A Different Water World for Kids

Exploring the Sights of Venice through the Eyes of your Children

Venice may be one of the world’s most romantic cities but for children it’s a magical floating kingdom begging to be explored. It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve visited this city, if go with your children and you’ll see it anew through their eyes.

Forget water parks Venice is the real deal and offers a wealth of attractions that will place a constant smile and a look of wonder on your child’s face.

Images by Trish Hartmann and licenced by Creative Commons

The living museum

This city is a work of art with historic buildings around every corner but the maze of winding streets can be confusing and at times it’s very easy to become lost. One of the best and most funs ways to view the iconic buildings is to take a water bus (vaporetto) along the Grand Canal. A daily 12 hour pass is available and you can sit in the open air and take in 170 canal-side buildings including landmarks such as the Rialto Bridge and the majestic basilica of Santa Maria della Salute. Depart from Piazzale Roma and sail through to San Marco Square in only an hour.

St Mark’s Square

Yes it can be slightly pricey for a coffee or gelato but you cannot take a trip to Venice without allowing the kids to feed the pigeons in what is known as Europe’s drawing room. This is one of the world’s most beautiful and famous city squares and the square’s golden cathedral can look slightly like a fairy-tale castle. From there, head over to the island of Murano to watch the master glass-makers create their amazing works of art. The island also has a number of bridges and you can take in some lovely views from the Ponte Vivarini bridge.

Rainy weather favorites

If the sunshine decides to disappear at some point on your vacation then head to the Natural History Museum that houses fossilised dinosaur skeletons and an aquarium. Those with sturdy legs and a head for heights can take a trip to the top of the Campanile, which at 99m is the tallest building in Venice and provides unparalleled views over the lagoon. Treat the kids to a real Italian meal of meatballs (polpette) and pasta in the authentic restaurants, leaving room of course for what will be kid’s favorite of some delicious gelato for dessert.

These are just a few of the highlights that can be enjoyed by both adults and children on either Venice city breaks or a longer holiday. Don’t leave without taking a gondola ride along the Grand Canal at night – they may be expensive but you are on vacation.