Debra K. White: Venice For Couples | 12 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Venice is known to be one of the most romantic cities in the world and a very popular honeymoon destination, rightly so. If you're planning a romantic getaway in Venice, here are the top 12 romantic things to do in Venice with your better half. The fervour of love is wafting all around and all you need to do is take a step back from the hustle of the floating city and allow it to consume you. While you're at it, here are a few more romantic things to do in Venice city that will definitely kindle the right sparks with your loved one!

#1 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Exchange sweet nothings on a Gondola Ride

There's nothing, I repeat nothing more romantic in Venice than a cuddlesome gondola ride through the meandering canals of the city. It gets all the more romantic if you have a serenading gondolier who will elevate the romance by humming mellifluous Italian melodies.

Insider Tip : Opt for an gondola ride around sunset and watch the city soaked in pink and orange hues. Stay a little longer and you can watch a carpet of twinkling stars gracing the clear Venetian skies.

#2 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Watch an Intimate Opera Show at Teatro La Fenice

When in Italy, it doesn't seem right to leave without witnessing an Opera show. Visit this ancient opera house located on San Marco and watch a romantic ballet or a live Opera show with your partner. The Opera house is beautiful inside out, so swoon over a performance as you settle into your seat in the gold balconies of this magical opera house.

Insider Tip : Squeeze in a tour of the spellbinding Teatro La Fenice in your itinerary. It's well worth your time and the stories of love, art and culture within the walls demand to be heard and witnessed.

#3 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Explore the Bohemian Neighbourhood of Dorsoduro

A quiter and quainter part of the city, the cobbled streets of Dorsoduro is nestled in a bohemian vibe with a hive of unpretentious eateries, lively pubs, a collection of museums, churches , galleries, a bunch of indie shops and vintage boutiques. Walk hand in hand through the charming lanes and stumple upon Gallerie dell’Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection, Cà Rezzonico, San Sebastiano, Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and Scuola Grande dei Carmini during your stroll. If you and your partner are museum buffs, make sure to pop by one or two of these museums and dip your feet in the history of Venice for a while.

Insider tip : Pop by Cà Macana, a famous Venetian Carnival Mask shop in the Dorsoduro neighbourhood and grab a few souvenirs and economically priced Venetian masks. Be warned, this place maybe bustling with tourists and locals around the Venice Carnival season.

#4 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Get Your Hands Dirty With Gelato

Any guesses for what's sweeter than the romance between you and your partner? Yes! It is a scoop of creamy and decadent Gelato. Grab a scoop (or two or three) from one of the many brilliant gelaterias in the city and find your own little corner in the city to gorge on it. If you're amidst exploring the city, you can even gorge it on the go. No fuss!

Insider Tip : Alaska has the best gelato in town, a tiny hole in the wall where tradition meets craziness. You'll find wacky flavours like avocado, ginger, and maybe even… basil. The ingredients are seasonal and the owner (Carlo) knows how to pair different flavours like no one else. Trust him to serve you the best gelato you can ever imagine! The wackier the combination , the better it tastes,

#5 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Marvel over Colourful Glass Creations at Murano

Hop on a boat and gallivant away to the unspoilt island of Murano. Wander down the streets and be blown away by the fascinating art of glass blowing. If you're interested in learning a little more about the history of the world famous Murano glass industry, visit Museo del Vetro ( Murano Glass Museum). This museum is a thematic exhibition on the history of glass, glass art and most importantly, Murano Glass.

Insider tip : In the Murano Glass Museum, you can even see the Murano signature coloured glass creations being made in front of you! You can even request for a personalised souvenir to remember your time together in Venice.

#6 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Lift your spirits in the vibrant lanes of Burano

You've probably seen images of brightly coloured houses with a canal piercing through the middle. This is the Burano Island, a 30 minute boat ride away from the Venetian Lagoon. Walk hand in hand through the lanes of this colourful island and click pictures galore. The Burano island is also widely famous for its lace and lace creations. You'll see elderly ladies sitting outside their houses and weaving lace with great patience. Sit by and watch their intricate work if you please. You can also visit the Museo del Merletto (Burano Lace Museum) for a complete rundown of the history and craftsmanship of the famous Venetian lace.

Insider Tip: On Burano Island, take the footbridge to Mazzorbo and visit the lovely walled vineyard. It's a lesser known hidden gem!

#7 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Dine Where Casanova Dined : Cantina Do Spade

Tucked away behind the Rialto Fish market, Cantina Do Spade is a 600-year-old trattoria where Casanova is rumoured to have dallied with his girlfriends. This was apparently where he brought women to dine, wine and fall in love with him! Get flirting with your partner and bring back the old days while you indulge in the Cantina Do Spade and savory chicchettis (Italian small dishes) at Cantina Do Spade.

Insider tip : Cantina Do Spade is one of the oldest bacaris in Venice ( it was mentioned in the 1566 census). The prices are old school and the food served is super traditional. Go all out and you won't be burning a whole in your pocket.

#8 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Kiss With A View From The San Giorgio Campanile

While most people believe that the San Marco Campanile gives the best views of Venice, the San Giorgio Maggiore Campanile is a much better location for a peerless view of Venice. Built in 1791, this Campanline not only allows you to admire Palazzo Ducale, the San Marco Campanile, Punta della Dogana and the many islands spread over the lagoon, but you can see as far as the Arsenale. You can also look down on the Borges garden of the Fondazione Giorgio Cini and Giudecca from up here! Go up here around sunset and see the sun setting behind the lagoon. Seal this eternal moment with a quick kiss!

Insider Tip : The San Giorgio Maggiore Campanile is located on the San Giorgio Maggiore island, which can be reached from San Zaccaria (San Marco) stop in 3 minutes via vaporetto line 2.

#9 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

A Walk to Remember at Zattere

Touted to be one of the most romantic neighbourhoods in Venice, Fondamenta delle Zattere is where the true beauty of Venice at night shines. Feast your eyes on the panoramic views of the Giudecca Canal, watch the light doing its dance on the water and see the charming pastel Baroque buildings fringing either sides of the canal as you stroll down this long promenade at night.

Insider Tip : If you come here in the evening, walk by the Squero di San Trovaso (gondola workshop) and catch a glimpse of the laborious effort that go into making the gondolas.

#10 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Tuck into a lazy lunch on Torcello

Follow Ernest Hemingway’s wanderings and drift on a boat to the inspiring Torcello island. This grassy, secluded island is decked in Byzantine mosaics and marshy muck lands. To put to perspective how secluded Torcello can get, know that there are just 75 inhabitants on the island! Amble past the Devil's Bridge and Cattedrale di Torcello (Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta) and settle for a meal in one of the few quaint restaurants on the island. Far from the hustle of Venice, everything on this island is leaden-footed, so be prepared for a dawdling, lazy day with your loved one.

Insider Tip : Check out Locanda Cipriani for an idyllic Italian lunch on the terrace under the shady pergolas.

#11 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

Indulge In Some Old School Museum & Church Trailing

Venice has a plethora of churches and museums, each one better than the other and it is only fair that you visit a few to leave the city a little more in love with it. If you and your partner are culture vultures and want to consume copious amounts of Venice's history, grab the St. Mark's City Pass and go museum and church trailing. This pass allows admission into the Doge’s Palace, 3 museums and 3 churches of your choice, the Teatro La Fenice, Querini Stampalia Foundation and Venice Casino! Those looking for an assortment of activities during their stay, this is a prudent choice. After all, what's more romantic than learning and growing together?

Insider Tip : Pick and choose the one's that you'd like to visit before hand and map out the travel from one to the other in order to save time and energy. You should also grab the one day vaporetto pass in order to save time and avoid standing in ticket lines.

#12 Romantic Things To Do In Venice

A Glide Down The Grand Canal At Night

Venice’s most treasured boulevard, the Grand Canal is a 3km strip of glistening water dotted with water crafts. It serpentines from the central neighbourhoods of Venice and ends near the St Mark’s square. In its course, it passes under 4 bridges crossing buzzing markets, well-manicured gardens and regal canal-front restaurants, lined by grand museums, churches and iconic structures. Hop onto a vaporetto ( or a gondola if your wallet allows you ) and glide down the Grand Canal, watching life in Venice unfold in its true element. This glide down the Grand Canal can be especially romantic at night.

Insider tip : Taking the public vaporettos to cruise the Grand Canal maybe not be the most romantic option, but a private boat ride or gondola ride for the entire stretch can work out quite expensive. Steer clear of the community hours in the morning (7 am - 9 am) and evening( 6 pm - 7 pm) for an assured seat on the vaporetto .