Getting Around

Mainly by foot! You can buy 3 day passes (25 euros) for the Vaporetti (water buses).
A Vaporetto ride is a great way to see the magnificent architecture of the Grand Canal.
The private water taxis are extortionately expensive but if you do it only once, the journey from the airport into Venice is unbeatable.

Places to Visit

Piazza Saint Marco (Vaporetto: San Zaccaria or Vallaresso) One of the most
famous squares in the world: small orchestras play outside the many cafés (including the famed Café Florian) and children delight in running amongst the thousands of pigeons
(bird feed is on sale).

St Marks Basilica (041 522 5205) is magnificent but the queues and its size might mean that you just gaze at the outside. The view from the top of the Campanile di San Marco is spectacular and you don’t have to climb the thousands of steps – there is a lift.

Gallerie dell’Accademia (Campo della Carità,www.gallerieaccademia.org, Vaperetto: Accademia) This museum is huge so pick a few rooms. Perhaps hunt for the dog in the gondola or count how many boats there are amongst one of the Carpaccios and Bellinis in Room XX or which picture has the most animals from Carpaccio’s St Ursula series (Room XX1).

Scuola di San Giorgio degli Schiavoni (Calle dei Furlani, Vaporetto: San Zaccaria)
This small gem of a ‘scuola’ rebuilt in 1551 contains a series of Carpaccio paintings depicting the story of St George and the Dragon.

Collezione Peggy Guggenheim (Dosoduro 701, fondamenta Venier dei Leoni, www.guggenheim-venice.it, Vaporetto: Salute or Accademia) A collection of surrealist modern art in what was Guggenheim’s home. Sculpture garden outside with a lovely café. There is also a large patio right on the Grand Canal.

Museo Storico Navale (041 520 0276,Vaporetto: Arsenale) This museum full of boats is a hit with children and it is a pleasant journey to the Arsenale. Open mornings only.

Ponte di Rialto (Vaporetto: Rialto) The world-famous 16th century bridge was once the only bridge to cross the Grand Canal. From here it is fun to wander through the fruit, vegetable market and fish markets.

Gondola Rides Every child wants to get on a gondola but, rather than pay an exorbitant amount for a long ride, take a traghetti which are the gondola ferries which go back and forth across the Grand Canal.

Day Trips / Expeditions

Lido Regular vaporetti from San Zaccaria near San Marco will take you out to the Lido – Venice’s beach. But be warned, if you want to swim or sunbathe you will need to pay one of the hotels. The cheapest way is to rent a deckchair/parasol (from about 22 euros in June though prices rise in July/Aug). Towels are extra. You can rent cabanas – rather lovely beach huts with beds and towels included but they range from 110–300 euros+ depending on month, size, position, which hotel etc.

The Islands Day trips on the lagoon to the close-by islands of: Murano (under 10min boat
ride) famous for its glass. Murano is like a minature Venice. Kids will want to watch glass
blowing which you must do in an organised tour in one of the glass factories. Any hotel concierge will be able to arrange this. You will be encouraged to buy expensive glass but you can save face by letting the children choose inexpensive beads and glass animals.

Burano (40min boat trip) famous for its lace and brightly-coloured houses. Torcello (30mins on from Burano) A beautiful green island with the stunning Veneto- Byzantine church.

Books for Children

Books set in Venice can really get your child in the mood for the magical city. Vivaldi’s Ring of Mystery (a classic music story for ages 4–8) is available in paperback with a CD. For the older child get hold of a copy of Cornelia Funke’s The Thief Lord.

Festivals

Carnevale (Jan/Feb) pre-Lent masked festivities. Feast of the Redentore (3rd weekend in July) on the Saturday illuminated boats and a firework display. Regatta Storica (1st Sunday in Sept) procession of decorated boats and decked-out crew down the Grand Canal.

Eating Out

Italians love and welcome children with open arms. Nothing is cheap but pizza, pasta, sandwiches and ice cream are plentiful and suit most. Acqua Pazza (Campo Sant’Angelo, Tel 041 277 0688, Vaporetto: Accademia or St Angelo) has fantastic pizzas and tables outside in the square ideal for children to run around in. Paulo’s (Campo di Arsenale,Vaporetto: Arsenale) has delicious seafood and Pizzas. Gino’s (Piscina Forner, near the Accademia) is a local café which makes good simple sandwiches and coffee. Gelaterias abound. A favourite is Galateria Lo Squero (Dorsoduro 989-990, Vaporetto: Accademia or Zattere).

Shopping

There is plenty of high-end shopping for grown-ups but children will definitely prefer the endless stalls selling Italian football shirts, Venetian masks and gondolier hats.

Where to Stay

Best affordable option for families are selfcatering apartments.(www.venere.com apartments and a variety of hotels) Residence Palazzo Contarini(www.palazzocontarini.com). A short walk from Piazza S.Marco. Rooms and apartments (with cooking facilities) but with hotel amenities. In the summer months, and if you want to splash out, consider the smart family hotels on the Lido: Hotel des Bains (www.venice-hotel-desbains.com); Hotel Westin Excelsior (www.starwoodhotels.com).

Insiders Tips
While no cars makes Venice an ideal family destination I would suggest older children take their own bags on wheels so that it isn’t so much of a struggle with luggage on and off boats. Prams or pushchairs are tricky in Venice because of the steps and small bridges. If the child is small, consider a backpack. Either way it is advisable to have a lightweight buggy.