Beautiful but busy square and other Venice, Italy Things to Do Tips

Piazza San Marco or St Mark's Square is the most popular attraction with tourists in Venice. It is constantly full of visitors with different reasons to visit, from appreciating the history to filming movies. Apart from two James Bond flicks (I recalled), there was also a Bollywood singing & dancing scene that had the stunning surroundings as a backdrop

It's impossible to get a picture without a multitude of tourists posed beside you so you'll have to bear it. I suppose the only time you can see an empty square is when it's either very early in the morning or late at night

Should you get tired of snaking your way through crowds people, you can sit and enjoy a drink at one of the open air (albeit expensive) cafes in the main square

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Address: St Mark's Square, Venice
Directions: Follow the many direction signs in the city, or take the waterbus to San Marco stop

The smaller square between the Doge's Palace and the Biblioteca Marciana, Jacopo Sansovino's Library, which faces the mouth of the Grand Canal is Piazzetta dei Leoncini. This was also where the scene from "Moonraker" when James Bond came up in his "gondola-hovercraft" to escape from the bad guys. OK, that was not romantic but I do know that you can take some really good pictures in the Piazzeta.

You can also walk towards the quayside to pose next to the gondolas that line the waterfront.

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Directions: Head towards Piazza San Marco, it's the area between the Doge's Palace and the Biblioteca Marciana

An inexpensive way to discover Venice is to cruise along the Grand Canal on a slow waterbus or Vaporetto No.1 ~ from the Piazzale Roma stop to the San Marco stop, and onwards to Lido Island for some more exploring or cheaper dining

There are many attractions to be seen from the water, from Ca' Pesaro (gallery of modern art), Ponte di Rialto to Piazza San Marco at the mouth of the Grand Canal. I took a seat in the front of the vaporetto to get unobstructive views and chill under the sun as we slowly made our way. The trip takes approximately 30-45 min

A single adult fare on the vaporetto is €6, or you can purchase a travelcard or the Venice Card

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Directions: Take the waterbus or vaporetto No.1 from Piazzale Roma to San Marco, or the opposite direction

Built in the 16 century, the current Ponte di Rialto was constructed to replace a boat bridge and three wooden bridges that spanned the Grand Canal. Back then, this was the only way to cross the Grand Canal on foot until the Academia Bridge was built in 1854

The structure itself is a magnificent sight with it's intricate architecture and white marble material that is built in a single span across the canal. Shops line the bridge in between three walkways to allow people to walk across or hang around to enjoy the view or do a little shopping

The area here is very busy with people, especially visitors and cafes that line the Grand Canal will cost more than somewhere further away

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Address: Rialto Bridge, Venice
Directions: There are plenty of signs in Venice that points to the Rialto Bridge. Follow the signs and you will get there. Otherwise, use the waterbus or vaporetto no.1 and get off at the Rialto Bridge stop

Ponte dei Sospiri or the Bridge of Sighs was built over the Rio di Palazzo to connect the Doge's prisons with the inquisitor's rooms in the Doge's Palace. Though erected in the 17th century, it only got its name in the 19th century after Lord Byron's famous reference in his poem.

It was believed that as the condemned crossed the bridge, he would have his last view of the beautiful lagoons and freedom, thus the reference to "sighs"

It costs nothing to view the bridge from the outside and a local legend says that lovers will be assured of eternal love upon kissing under the bridge on a gondola at sunset. To me, I think it's another tourist trap :-)

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Directions: From Piazza San Marco, walk towards the Doge's Palace and turn left along the quayside. You will come to a small bridge and from there you can see Ponte dei Sospiri

When in Italy, it's the opportunity to shop for some Italian products especially when they cost more back home. I would look for one or two special items and even get tax free when I leave Europe. For those who love luxury brands, you can find names like Gucci, Ferragamo & Prada close to Campo San Moise, in the San Marco district

There are also many other items uniquely Venetian e.g Murano glass, masks or costumes which you can bring home with you

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Address: Calle XXII Marzo, San Marco, Venice

This is one of the three bridges that spans across the Grand Canal with Gallerie dell' Accademia one side and Campo San Vidal on the other. It was constructed in 1933 mostly with wood material.

You can get a nice views of the Grand Canal while standing in the middle of the bridge

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Directions: You can get here on public waterbus or vaporetto and stop at "Accademia"