Address: Giardini "B"Station
ART EXHIBITIONS BY PINAULT COLLECTION AT PALAZZO GRASSI & PUNTA DELLA DOGANA
At Palazzo Grassi, Tatiana Trouvé: The Strange Life of Things (April 6, 2025 – January 4, 2026) presents the artist’s largest solo show, exploring memory and perception through drawings, sculptures, and immersive installations.
At Punta della Dogana, Thomas Schütte: Genealogies (April 6 – November 23, 2025) features a major retrospective of expressive sculptures and works on paper, tracing the artist’s evolving take on the human condition. Both exhibitions are part of the Pinault Collection in Venice.
+ numerous cultural events at the Teatrino.
EXHIBITION Maria Helena Vieira da Silva: Anatomy of Space brings together over fifty paintings, drawings, and prints that chart Vieira da Silva’s lifelong investigation of space, perspective, and perception.
12 April – 15 September 2025
Pro tip: The Museum Café, managed by the Venetian restaurant 'Ai Gondolieri,' offers a wide choice of dishes, both for lunch and for snacks.
Address: Palazzo Venier dei Leoni Dorsoduro 701 I-30123 Venice
The San Michele Cemetery, Venice’s principal cemetery, is located on an island between Venice and Murano. Established in 1807
How to get to the San Michele cemetery? Go by vaporetto (water bus) nos 4.1 or 4.2 from Fondamenta Nuove vaporetto stop towards Murano. Get off at the first stop – San Michele.
Hotels
CIMA ROSA Boutique Bed & Breakfast
Room to stay in: The Elegant Suite on the Grand Canal
Set in a 15th century palazzo on the Grand Canal, positioned in a quiet and lovely part of the Santa Croce district, Cima Rosa is the perfect mix of elegance and warmth; classic-contemporary rooms and exceptional service from a welcoming team of passionate locals.
1 min. walk to San Stae Vaporetto Station
Address: Santa Croce, 1958 Venezia
Pro tip: Begin your journey by catching a boat to S. Marcuola Casino. From there, take a leisurely stroll to Trattoria Pontini, where you can enjoy a coffee amidst the charmingly tiny fish market—an essential local experience! Afterwards, continue your walk to Despar Teatro Italia, renowned as the most beautiful supermarket in the world. Built in 1914, this architectural gem features a neo-gothic design with hints of Art Nouveau.
The apartment offers you a breathtaking panoramic view of the picturesque Cannaregio canal, enriching your experience with a mix of elegance, light and a uniquely charming "industrial" style.
★4.75 · 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
Address: Cannaregio, 1650, 30121 Venezia
AIRBNB VAROTER SPACIOUS VENETIAN STUDIO
★4.83 1 bedroom · 1 bed · 1 bath
Address: 400 metres from Ca' d'Oro and less than 1 km from Rialto Bridge
Shops
PEGGY GUGGENHEIM MERCH & GIFT SHOP
Every purchase supports the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Address: Dorsoduro, 701-704, 30123 Venezia
In collaboration with DFS, Fondaco Dei Tedeschi offers unique duty-free shopping experiences among the widest variety of luxury brands.
Address: Calle del Fontego dei Tedeschi, Ponte di Rialto, 30100 Venezia
VINTAGERIA · Vintage clothing store
Address: Campo S.Maria Mater Domini, 2120
Pro tip: keep your phone on Shazam
More
The Condé Nast Editors’ Guide to Venice
The Vogue Editors’ Guide to Venice
WHAT TO DO WITH CHILDREN IN VENICE
guide to cultural museum activities for families and kids in Venice, including essential info on age, timing, and cost:
PEGGY GUGGENHEIM COLLECTION
Activity: Art workshops for kids (ages 4–10), including guided tours and creative art reproduction.
When: Every Sunday
Time: Check booking site for slots
Age: 4–10 years
Cost: Free (parents must purchase regular tickets)
Extras: Changing tables, free pushchairs available
Booking: Online mandatory
FAI NEGOZIO OLIVETTI
Activity:
“Olivetti Typeface”: Typography treasure hunt
“A Gap to Illuminate Piazza San Marco”: Intro to Scarpa’s architecture
When: Check availability online
Age: Suitable for kids & teens
Cost: Usually free or low-cost
Booking: Recommended
PALAZZO GRASSI & PUNTA DELLA DOGANA
Activity: Contemporary art workshops for kids
When: Every Saturday
Time:
3:00 PM – Punta della Dogana
5:00 PM – Palazzo Grassi
Age: Children and teens (exact age not specified)
Duration: 90 minutes
Cost: Likely free
Accessibility: Includes sign language translation
Booking: Recommended
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
Activity: Explore dinosaur skeletons, fossils, and archaeological finds
When: Daily (check opening hours)
Age: All ages
Cost: Free for kids 0–5 years
MUVE Education (Civic Museums of Venice)
Museums Included:
Palazzo Ducale – Museo Correr – Ca’ Rezzonico – Ca’ Pesaro – Museo del Vetro (Murano) – Museo del Merletto (Burano) – Museo Storico Navale – Museo di Storia Naturale – Museo di Palazzo Mocenigo
Activity: Guided educational tours and creative workshops
When: Various times
Duration: 90 minutes
Age: 5–14 years
Cost: Check per activity (often free or low-cost)
Group size: Max 10 kids per group
Booking: Recommended
BIKING AT THE BEACHFRONT IN LIDO
a simple ring-route offering fresh views of Venice, from Belle Époque villas along Viale S. Maria Elisabetta to the Marconi beachfront, Venice Film Festival site, Murazzi beach, Malamocco village, and Alberoni beach – perfect for a kid-friendly summer stop (swim or ice cream!).
How to Get There:
Vaporetto: Lines 5.1, 5.2, 6 (from Piazzale Roma or train station) or Line 1 (via Canal Grande)
Bike Rental: Available on arrival at Viale S. Maria Elisabetta