The Doge’s Palace in Venice is a treasure trove of history, culture and charm, but to visit each of its rooms with the attention it deserves, a week would not be enough. 
If we think of how many doges it has hosted, how many scandals and how many death sentences have been pronounced from its two pink colours on the loggia, and again how many illustrious guests it has received or how many secret and commercial missions have been decided within these walls, it seems impossible to think of visiting it in just a couple of hours. But we are perfectly aware that often visitors have only 2 or 3 days to visit our wonderful city and one has to know how to optimise his time here. 
Our guests often ask us what to see in the Doge’s Palace – one of the 5 museums we recommend not to miss during your stay – and that’s why we thought we’d also share with you some tips for making the most of your visit to one of Venice’s most iconic places. 

The inner courtyard

Once you pass the ticket office, you will be greeted by a majestic inner courtyard. Two things will strike you for sure: the magnificent Scala dei Giganti, the ancient honour entrance with its two large statues representing Mars and Neptune, sculpted by Sansovino, and the Marco facade with a clock, which hides behind it the domes of St Mark’s Basilica, once the doge’s private chapel. 
In this courtyard, there are also two wells, dating back to the mid-16th century. At the time, this space was open to the public and citizens could freely use the water collected from these wells.

From here we access the Censors’ Staircase, from which the visit to the Doge’s Palace begins, leading us to the incredible Golden Staircase. 

The Golden Staircase

This staircase will leave you open-mouthed, with its stucco and gilding accompanying the visitor to the Doge’s Apartments and then to the government rooms.  

Construction of the staircase began in 1555 designed by Jacopo Sansovino, but the stucco work is dated later. The decorations all have a propagandistic and political significance, a sort of calling card for the illustrious visitors of the time.

The Hall of the Maggior Consiglio and the drape covering the traitor doge

Surely this is the most famous room of all, especially for Tintoretto’s Paradise, 25 metres wide and 7 metres high. A colossal work that takes your breath away. 
This room is astonishing for its width and for its lack of columns, which is entirely intentional. The main reason why the Doge’s Palace came into being was that a room suitable for the main sessions of the Venetian aristocracy was needed. It was here, in fact, that the highest offices in the Veneto were voted. 

Bridge of Sighs

To reach the Prigioni Nuove building, across the canal, one crosses the famous Bridge of Sighs, a two-lane fortified passageway.
The bridge was built in the early 1600s, but the name by which it is known throughout the world is due to Lord Byron – or so it is rumoured.

Palace of the New Prisons

Not to be missed in the Doge’s Palace is the Palazzo delle Prigioni Nuove, the first building in history to be constructed for housing prisons. 
Casanova, however, did not escape from here, but from the Piombi, the prisons under the roof of the Doge’s Palace.

 

Here at the Alle Guglie Hotel we often have families visiting Venice for a few days and it’s not rare for us to be asked what to see in Venice with children, especially when infants hence a museum wouldn’t be an appropriate location for them (although there’s museum and museum, we’ll see along with the article). 

This is why we thought to write this short guide with the advice we usually give to those who choose us for their stay.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection organises workshops for children

Coming to Venice with children does not necessarily mean renouncing a visit to any museum. Of course, it depends a lot on the age of your children, but some solutions will help them approach to culture in a playful and carefree way, such as the workshops of the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, dedicated to children from 4 to 10 years old. 

It is possible to take part in the workshops free of charge every Sunday at 3 p.m., after booking through the dedicated page.

Natural History Museum: a plunge into world history

A museum created inside a fondaco, the Fondaco dei Turchi, a former warehouse from the early Middle Ages, built by Giacomo Palmieri, founder of the Pesaro family. From 1621, the Serenissima gave it to Turkish merchants for use as a dwelling and goods warehouse. 

Today, this architectural marvel hosts the Natural History Museum, a museum suitable for everyone, young and old, now also interactive.

Read also: 5 museums you cannot miss in Venice

Doge’s Palace and the secrets of the Prisons

The Doge’s Palace is a fascinating place for adults and children, with all its different rooms, large windows, secret passages and the Palace of Prisons that can be reached by crossing the narrow Bridge of Sighs. Visiting it together with your children will be an unprecedented adventure that will leave the whole family with a special memory of Venice and its history.

For every child his Carnival mask, thanks to the mask workshops.

There are many workshops scattered around the city where you can create your very own Carnival mask. This is usually an activity that children enjoy very much and we can recommend several shops and mask workshops where you can have this experience. Feel free to stop for a few minutes with us at reception to ask which workshop is closest to the hotel.

A day by the sea on the Lido di Venezia

Venice is not only culture but also fun and relaxation, so why not dedicate a day to sunbathing and taking a dip in the sea? The Venice Lido is about half an hour by vaporetto from our hotel, easy to reach and with plenty to discover besides the beach. 

If we have triggered your curiosity, we invite you to read the article Things to see on the Venice Lido that we wrote. 

A gondola ride for the whole family

A gondola ride with the kids? Fun is guaranteed, but be careful not to lean out too far!

The gondola is a special boat, unique in its kind, and of unparalleled charm, but to fully enjoy the tour you need to make sure the children stay seated for the duration, for safety reasons. We’re sure it won’t be difficult, especially if you choose the tour of Venice’s internal canals, full of curiosities and with surprises at every turn!

Advising about where to eat in Venice has never been an easy task, because of the great variety of restaurants and because of everyone’s different tastes. In this article, we have tried to collect 5 places (not just restaurants) where you can get an excellent meal in Venice in the Cannaregio area, a few steps from our hotel. 

Osteria Al Cicheto

Just a 6-minute walk from our hotel, in the direction of the Santa Lucia railway station, in a somewhat hidden calle named Calle della Misericordia, you will find this small bacaro where you can have both lunch and dinner. 
At the counter, there are various ‘cicchetti’ and classic fried appetisers, perfect for an aperitif accompanied by a glass of white or red wine. 
For dinner or lunch, on the other hand, you can enjoy traditional Venetian dishes. 
The advice we give you is to book at least a couple of days in advance because the restaurant has very few tables. Do not hesitate to ask us for help, we will be happy to reserve a table for you. 

Osteria Ca’ d’Oro alla Vedova

A historic restaurant a few steps from the Ca’ D’Oro palace, famous for its meatballs and meat and vegetable pies. There is no shortage here of traditional dishes such as baccalà mantecato and sarde in saor, which taste even better when served with excellent polenta. 
Shall we talk about the first courses? In addition to the pasticcio, try the ‘bigoli in salsa’, you will fall in love!

Gam Gam Kosher Restaurant

Within the Jewish Ghetto area, one of the must-sees during your trip here, there are a few restaurants where you can sample Jewish cuisine, our favourite being Gam Gam, which has been open for more than 15 years now.
Here you can sample kosher cuisine and, while sitting outside, you can enjoy the view of the Ponte delle Guglie.

Trattoria Povoledo

Another restaurant to eat at in Venice is the Trattoria Povoledo, belonging to a Venetian family that opened it in 1950. The particularity of this restaurant, apart from the traditional Venetian dishes revisited in a modern key, is the terrace on the Grand Canal, from which you can enjoy a spectacular view of the most beautiful street in the world. You will feel as if you are embraced by the lagoon.

Bar Olimpia

Just seconds away from the train station, perfect for a quick but gourmet snack or lunch as soon as you arrive in Venice or just before you leave for home, is Bar Olimpia. This bar has been open since 1936 and has recently been completely renovated, especially in the kitchen, with a series of gourmet sandwiches on its menu that are all worth trying.

These are some of the places to eat in Venice that we recommend you try, but if you are looking for something special, even outside the Cannaregio area, ask us for advice at reception: we will be happy to help you find the perfect restaurant for your evening!

 

Although smaller and less famous than the Teatro la Fenice, the Teatro Goldoni in Venice has its history that we want to tell you about. First of all, few people know that this theatre, a few steps from San Marco, is the fourth oldest in the city, after Teatro Michiel, Teatro Tron and the Teatro di San Moisè. 

Originally, the theatre was named after the family that built it in 1622, the Vendramin family, was enrolled in the Venetian patriciate since 1381, hence a family with certain importance and reputation in the city. 

But when did the theatre take the name Teatro Goldoni? Let us take a step back in time.

History of the Goldoni Theatre

For the first thirty years, the theatre only hosted comedies, but after the fire of 1653 and its subsequent rebuilding, things changed and the new owners (Andrea and Zanetta Vendramin) delegated its management to third parties, with the agreement that they would be paid an annual income of 1000 ducats. 

The theatre was beginning to be very successful, to the detriment of the other city theatres owned by a rival family: the Grimani. With a less than legal stratagem, the Grimani family removed the impresario Gaspare Torelli from Venice and the management of the Goldoni Theatre, obtaining it as a subcontractor. The Grimani family did not get away with this discourtesy and in 1689 the Vendramin family resumed running their theatre.

Carlo Goldoni made his first appearance here in 1734, but it was not until 1753 that the Vendramin managed to wrest it away from the Grimani and the San Samuele Theatre with a very advantageous contract, which allowed the playwright to produce his most famous and revolutionary works, such as Baruffe Chiozzotte and Sior Todaro Brontolon. 

Goldoni then left for Paris, the theatre was renovated again and reopened in 1776, but due to the fall of the Serenissima in 1797 and the Vendramin family’s economic crisis, the theatre did not shine as brightly as in previous years. The theatre was closed in 1807, due to a directive of the Ministry of the Interior, which reduced theatres in proportion to population density.

The revival of the Goldoni Theatre 

In 1817 the theatre reopened, after a series of structural interventions, and when the Teatro La Fenice was destroyed by a powerful fire in 1836, the performances scheduled for Carnival were moved to the Teatro Goldoni, which in the meantime had taken the name Teatro Apollo. 

The theatre would carry this name until 1875 when actor Angelo Moro and owner Regina de Marchi (wife of the late Domenica Vendramin) decided to rename it Teatro Goldoni, in honour of the Venetian playwright. 

It was no coincidence that the name change took place on the evening of 26 February 1875, the day after Carlo Goldoni’s birth (the date of the ceremony was moved up a day due to an unexpected snowfall).

Curiosities about the Goldoni Theatre

We would like to conclude this article about the history of the Goldoni Theatre with a peculiar detail: this theatre was the first in Italy to have gas lighting and complete illumination of the auditorium. This great innovation happened in 1844, thanks to Regina De Marchi, who did everything she could to make her late husband’s wish come true.

 

Although Venice is known to be one of the most expensive cities in the world, there are things you can see and visit for free. In this article, you will discover the most interesting ones and not be missed!

The Jewish Ghetto

The area of the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in Europe, a few steps from our hotel, can be visited completely free of charge, discovering curious corners such as the Banco Rosso, in Campo del Gheto Novo. 

This is what remains of one of the three pawnshops that existed here; its name comes from the colour of the receipts that were issued. 

Visits to the synagogues and the Jewish Museum are for a fee. 

Acqua Alta Bookshop

This bookshop is something truly ‘Instagrammable’, filled to the brim with books of all kinds on shelves, boats, tubs and even a gondola!

At the back, a small courtyard houses a staircase made of books, giving access to the view of the canal behind. 

If you’re looking for a book, any book, ask the owner, he knows the location of each one, even if on the surface it looks like there is no real order. 

Ah, don’t forget to greet the cat-keeper as soon as you cross the threshold!

Basilica of the Madonna della Salute

Among the things to see in Venice for free is one of the city’s most famous and important churches: the Basilica della Madonna della Salute, built by the Serenissima to thank the Virgin Mary for having eradicated the plague epidemic that was killing the city between 1630 and 1631. 

Inside, stop to observe the beauty of the main altar, with an effigy of the black Byzantine Madonna in the center, surrounded by three statues: the Virgin Mary, the Plague and Venice.

Read also: What not to miss in Venice

St Mark’s Basilica

St Mark’s Basilica is also among the things that can be visited in Venice free of charge, although we always suggest discovering it with a guide, given the many Byzantine mosaics inside and the many stories it tells. 

Fondaco dei Tedeschi viewing terrace

Since the Fondaco dei Tedeschi has been restored to its original splendour, housing a luxury shopping center with no less than 65 different shops inside, the panoramic terrace on the top floor has also been made accessible free of charge. 

The view from here is spectacular: a breathtaking 360° panorama over the roofs of Venice and the Grand Canal. 

To go up, simply book your visit on the Fondaco dei Tedeschi website… and don’t forget to take a selfie!

 

Although best known for being home to the annual Venice International Film Festival, Lido di Venezia is much more than that – it’s a little treasure trove of unexpected wonders. 

If you are planning to come to Venice in summer or spring, including the Lido of Venice among the things to see could be an opportunity to spend a day at the beach: a perfect way to regain strength after a couple of days spent walking around the city and discovering its museums, don’t you agree?

Let’s see what to see on the Lido of Venice in 1 day.

The Murazzi

Walking along the beach, between Ca’ Bianca and the Alberoni area, you will notice that an imposing dam has been built, conceived by the Venetians back in the 1700s to defend the banks from the erosion of the lagoon waters. They are a historical construction that used to be made of stones and wooden piles, but as you can well imagine, it had a very short life and so it was replaced by this wall of large boulders.

Granviale Santa Maria Elisabetta

The main street of Lido, is the one that leads from the vaporetto landing stage to the beaches. It is a relaxing walk, to be enjoyed at leisure, perhaps eating good ice cream or taking the opportunity to do a bit of shopping. Once on the beach, you can continue your walk with your feet in the sand: a panacea for your health!

Cycling from Lido to Pellestrina

One of the things to do on Venice Lido is to take a bike tour to Pellestrina island, located nearby the Lido, where you can enjoy more tranquility. 

Our suggestion is to visit the entire island by bike, taking advantage of the cycle path to reach the various points of interest in Lido and then spend a few hours on the beach nearby Pellestrina to rest your legs at the end of the tour. 

The tour is feasible for everyone, as it is all flat and you can stop at any time along the way.

Malamocco

Malamocco is the oldest part of the city, the place where the government of the Serenissima once had its seat and later moved to San Marco. Strolling here will be like going back in time, to an almost forgotten Venice for which you will always feel a little nostalgic.

Church of San Nicolò

This church is not very well known, but it is very important for Venetians: still today the mass following the Sposalizio del Mare is celebrated here, a ceremony that takes place on the day of the Festa della Sensa (in May) and that remembers the eternal pact between Venice and its waters, just like in the past. 

Inside the church are also the relics of St Nicholas of Bari.

Jewish Cemetery

Few people know that Lido di Venezia is home to one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe, which is well worth a visit, of course, always with full respect for the Jewish community and the people who rest here.

 

Choosing what to see in Venice is perhaps one of the most difficult things to do, due to the nature of this incredible city built on water. Its uniqueness, its history and its culture make every palace, every church and every calle something unique, but we are going to advise you on what you must see in Venice to make better use of your time in this wonderful, timeless city. 

Many things are very close to our hotel and you can reach them comfortably by walking. You will soon realise that walking in Venice is one of the best ways to see and get to know the city, thus discovering unexpected places!

St Mark’s Square and St Mark’s Basilica

Absolutely the most famous square in the world, a treasure trove of wonders that leave everyone speechless, not for nothing it was called “the most beautiful ballroom in Europe”. 

Not everyone knows that St. Mark’s Square is the only square in Venice, while all the other “little squares” around the city are called “campi” and do you know why? Because once upon a time these squares were not paved, but served as vegetable gardens or meadows for grazing animals, or, especially those next to churches, were used as “holy fields”, or cemeteries. 

St Mark’s Basilica proudly overlooks the square in all its majesty. A place to get lost while admiring the incredible golden mosaics on the ceiling. 

The square is also overlooked by St Mark’s Campanile, called by the Venetians “El paron de casa”, and the Correr Museum, one of the most important and representative museums in the city. 

Doge’s Palace

Together with the Rialto Bridge and St Mark’s Campanile, the Doge’s Palace is perhaps one of the most iconic symbols of Venice. The palace was the seat of the Doge and the state magistrates, it was the place from which justice was administered, and not only that!

A palace to be discovered and where you can get lost among the many rooms (some of them secret) and prisons, which you will reach by crossing the famous Bridge of Sighs, from whose small windows you can see St Mark’s Basin and the picturesque Island of San Giorgio. 

Rialto Bridge and the Market

One of the must-seen in Venice is definitely the Rialto Bridge and its famous Market. The Rialto Bridge is the first bridge to be built across the Grand Canal and was once made of wood until it collapsed under the weight of the crowds that had gathered to watch the Marquis of Ferrara’s wedding procession in 1444. 

Jewish Ghetto

If you are staying in Venice for at least two days, we recommend a visit to the ancient Jewish Ghetto, just a few steps from our hotel. An evocative and still little-visited place, where you can immerse yourself in the Jewish culture and discover the relationship with the people of the Serenissima and taste their most typical dishes. 

Burano, Murano and Torcello

A tour of the three most famous islands of Venice is a must: Burano, Murano and Torcello. This tour would be especially recommended if you planned to stay at least 3 days in Venice, as it is a full-day experience. You will have the opportunity to see how the world-famous Murano glass and the handcrafted merletti of Burano  are maiden using an anicient technique. You culd also sit on Attila’s throne on the island of Torcello. 

Walk to the Zattere

To end your day(s) if you want to enjoy an unforgettable sunset, this is where you need to come!

The Zattere Fondamenta is one of the strategic points where you can admire the colours of the sky reflected on the waters of the Giudecca Canal, and see the city from a different perspective. 

If you are planning a weekend in Venice, do not hesitate to contact us for more pieces of advice!

 

Venice is a city of museums – there’s something for every taste, from those dedicated to contemporary art to those that tell the story of the life of the Serenissima at the height of its splendour. And then there are the art galleries, the museum of perfumes, and every museum in Venice is housed in a wonderful palace, which alone is worth the price of the ticket. 

Having said that, since the number of museums in the city is high, here is a selection of the ones we consider “unmissable”, no matter if you come to Venice for only 2 days or more!

Correr Museum

The Correr Museum is one of the city’s most representative museums, its entrance overlooking St Mark’s Square. Room after room, this museum tells and presents the history, culture and art of Venice. 
On the first floor, among the things to see, there is the Napoleonic Wing, wanted by Napoleon, where you can admire a large and majestic ballroom, with decorations typical of the Empire style. 
Also on the first floor is Sissi’s flat, which dates back to the Habsburg years. Empress Sissi lived here for a few months, the first time between 1856-and 57 and the second time between 1861*1862.
On the second floor are some 140 paintings from the collection of Teodoro Correr, from whom the museum takes its name. 

Ca’ Rezzonico

One of the most famous museums in Venice, dedicated to the 18th century period of the Republic. An incredible place to immerse yourself in the life of the nobles of the time, discovering their furnishings and habits. Inside is a ballroom that occupies two floors in height.

Doge’s Palace

The Doge’s house, the place where the Serenissima administered justice, is the building that most represents the power of Venice. The Doge’s Palace is not only a museum to see, but one of the symbols of the city.
Inside you can visit the Doge’s flats, the hall of the Maggior Consiglio, where all the Venetian nobles met when important decisions had to be made. Foreign guests were also welcomed here, and it is no coincidence that the walls are decorated with paintings of battles and victories. 
This room also houses Tintoretto’s famous 84-metre-long painting, Paradise, which replaced Guariento’s painting after the fire of 1577. 
You can also admire the Armoury area, the loggias, the courtyard and even some secret areas of the palace if you choose to follow the Secret Itineraries route. 

Accademia Galleries

Famous all over the world, the Accademia Galleries are located in front of the Accademia Bridge, a strategic point to enjoy the colors of the sunset over Venice and a breathtaking view of the Basilica della Madonna della Salute. 
Inside you will find a collection of paintings typical of Venetian and Veneto art, mainly related to the period between the 14th and 18th centuries. 

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection is the last museum in Venice not to be missed, not only because of the incredible works of art inside, selected by Peggy Guggenheim herself but also because of the palace itself, which is very different from all other noble palaces overlooking the Grand Canal. 
Legend has it that the palace was never finished because of a dispute between families, but that’s a story for a future article!