Venice With Kids
Introduction
It is not hard to entertain kids in Venice, a pedestrian-friendly city with winding canals, multi-hued architecture, curved walking bridges, and church domes. Everything feels enchanted and a bit topsy-turvy, where the streets are water, cars are traded for boats, and high tide washes over the squares. This eccentric city will captivate your children with its gondola rides, colorful artisan shops, palaces, piazzas, and gelato. Read on for the top things to do with kids in Venice.
Vaporetto rides
Sure, a gondola ride is a quintessential Venice experience, but for those on a budget, the Vaporettos – or slow-moving water buses in the Grand Canal – are just as fantastic. You’ll want to grab a window seat or stay in the open-air, standing-only area for the best views. The water transit network in Venice operates with nearly two dozen different lines. To start on the right foot, get a lay of the land by zig-zagging the stretch of the main waterway that carves through the heart of Venice. Linea Uno (Line One) of the Vaporetto, the public transportation system, runs the entire length of the Grand Canal from Piazzale Roma (Venice’s gateway for bus and land taxis) to Piazza San Marco, stopping at 21 different stations during the 60-minute trip. Families will see every kind of watercraft imaginable: gondolas, taxis, delivery boats, cargo barges, and even police boats. It’s an elaborate dance of vessels that are coming and going, and you’ll see vibrant locals and tourists lining the canals as they go about their day.
Gelato
There’s so much gelato in Venice to choose from, but there’s a reason this scoop shop is a favorite of Venetians and tourists alike. The historic shop has been scooping artisanal gelato since 1935, and its location on the Zattere waterfront overlooking Giudecca island makes it even sweeter. Nico makes gelato the old-fashioned way: fresh fruit and natural ingredients. Be sure to try “Gianduiotto,” a secret gelato order that locals enjoy. You may also enjoy La Mela Verde, a small shop near St. Mark’s Square that is popular with locals and tourists. The flavors are made with natural coloring, and there are several options to choose from. Another favorite is the Boutique del Gelato on Salizzada San Lio, which offers a no-frills experience with classic Italian flavors like stracciatella, chocolate, and vanilla.
Paint a Carnevale Mask
Your family will see loads of Venetian mask shops throughout the city—fanciful, funny, and colorful to creepy. Instead of purchasing one from a souvenir shop, create your mask and have a keepsake to remember your vacation. The makers at Ca’ Macana are the first to open their doors to the public, teaching craftsmanship through family-friendly workshops. Choose from one of over sixty different varieties of white Venetian masks to beautify, and then learn about the special techniques, materials, meanings, and history of this craft as you create your carnival masks.
Learn About Glass Making in Murano
Linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon, Murano is well-known for its glass-making. The history of this magical place dates back to 1291, when glassmakers in Venice moved to this series of islands due to the risk of fires associated with the craft. Accessible via Vaporetto, this is the place to venture to for glass-making demonstrations, Museo del Vetro, Basilica di Santa Maria e San Donato, Campo Santo Stefano (a popular city square), lots of glass shops and factories, and Palazzo da Mula.
Wander Around St. Mark’s Basilica
St. Mark’s Basilica, located on the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square), is the most celebrated cathedral church in Venice and is known for its Italo-Byzantine architecture. Children will find the detailed lavish design, full of gold mosaics, arched portals, and multiple domes, attractive if you set them out on a scavenger hunt. See if your kids can spot the Horses of St. Mark, the statue of the Four Tetrarchs, the Door of Flowers, and the geometric inlaid marble floor. Kids will also love seeing the street performers that fill the square and run after the thousands of pigeons that flock here. This well-loved attraction is, of course, crowded. Admission to the Basilica is free, but entrance into Saint Mark’s Museum, Pala d’Oro, the Bell Tower, and the Treasury have costs. To avoid cranky children, reserve tickets in advance or book a tour to avoid the long lines.
Rialto Market
To experience the culture of Venice, tour the Rialto Market, located alongside the Grand Canal on the northwest side of the Rialto Bridge (the oldest of the four bridges) in the San Polo district. You’ll find fresh vegetables and fruit, fish stalls, and many shops (silver, glass beads, fabrics, and more) here. It’s best to go early in the morning to catch fishmongers and merchants setting up their shops.
Visit a Gondola Workshop
Seeing how gondolas are made and maintained will create a greater appreciation of the experience of riding in one. Visit the workshop of Squero San Trovaso (see it from the outside; it’s not open to the public) in Dorsoduro, one of only five gondola-preserving workshops in Venice. Fun fact: Gondolas are made to fit the gondolier, catering to a specific height and weight requirement. About 400 gondoliers are licensed to take tourists up and down the canal; traditionally, the job passes down from generation to generation. After visiting the workshop, hop on a gondola—dozens of stations are set up throughout the city—and have a quintessential Venetian adventure.
Pet Cats at Libreria Acqua Alta
Libreria Acqua Alta, near St. Mark’s Square, is unlike any other bookstore you’ve ever seen. Stacks of books line the walls and are stuffed in every nook and cranny throughout the shop. You’ll even see bathtubs and boats full of titles; they’re protection against constant flooding. Kids will love walking up the staircase made of books, with a slab of carpet on top. This Library of High Water is also a must-see for cat lovers—furry residents perched on stacks of books or wandering through the hallways.
Visit the Bridge of Sighs
The last view convicts saw before imprisonment was from the Bridge of Sighs, an enclosed bridge made of white limestone, with stone bars covering the little windows. The bridge, built in 1600, stretches over Rio di Palazzo, connecting the New Prison to Doge’s Palace, where prisoners were interrogated. As dark as this all sounds, the bridge is lovely, and many songs have been written about this famous bridge—it has become a symbol of love. It’s said that a kiss under the bridge at sunset will seal a couple’s love forever. Parents can teach their kids lessons of love while sneaking in a smooch under the arch.
