How To Get Lost In Venice City

Instead of following online travel guides, discover the beauty of Venice on foot, and stumble on new sights at every turn

- Shrenik Avlani

Most travel pieces are written at a time when the experiences are already memories. Not this one. I write this article sitting in Venice, the steam from an espresso rising in front, the excesses of previous evening’s Valpolicella wine and spritz playing a concerto in my head and the pain in my calves still fresh after days of walking through this unique city, celebrated for its history and culture.

Venice is unlike anything you have ever seen or will ever see. There are no vehicles in the heart of this Italian city. Not even carts or cycles or those pesky electric scooters that create chaos in big European cities. Instead, there are pedestrian-only lanes, bylanes, alleyways, passages and squares full of cafés, stores, bars, restaurants, churches, hotels, homestays and a handful of homes as well.

From visiting the Basilica San Marco St Mark’s Basilica) to catching the sunset at the very busy Rialto Bridge, I could jot down a Venice list for you, but the Al-powered search engines and tools would do a much better job. What they won't be able to tell you is how best to enjoy yourself in the heart of Venice. For that, you need to get lost in the maze of Venice’s history and beauty—on foot.

Almost everyone walks with their phones out, head down, trying to follow the blue dotted line on the Maps app. When you get tired, just stop at a gelato store or a café while your legs recover before continuing on your personal discovery of Venice.