Experience the True Venice in the Early Morning and Late Night

On the way to Verona, we arrived at Mestre around 7 a.m. With over two hours to spare, we decided to revisit Venice and take a quick two-hour tour to rediscover the water city. Venice in August is hot, humid, and filled with mosquitoes. A faint fishy smell lingers in the alleys, and hotels and restaurants are notoriously expensive—it’s hard to fully recommend. However, the areas around Venice, such as Verona and Bologna, are absolutely worth exploring.👍 Here are some tips: Tourist crowds typically enter Venice after 10 a.m. and leave after 7 p.m. Avoiding the daytime rush makes for a much better experience. Venice at night is quieter and more mysterious—we’ve explored twice after dark and never felt unsafe.💕 Mark your favorite spots on Google Maps beforehand. You don’t have to see everything—just pick a few places you really like. Even less crowded alleys can be great for photos. It’s easy to get lost, so just go with the flow and enjoy the adventure. Ride the gondola like a local! Cross the Grand Canal for just €2—search "gondola-traghetto" on Google Maps.❤️ Stay and eat in Mestre, Treviso, or Padova. Taking the train (the regional one is just as fast as the express) in and out of Venice is convenient and can save you a lot of money.😊 Skip the gondola and go for a rooftop view instead! Highly recommend San Marco Campanile & Scala Contarini del Bovolo. Remember to book tickets in advance.💕 Get lost in the alleys, and when you’re tired, head to a local "Bacari." Order a plate of Cicchetti (a Venetian snack similar to Spanish tapas—try Bar All’Arco if you don’t mind the crowd) and enjoy a Spritz. Avoid overpriced tourist restaurants and save your big meals for Mestre.😁 Visiting Venice early in the morning or late in the evening means you might miss the museums, but let’s be honest—too much art and culture in one go can be overwhelming. Unless you’re particularly determined, save the cultural deep-dive for other cities.😘 The real charm of Venice lies in getting lost in its narrow alleys and sharing an awkward smile with other tourists when you hit a dead end; in a friendly "buongiorno" from a passing nun; in chatting with local residents walking their dogs in the evening, listening to Italians complain about life with their unique mix of self-mockery and confidence. #RetracingThePathsTaken#Venice#AvoidTheCrowds