Events, beach and sea, exhibitions, spritz and ice creams
What a great and rich summer we have ahead in Venice. Here are some major events to take note of and some tips by the Hostelsclub staff.
- Take a stroll along Zattere while enjoying an icecream or gianduiotto at gelateria Nico
Zattere overlooks the Giudecca Canal and is a wonderful and wide sun-kissed quay, ideal for strolling before a stop at Nico, which is perhaps one of Venice's best icecream shops.
- Have a spritz with the locals in Fondamenta della Misericordia
Along with Fondamenta degli Ormesini e Fondamenta San Girolamo, Fondamenta della Misericordia is still a location where to have a drink and mix with locals. It's dotted with little bars, check them out and pick your favourite one.
- Hit Saint Mark's Square before or after anybody else
Even crowded Saint Mark's Square can become a heaven of peace and calm if visited early in the morning or late at night.
- Enjoy a free firework show during Redentore (15th of July)
Save the date, in 2017 Redentore falls on the 15th of July. Saint Mark's basin covers in boats, a temporary votive bridge links Zattere to the Redentore Church and a firework show lights the night up and brings the party on.
- Visit the International Art Exhibition
You don't necessarily have to be an art expert to attend the Art Exhibitions. While the main exibition takes place at the Central Pavilion of the Biennale Giardini and at the National Pavilions, you will find free collateral events scattered throughout Venice. They are usually hold in palaces that are not accessible to the public during the rest of the year; what a better chance to nose around?
(Biennale Art Exhibition takes place in Venice every two years)
- Attend the Regata Storica (usually in the middle of September)
Mix history, legends together with some healthy sport competitions and you'll get the modern version of Regata Storica. It is usually held on the 1st Sunday of September and includes a historical boat parade and real rowing competitions. Make sure you get a nice spot in one of the piers along the Gran Canal.
- Hit the beach at Venice Lido
Mix culture and leisure with a day at the beach in Venice Lido; for free access beaches we suggest Blue Moon (closer to the Santa Maria Elisabetta vaporetto stop but sometimes over crowded), or quieter San Nicolò and Alberoni for sandy beaches and Murazzi for rocky ones.
- Visit Saint Mark's Basilica: it's free
You might not be into art at all but a visit to Saint Mark's Basilica is a must: it's free access and it's such a concentration of art of different periods (Romanic, Byzantine and Gothic) with over 800 square metres of mosaics. It is definitely worth a visit.
For value for money accommodation in Venice check this out
Flicker pics are by johnjoh, trawin, dalbera, mountjoy, tillwe, yellowbookltd, graeme, michaelclarke and were under the Creative Commons licence at the time of publication.