Venice With Kids – Our Ultimate Family Guide
When the idea of going to Venice with kids first sprang to mind, in hopes of satisfying our long-held desire to visit, it was initially dismissed as quickly as it had been considered. Let’s be real, the thought of constantly having to steer a young child away from canals wasn’t the most appealing, and we’d heard rumours it wasn’t very pram friendly, with its bridges, steps and taxi boats. Travelling with a 5-month-old definitely seemed like a challenge.
But, true to Vine style, when someone says it’s not doable, it only makes us more determined to try and before we knew it, with a bit of planning, some flexibility and a good sense of humour we were on our way to Venice with kids!
You’ll be pleased to know, we came, we saw, and we conquered, spending an unforgettable October half term exploring this magical city! Read on for our ultimate guide to visiting Venice with kids – from the best time to visit and how to get there, to navigating the city and the top things to see and do with children.
Is Venice worth visiting?
There’s nowhere else in the world quite like Venice. A city built on water, where boats replace cars and every turn looks like something off a postcard, Venice is pure magic. There’s a real thrill in riding on a Vaporetto (water taxi), getting lost in tiny backstreets, or watching gondolas glide by as you tuck into yet another gelato.
Kids will love meandering across all the tiny, picturesque bridges, feeding pigeons in St. Mark’s Square, painting their own Venetian mask, or spotting rainbow coloured houses on Burano. A trip to Venice will not only enchant the adults but also entertain the kids without a doubt.
Where is Venice?
Venice is located in Northern Italy on the Adriatic coast. It is made up of 100 tiny islands, all intertwined and linked together by bridges and canals, which is what gives the place its unique, dreamy charm. Visitors can only get around Venice by boat, with there being no roads or cars.
Best time to visit Venice
We went in October and honestly, it was spot on, warm enough for wandering and sitting by the canals with a spritz (or a juice box), but not rammed with tourists. If I had to break it down:
Spring is probably the best time to visit Venice with kids, not too hot, not too busy, and everything’s just waking up after winter. Great if you want to beat the summer rush but still feel like you’re getting that proper Venetian glow-up.
Summer is beautiful, but let’s be real, it’s hot, busy, can get a little smelly and not the easiest with little ones who melt faster than their ice cream. If you do go in summer, early mornings are your best friend, so aim to get out exploring before temperatures soar. Ideally, you’ll need an accommodation that has aircon, but if budget allows, aim to stay in an accommodation that has a swimming pool, for a refreshing afternoon dip.
Autumn (especially September and October) might just be the sweet spot. Fewer crowds, cooler evenings, and still loads going on. Plus, it’s easier to get a table for pizza without queuing behind a tour group of 40.
Winter has its charm, especially around Christmas or Carnival time. It’s quieter, yes, but you’ll want to wrap little ones up. Think misty canals, cosy cafes, and way fewer people jostling for bridge selfies.
Is Venice safe?
In short, yes, Venice with kids felt totally safe for us. It’s a pretty chilled place, with no cars to worry about (just boats!), and the general vibe is calm and friendly. Keep in mind, though, the canals are open and everywhere, so if you’ve got little ones who like to bolt, you’ll need to keep them close. As with any city, keep an eye on your stuff in busy areas, especially around the big tourist spots like the Rialto Bridge or St. Mark’s Square. But overall? We never felt uneasy once. It’s the kind of place where you can stroll, snack, and soak it all in without too much stress.
How to get to Venice
Venice doesn’t have cars, so getting in feels a bit different to most cities. The airport (Marco Polo) sits just outside town, and from there, some hop on a bus, others go for the water taxi, the fancy (and fun) option if budget allows. This is the option we decided to go for, and it was just what the kids needed to keep them entertained.
Coming in by train works really well too, especially if starting from somewhere else in Italy. The main station (Santa Lucia) drops people right at the edge of the Grand Canal, not a bad first view!
Driving’s a bit trickier. Since no cars are allowed in Venice, parking needs to be done on the outskirts, and then it’s boats or walking from there. Same goes for buses, they get as far as Piazzale Roma, which is about as close as wheels can get.
How to get around Venice
Getting around Venice is honestly part of the fun. Since there are no cars, you’re either walking or hopping on a boat. Walking’s the best way to take it all in, discovering the quaint streets and random bridges that all feel like something out of a film. It’s easy to get lost, but that’s kind of the best part about it!
Then there are the boats, known as water buses or vaporettos, which run up and down the canals and help make getting around nice and easy. You can find water taxis there too, which do cost more, although they are faster and feel more of a treat.
Gondolas are the most iconic means of transport, which you’ll see featured in any image of Venice, and are also the most expensive way of getting around. They’re more about the experience than getting from A to B, but if you’re going to do it anywhere, this is the place.
How many days in Venice
Most people find that two or three days in Venice is just right for ticking off the big sights, but spending a bit longer there, if you’re able, gives the trip a whole different feel. If you can add in an extra day or two, this will let you take it slower, giving you the opportunity to wander into the quieter corners and soak up the atmosphere beyond the tourist hot spots.
Venice isn’t a big place, but it’s layered, and the more time you give it, the more it gives back. When you have kids in tow, being able to take things at a more relaxed pace makes a huge difference and allows everyone to enjoy the sights without feeling like they’re rushing to check everything off before the next toddler meltdown!
Where to stay in Venice
If you’re struggling to figure out where to stay, it’s probably best to decide what kind of accommodation you’re after initially, along with if you fancy being in the heart of the action, or out of the way. Some parts of the city are better for hotels, while others are perfect for self-catering accommodations, and some are right in the thick of major attractions, while others are a small distance away.
San Marco is the big one, being right in the centre of all the famous landmarks like St Mark’s Square and the Basilica. It’s ideal if you want to be right in the middle of the action and don’t mind the buzz (and a bit of a price tag). You’ll find lots of classic hotels here, some with pretty stunning views.
Cannaregio is another good shout, especially if you’re coming in by train. It’s lively without feeling chaotic, and has a nice mix of boutique hotels and local spots. Dorsoduro’s another favourite, with a slightly artsy feel and feels more relaxed, but still really well located. Great for couples or families who want to avoid the big crowds.
Now, if you’re leaning more towards a self-catering place, like we always do when we travel, Castello is a great choice, especially the quieter eastern end. It feels a bit more like real-life Venice, with little grocery shops and quiet squares where kids can run about without any stress. Santa Croce is another lovely, calm area that feels local and down-to-earth. It’s still central enough to get around easily, especially if you’re arriving by bus or car, since Piazzale Roma is right there.
Venice is full of activities that the whole family can enjoy, whether you’re looking for something adventurous or just a relaxing way to soak up the city’s charm. From fun, hands-on experiences to sightseeing with a twist, here are some of our favourite things to do with the whole family.
Things to do in Venice
Venetian Mask Painting
This was one of our favourite family things to do in Venice. After seeing Venetian masks all over the island, in shop windows, coffee shops and on building facades, it was so memorable to go and decorate our very own masks to take back home with us. Although there are many companies and individual artists who offer this experience, we’d really recommend booking in with Venetian mask artist, Sofia – here.
We were invited to her art studio, where we were all allowed to pick a mask to decorate – which took me quite a while to choose, due to there being such a great selection to choose from. We then had the freedom to use all of her paints to decorate our masks, with the opportunity to emboss them with gold leaf, Carmen’s favourite. She spoke excellent English, was very patient with us all and so enthusiastic
Ride a Vaporetto
A Vaporetto is basically a water bus, which we found to be a really handy way of getting around Venice with kids, especially when we were tired of walking. Instead of dragging everyone from one spot to the next on foot, we regularly just hopped on and glided along the canals, enjoying the sights from the water. It costs about €7.50 for a single ride, which does add up if you’re doing a lot of trips, so consider getting a day or multi-day pass in order to save money.
Gondola Ride
A gondola ride might be on the pricey side, but honestly, it’s one of those things that just feels like a must-do activity while you’re in Venice with kids. There’s something really special about calmly drifting through the canals, watching the city from the water while your gondolier somehow steers with just one oar like it’s no big deal. It’s calm, and dreamy, and a great experience for the kids, especially when they have seen images of them on postcards.
If you’re after something a bit more hands-on, you can actually have a go at rowing one yourself. There are lessons you can book where you learn how to stand and row like a proper gondolier. It’s a bit of a balancing act, but such a fun memory, especially if you’ve got older kids or teens looking for something different to try.
Chocolate shop sampling
Venice surprised us with how good the chocolate scene is. We walked past some of the chocolate shops in absolute dismay, seeing melted chocolate dripping from huge wheels and overflowing from chocolate fountains lining the shop windows. Some were right on the main walkways through the busiest tourist areas, and other shops tucked away down side streets that feel like proper hidden gems. Places like VizioVirtù and Nino & Friends are worth a stop, where you’ll most likely be able to sample the chocolate like we did!
Venetian cooking class
We didn’t manage to squeeze one in, unfortunately, but we really wish we’d had time for a cooking class while we were there. There are loads around Venice where you can learn to make fresh pasta or even a proper tiramisu. It sounds like such a fun way to break up the sightseeing, especially with kids, being hands-on, messy, and you get to eat what you make at the end. Definitely one to keep in mind for next time.
Take a Trip to Murano and Burano / Glass Blowing Workshop
If you’ve got a bit of time in Venice, hopping on a Vaporetto over to Murano and Burano makes for a really lovely day out with kids. Murano’s all about glass-blowing, and even younger kids tend to be fascinated watching the glassmakers twist and shape the melted glass into animals, vases, and all sorts. You can even book onto a glass blowing workshop, with many offering the experience to children too!
Then there’s Burano, which prime attraction is its brightly coloured houses that feel like something out of a storybook, perfect for a wander and definitely a few family photos. The kids will spot the leaning bell tower pretty quickly, and there’s space to roam around the little squares and bridges. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch some lace being made by hand in one of the shops, and don’t forget to grab yourself a pack of buttery bussolà biscuits, which originate from Burano. They’re great for nibbling on the ferry on the way back.
Puppet Theatre Shows
Puppet shows are a lovely way to experience a bit of Venice’s old-world charm, especially with kids. They’ve got deep roots in Italian and Venetian culture, which date back centuries as a popular form of street entertainment, and still manage to hold little ones’ attention today. The stories are usually simple and playful, with lots of exaggerated voices and gestures, so even if they’re in Italian, they’re easy enough to follow. It’s a gentle, fun break from all the sightseeing, and a nice way to connect with a tradition that’s been part of the city for generations.
Lido Beach
This is the best shout if you’re desperate to escape the heat of summer when visiting Venice with kids. The Lido beach allows you to take a dip in the sea to cool off, hire sun loungers and parasols and let the kids build sandcastles to their heart’s content! The water is nice and calm, so it’s a great shout for anyone travelling with little ones, but just remember their water shoes as there are quite a lot of shells they may stand on.
Visit St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)
St. Mark’s Square is one of those places you just have to see while you’re in Venice. It’s busy, it’s beautiful, and there’s just something about standing there surrounded by all that history. The kids loved it too, mostly for the pigeons, which were absolutely everywhere and very bold. We saw a few land right on people’s heads, which caused lots of giggles and some slightly panicked flapping.
We took our time wandering around, peeking inside the Basilica with all its golden mosaics, and looking up at the huge bell tower. You can go up it if you want the views, though we decided just to admire it from below with a gelato in hand. It’s one of those spots where there’s no rush, just find a corner, sit back, and soak it all in.
Rialto Market
If you’re looking to see some local life while in Venice, the Rialto Market is a must-visit. It’s where the locals do their shopping, and it’s got a great energy. The market’s divided into two main parts: the fish market, which runs from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM (Tuesday – Saturday) and the vibrant fruit and veggie stalls, which run until about 1:30 PM (Monday – Saturday).
If you want to see the market at its liveliest and freshest, get there early, around 8 AM or so. Even if you’re not buying anything, it’s an awesome spot to wander around, but maybe you can set the kids the challenge of haggling for some fresh ingredients to take back and cook in a traditional Italian dinner, if you are staying self-catering.
Visit the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
This Palace has been around for centuries and was once the home of Venice’s leader, the Doge. All the city’s important decisions were made here, making it feel a mixture between a palace and a government building. From the outside, granted it looks grand, but it’s when you go in that it really gets interesting.
The rooms are huge, full of old paintings and fancy ceilings. It’s the kind of place where you get a real sense of how powerful Venice used to be. If you’ve got older kids (6+), there’s a part where you can go behind the scenes, down into the old prison cells and hidden rooms, which is pretty eerie.
Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
This is an art exhibition, showing works by some of the most famous 20th-century artists, like Picasso. Although we’d normally say this may not appeal too much to children, on Sundays at 3 pm, they offer free art workshops for children aged 4 to 10.
The workshops start with a short guided tour where kids learn about the artwork in the museum, then they get to try their own creative projects based on what they’ve seen. It’s a nice way to mix learning and creativity, and best of all, it’s free (just make sure to book in advance). If you’re visiting with a child, it’s the perfect way to enjoy the museum while they get involved with something fun and interactive.
Explore the Hidden Alleys
One of our favourite things to do in Venice was to follow the maze of little alleys and just see where we’d end up. Some of the best moments we had came from getting completely lost (which the kids saw as one big adventure) and ending up in quiet little corners of the city where there were no tourists.
You could even turn this activity into a fun treasure hunt for children, identifying a list of objects they have to find, eg a bridge, a Venetian mask, a gondola, and see who can locate them the fastest.
Go Hunting For Lions and Dragons
If you’re out exploring Venice with the kids and spot a lion or a dragon… don’t worry, you haven’t gone mad. They’re everywhere. Not real ones obviously, but little statues and carvings tucked into buildings, gates, bridges, you name it. The lion is actually the symbol of St Mark, Venice’s patron saint, so once you begin to start noticing it, you can’t stop seeing them. It quickly becomes a fun scavenger hunt.
And then there are the dragons, which pop up in old paintings and random corners of the city. Most of them link back to old myths or the city’s ties with the East. The kids loved spotting all the different shapes and styles, and it weirdly made walking around the city more exciting for them.
If you’re looking for a simple way to keep little legs moving, this definitely helps! One good place to start is around St Mark’s Square, there’s a huge one on top of a column there, and loads more hidden in the details if you take a closer look.
Eat Pizza On the Go
One of the best things we did in Venice with kids, was skip the sit-down meals now and then and grab pizza from those little takeaway hatches dotted around the city. Honestly, some of the best slices we had came from places barely bigger than a doorway.
It’s perfect when the kids are hungry right now and you don’t want to wrangle them through a long lunch. We’d just grab a few slices, find a quiet step or sit by the canal, and eat while watching the gondolas go past. Super tasty, cheap, and kind of feels like the proper way to do Venice. Keep an eye out for ones with locals queuing, that’s usually a good sign.
Visit book shop – Liberia dell’Acqua Alta
If you’re in Venice and fancy something a bit quirky, definitely pop into Libreria Acqua Alta. It’s this unusual little bookshop where they keep the books in old bathtubs and even a gondola inside the shop, all to stop them getting ruined when Venice floods and the water levels rise.
There’s a staircase you’ll find out the back made of actual books, that you can climb for a view over the canal. It’s a bit of a squeeze inside, and it’s all a bit chaotic in the best way, with cats everywhere, chilling out on piles of books like they own the place. It’s one of those weird little spots that sticks with you. Not your usual bookshop
Grab a Venetian Gelato
You have to grab a gelato while you’re in Venice. Honestly, it’s just part of the deal. We made it a bit of a daily ritual, the kids loved choosing a new flavour every time, and in all fairness, we all probably ate far too much of the stuff! The good spots do really creamy gelato that melts faster than you can eat it, so be warned, it’s a race! Look out for places that keep their gelato in covered metal tubs (not piled up high in bright colours), because that’s usually the good stuff.
Visit a playground in Venice
If your kids need a break from sightseeing (or let’s be honest, if you need to sit down for ten minutes while they burn off some energy), Venice actually has a few great playgrounds tucked away. Parco delle Rimembranze on Sant’Elena is a lovely, quiet spot with big open space, loads of shade, and a decent play area. Parco Savorgnan, near the train station, is perfect if you’re arriving or leaving and need a pitstop.
If you’re heading out to Burano, there’s a nice little playground there too, great for letting the kids run wild after wandering the colourful streets. And Giardini Napoleonici, near the Biennale Gardens, is another good one if you’re exploring that part of town. They’re not huge playgrounds, but when your kids have had enough of wandering the streets, these little green spots are absolute lifesavers.
So we hope after you’ve read though all of the wonderful things to do in Venice with kids, you’re ready to book a trip there yourself, and experience first hand this magical city on water. Venice will enchant you no matter your age and leave you with a longing to return without a doubt!
