One Day in Venice St. Marks Square
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The Perfect Romantic Venice Getaway

Are you excited about a romantic Venice getaway?

Whether you are planning a Venice honeymoon, anniversary, or maybe just a little getaway, Venice is a great location to make your dreams come true.

Maybe you already have it planned or maybe you are dreaming of a future trip.  This will be your guide on what you can do to make this the most magical, romantic time of your life!

Venice is a great choice as a destination for love.  The Italian people are in love with love.  Going on a romantic Venice honeymoon or anniversary is a great option!

In this post, we will give you a few ideas for a romantic Venice vacation, including the most romantic restaurants Venice has to offer and some romantic things to do in Venice Italy. 

Let's plan a romantic Venice getaway! 

Be sure to pin this to Pinterest as a great reference!

Romantic Venice getaway pin for pinterest

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How Long Should We Stay In Venice?

Venice City of Love

Should you stay in Venice for your whole Venice honeymoon or Venice romantic getaway?

No, you should plan maybe two or three days, but you can do most sites in Venice in a relatively short time.

Romantic Venice Tip – Time of Day Makes a Difference

St Marks Square Romantic Venice Itlay

As you plan your romantic Venice trip, remember timing is everything. One of the most romantic times of day is the sunrise in Venice.

If you are coming from the United States you will most likely be jet-lagged and will want to wake up early.  My advice is to do it!  Wake up at 5:00 AM and hit the streets.  Having the feeling of being completely alone with your love is one you will not regret.

Sunset is another great time to feel the romance Venice has to offer. There are lots of tours and romantic things to do in Venice Italy at night. 

1. Private Gondola Ride

Venice gondola- Romantic Venice

The most romantic thing to do in Venice is a gondola ride. 

I want you to imagine a beautiful canal between picturesque buildings, the sun is setting and you are in a gondola with the love of your life.   This may be the most romantic thing you will ever do in your life. Really!  What can beat it? I can think of a million Venice captions for this experience! 

Best Romantic Venice Experience

The gondola rides offered in Venice are the best in the entire world.  The whole experience will bring you great joy. Your private gondolier will take you down many canals and out into the Grand Canal.

The water is so blue and your surroundings are breathtaking. You can add a musician and have romantic songs sung in Italian the entire time.  This will really set the mood for your romantic Venice getaway!

Pro-Tip for a Romantic Venice Trip

Romance comes with a price tag! 80-100+ euros for a 40-minute ride, and an extra 120 euros for the musician!  Is it worth it?  You will have to decide!  Personally, I would book ahead of time so you do not have to negotiate a price when you arrive.

2. Romantic Venice Vaporetto Ride

Romatic Venice vaporetto ride

A Vaporetto ride in any other part of the day will not be romantic because it will be crowded and uncomfortable.  The rides begin at 6:00 AM.  It is almost as good as the gondola ride at this hour.

If you want to learn about the history of the city and about the Grand Canal, download an audio tour from Rick Steves.  Relax and enjoy a romantic ride down the Grand Canal.

Pro-Tip for a Romantic Venice Getaway

Venice is overly crowded until 4:00 pm each day because of all the cruise ships that port nearby. This may take away some of the romantic vibes but don't let it.

3. Getting Lost in Venice

Romantic Venice Walk

Take your sweetheart on a long romantic walk.  Venice has amazing narrow alleyways and, as a result, you can truly get lost! 

But not too lost. The city is three by two miles, so you can eventually find your way. But who cares. When you are with the one you love, being lost is both an adventure and a dream.

Holding hands and passing the time talking about your dreams and hopes will be one of the highlights of your trip.  We actually went on one of these beautiful long romantic Venice walks and found that we were actually lost!

Pro-Tip for Romantic Venice Italy Trip

Make sure to download Google Maps before you attempt this walk or your night may go from romantic to frustrating!  We were so grateful for Google Maps!

4. Romantic Hotels in Venice

Westin in Venice Italy Romantic Hotels

The ambiance of a hotel really makes it or breaks it for me.  We stayed in the heart of the city.  As we looked out of our window there was nothing but blue water.  We could see the gondoliers rowing around. It was the ultimate romantic experience.

We stayed at a Marriott which overlooked the Grand Canal.  Ultimately, my discovery was staying at the right place really does set a romantic mood! 

Personal View

I personally think staying in Venice is the way to go. We had family and friends suggest staying outside of Venice in Mestre and then taking a train in.

I'm glad we didn't. I loved staying in Venice. Being able to wake up early and be in the streets of Venice, by simply stepping out of my hotel was awesome. 

Not having to worry about a commute at the end of the night was. Having the city more to ourselves when the cruise ships left. It was great!!

Pro-Tip for your Romantic Venice Honeymoon or Stay

Keep in mind that most hotel rooms are very small in Europe.  This hotel was beautiful and very romantic but was no exception.  I still felt very comfortable and loved being there with my husband.

We stayed at a Marriott Hotel and it was perfect. 

Some of our friends suggested VRBO but if you are going for the romantic vibe it could be tricky to find one that meets your standards.

5. Romantic Venice Walking Tour

Venice honeymoon - romantic things to do in Venice grand canal

Now, if you and your sweetheart love to learn and want to gain a great grasp of the Venice area a walking tour might one of the best romantic things to do in Venice Italy.

Pro-Tip for Romantic Italy Getaway 

Walking tours are affordable and fun. The only downside is that you will be with other people on this adventure!

6. Visit the Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge Venice

There are certain Venice spots that scream Romance.  Rialto Bridge is also known as the “lovers bridge Venice.”  

Walking across this bridge is one of the most romantic things to do in Venice. You can also attach a love lock if you wish. 

7. Romantic Venice Cooking Class

Venice Food Tour

How does a romantic Venice cooking class sound?  This tour is at the top of romantic Venice choices! 

Another option if you do not want to cook but still enjoy amazing food is a food tour. to A local will take you to some of the best places to enjoy some samples of some of the best local cuisines.  

8. Romantic Venice Photography Tour

Venice gondola

If having a guided tour of Venice at sunset is appealing to you this photography tour would be a must. 

A local will guide you around the city and help you capture the most romantic pictures.  If you love photography this is for you.

9. Most Romantic Restaurants in Venice Eating Italian food

Dining at one of the most romantic restaurants in Venice is one of the most romantic things to do in Venice.

There are a lot of romantic restaurants in Venice. I have a few suggestions that might help you decide where to spend your evening. 

Romantic Restaurants in Venice Along the Grand Canal

I think food is essential for any great romantic date atmosphere.  Dining along the Grand Canal would make your night unforgettable! 

I love the idea of sitting at a little table staring into the eyes of my one and only.

Keep in mind, you are paying for the view and the experience and not necessarily the delicacy of the food.

Top Recommended Romantic Restaurants in Venice

  • Taverna al Remer
  • Bancogiro Stretch
  • Bar Naranzaria
  • Caffe Vergnano
  • Osteria al Pescador
  • Bar Restorante Bancogiro
  • Bar Ancora

One romantic restaurant in Venice that may have it all is called Taverna al Remer.  This restaurant is in a candle-lit warehouse that has a private pier to overlook and enjoy the canal.

Grand Canal View

All of the romantic restaurants in Venice I listed above have an overlook the Grand Canal. They are an absolutely wonderful place for a romantic Venice night out

Another option is a four-course meal prepared just for you.

I wish a romantic picnic in the moonlight was an option, but in most parts of the city, it is forbidden.  So don't count on that.  I am not exactly sure why but it is a law.

Pro-Tip for Romantic Venice Trip

A popular place at night is St. Mark's Square. There are restaurants and live bands. It is a bit crowded, but a wonderful experience!

Personally, I think that St. Mark's Square in the morning is a better way to experience the romantic Venice atmosphere.

10. Bridge of Sighs

Bridge of Sighs Romance Venice
 
The Bridge of Sighs is one of the most romantic Venice spots. Legend has it that a couple who kiss under this bridge at sunset will have eternal love. 
 

You can book a private gondola ride to make sure you are there right at sunset.

11. Murano Glass Blowing Murano Glass Blowing

While the crowds are high in the middle of the day, a great little boat ride away is a place called Murano.  If you want a romantic Venice date, take a Vaporetto (water taxi) to the Colonna stop to Murano. 

Murano is famous for glass making. If you walk down Fondamenta dei Vetrai street, you will see all the glass shops along the canal, which are incredible!

Glass Museum

There is a glass museum that displays the history of this amazing type of artwork.  We also saw a demonstration with a true Venetian glassmaker; so cool!

Murano is also a great place for a romantic walk.  There are little stores along the dock that are so inviting.

 

Are You Ready for a Romantic Venice Trip?

Grand Canal in Venice Italy

Hopefully, this gives you an overview of what a romantic Venice vacation could look like.  Start planning your Venice honeymoon, anniversary, or romantic getaway now. There are so many awesome romantic things to do in Venice! 

Italy is beautiful and you will not regret embracing the love the Italians have for love! Romance = Venice!

Facebook Group

If you need advice about your upcoming trip Planningaway has a private Facebook Group full of amazing people that will answer any questions you might have.  Join us and we can help!

More of Italy

 

Also, if you would like a Free Italy Guide with Itineraries and Restaurant suggestions sign up and I will email them to you.

Where will your next stop be? Maybe Florence to Rome or maybe down to the Amalfi Coast?  We loved everywhere we visited in Italy be sure to check out my adventures in Italy!

Also, I highly recommend getting an Italy Travel Guidebook before you plan your trip and think about which Italian souvenirs you want to purchase. 

If you are planning a northern or central Italy vacation be sure to check out my other posts Venice, Pisa and Lucca, Romantic Venice, Siena, and Florence.

If you are looking for a southern Italy itinerary be sure to check out Capri, Pompeii, Gaeta, and the Amalfi Coast.

Top Travel Tips for Italy is another great place to look for great Italy advice.

 

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84 Comments

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  6. Murano’s glass blowing is a learning experience. It has been many years since I have visited and viewed a demonstration. They do a wonderful job.

  7. Wow! That pizza! I could go just for that. But really, your trip looks amazing. I’ve always wanted to do glass blowing. We’ve yet to experience that anywhere we’ve traveled.

  8. Every since having pizza in Italy, I just can’t bring myself to eat it back here in the states. It is just not the same!

  9. Love, love, love Venice! And I think the price for the gondola is definitely worth it. Love all your posts about Italy!

  10. Your photos are amazing! I would love to add Venice to my travel wish list for 2019. Thanks for sharing!

  11. I love Venice. Where did you stay and did you get to go on an evening gondola ride? I want to go back to Venice so badly.

    1. We stayed at the Westin, it may have been bought out by another company now, It over looked the Grand Canal. We woke up at 5AM and took a vaperetto totally alone down the canal instead of the gondola!

  12. Our gondola ride was far from romantic. We booked ours as part of a walking tour and had the kids with us. The gondolas went through the smaller canals and got in a traffic jam. There was no singing.

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  14. WHat a lovely and romantic post. I enjoyed all your sidenote/tips. I went to Venice about 15 years ago and loved it. The gondola oh yeah, expensive and sunset is the best time. We did meet a couple the night before at a restaurant and chatted for hours. We decided to meet the next day to share the ride and had a nice time, not as romantic but had so,meone to take our photos on and chat with etc.

  15. I have a friend who recently went to Venice and she totally agrees with your recommendation to get up at sunrise. They found a ballerina practicing her dance alongside the canals at sunrise and got the most amazing photos.

  16. Great post! I love your side notes-so helpful! I would love to go with my husband to Venice sometime. I did go to the island of Capri many years ago and the Blue Grotto is definitely at the top of my travel memories. Thank you for sharing!

  17. What an extraordinary experience! The views, the food, the city…I hope to visit someday too! Thanks for sharing your tips and insights!

  18. Oh Venice. What a beautiful place. It’s on my bucket list of places I’d love to visit. I’m vicariously living through your pictures, thank you for sharing.

  19. Confirms our desire to visit Italy. Wonderful iconic places, history, and their “love with love” all call to me 🙂

  20. Oh my goodness — that pizza at St. Mark’s Square! Great photos, and it looks like you had an amazing time! I would so love to go to Venice someday!

  21. I have never traveled for romance (I know… sad), BUT, Venice is at the very top of my bucket list. I love reading about anything Venice. Thank you!

  22. I visited Italy in 2017 and I loved it! It was not a romantic getaway. The trip was my graduation gift to my grandson. My daughter, grandson and I spent 12 wonderful days touring the country. Venice was my favorite city although I loved the Cinque Terre region as well. There were things to love in every town, village and area that we visited.

  23. I’d love to go to Venice, or anywhere in Italy! I’d love to explore and try the food. I think your hotel room looks sweet! Maybe someday I will get there!

  24. My husband and I have been married for 33 years, but have never had a honeymoon. I’m trying to figure out the perfect getaway for us. This looks like a contender!

  25. It looks like you definitely had a beautiful vacation. A gondola ride is something that I think we would like to do if we were there. It seems both stereotypical and like such an enjoyable adventure that one can see why it is so stereotypical. Thank you for sharing pattsnof your adventure!

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