How to visit Venice with kids: tips, activities, and family guide for 2025

  • 7 min read

Visiting Venice with kids is a unique experience that combines art, discovery, and fun. With good organization, families can enjoy the city without stress, choosing where to stay, how to get around, and what to see. Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, and Santa Croce are the ideal districts for those seeking peace and quiet, while activities such as craft workshops, boat trips, and museum visits turn every day into an adventure

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Why visiting Venice with kids is a unique experience for the whole family

The first impression is crucial for families traveling to Venice with kids, because the lagoon city can enchant both adults and children with its surreal beauty. Unlike other Italian destinations, Venice has no cars — only alleys, bridges, and canals. This creates a magical atmosphere; after all, it requires a bit of planning to avoid inconveniences and make the trip pleasant.

Visiting Venice with kids means combining culture, play, and discovery. Every bridge crossed becomes an adventure, every vaporetto ride a small journey across the sea. Accordingly, due to the city’s logistical complexity, it’s essential to plan the stay carefully. Families who prepare in advance can experience Venice as both an open-air museum and a playground full of surprises.

👉 For more insights, explore our guides dedicated to Venice.

Where to stay in Venice with kids

One of the most common mistakes visitors make when traveling to Venice with kids is booking accommodation right in the heart of San Marco, thinking it’s best to be close to major attractions. However, this choice can quickly become stressful. The streets are crowded, the noise constant, and prices much higher. Because of mass tourism, the quality of services in that area tends to be lower than in more residential neighborhoods.

Families will find greater tranquility and authenticity in Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, and Santa Croce, where everyday Venetian life flows more slowly. Here, you can find spacious apartments and family-friendly hotels near local restaurants, supermarkets, and vaporetto stops.

Staying in these areas allows easy access to the historic center without facing the tourist crowds that fill St. Mark’s Square during the day. All in all, choosing the right district means experiencing Venice in a calmer way, saving money, and offering kids a more relaxed and safe environment.

How to get around Venice with kids

Getting around Venice with kids might seem complicated, but the city is more accessible than you’d think. The vaporetto is the most used means of transport, connecting every area of the city in a practical and affordable way. After all, why not consider it part of the adventure? Kids love the movement of the water and watching the city from a different perspective.

It’s important, however, to avoid rush hours, because main lines like Line 1 on the Grand Canal can be very crowded. Families can opt for less busy routes or alternative itineraries passing through Dorsoduro or Giudecca.

Light strollers are recommended, since many bridges have steps; accordingly, a baby carrier can be handy during busier moments. In summary, alternating vaporetto rides with short walks allows families to explore Venice calmly while avoiding fatigue and discomfort.

👉 Learn everything you need to know about the Venice vaporetto.

When to visit Venice’s main attractions with kids

One of the most frequent mistakes families make is visiting St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace during peak hours. Because of the arrival of cruise passengers and tour buses, the area becomes extremely crowded between 10:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

To make the most of Venice with kids, it’s best to visit major sites early in the morning, when the city awakens in the lagoon’s quiet, or late in the afternoon, when the golden light of sunset paints the facades. Why do this? Because the difference between a peaceful experience and a stressful one often depends only on timing.

However, changing the time isn’t enough — booking skip-the-line tickets for the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica is essential to save time and energy. All in all, visiting Venice outside peak hours allows you to admire its authentic beauty and enjoy a more intimate, relaxing experience.

What to see in Venice with kids

Visiting Venice with kids doesn’t just mean admiring famous monuments; the city offers countless educational and fun experiences. Besides the classics like St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace, and Rialto Bridge, families can explore the Biennale Gardens, perfect for a picnic or a green break.

The islands of Murano and Burano are ideal for a day trip: kids can watch glass masters at work in Murano or photograph Burano’s colorful houses that look straight out of a fairy tale. Additionally, even a simple gondola ride or ferry trip becomes an unforgettable memory.

All in all, Venice is an open-air classroom where art, nature, and play come together harmoniously.

Unusual things to do in Venice with kids

Those looking for something different from museums and churches will find plenty of alternative experiences. Joining a Venetian mask-making workshop or a glass-painting class in Murano is a creative way to entertain kids while teaching them centuries-old traditions.

Because of Venice’s vast tourist offer, many families choose custom tours with local guides, who engage children with stories, curiosities, and legends. In summary, exploring Venice in a different way means discovering its hidden corners and creating authentic memories that will last forever.

Where to eat in Venice with kids

Eating well is a fundamental part of any trip, because food is culture, discovery, and sharing. In the tourist areas, however, many restaurants are tourist traps with overpriced menus and non-Venetian dishes.

Families exploring districts like Cannaregio, San Polo, or Dorsoduro will find local taverns (osterie) and traditional bacari serving authentic dishes at fair prices. Because of the diversity of Venetian cuisine, even picky eaters will find something they like — from risottos and meatballs to baby cuttlefish or revisited lasagna.

All in all, eating out in Venice with kids can be both enjoyable and affordable if you choose the right places and venture beyond tourist areas.

👉 Discover everything you can eat in Venice.

How to pack for Venice with kids

Traveling light is a golden rule, because in Venice, everything is done on foot. Because of bridges and stairways, dragging heavy suitcases can become a real challenge. It’s best to bring only the essentials: comfortable clothes, sturdy shoes, and a backpack with snacks, water bottles, and light raincoats.

However, you don’t have to give up comfort — several local services offer luggage transport or family assistance upon arrival, which are extremely helpful for parents with small children. All in all, less weight means more freedom to enjoy the city calmly and with curiosity.

👉 Learn how to dress properly to enter St. Mark’s Basilica.

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Venice with kids

  1. What can I do in Venice with kids?
    Plenty of educational and fun activities: workshops, interactive tours, boat rides, and cultural discoveries designed for families.
  2. What unusual things can I do in Venice?
    Explore less touristy districts, join a craft workshop, or take a gondola ride at sunset.
  3. How can you get around Venice with kids?
    Combine vaporetto rides with short walks, avoiding the busiest hours. Some routes are designed especially for families.
  4. What activities can children do?
    Mask-making, museum visits, and treasure hunts through Venice’s historic alleys.
  5. Which museums are best for kids in Venice?
    The Natural History Museum and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection offer interactive learning activities for children.
  6. What to do in Venice with kids when it rains?
    Indoor museums, creative workshops, and interactive spaces make the city fun even on rainy days.
  7. What free things can you do in Venice?
    Walk through alleys and squares, visit historic churches, and attend local open-air events.
  8. What’s the most beautiful place in Venice?
    Many travelers love the view from the Accademia Bridge, because from there, the city looks like it’s floating in light.
  9. What’s the best time to visit Venice?
    Spring and autumn, because they offer mild weather and fewer crowds, ideal for children.

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