When I published the first Q&A, I wasn’t sure if anyone would actually care about the nitty-gritty of gondola rides, secret cicchetti bars, or how not to get completely lost in Venice’s maze of alleyways (spoiler: you will get lost, and that’s half the fun).
But your response? Amazing. My inbox has been overflowing with more questions some practical, some quirky and some that made me think, “Ooooh, good one!”
So here we are, round two. From hidden gems that locals love, to whether or not it’s worth braving the Lido for a swim, to tips for dodging those never-ending tourist crowds… this post has all the juicy details straight from your questions.
Venice Reader Mailbag Vol 2
I’d like to take this opportunity to remind you that I offer trip consultations and even AMA calls where you can ask me questions about your trip over a live call.
You can also find Vol 1 to this series if you want to read more questions.
Now… Let’s dive back in, shall we?
Question #1
We are already looking forward to the next Art Biennale in 2026. However, finding a good place to stay (1 week) is not evident. Your tips are welcome.
It’s always a bit tricky. Since you’ll be spending a week there, I suggest opting for an apartment rather than a hotel, so you can prepare your own food or at least have some extra space. I found that these properties have great reviews, a lot of characters and of course, are near the Biennale.
Question #2
My wife and I have just returned from a month in Santa Croce. We had a wonderful time exploring and experiencing all on offer. We find this area one of the most authentic parts of Venice and wonder why you don’t mention it more often. Why not talk about it more?
I haven’t talked much about each neighbourhood enough, but my plan is to do it more starting from this year. I already created neighbourhoods guides with maps available in my shop, and they list some of my favourite things to do in each area.
Here’s my Santa Croce neighbourhood guide (+ map), and this is the Santa Croce bacari walking map. Stay tuned for more on Santa Croce and the rest of the city!
Question #3
Is Burano worth a trip? How long?
Yes, Burano is absolutely worth a trip. I’d spend half a day because it’s just a tiny island and after a bit of wandering around, taking pictures along the way, try a restaurant and visit lace shops, there’s not much else to do! If you still haven’t read my guide on how to get to Burano from Venice, I recommend you check it out!
Question #4
Could you recommend me a bakery for breakfast near Rialto Market?
Sure! I recommend Pasticceria Rizzardini, Da Mauro to try the sfogliatine but also for other bakery produce (it’s not a cafè only bakery), Bar Pasticceria Ballarin after crossing the Rialto bridge, and Caffè del Doge.
See my guide to Venetian Pastry shops for more.
Question #5
Where the best place to have some a nice meal but not to pay to much?
I recommend Rosticceria Gislon near San Marco and Rialto. Then I really like Osteria al Cicheto and Osteria ai Promessi Sposi. You’ll find that prices are a bit lower in Cannaregio than more touristy spots. That’s where I hang out and eat out.
Question #6
What is Your favourite sestiere of Venice and why?
My favourite sestiere is Cannaregio because that’s the one I frequented the most along with Dorsoduro during my university days. Cannaregio is a lot quieter than other neighbourhoods, you can easily find empty alleyways.
Cannaregio is very local because I always find a lot of young people hanging around there, especially in Fondamenta Ormesini and de la Misericordia.
I like the Jewish Ghetto area for the small art galleries. I see Cannaregio as an area that still is in hands of Venetian people and not just tourists. I also created a bacari walking map about this neighbourhood and a list of places to visit or things to do.
Question #7
How do I best travel from inside Venice to the cruise port?
If the cruise port you’re talking about is Stazione Marittima, then you can either get an ACTV water bus from the nearest vaporetto stop to your hotel over to Piazzale Roma. Or Tronchetto where you can catch the People Mover that stop at Stazione Marittima.
Otherwise a more direct and comfortable option is to get a water taxi (private or shared ride). If the Terminal is Fusina in Porto Marghera, catch the water bus line 16 or a water taxi.
Venice Reader Mailbag Vol 2
Answering your Venice travel questions is important to me, and I hope you have found these answers useful and see the value in me choosing to share them.
Be sure to sign up for my newsletter for a chance to ask me anything about Venice.
More useful resources for your trip to Venice:
- Your First Time in Venice
- Venice Water Taxi guide
- Where to Stay in Venice
- Venice Train Stations
- Venice Neighbourhood Maps
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