Venice is one of Italy’s most iconic cities—and it’s also a fantastic place to explore with kids. With no cars, plenty of bridges to cross, and canals instead of streets, Venice offers a uniquely fun experience for the whole family.
From learning to row a gondola and spotting lion statues around the city to exploring palaces, bell towers, and the famous St. Mark’s Basilica, there’s no shortage of things to do. Add in a day trip to see glassblowing demonstrations in Murano, and you’ve got a city that’s both fun and full of wonder.
This guide shares our favourite kid-friendly activities, practical tips, and fun ways to make the most of your family visit to Venice.
Day 1: Arrive in Venice and Explore the City by Water
After a long travel day, you and the kids may need a rest. Ease into Venice by spending the afternoon exploring the city by water. While gondolas are the traditional choice, the Vaporetto—Venice’s public water bus—is a fun, affordable, and very Venetian way to get around.
Ride Vaporetto Line 1, the scenic route, which winds slowly along the Grand Canal, offering fantastic views and stops at major landmarks like the Rialto Bridge and Piazza San Marco. It’s a great way to get your bearings on your first day.
Travel Tip: The Vaporetto can get hot! Grab a seat outside for the best views and a breezy adventure on the water. You can buy a one-way ticket or choose a 24-hour pass, which allows unlimited rides and makes it easy to hop on and off at different stops.
Day 2: Gondola Ride and Exploring Venice by Land
Gondola Experience
A gondola ride is the quintessential Venetian experience, offering a unique way to see the city’s canals. But if you’re looking for something truly memorable and hands-on, why not try your hand at rowing?
Our boys loved learning to steer and balance the gondola themselves—it was by far their favourite part of Venice! Learn More: Becoming Gondoliers: Learning to Row a Gondola in Venice
Explore by Land
Spend the afternoon exploring Venice on foot. Made up of more than 100 islands connected by bridges, Venice has no cars, no straight roads, and no real grid to follow. Instead, spend your time wandering the maze-like alleyways, crossing tiny bridges, and stumbling upon quiet canals, colourful storefronts, and lively piazzas filled with people enjoying gelato, pasta, and wine.
Some of Venice’s most famous landmarks, including the Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs, and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, are all best experienced by simply wandering between them.
Getting lost in Venice isn’t a problem — it’s part of the fun. We even turned it into a game by letting the kids lead the way as we searched for famous bridges and counted lions hidden throughout the city.
Day 3: Explore Piazza San Marco
Spend the day exploring Piazza San Marco, the historic heart of Venice and home to some of the city’s most famous landmarks.
Start at the Basilica di San Marco, known for its golden mosaics, ornate façade, and impressive domes. Next, head up the Campanile di San Marco for panoramic views over Venice and the surrounding lagoon.
From there, tour the grand halls and prison cells of Doge’s Palace, connected by the famous Bridge of Sighs. Our boys especially loved exploring the darker prison areas and searching for mythology references hidden throughout the palace.
In the evening, slow down and wander Venice after dark. The canals, bridges, and piazzas take on an entirely different atmosphere once illuminated at night. Grab some takeaway pasta or gelato and enjoy getting lost in the quieter streets.
Day 4: Day Trip to Murano and Burano Islands
Escape the busy canals of Venice and spend the day exploring two of the most beautiful islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Start your morning in Murano, famous for its centuries-old glassmaking traditions, where you can browse artisan shops and watch master glassblowers transform molten glass into intricate works of art.
In the afternoon, hop aboard the Vaporetto to colourful Burano. With its rainbow-painted homes, peaceful canals, lace shops, and relaxed atmosphere, Burano is the perfect place to slow down and wander without a plan. Between the scenic ferry rides, charming streets, and unique local traditions, this ended up being one of our favourite days in Venice.
Tips on Making the Most of Venice with Kids
Stay Central: While accommodations in Venice can be pricey, staying on the main island (rather than in Mestre or farther out) improves walkability, saves you the hassle of Vaporetto crossings, and allows for quick breaks with little ones.
Use Landmarks as Navigation Points: Venice is often confusing to navigate because of its maze-like streets. Use major landmarks like the Rialto Bridge or San Marco Piazza to help you get your bearings. If using Google Maps, download before you head out, as signals can be patchy in narrow streets.
Wear Comfortable Shoes: Even though Venice looks small on the map, you’ll do a lot of walking. Bring sturdy shoes for kids—and yourself.
Look for Public Water Fountains: Venice can be hot and crowded, especially in summer. Public fountains (look for “acqua potabile”) are scattered throughout the city and provide safe drinking water for refilling water bottles.
Start Early or Stay Late: Popular sites get crowded fast. Visit places like San Marco Basilica or the Rialto Bridge early in the morning or after 5 PM for fewer crowds and better photos.
Prepare for Smells (and Bugs): Some canals can smell in the heat, and mosquitoes are common in summer. Pack insect repellent and prepare little ones for the occasional whiff—it’s part of the Venice experience!
Turn sightseeing into a game: Challenge kids to count how many bridges they cross in a day, or look for lion statues, masks, or gondolas of different colours to keep walks interesting. Click here to download our Venice Scavenger Hunt for Kids.
Book skip-the-line tickets: Especially for the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and Campanile. In August, we saw people turned away by late afternoon due to crowds.
Consider the Venice Museum Pass: It offers excellent value if you plan to visit several sites, including the Doge’s Palace, and is available in family bundles at a discounted rate. The pass includes many of the city’s top museums and attractions. Check the official Venice Museum Pass site for the current list of included sites and pricing.
A Memorable Start to Italy
Venice is unlike any other city. Built entirely on water and connected by hundreds of bridges, it offers a one-of-a-kind experience for families.
From visiting grand cathedrals to rowing a gondola or spotting lion statues, there’s plenty here to capture kids’ interest, without needing a packed itinerary. With a bit of planning (and plenty of gelato), Venice turned out to be the perfect place to begin our Italian adventure—beautiful, walkable, and full of wonder around every corner.
Ready to Explore Italy?
Check out these related posts to help plan your trip:
• Fun Things to Do in Venice with Kids
• Becoming Gondoliers: Learning to Row a Gondola in Venice
• Inside the Colosseum: Touring Ancient Rome with Kids
• The Vatican with Kids: What to Expect & How to Plan
• Roaming Around Rome: A Walking Tour for Families
