A Quiet Side of Venice You Don't Expect

Venice is one of those places that can feel almost too beautiful to be real.

Then you arrive.

And suddenly you're surrounded by people.

Tour groups spill through narrow streets, bridges become bottlenecks, the famous sights are packed, and it can be easy to feel as though everyone else has arrived at exactly the same time as you.

But somewhere between the crowds, the canals and the endless maze of little streets, I (Ma) discovered a very different side of Venice. A quieter one.

The kind you find when you stop following the map quite so closely.

I visited Venice for a long weekend in September 2016, staying on the private island of the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa. From wandering the busiest streets of Venice to getting deliberately lost in quieter corners, taking to the water in a rather more unusual way, and escaping to Murano and Burano, it became a trip that reminded me that sometimes the best parts of a destination are the ones you aren't actively looking for.

So, if you're planning three days in Venice and want to see the famous sights without spending your entire trip in the crowds, this is how I'd do it.

Day 1 - Get Lost in Venice

Start with the Venice everyone comes to see

You can't visit Venice without seeing its famous landmarks.

And honestly, you shouldn't try to.

Start your first day by heading into the heart of Venice and exploring some of its most recognisable sights, including St. Mark's Square, St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Rialto area.

They're famous for a reason.

But rather than trying to tick everything off as quickly as possible, give yourself time to simply wander.

Because Venice is so much more than its landmarks.

Put the map away

This is probably my favourite Venice recommendation.

Get lost.

Not completely lost, obviously. Just lost enough.

Once you've seen the places you came to see, turn down a street that looks interesting. Cross a smaller bridge. Follow a canal. Keep walking when the crowds start going in the opposite direction.

Some of my favourite moments in Venice came from having absolutely no objective.

No restaurant reservation to get to.

No landmark to photograph.

Just wandering.

And eventually, the crowds thin out.

The streets become quieter.

Laundry hangs between buildings, locals go about their day and the Venice that exists beyond the postcard starts to appear.

Take a different approach to the gondola

A gondola ride is one of those quintessential Venice experiences - but I decided to skip the traditional version.

Instead, I booked a private experience with a guide that allowed me to get out on the water and actually take part in the experience rather than simply being a passenger.

Being able to take the helm under the guidance of a private instructor was considerably more fun than I had expected - and, at the time, it also worked out a little cheaper than the traditional gondola option.

If you're looking for something a little different, this is the kind of experience I'd choose again.

Evening: let Venice slow down

One of the best times to appreciate Venice is later in the day.

As day-trippers begin to leave, the atmosphere changes.

The streets quieten, the light softens and the canals become far more peaceful.

Don't over-plan your evening.

Just wander.

Day 2 - Murano, Burano & a Different Side of Venice

Take to the water

Day two is about getting away from the centre.

During my stay, I used the hotel's private taxi boat to explore some of the islands around Venice - and this was one of the highlights of the trip.

Murano

First stop: Murano.

Known around the world for its glassmaking, Murano has plenty to explore, but once again, my favourite part wasn't necessarily ticking off a list of attractions.

It was wandering.

Take your time through the streets, explore the canals and let yourself move away from the busiest areas.

It's surprisingly easy to find quieter corners when you stop following the obvious route.

Burano

Then continue to Burano.

And yes, it really is that colourful.

Brightly painted houses line the canals, making almost every turn feel like you've walked into a postcard.

But don't simply arrive, take the obligatory photograph and leave.

Walk further.

Cross the bridges.

Explore the quieter residential streets.

The further you wander from the busiest areas, the more peaceful the island can feel.

And this became a bit of a theme throughout my entire Venice trip:

the crowds aren't necessarily the problem - following them is.

Lido: worth it?

I also visited Lido, but this was probably my least favourite stop.

There wasn't a huge amount that made me want to stay for long, although it was another opportunity to wander somewhere a little different from central Venice.

Would I prioritise it on a first visit?

Probably not.

If you're only in Venice for three days, I'd give more time to Venice itself, Murano and Burano.

Day 3 - Slow Morning, More Wandering & Venice from Above

By the third day, I'd stop trying to see everything.

Instead, I'd slow down.

Return to the places you loved

One of the benefits of getting deliberately lost on your first couple of days is discovering places you want to return to.

Use your final morning to revisit a favourite neighbourhood, sit beside a canal, find somewhere for lunch or simply wander without a plan.

Venice rewards that kind of travel.

Escape to your hotel

My stay at the JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa was a completely different experience from staying in the middle of Venice.

The resort sits on its own private island, which meant that returning after a busy day in Venice felt like stepping into another world.

Quiet.

Beautiful.

And with exceptional service.

One of my favourite memories was simply relaxing by the hotel's infinity pool, with views stretching across towards Venice.

After hours of walking through busy streets, bridges and crowded landmarks, having somewhere peaceful to retreat to was wonderful.

And that contrast is probably what I remember most about the trip.

Venice from a different perspective

If you have time, make the most of those final hours to see Venice from the water or from a viewpoint.

The city looks completely different when you're not standing in one of its narrow streets.

Buildings that seem almost impossibly close together open out into a completely different landscape from the water.

And suddenly you understand why Venice is so special.

My 3-Day Venice Itinerary at a Glance

Day 1 - Venice & getting lost

• St. Mark's Square

• St. Mark's Basilica

• Doge's Palace

• Rialto area

• Wander the quieter side streets

• Try a different kind of boat experience

• Explore Venice after the day-trippers leave

Day 2 - The Venetian Islands

• Murano

• Wander the canals and quieter streets

• Burano

• Explore beyond the colourful main streets

• Optional Lido stop

• Return to Venice for a slower evening

Day 3 - Slow Venice

• Revisit your favourite areas

• Explore without a strict itinerary

• Enjoy lunch beside a canal

• Relax at your hotel

• Make time for Venice from the water

• Finish the trip slowly rather than rushing to tick off another attraction

How to Find the Quieter Side of Venice

Venice isn't necessarily quiet.

But you can make it feel that way.

Go beyond the obvious route

The busiest streets are often the ones everyone else is using to get from one famous sight to another.

Take the longer route.

Get up early or stay out later

The city feels completely different when the day-trippers aren't there.

Don't be afraid to get lost

Some of the best moments happen when you have nowhere specific to be.

Explore beyond central Venice

Murano and Burano offer a completely different perspective on the Venetian lagoon.

Don't over-plan

Venice is one of the places where leaving space in your itinerary can actually make the experience better.

Where I Stayed

JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa

Staying on a private island was one of the things that made this trip feel so special.

After a day exploring Venice, returning to somewhere quiet and peaceful created the perfect contrast.

The infinity pool overlooking Venice was a particular highlight, and the level of service throughout my stay was exceptional.

If you're looking for a Venice experience that combines city sightseeing with a slower, more luxurious escape, this is the kind of stay I'd consider.

Note: my visit was in September 2016, so check the hotel's current facilities, transport arrangements and availability when planning your own trip.

Final Thoughts: Venice Is Better When You Stop Chasing It

Venice is undeniably beautiful.

But I think it's at its best when you stop trying to see it all.

See St. Mark's Square.

Walk across Rialto.

Take the photographs.

Visit the famous places.

Then turn down the little street beside them.

Follow the canal.

Cross another bridge.

And see where you end up.

Because the Venice I remember most isn't necessarily the Venice from the postcards.

It's the quiet corners.

The empty little streets.

The colourful houses of Burano.

The feeling of being out on the water.

And eventually returning to a peaceful island with Venice shimmering in the distance.

Sometimes, the best way to experience Venice is simply to wander.

Save this for your Venice trip 🤍

Planning three days in Venice? Save this itinerary for later and use it as a starting point for discovering the city beyond its busiest sights.

And if you love travelling a little slower, finding the quieter corners and collecting experiences rather than simply ticking off landmarks, you'll find more travel stories, guides and destination inspiration here at Wandering with MaJa.