Venice Weekend Activities & Things to Do
Weekend in Venice
This itinerary focuses on a mix of free outdoor exploration, playgrounds, and engaging museums, with dining suggestions tailored for families on a budget. Venice is best explored on foot and by Vaporetto (water bus). Remember that children under 6 travel free on vaporetti.
Friday Evening - Family Fun
Friday, February 20St. Mark's Wonders
Begin your Venetian adventure with a stroll through the famous Piazza San Marco.
Marvel at the grand architecture of St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace from the outside. The square is a lively place for children to observe pigeons and people-watch.
Suitable for all ages (3-12). Plenty of open space for kids to run around (under supervision). No facilities directly in the square, but cafes are nearby. Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours.
Easily accessible by walking from most central Venice locations. Vaporetto stops (e.g., San Zaccaria) are a short walk away. Stroller-friendly within the square, but bridges on the way may have steps.
Pizza Dinner Treat
Enjoy a delicious and budget-friendly family dinner at Birraria La Corte.
This restaurant is known for its classic Neapolitan-style thick-crust pizza and offers a varied menu with other regional dishes, making it suitable for all family members. It's popular with locals and provides enough space for children.
Kid-friendly menu with pizza and simple pastas. Ideal for ages 3-12. The large square (Campo San Polo) outside provides space for kids to move around before or after dinner. Duration: 1-1.5 hours.
Located in Campo San Polo, a short walk from Rialto Bridge. Accessible by walking. Closest Vaporetto stop: San Silvestro or San Tomà. Stroller access is generally good in Campo San Polo.
Saturday - Adventure Day
Saturday, February 21Natural History Discovery
Explore the Natural History Museum of Venice, a fantastic attraction for families.
Housed in the historic Fontego dei Turchi, it features exciting exhibits including a large dinosaur skeleton, a whale skeleton, and a fascinating 'Tegnùe' aquarium. Kids can actively engage with displays about evolution and marine life.
Highly recommended for ages 3-12, especially those interested in dinosaurs and animals. The museum is fully accessible via elevator. Plan for 1.5-2 hours.
Located directly on the Grand Canal. Closest Vaporetto stop: Riva de Biasio (Line 1 or 5.2). Stroller accessible within the museum. Children aged 0-5 receive free entry.
Canal-side Lunch
Enjoy a casual, budget-friendly lunch at a local 'bacaro' (traditional Venetian bar) offering 'cicchetti' (Venetian tapas).
Osteria Al Squero provides tasty cicchetti and fantastic views of the oldest gondola boatyards. It's a great way to experience local food in a relaxed setting.
Cicchetti are small snacks, perfect for kids to try different things. Ages 3-12 will enjoy the variety. Seating can be limited, but it's a casual stand-up style or small tables. Duration: 1 hour.
A short walk from the Accademia Bridge. Closest Vaporetto stop: Accademia. Stroller access may be challenging due to narrow streets and potential crowds.
Giardini Playground Fun
Let the kids burn off some energy at the Giardini della Biennale park, which features a lovely, shaded playground.
The park itself is beautiful with wide paths, perfect for a relaxing stroll for adults while children play.
Excellent for ages 3-12. The playground has swings and slides. Restrooms and kiosks are available in the park. Duration: 1.5 - 2 hours.
Approximately a 20-minute walk from St. Mark's Square, or take Vaporetto lines 4.1 or 4.2 to the Giardini Biennale stop. Good stroller accessibility within the park.
Acqua Alta Bookstore
Visit the unique Libreria Acqua Alta, a charming bookstore famous for storing its books in bathtubs, boats, and even a gondola to protect them from flooding.
It's a quirky and free experience that will captivate children and adults alike, with a 'staircase' made of books offering canal views.
Great for all ages, offering a 'treasure hunt' feel amongst the books. Younger children will enjoy spotting the boats. Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour.
Located near Campo Santa Maria Formosa. Accessible by walking. Closest Vaporetto stop: Ospedale. Narrow alleys may be challenging with large strollers.
Sunday - Relaxed Day
Sunday, February 22Guggenheim Kids' Art
Engage your children with art at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
On Sundays at 3:00 PM, they offer free 'Kids Day' workshops for children aged 4 to 10. These workshops introduce young visitors to art in an accessible and engaging way, focusing on the museum's collection or temporary exhibitions.
Workshops are free for children aged 4-10. Advanced online booking is required for the workshop. Parents intending to visit the museum while their children participate must purchase a ticket. Duration: 1.5 hours (for the workshop).
Located on the Grand Canal, between Accademia Bridge and the Church of S. Maria della Salute. Closest Vaporetto stops: Accademia or Salute (Lines 1 and 2). Stroller accessible within the museum and grounds.
Vaporetto Grand Tour
Experience Venice from the water with a scenic Vaporetto ride along the Grand Canal.
This can be an attraction in itself for children, offering unique views of palaces, bridges, and daily Venetian life. Take Vaporetto Line 1 for a slower, more picturesque journey.
Fun for all ages (3-12). It's like a real-life boat ride through a city. Point out interesting buildings and gondolas. Duration: 45 minutes - 1 hour for a one-way trip along the main canal.
Board at any Vaporetto stop along the Grand Canal. Children under 6 travel for free. Consider purchasing single tickets or a day pass depending on further travel plans. Strollers can be brought on board.
Gelato & Goodbyes
Conclude your weekend with a quintessential Venetian experience: enjoying authentic Italian gelato. Find a local gelateria and let the kids pick their favorite flavors as a sweet send-off to your family weekend. This is a perfect, relaxed way to say goodbye to Venice.
A treat everyone loves! Suitable for all ages. Many gelaterias offer small cones perfect for children. Duration: 30 minutes.
Gelaterias are widely accessible on foot throughout the city. Choose one conveniently located near your departure point or a favorite spot.
This weekend itinerary for Venice can be customized using our AI travel planner. Chat with our AI assistant to modify activities, adjust timings, add personal preferences, and get recommendations for restaurants, hotels, and transportation.