I've been fortunate enough to visit Venice several times throughout my life. I've experienced it as a solo traveler, as part of a multigenerational family vacation, and most recently with my husband and our three daughters. Over the years, I've heard plenty of people describe Venice as overrated or overly touristy. While there's no denying it's one of Italy's most visited destinations, I couldn't disagree more. There simply isn't another city like it anywhere in the world. Built entirely on water, with centuries-old palaces lining winding canals instead of streets, Venice feels almost dreamlike. Every bridge, piazza, and hidden alley tells a story, and no matter how many times I visit, I always discover something new.
Getting There
For our most recent visit, we flew into Venice Marco Polo Airport in June and took a private water taxi directly to our hotel. Even before arriving, the journey across the lagoon sets the tone for your visit. Gliding through the canals by boat as Venice slowly comes into view is one of those travel moments you'll never forget. During our stay, temperatures reached the upper 80s, and the summer heat was definitely noticeable, so if you're visiting during June, July, or August, plan outdoor activities for the cooler mornings or evenings whenever possible.
Sanaz's tip: Take a private water taxi from the airport — gliding across the lagoon as Venice comes into view is one of those travel moments you'll never forget.
Where We Stayed: The St. Regis Venice
For this trip, we chose The St. Regis Venice, and it was an excellent choice for families looking for luxury in the heart of the city. One thing to know when traveling through Italy with children is that hotels are often much stricter than in the United States regarding the number of guests allowed in each room. Because of local regulations, finding accommodations for a family of five can sometimes be surprisingly difficult. To make it work, we booked a suite connected to an adjoining room, giving everyone enough space while still staying together. Although the rooms weren't particularly large by American standards, they were beautifully renovated, elegant, exceptionally clean, and thoughtfully designed. The location couldn't have been better — most of Venice's major attractions were within easy walking distance, making it simple to explore the city without constantly relying on water taxis.
Sanaz's tip: For families of five in Italy, book a suite with an adjoining room — local regulations on room occupancy are much stricter than in the US.
Gio's Restaurant: One of Venice's Best Views
Without question, my favorite part of the hotel was Gio's Restaurant. Its beautiful outdoor terrace overlooking the Grand Canal is exactly what you imagine when you dream about Venice. Whether we were enjoying breakfast in the morning, lingering over dinner as gondolas drifted past, or simply relaxing with an evening cocktail, it was one of those places where you never wanted to leave. It's the kind of setting that perfectly captures the romance and beauty of Venice.
Sanaz's tip: Reserve a terrace table at Gio's for dinner — watching gondolas drift past the Grand Canal as the sun sets is pure Venice magic.
Exploring St. Mark's Square
No visit to Venice is complete without spending time in St. Mark's Square. We enjoyed leisurely afternoons sitting outside with drinks while our daughters happily chased pigeons across the piazza and listened to the live orchestras performing in front of the historic cafés. Watching the square come alive as music echoed through the centuries-old buildings is one of those classic Venetian experiences that never gets old.
Sanaz's tip: If possible, avoid visiting Venice during the peak of summer when the city can become extremely crowded and quite hot — but regardless of the season, never skip it.
A Mask-Making Class We Still Talk About
One of the highlights of our trip — and easily my daughters' favorite activity — was taking a traditional Venetian mask-making class at Ca' Macana. Together we painted and decorated our own authentic Venetian masks, creating keepsakes that we still proudly display at home. Afterward, we browsed the workshop's incredible collection of handcrafted masks, each one carefully made by local artisans. It was such a unique experience and a wonderful way for the children to connect with Venice's rich artistic traditions. If you're traveling with kids, I can't recommend this enough.
Sanaz's tip: Book the mask-making class at Ca' Macana in advance — it fills up quickly and is hands-down the best activity for kids in Venice.
Don't Skip the Gondola Ride
Of course, no trip to Venice would be complete without riding in a gondola. We made one small mistake — we booked ours at midday. With the summer sun beating down, it became much warmer than we anticipated, making it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. If you're visiting during the warmer months, I highly recommend reserving your gondola ride either early in the morning or later in the evening when the temperatures are much more comfortable. Regardless of the timing, it's one of those quintessential Venice experiences that's absolutely worth doing.
Sanaz's tip: Book your gondola ride for early morning or evening — midday in summer is far too hot to enjoy it properly.
The Best Way to Experience Venice
While there are certainly famous landmarks to visit, I honestly think the best way to experience Venice is simply to wander. Turn down narrow alleyways without looking at a map. Cross small stone bridges. Admire the flower-filled balconies. Browse tiny artisan shops. Stop for an espresso or gelato whenever you feel like it. Some of our favorite family memories came from getting completely lost and stumbling upon quiet canals and hidden little squares that never appeared in any guidebook. Be sure to walk across the iconic Rialto Bridge, one of Venice's most famous landmarks, and enjoy the beautiful views of the Grand Canal below.
Sanaz's tip: Get lost on purpose — Venice's most magical moments happen in the quiet alleyways and hidden squares that don't appear in any guidebook.
Is Murano Worth It?
On a previous visit, I toured Murano, famous for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition. As someone who appreciates art and beautiful glass sculptures, I absolutely loved visiting the workshops and watching master artisans create intricate pieces by hand. For this particular trip, however, I decided not to include Murano in our itinerary. With younger children, I felt they would enjoy hands-on experiences far more than watching glass demonstrations. Looking back, I think we made the right decision. My daughters still talk about the mask-making class, shopping for little treasures in the local boutiques, and simply wandering Venice's charming streets together.
Sanaz's tip: Murano is wonderful for adults who appreciate artisan craft — but with young children, hands-on experiences like the mask-making class will resonate far more.
Final Thoughts
Venice is one of those rare cities that appeals to travelers of every age. Whether you're celebrating a honeymoon, traveling with young children, or exploring with grandparents, there's something undeniably magical about experiencing life in a city built entirely on water. I recommend spending two to three nights in Venice, which gives you plenty of time to explore the city's iconic landmarks while also leaving room to slow down and simply enjoy its unique atmosphere. After visiting several times over the years, I can honestly say that Venice has never lost its magic. Every visit feels a little different, yet somehow just as memorable as the last. Some places live up to the hype. Venice surpasses it.
Sanaz's tip: Two to three nights is the sweet spot — enough time to see the landmarks and still have room to simply wander and get wonderfully lost.
Where to Eat & Drink
Venice has no shortage of restaurants, but the best meals are often the ones with the best views.
Gio's Restaurant at The St. Regis Venice
Grand Canal terraceThe outdoor terrace overlooking the Grand Canal is exactly what you imagine when you dream about Venice. Breakfast here with gondolas drifting past is one of those experiences that stays with you long after you leave.
