Topic	48 Hours In Venice
Read Time	5 Minutes
Author	Laura Radford, Travel Writer

In Venice, one of the most romantic cities in the world, you’ll find well-dressed gondoliers serenading lovestruck couples as they quietly glide through narrow waterways. Venetian artisans selling trinkets in time-old tradition. An array of jaw-droppingly unique artwork on gallery walls. And pavement cafes, thriving with local life. This fairytale archipelago has so much on offer, at every corner you turn, but what do you do when you’re short of time? Here’s how we’d spend our time with 48-hours in Venice…

TAKE A TRIP DOWN THE GRAND CANAL

Venice has intricate little walkways everywhere you look, but its also a lagoon, which offers up plenty of opportunity to explore it from the water. There are many waterbuses available here to explore and admire the view from the water. The #1 will sail right up the Grand Canal, the main liquid thoroughfare, sit back and marvel at the amazing architecture that lines the waters edge, as you contemplate how this can even pass as public transport! Beats the Tube right?!

 VISIT MURANO AND BURANO

These beautiful island towns are well worth a visit on any trip to Venice, be it a short or lo trip or longer one. Located around 45 minutes from the centre of Venice by waterbus, both are within easy reach, and allow you step away from the hustle and bustle of the ‘city’, with much less tourists, but still plenty of culture. Murano is famous for its glass, and Burano its colourful houses and beautiful lace. There is a travelcard available if you plan to hop on and off water buses exploring the lagoon and its many islands.

STROLL OVER THE FAMOUS RIALTO BRIDGE

You’ll do a lot of strolling during time spent in Venice, and along with water transport, it’s the best way to get around. There are 400 bridges across the Venetian lagoon, but the most famous, and possibly the most photographed, is the Ponte di Rialto. The Rialto Bridge boasts lots of lovely boutiques, selling all sorts of wares, so there’s plenty to keep you occupied. This vital pedestrian walkway connects the San Marco and San Polo districts of Venice, and was originally wooden, although this collapsed in the 16^th century, with the stone version you see today replacing it.

EXPLORE DOGES PALACE

This palace is one of the most renowned buildings in Venice. Sitting in St. Mark’s Square facing out to the Grand Canal, this ornate building was the seat of Venice’s power for hundreds of years. The building is filled to the brim with stunning artwork, and gorgeous architecture, so if art and culture is your thing a visit to Palazzo Ducale is a must!

SAMPLE SOME GELATO

When in Venice, gelato is a must! It’s taken very seriously here, and it’s worth doing your research on some of the best spots to sample gelato when visiting Venice. Gelateria il Doge will tempt you with its many flavours. Venchi has chocolate production at its heart, so be sure to try one that incorporates this. And Gelateria Nico boasts a stunning waterside setting to sit back and watch lagoon life go by.

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