Many questions are often asked about Venice, such as “Is Venice worth visiting?” or “Is Venice expensive?” In this blog post, I will answer whether Venice is truly worth visiting. Another frequently asked question is about the cost of traveling to Venice. I will compare the prices from multiple aspects with both my home country, Türkiye, and as a visitor in Austria.
How to Get to Venice?
Our journey started from Salzburg. Normally, our train would have gone directly from Salzburg to the city of Udine, but due to some issues along the way, we had to get off at Villach and take an Italian bus. I have to mention that the difference is noticeable the moment you switch from an Austrian system to an Italian one. Our ticket indicated that the bus was supposed to depart at 10:30 AM, but it left 10 minutes late without any announcement, leaving us waiting by the bus door. When boarding, no luggage tags were placed on our baggage, which could have easily resulted in a loss.
The first thing we noticed during the bus ride was the driver’s lack of attention. It seems that they weren’t taught to maintain a safe following distance where they got their license. The driver was tailgating large vehicles, such as trucks, with a mere 3-5 meters in between, which was quite dangerous. As soon as we crossed the Italian border, we almost collided with a motorcycle rider in front of us, barely stopping in time. After finishing my criticisms, we can continue with our Venice adventure. 🙂
After arriving in Udine, we took a state-owned train to Venice. The train experience was a complete disaster, lacking air conditioning. Moreover, even though the conductor had the key, the windows remained locked for 2 hours, and by the time we arrived in Venice, I felt like I had lost 5 kilograms.
The Train Station
As soon as we got off at the Venice train station, everyone rushed outside to get some fresh air, and we were greeted by an amazing view right outside the station. Our first task was to dump the hot water in our bottles and buy fresh water from the nearest market. Once we had fresh water, we located our hotel on the map and settled in. The first question that came to our minds was, “Is Venice really worth visiting?”
Is Venice Worth Visiting?
If you have never been to Venice before, it is definitely a place to see at least once in your life. So, the answer to this question is automatically a “Yes, Venice is worth seeing.” It’s also worth noting that future generations may not have the opportunity to stroll through the streets of Venice, as scientists predict that Venice could be underwater by 2100. Despite the heat being almost unbearable after Austria, we managed to have a great trip.
How Many Days Should You Stay in Venice? Is 1 Day Enough?
My first response is that one day is definitely sufficient for Venice. After the first hour of walking, you will realize that all the streets look similar, and this monotony made me feel overwhelmed after a while. Walking to St. Mark’s Square, you will have already seen many notable places along the way. I am also adding many photos below for you to view as you like.
Is St. Mark’s Square Worth Seeing?
Absolutely, even if it wasn’t in a city as special as Venice, it would still be worth visiting. There are many beautiful restaurants playing lovely music, where you can enjoy a drink and relax. Or, if you’d like to take photos of the surrounding museums and attractions, you can add some stunning images to your album and proudly show them to your children, saying, “This is what I was like when I was young.”
Since you will likely be exhausted by the time you reach St. Mark’s Square, my top recommendation is to take a gondola or use the public boats. Gondolas are very expensive, which I will discuss in the next section. With the public boats, you can buy a 75-minute ticket for 9.50€, which will take you to the central train station, making stops all along the canal and dropping you off at the closest spot to your hotel. A quick heads-up: the boats are crowded and noisy, which can be a bit unsettling. 🙂
Review of The Artist’s Place in Venice – My Personal Opinion
The Artist’s Place is an apartment hotel located in the back streets near the train station. When we first found the hotel, the condition of the street and the entrance made us feel a bit disappointed. However, when we entered using a code, we found an envelope with our name on it containing our room key. After leaving the shared living area, we found our room. We stayed in Room 6. When we arrived, the air conditioner was on, and the room was ready. Since it was an old Venetian room, we did not have high expectations, but the slanted floor made us all laugh.
The overall cleanliness of the room was average, but the internet connection was poor. Even though four of us stayed, the door did not have a lock. We’re all friends, so it wasn’t a huge issue, but what if someone opened it accidentally? Dear Artist’s Place, can you consider adding a lock? The beds were quite comfortable, but I have one more criticism: why is there no outlet for each person in a room for four? Dear Artist’s Place, it’s the digital age, and such simple details shouldn’t be overlooked.
Is Venice an Expensive Place?
Excluding hotel prices, Venice is a fairly affordable destination. The words “expensive” or “cheap” depend on one’s budget, so let me clarify further. Pasta prices in the city center range between 9€ and 25€, while a bottle of wine is priced between 20€ and 45€. Soft drinks are around 4-6€, and beers are generally 5-7€. An Aperol Spritz costs between 5-7€.
Souvenirs such as magnets and keychains start from 2-3€ in Vienna and Salzburg, whereas in Venice, just a few streets away from the center, many items are priced around 1-2€. If you want more intricately crafted souvenirs, in Austria these start from 20€, but in Venice, they start around 12-13€. So, in this respect, Venice is an affordable place.
Should You Eat Pizza in Venice?
Pizzas are quite standard, and I don’t think they will impress you much. The best thing to enjoy in Venice is definitely the Tiramisu! I have never eaten such delicious tiramisu in my life! That’s all for now. See you in the Florence blog!
