Best Teen Activities in Venice

Venice is one of those cities that looks just as beautiful in real life as it does in photos, and it's easily one of the most beautiful The best places for family vacations in Italy. I was here last summer, and the gentle canals, grand architecture, and incredible museums have me ready to come back. There is so much to see and do in La Serenissima, but I know I’ve only scratched the surface.

While Venice is a great place to visit with kids of any age, for teenager. No matter how long you're in town, the variety of activities you can do in the city will keep your kids busy, and it's truly one of the few cities in the world where I feel safe letting my kids wander around alone – it's just that safe.

But if you only have 72 hours in Venice with your teenagers, you'll need a plan to help you understand and make the most of this city's charms. This guide will help you visit all the unmissable attractions in Venice and the surrounding area, as well as provide some special off-road experiences to introduce you to local culture and customs.

The ornate Byzantine facade of Venice's St. Mark's Basilica dominates the frame, with five arched portals, intricate golden mosaics, marble sculptures and multiple domes rising against a vivid blue sky. The sun-drenched square in front of the cathedral is crowded with a large crowd of tourists, and the base of the bell tower can be seen at the right edge of the image. — Often called the “Golden Church,” St. Mark's Basilica features more than 86,000 square feet of gold mosaics, whose light symbolizes the light of heaven. Photo by Lisa Boonaerts on Unsplash

Best Three-Day Tours for Teens in Venice

Day 1: San Marco

morning

Any great trip to Venice starts with San Marco, most popular Sestier (Neighborhood). If you've ever seen photos of Venice's dramatic coastline and towering buildings adorned with the city's iconic Venetian Gothic architecture, they were probably taken here.

Start your day early so you can visit this famous neighborhood before it gets busy. There's no doubt that Venice is always bustling, especially San Marco, but you can avoid the crowds by getting up early in the morning and heading out.

If you can convince your kids to get up early, San Marco's location on Venice's east coast makes it a perfect spot to watch the sunrise. From there, take some time to stroll through Piazza San Marco (Piazza San Marco), the city's only officially designated square, and take in the views of nearby St. Mark's Basilica and the looming cathedral tower. You'll also see the Doge's Palace here, but it's best to save that visit for later.

hint: While the cathedral is stunning at any time of day, it feels especially magical after dusk, when the lights come on to highlight the shimmering mosaics inside. hello babino travel advisory team Night tours can be booked with vetted partners – Reach out your hand Learn more.

A white square plate held three slices of Venetian cicchetti: a pizza-like bun smeared with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella; a crostino smeared with pesto pesto and roasted cherry tomatoes; and a crostino layered with cured meats and salty green toppings. A glass of white wine with stems on a warm wooden bar background. — The Venetian Spanish tapas cicchetti is perfect for satisfying your hunger before dinner. Photo by Kari Walker Collett

afternoon

After a morning of exploring, you and your kids may be feeling hungry. Delve into San Marco on this delicious tour and learn more about a Venetian staple: cicchetti. Similar in concept to Spanish tapas, these snacks can include everything from seafood on bruschetta to cheese and salami, and if you eat enough, they can be quite filling.

While you can find local bars selling traditional Venetian cicchetti on your own, an easier way to find the best food is to take a cicchetti tour. These excursions are perfect for families who want to combine the fun of learning about local culture with the ease of meal planning.

A gondolier pilots a black gondola through the narrow Venetian canals to the Bridge of Sighs, the ornate white limestone enclosed bridge that connects the Doge's Palace to the former prison. Tall stone buildings stand on either side of the green canal, and a second cable car can be seen in the distance beneath the arch. — According to legend, prisoners sentenced to death crossed the Bridge of Sighs on their way to prison and had one last glimpse of Venice through its windows, hence the bridge's name. Photo by Lital Levy on Unsplash

night

Without a doubt, one of the most popular things to do with teenagers in Venice is a visit to the Doge’s Palace, or Palazzo Ducale. During the day, throngs of tourists come here to marvel at the Renaissance staircase and cross the white limestone Bridge of Sighs that connects the palace's interrogation rooms to the former prison. You can also see the cell where local conman Giacomo Casanova was imprisoned.

The palace is a place not to be missed, but it's more fun to explore during a private or semi-private evening visit. Depending on the tour you choose, your guide may also take you to the crypt beneath St. Mark's Basilica, where the city's patron saint is said to be buried. Either way, these after-hours tours allow you to admire the grandeur of the Doge's Palace without having to contend with hundreds of people.

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A bright gallery room at the Peggy Guggenheim Museum in Venice features white walls hung with modernist and cubist paintings, polished terrazzo floors, and a central dark wood dining table surrounded by upholstered chairs. Antique wooden furniture is spread throughout the space, and bronze abstract sculptures are displayed on pedestals at the far end of the room. — American heiress and collector Peggy Guggenheim lived in the palace for thirty years, and it now houses her eponymous museum. Photography: Matteo De Fina/© Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Venice

Day 2: Dorsoduro and São Paulo

On your second day in Venice, take your kids to two of the city's quieter parts: Dorsoduro and San Paolo. Located opposite San Marco on the Grand Canal, these neighborhoods offer curious visitors the opportunity to get an up-close look at Venetian life and art.

Dorsoduro

Dorsoduro means “hard back” in Italian, and it's here you'll find some of Venice's most striking museums. this Peggy Guggenheim Collectionfocusing on 20th century European and American art; this Academy Art Galleryhome to the world's most important collection of Venetian Renaissance paintings; and Palazzo RezzonicoEverything with the theme of Venetian art and life in the 18th century is here. On the other hand, if you want to spend the day outdoors, Dorsoduro is also a great place to try gondola paddling.

You've no doubt seen or heard of Venice's famous gondolas, which locals and tourists use to get around the car-free city. But in communities like Dorsoduro, you can participate in the tradition yourself. Learn how to guide these boats along Venice's scenic waterways on a private rowing lesson (CB! Advisors can arrange it)—while you learn more about Venice's history.

At night, the brightly lit Rialto Bridge arches over the Grand Canal, its white stone railings and colonnades reflected on the dark water below, and the light trails of ships passing under the bridge. Brightly lit restaurants and historic buildings line the canal's banks, with a red-and-white-striped mooring pole standing in the foreground alongside a small waterside terrace. — The Rialto Bridge sparkles at night. Photo by Michael Heise on Unsplash

sao paulo

If you're traveling with artistically inclined teens, head to São Paulo to spend an afternoon learning more about Venetian craftsmanship. Here you'll find a variety of bookbinding shops that can teach your family this traditional form of practical art, and in some shops you may see live bookbinding demonstrations.

After your class, spend some leisurely time strolling along the nearby winding cobbled streets. Depending on the path you choose, you may find yourself in Da Vinci Interactive Museum I especially recommend a visit to Scoleta di San Rocco if you have young children or teenagers at home. Alternatively, if you continue east toward San Marco, you'll eventually reach the famous (and photo-worthy) Rialto Bridge, which dates from the late 1500s.

There is a narrow canal on the island of Burano, with densely packed houses painted in bright pink, purple, blue, red, orange and green. Small motor boats are parked on the edge of the canal. Under bright blue skies, pedestrians walked along a sunny promenade lined with wooden mooring poles. — Burano is famous for its brightly colored houses along its canals, which were originally painted to help fishermen find their way home in thick fog. Photo by Tjaard Krusch on Unsplash

Day 3: Murano, Burano and Torcello

On your final day, it's time to explore beyond the center of Venice. Head to the nearby islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello to learn about the area’s glassblowing traditions and experience the quieter side of the local culture.

If you book a private tour to the islands, you'll sail through the Venetian Lagoon by boat with a professional guide, who will tell you about the history of each location before you dock. Throughout the tour, you'll be able to watch glass masters create beautiful works of art in Murano, and you can even take part in a hands-on glassblowing workshop.

Later, admire the brightly colored houses lining the streets of Burano and visit one of the oldest local churches, the 11th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Sutera on the less-visited island of Torcello. Your kids will love the variety of sights you see on this tour, and you'll get to squeeze in some quality time together before the 72 Hours in Venice ends.

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Editor's note: This article was accurate at the time of publication. We recommend checking independently for the latest information and updates. Ciao Bambino assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions in the information provided, or for any actions taken as a result of the information provided.