If you’re requested to call essentially the most family-friendly vacation spot you’ll be able to consider, Italy is normally (deservedly) among the many first options – however whereas a lot of the nation if good to discover with little ones, visiting Venice with younger youngsters takes a bit extra planning.
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There’s no query that there are many issues to do in Venice with youngsters, even when the concept of visiting an artwork gallery or marvelling over the structure and church buildings is just not going to be prime of your wishlist.
Even simply getting from A to B on the vaporetti is big enjoyable, and one purpose that it’s such a memorable metropolis break with youngsters… however in contrast to most different cities, you have to really feel affordable sure your youngsters received’t fall into the primary canal they see (which is why I put it off in the course of the toddler years). So right here’s what to think about earlier than planning a go to to Venice with younger youngsters is nice.
Check out my full set of journey suggestions for Venice with youngsters in addition to my choose of one of the best issues to do in Venice with youngsters right here
When to go to Venice with younger youngsters
One of the large bonuses of visiting Venice with younger youngsters is you could plan your journey for one of many quieter intervals.
Do keep away from peak summer time for those who presumably can, when the warmth and humidity (plus the crowds) make it a far much less nice option to discover.
People additionally flock to Venice for Carnevale, within the two weeks working as much as Shrove Tuesday (normally in February) whereas Easter can be thought of peak season, so additionally normally greatest prevented.
But in from March to May and September to October are excellent: the temperatures are pretty – you may need to dodge just a few showers, however we’ve loved solar and temperatures of 20-22C in October – and there are fewer folks round.
Walking round Venice with a child or toddler
Having no vehicles within the centre of Venice is a definite bonus once you’re exploring with youngsters – however you do must be careful for the canals as a substitute of the visitors.
There’s nothing between the banks of the canals and the water, which isn’t solely harmful however soiled – so visiting throughout that point interval between toddlers beginning to stroll and the age when they can perceive the dangers, is certainly not excellent.
While I strongly imagine it’s potential to maintain travelling with younger youngsters, Venice is one metropolis break I’d be tempted to postpone till they’re older, to keep away from spending your complete journey worrying about them falling in.
If you’re planning to make use of a buggy, be ready to have to hold it up and down steps to the bridges, manoeuvre slim winding streets and generally uneven surfaces in addition to negotiating streets thronged with guests.
A child service solves that downside however as you’ll most likely be doing numerous strolling (and because it’s normally heat in Venice), it’s more likely to be exhausting work when you have a younger toddler.
Kids aged beneath 14 are additionally the one ones allowed to make use of scooters and bikes inside Venice’s slim streets however you’ll hit the identical downside as with a buggy, so realistically one of the best ways to get round is on foot (together with the occasional bribe of gelato) or by boat.
Taking the vaporetto with youngsters
While the concept of travelling by water might sound overwhelming (though additionally thrilling!), Venice’s transport system actually isn’t too sophisticated to make use of.
You’re unlikely to get by a household metropolis break in Venice with out taking the vaporetto not less than as soon as – and truthfully, it’s half the enjoyable. An bizarre bus can’t evaluate to a water bus, in spite of everything.
For extra tips about attending to Venice from Marco Polo airport, together with the place to purchase tickets, and whether or not to e book a shared water taxi, try my full set of suggestions
Children beneath six journey free, however in any other case a single journey prices 7,50 Euros for all ages and the ticket is legitimate for 75 minutes from the time you validate it on the vaporetto cease.
Unless you realize you received’t be utilizing the vaporettos a lot, the day passes are higher worth although, particularly for those who’re staying for greater than at some point. A one-day go prices 21 Euros, whereas a 48-hour go is 30 Euros, a 72-hour go is 40 Euros and a seven-day go is 60 Euros.
It additionally makes it simple to hop onto one of many vaporetti everytime you’ve obtained youngsters with drained legs, and taking line 1 alongside the Grand Canal or line 2 (which runs virtually in a loop from San Marco Giardinetti spherical beneath the Accademia and Rialto bridges, out to the west previous the cruise port and down in the direction of Dorsoduro and Giudecca, then again to San Marco San Zaccaria) is a straightforward option to see town.
Planning a gondola experience?
A gondola experience isn’t low-cost: costs begin from 80 Euros for a 25-30 minute journey in the course of the daytime (120 Euros at night time), it’s not the most cost effective choice.
So for those who’re visiting Venice with younger youngsters, you need to really feel sure that you just received’t be losing your cash. Once your kids hit round 4, they’re extra more likely to benefit from the expertise than spent the half hour being bored (or making an attempt to climb overboard).
Equally, when you have a child who would possibly doze, lulled by the rocking water as you take in the sights, it’s an exquisite reminiscence of household journey in Venice. But as soon as once more, it’s not one thing I’d attempt with a toddler.
The traghettos – like a bigger gondola, crossing the Grand Canal between the bridges – are usually a unbelievable option to get a style of a gondola journey with out the value tag, however they’re very wobbly, so not such a very good choice with youthful youngsters.
Things to do in Venice with younger youngsters
Check out my full record of one of the best issues to do in Venice with youngsters for particular points of interest to think about – in spite of everything, it makes a giant distinction for those who’re planning a metropolis break in Venice with a child versus a visit with a four-year-old.
And for sure, all youngsters are totally different – I’ve visited cathedrals with my daughter when she was youthful and fascinated by the ornament, for instance, so that you don’t must rule out the Basilica San Marco for those who suppose your kids will probably be mesmerised by the gold and mosaics.
But for those who’re visiting Venice with youthful youngsters, there are just a few nice choices which ought to undoubtedly be on your loved ones’s record.
Hunt for lions
There are some nice video games you’ll be able to play as you discover Venice, together with the change to hunt for the lions dotted throughout – the winged lions representing town’s patron saint St Mark.
Look out for them on flags, on door titties, on buildings and topping columns in St Mark’s Square for starters, or think about a particular tour of Venice with youngsters to assist select a number of the quirky particulars of town.
We cherished our expertise with Lucia from Venice Walks and Tours, a wonderful scavenger hunt beginning within the oldest a part of town and taking us to the Rialto Market, and thru the streets to Basilica San Marco.
While you may not need to share all of the gory particulars of Venice’s glittering heyday, just a few legends and the Doge’s Palace are fascinating for any age.
Explore Burano
No matter what age you’re, the colorful streets of gorgeous Burano are assured to boost a smile.
Located on the outer Venetian lagoon, you do have not less than a half-hour boat experience to get there however the laid-back environment and the vibrantly colored homes lining the canals make this small fishing island an awesome place to discover.
You may even get a glimpse of glass blowing in retailers like New Arte Fuga for a straightforward option to watch this astonishing craft, reasonably than an extended tour on Murano which isn’t at all times that thrilling for teenagers – clearly the cabinets are crammed with fragile glass creations although!
For extra suggestions of issues to do in Burano with youngsters in at some point, try this publish
Do attempt the native delicacy of buranelli (small S-shaped butter cookies) too – Pasticceria Costantini is the basic spot to purchase.
Keep a watch out for the leaning belltower of the Chiesa di San Martino Vescovo, the patterned facade of Casa Bepi Sua and the ‘high tide’ home, simply off Piazza Galuppi, not removed from the church, which exhibits how excessive the water ranges have risen through the years – good for measuring youngsters in opposition to.
It’s price arriving early to keep away from the crowds, though for those who’re visiting out of season, it’s might be quieter than the principle island.
Visit the seaside
Not the very first thing that involves thoughts once you consider town , nevertheless it’s simple to spend a day on the sand for those who’re visiting Venice with younger youngsters.
Take a 20 minute vaporetto experience over to Venice Lido and also you’ll be greeted with lengthy stretches of gorgeous white sand seaside and its personal chilled-out environment for those who’re trying to escape the hustle and bustle.
You’ll must lease a deckchair and umbrella on the personal seaside golf equipment and motels, however on the public seashores, you’ll be able to simply lay down a towel on the sand and luxuriate in so youngsters can take pleasure in working round on the large seashores, constructing sandcastles, and splashing within the waves.
It’s solely 7 miles lengthy, so you can too simply rent bikes to discover, together with ones with baby seats.
You might even keep by the coast, in addition to visiting for a day journey, for those who head to Lido de Jesolo, round an hour away – ferries run between the 2 and there’s some nice child-friendly lodging by the seaside too, together with residences with cooking amenities and a washer. Handy for those who’re travelling with a child.
Find a spot to play
If your youngsters are searching for a spot to play between sightseeing, Venice’s canals and slim streets don’t at all times make it simple – however there are just a few spots to move for, together with a uncommon park.
The Giardini Savorgnan in Cannaregio is among the largest inexperienced areas within the metropolis, initially a botanical backyard and now a public park. There’s additionally a play space – and it’s not removed from the station and Ponte delle Guglie with its gargoyles.
For extra inexperienced area, the Giardini Reali are near Piazza San Marco, though you received’t discover swings or slides right here, whereas additional into Castello is the Giardini della Biennale, often known as the Giardini Napoleonici – there’s a play space not removed from the Santa Elena vaporetto cease.
Otherwise the campos, or squares, of Venice are nice for letting youngsters burn off some vitality with out the danger of falling right into a canal. Campo Santa Maria Formosa isn’t removed from the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco, whereas Campo Santa Margherita is a superb choice in Dorsoduro and Campo San Polo close to the Rialto Market.
You’ll typically discover puddles in addition to flocks of pigeons to chase in St Mark’s Square – it’s price realizing that the water in these might be fairly filthy, so packing wellies or boots is an effective plan because it’s virtually inconceivable to not splash.
Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History is one other enjoyable museum in Venice for teenagers of all ages, and a family-friendly gem.
Located contained in the Fondaco dei Turchi, a grand thirteenth century Venetian palace dealing with the Grand Canal, Venice’s Natural History Museum is a treasure trove of fascinating pure discoveries spanning 700 million years of historical past.
From a 7-metre lengthy dinosaur to a mighty whale skeleton, there are many exhibitions which might be assured to impress youthful guests. Many of the creatures within the museum’s assortment even come from the Venetian lagoon that surrounds the floating metropolis.
Family-friendly artwork on the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
You can simply fill your time in Venice with out visiting an artwork gallery, however the Peggy Guggenheim Collection must be one of the vital family-friendly museums in Venice for those who do fancy some tradition – and kids beneath 10 go free.
Every Sunday at 3pm, the fashionable artwork museum hosts free workshops for youngsters aged 4 to 10 – these are in Italian, though you’ll be able to request the choice of it being translated into English once you prebook.
The workshops intention to make the artwork collections extra accessible and fascinating for youthful guests, with the chance to get hands-on and take a look at some artwork strategies for themselves.
The museum additionally has a full calendar of different enjoyable family-friendly occasions, in addition to its spectacular assortment of recent artwork, that includes a number of the twentieth century’s most essential artists.
Food in Venice with younger youngsters
My daughter’s favorite meals are pasta, pizza and ice-cream, so whereas pizza and gelato aren’t historically Venetian, you actually received’t wrestle to seek out each throughout town together with ‘cicchetti’ to nibble.
Look out for baccala mantecato, a creamy salt cod concoction normally served with bread, together with tramezzini, sandwiches made with crustless white bread.
Don’t look forward to finding kids’s menus in eating places, though most are normally comfortable to do smaller parts or let youngsters share a plate of pasta, for instance.
More suggestions for Venice with younger youngsters: Finding bogs
It’s price holding a stash of small cash handy for public bogs whilst you’re out and about in Venice with youngsters. There are a number of dotted round central Venice which have child altering amenities, together with close to Rialto and the Accademia Bridge.
Entry prices 1.50 Euros and there’s normally an attendant who can change a observe, however in any other case you’ll must feed the cash into the turnstile. While card cost was presupposed to be an choice in some, we by no means really discovered it working wherever.
Otherwise, the Fondaco dei Tedeschi retailer additionally has free bogs (on the bottom ground and fourth ground), whereas points of interest typically have bogs too. Restaurants may have bogs for patrons as nicely, though not essentially child altering.
The Flush app (free to obtain through the Google Play retailer or Apple Appstore) can be a very good choice to seek out the closest bogs. But it’s nicely price seizing the chance whilst you can, in case of urgency, as you’re not assured to seek out wherever close by.
For extra concepts of issues to do in Italy with youngsters, try concepts for close by Bibione with youngsters, in addition to my better of Tuscany with youngsters, and a week in Rome with youngsters, together with a family-friendly tour of Rome
*First printed 2016, final up to date 2022*
PIN FOR LATER: VENICE WITH YOUNG KIDS
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