Venice is one of those cities that just reeks of romance. Just about every corner you turn to feels like it's a lover's spot, full of passion, emotion, and more. Not to mention the fact that it's undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities out there as well. It's no wonder it's become one of the most famous tourist destinations in Italy. But while marveling at Venice from afar is all well and good, there's really nothing like exploring this stunning city in person as well. Especially since it's made up of different neighborhoods, each more fascinating than the next!
Cannaregio
The great English playwright, William Shakespeare, has included tons of places in Italy in his many renowned works. Venice, of course, is one of them. In fact, 'The Merchant of Venice' even became one of his most memorable plays. But where in Venice is this story set? In the beautiful Cannaregio. A 500-year-old town that includes the famous Rialto Bridge among many others, it's a residential area within the city. From
luxury apartments to humble homes, people from all walks of life live here. A walk along the famous canals is a daily activity for them!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Castello
The beautiful
siestre of Castello is somewhat of an ironic place. With how it's set up, you'll likely expect that it's one of the busier parts of the city. Restaurants where people stuff their faces and
drink wine to their hearts' content, coffee shop for a quiet afternoon caffeine fix, and boutiques full of great souvenirs and the like, it's one of the more enterprising neighborhoods on this list. Not to mention that the city's widest street, Via Garibaldi, is also located here. But the ironic thing is, however, Castello is actually one of the quieter districts on this lies. It's very perfect for people to settle down in!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Dorsoduro
Though Venice itself is a stunning city, it was never really known as an artistic hub. Florence holds that mantle down pat! However, there's still a part of Venice where art reigns supreme: Dorsoduro! This siestre is all about the street artists and the museums, all showcasing the best of Italian artistry in this part of the country. After all, during the Renaissance period, while Florence was the home of countless famous artists, it was the Venetians who mostly commissioned their work. The
Accademia Museum in this district displays most of them for all the world to see!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Lido
If you haven't heard of the Lido district in Venice, that's alright. It's one of the least popular neighborhoods on this list. But that doesn't mean you should forego visiting the place. After all, as it is one of the more underrated areas in the city, it makes for a perfect peaceful retreat away from the more bustling siestres. You'll still get your fair share of beautiful villas, restaurants with
delicious Italian food, relaxing coffee shops, and the like. But it's the serenity of the place that will really leave a mark. It's the type of district that's perfect for honeymooners!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
San Marco
If you've seen countless photos of Venice before, be it in a magazine, on a pamphlet, or simply online, chances are you saw San Marco. The district is the central siestre of the city, after all. The most crowded area of them all, it's one of those neighborhoods that prove that Venice is, despite its old-school charms and nostalgic beauty, a modern-day bustling metropolis. The iconic St. Mark's Basilica, a stunning 11th-century structure, is the main attraction. And the nearby square, St. Mark's Square, is where the action really is! You haven't relly been to Venice if you didn't go here!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
San Polo
Weirdly enough, the smallest district in Venice, San Polo, is also one of the busiest. In this area, it's open markets, crowded restaurants, souvenir vendors and stalls, and more! If you want to buy something, be it food for the week or a nice Venetian trinket to bring back home, here is where you ought to go. Though it does tend to get rather crowded at times, enduring all that is worth it once you see just how great the area is. There's so much to do—and buy!—that you wouldn't know where and which to start!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Santa Croce
If you truly want to see the real Venetian lifestyle is, go to Santa Croce, Another largely residential area, it's a calm neighborhood with the right amount of business to keep you from getting bored. Nevertheless, it's not exactly a place where most tourists frequent and that actually one of the best parts about it. Here, local people get to live their lives without bumping into too many tourists, and you, whether you're just visiting or you're planning to move here, can get a peek of what life really is like in this beautiful, historic, and iconic city!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Venice is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities, not just in Italy, but in the entire world. And you'll only grow more fascinated about it when you explore the many neighborhoods that have defined the city for centuries!
