Venice ~ 5 Uncommon Things To Do
Venice is so very popular, an island-city created by a population fleeing lombard invasion, a myth. Everyone knows the main things to do when visiting Venice: Piazza San Marco, tour in gondola, visiting the island of Murano, etc.
Venice also has some special events that draw up crowds, such as the festival, with its famous masked characters, and the Biennale, especially interesting if you’re an arts lover since the city fills up with it!
While all these are good things to do, especially for first time visitors, if you want to try something a little different, and with fewer crowds around, here are five “uncommon” things to do while visiting Venice:
-Free Walking Tour of the Cannaregio neighborhood
A gondola with the flag of Venice, both emblems of the city.
Free Walking Tour of the Cannaregio neighborhood
Venice is divided into 6 districts, and Cannaregio is one of them, located on the northern side. It’s much quieter than others, and has a lot of history to share. Participating in a Free Walking Tour (many companies offer them, make sure you book online) is a great way to wander without getting too lost and learn about the place.
Amongst restaurants, churches and souvenirs shops, two things to note: this neighborhood has a gothic church, but it is also the Jewish neighborhood.
Bridges, bridges, bridges. Venice is an archipelago after all! There are 438 bridges!
Kayaking at Sunset
Stepping into the kayak from one of the houses on the canals while holding on to a rope was already an adventure! Kayaking in the canals and getting out into one of the northern lagoons to see the sun set was another, and so very beautiful!
Kayaking in Venice is an incredible experience and a great way to see the city. I do prefer this to a gondola, as you’re closer to the water and you’re more in charge! Bring a headlight to kayak back in the dusk!
To see the video of this adventure, click here.
View of from the San Michele in Isola church.
Visit the Modern Art Museum Ca’ Pesaro
Named after the Pesaro family, the great collection of modern art is hosted in the family’s palace, which is very interesting in itself for its baroque style.
The three different floors have different collections: oriental on the third floor, temporary exhibits on the the second, and an international collection on the first floor.
Many paintings and sculptures will seem familiar, but take the time to observe them: it’s different to see the real thing as opposed to a reproduction you’ve seen many times!
For the museum’s official website, click here.
“Dante’s Barge” by George Frangulyan: statue of Dante and Virgil in front of the San Michele cemetery.
Walk the Riva degli Sciavoni
When you’re in the center of town, the little streets can be narrow, the canals separate everything and small bridges connect everything… you’re surrounded.
But on the Riva degli Sciavoni, you’re on the outskirts of the main group of islands, on the southern side, and you can see the sea, see far and have a feeling of being more in the open.
It’s a pleasure to stroll on this street, crossing larger bridges as you connect different islands, observing birds and boats, always following the shore of the Venitian Lagoon.
Meander the Giardini
Walking the Riva degli Sciavoni, you’ll eventually end up at the Giardini, gardens that are extra special during the Biennale, as it becomes sprinkled with scultpures. It also holds the foreign pavilions assigned to different countries for the biennale. Maybe you can find the one for the country you’re visiting from!
Even outside of the Biennale, it’s a beautiful park and will give you the breath of fresh air you need after being amongst tourists in small streets the rest of the time.