Venice is one of those places that you really have to experience to appreciate. With its canals, narrow streets, beautiful bridges and boats everywhere you look, there is always something going on, which makes it a surprisingly good city to explore with teenagers.
We've visited Venice with our children on two separate family holidays. On our first visit, our oldest was 13, while on our second visit our two oldest were 17 and 13, travelling alongside their younger siblings. We've also returned without the children, so we've experienced the city in several different ways.
What we've found is that you don't need to book a long list of expensive attractions to keep teenagers interested. Much of our time has been spent wandering through the streets, stopping for food, browsing shops and enjoying the atmosphere. We've also taken a gondola ride, visited Murano and Burano, watched glassblowing and discovered some unexpected art exhibitions along the way.
Both family visits were during August, when Venice can be hot and crowded, but the walking didn't particularly bother our children. The city is so unusual, with something different around almost every corner, that they were happy to keep exploring.
If you're planning a longer holiday, our Italy Travel Guide brings together our itineraries, destination guides and practical advice for exploring Italy independently.
Is Venice Worth Visiting with Teenagers?
Absolutely. In fact, Venice is one of the Italian cities we've found particularly easy to enjoy with older children because so much of the experience comes from simply being there.
There aren't roads full of cars to navigate in the historic centre. Instead, you'll find winding pedestrian streets, little bridges, canals, busy squares and boats delivering almost everything around the city. Even getting from one place to another feels different from a normal city break.
We have four children, so planning family days out often involves balancing different interests and ages. What appeals to a 17-year-old might not necessarily interest a younger child, but Venice gave us plenty of opportunities to enjoy things together without having to arrange separate activities.
We didn't spend our days rushing around museums or buying admission tickets for every major attraction. Instead, we explored at our own pace, occasionally stopping somewhere interesting and leaving time for everyone to enjoy the city.
There's also something to be said for not overplanning a visit with teenagers. A little freedom to browse shops, choose somewhere to eat or stop for photographs can make a family sightseeing day much more enjoyable.
Things to Do in Venice with Teenagers
1. Explore Venice on Foot
Walking around Venice has always been one of our favourite things to do, and it's completely free. You can spend hours exploring narrow streets, crossing bridges and discovering canals that look like something from a postcard.
Some of our favourite moments have come from wandering without a strict plan. Even the smaller streets are interesting, with colourful buildings, little shops and boats passing along the canals.
We found that the children were far less bothered by walking than we might have expected, even during the summer. There was always something new to look at, and we could stop whenever someone wanted a drink, something to eat or a break.
2. Visit St Mark's Square and See the Main Landmarks
No first visit to Venice would feel complete without seeing St Mark's Square, the famous basilica and the surrounding historic buildings. It's one of the busiest parts of the city, but the architecture and atmosphere are worth experiencing.
You don't have to go inside every landmark to appreciate Venice. We enjoy seeing the buildings from outside, taking photographs and spending time wandering through the surrounding streets.
The Bridge of Sighs is another famous landmark worth including on a family walk. It's easy to incorporate into a visit around St Mark's Square, without needing to book an attraction.
If your teenagers are interested in history, you could also consider visiting Doge's Palace, which includes grand historic rooms and the former prison complex connected by the Bridge of Sighs. We haven't included this as something we did with the children, but it's an optional paid activity for families who want to explore beyond the outside landmarks.
3. Walk Across the Rialto Bridge and Enjoy the Grand Canal
The Grand Canal is one of the most recognisable sights in Venice, with beautiful buildings lining the water and a constant stream of boats travelling past.
We'd recommend allowing time to enjoy the views rather than treating it as somewhere to rush through. The Rialto Bridge is particularly impressive, although the surrounding area can become very busy.
For families who prefer relaxed sightseeing, spending time watching the boats on the canal is an enjoyable part of the experience in itself.
4. Take a Gondola Ride
A gondola ride is one of Venice's most famous experiences, and it's something we've done during our family visits.
It's certainly not the cheapest way to travel around the canals, but it's a special experience that feels completely different from walking or using the public water buses.
If you're travelling as a larger family, check the number of passengers permitted and the current official prices before deciding whether to book. Traditional gondola fares are generally set per boat rather than per person, subject to passenger limits, which is worth considering when comparing prices.
Another option is to book a shared gondola experience, which can be more convenient if you're travelling as a couple, a smaller group or don't want to arrange a private boat.
5. Discover Street Art and Unexpected Exhibitions
One of the things we enjoy about Venice is that you never quite know what you'll find while exploring. It's a city full of art, but that doesn't mean everything has to involve buying a museum ticket.
On one of our family visits, we came across a free exhibition called From Palestine With Art at the European Cultural Centre. It was a completely unplanned stop, but it gave us something different to explore during the day.
Venice has a strong contemporary art scene alongside its historic architecture, and we've enjoyed spotting unusual sculptures, installations and street art while walking around.
The bright blue gorilla sculpture pictured above is a work by Richard Orlinski. It was one of the more unusual pieces we photographed during our trip.
Temporary exhibitions change regularly, so we wouldn't recommend planning a visit around any particular installation without checking what's currently showing. However, keeping an eye out for exhibitions and galleries can be a worthwhile addition to a family sightseeing day.
Visiting Murano and Burano with Teenagers
During our first family holiday, we spent two full days visiting Venice from Marina di Venezia, with one of those days dedicated to exploring Murano and Burano.
We'd recommend considering the islands if you have more than one day in the area. They offer something different from the busier streets of central Venice, and the boat journeys become part of the experience.
6. Watch Glassblowing in Murano
Murano is famous for its traditional glassmaking, and watching glassblowing was one of the experiences we included during our visit.
It's fascinating to see how the glass is shaped, particularly when you realise how much skill and control are involved. We also visited a church on the island and spent time exploring the streets.
For teenagers who enjoy seeing how things are made, a glassblowing demonstration can be an interesting addition to the day. Some demonstrations are free, while others charge admission or form part of a paid tour, so it's worth checking before you visit.
7. Explore the Colourful Streets of Burano
Burano was another highlight of our island-hopping day. It's famous for its colourful houses, which line the canals and make almost every street worth photographing.
We found Burano noticeably more relaxed than central Venice, and it was lovely to spend time wandering around without feeling that we needed to hurry from one attraction to the next.
The brightly painted houses are the main attraction, and you don't need to spend money on admission tickets to enjoy them. We simply walked around, explored the streets and enjoyed a change of pace from Venice.
If you have a full day available, Murano and Burano work well together, but allow enough time for the boat journeys. We wouldn't try to squeeze both islands into an already packed sightseeing day in central Venice.
Visiting Murano and Burano Independently or with a Tour
We explored the islands using public boat services, which gave us the flexibility to spend time wandering around at our own pace.
However, if you're visiting Venice for a short break, a guided boat excursion can be another option. This may appeal to families who would prefer to have their transport and island visits organised in advance.
Eating and Shopping in Venice with Teenagers
8. Make Time for Street Food, Snacks and Gelato
Food is a big part of our Italian holidays, and we enjoy stopping for something to eat as we explore rather than planning every meal in advance.
Venice has plenty of opportunities to pick up sweet treats, sandwiches, pizza and other street food, which is useful when travelling with children who all seem to get hungry at different times.
Of course, not every meal has to be traditional Italian food. On one of our visits, the children wanted to try McDonald's, which seems to be something they enjoy doing in different countries.
We also ate at a Chinese restaurant one afternoon after reaching the point in our holiday where we'd had quite enough pasta and pizza. Unfortunately, we didn't particularly rate the meal, but that's the reality of travelling with a family. Sometimes everyone just fancies something different.
Our advice is to keep meal plans flexible. It's often easier to enjoy Venice when you're not constantly watching the clock for a restaurant reservation.
9. Try an Italian Cooking Class
Although we haven't done a cooking class in Venice ourselves, this is an activity I'd consider for families whose teenagers enjoy food and would like something more hands-on than sightseeing.
A pasta and tiramisu cooking class offers the chance to learn some traditional Italian recipes, and it could be a good option if you're staying in Venice for several days.
10. Browse the Shops and Buy Souvenirs
Shopping was another part of Venice that our children enjoyed. There are plenty of souvenir shops, smaller independent stores and places selling Venetian masks, glass ornaments and gifts.
For teenagers, having time to choose a souvenir or browse a few shops can be just as enjoyable as visiting another historic landmark.
We'd recommend looking around before buying, especially in the busiest tourist areas, as prices and quality can vary considerably.
Getting Around Venice Without Exhausting the Children
Venice is best explored on foot, but that doesn't mean you have to walk absolutely everywhere. We've used the vaporetto services on several occasions, including journeys to Murano and Burano, travelling between the campsite area and Venice, and giving everyone a break from walking on the way back towards the train station.
11. Take the Vaporetto
A vaporetto is Venice's public water bus, and it's one of the most useful ways to travel around the city and lagoon.
For teenagers, the journey can feel like an experience in its own right because you're travelling past buildings, boats and canals rather than sitting on an ordinary bus.
Water buses are particularly useful when children have already spent several hours exploring on foot. On our Lake Garda day trip, we used one to make the return towards Venezia Santa Lucia station easier after a full day sightseeing.
ACTV operates the main public boat network, and you can buy individual journeys or time-based passes. The best option depends on how often you plan to use the boats, so check the latest ticket prices and any age-related discounts before travelling.
Is Venice Too Hot for Teenagers in August?
Both of our family visits took place in August, so we've experienced Venice during one of the busiest and hottest times of the year.
It was certainly warm, but we didn't find the weather spoiled our days. Despite all the walking, the children were happy exploring because the city was so different from anywhere else we'd visited.
We naturally stopped for drinks, food and the occasional break, and we didn't put pressure on ourselves to see absolutely everything.
Everyone copes with heat differently, so we'd recommend carrying water, wearing comfortable shoes and allowing plenty of flexibility. A vaporetto journey can also be a welcome break when you've been walking for several hours.
If you're travelling with a mixture of teenagers and younger children, it's worth keeping your plans realistic. One or two main sights, plenty of time to explore and regular food stops worked well for us.
Where We Stayed When Visiting Venice with the Children
One of the most useful things about our two family visits is that we experienced Venice from completely different bases. Neither trip involved staying in an expensive hotel in the historic city centre.
Marina di Venezia: Our First Family Visit
On our first trip, we stayed at Marina di Venezia, a large campsite on the Cavallino-Treporti coast. We used it as a base for enjoying the beach and campsite facilities while also spending two full days exploring Venice and the nearby islands.
It's a particularly appealing option for families who want to combine sightseeing with a campsite holiday, because you can enjoy the swimming pools and other facilities on the days when you're not visiting the city.
Marina di Venezia is close to Punta Sabbioni, where you can catch boats towards Venice and the islands. Local transport services can help families reach the boat terminals without taking a car into Venice itself.
We really liked being able to spend full days sightseeing before returning to the campsite. It meant Venice was part of a bigger family holiday rather than having to be the entire holiday.
If this style of holiday appeals to you, our Eurocamp Italy guide covers more Italian campsite options for families, including holidays that combine sightseeing with swimming pools, beaches and relaxed days at the campsite.
Camping Village Butterfly: Venice from Lake Garda
On our second family visit, we stayed at Camping Village Butterfly in Peschiera del Garda, on Lake Garda. This time, rather than staying near Venice, we travelled there by train for a full day.
We caught the train from Peschiera del Garda to Venezia Santa Lucia station, which brings you directly into Venice. From there, you can start exploring on foot or use the water buses to reach other parts of the city.
This is a good option if you're already planning a Lake Garda holiday and want to visit Venice without changing accommodation. Just remember that the return train journey takes up part of your day, so it's best to focus on the main sights rather than trying to see everything.
Our Italy by Train with Kids guide explains more about exploring Italy as a family using public transport.
How to Spend One or Two Days in Venice with Teenagers
One Day in Venice with Teenagers
If you only have one day, as we did when visiting from Lake Garda, we'd concentrate on experiencing the city rather than filling your schedule with lots of paid attractions.
- Arrive at Venezia Santa Lucia: Take in your first views of the Grand Canal and begin exploring on foot.
- Walk towards Rialto Bridge: Enjoy the canals, smaller streets and shops along the way.
- Stop for food: Find somewhere for lunch or pick up some street food, depending on what everyone fancies.
- Explore St Mark's Square: See the basilica, surrounding landmarks and the Bridge of Sighs.
- Leave time for shopping and wandering: Allow the children to explore rather than rushing between attractions.
- Take a vaporetto if needed: Use the water bus to shorten the return journey when everyone's getting tired.
You could also include a gondola ride if it's something your family particularly wants to experience, although we'd leave enough flexibility in the day so you don't feel rushed.
Two Days in Venice Including Murano and Burano
When staying at Marina di Venezia, we had the advantage of two full sightseeing days. This made it easier to enjoy both central Venice and the islands.
Day one: Explore central Venice, including Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, St Mark's Square and the Bridge of Sighs. Allow plenty of time for food stops, shopping and simply enjoying the city. A gondola ride can fit into this day if you want one.
Day two: Visit Murano and Burano by boat. Spend time watching glassblowing and exploring Murano, then continue to Burano for its colourful houses and relaxed streets.
This was a much more manageable approach than trying to fit the islands into a single day of sightseeing in central Venice.
Practical Tips for Visiting Venice with Teenagers
- Don't overplan the day. Venice is enjoyable simply to explore, and leaving some flexibility allows everyone to choose things that interest them.
- Wear comfortable shoes. You'll probably walk more than you expect, with plenty of bridges and steps along the way.
- Carry water in summer. We visited during August and managed the heat well, but everyone will need regular drinks and occasional breaks.
- Use the vaporetto strategically. Boat journeys are useful for the islands, but they can also save tired legs towards the end of the day.
- Budget for food and souvenirs. The children enjoyed shopping and choosing things to bring home, so it's worth allowing some spending money.
- Consider accommodation outside central Venice. Our experiences at Marina di Venezia and Camping Village Butterfly show that Venice can be part of a wider family holiday.
- Check the Venice access fee. Venice applies a visitor access charge on selected dates, with rules and exemptions that can change. Always check the official arrangements for your travel dates.
Booking Venice Activities and Tours
We tend to spend most of our time walking, exploring and enjoying the atmosphere rather than booking a packed schedule of activities. However, if you'd like to add one or two organised experiences to your visit, GetYourGuide has a range of tours and attractions in Venice.
These include gondola experiences, guided boat trips to Murano and Burano, cooking classes and visits to historic landmarks such as Doge's Palace.
GetYourGuide also offers a promotional 5% saving on eligible first bookings made through the app by new users. Check the current offer conditions before booking, as discounts and eligibility can change.
We'd suggest choosing just one or two activities that your family particularly wants to do, leaving plenty of time to enjoy Venice at your own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Venice with Teenagers
Will teenagers enjoy Venice?
Our children did. We've visited with a 13-year-old on one trip and with teenagers aged 17 and 13, alongside younger siblings, on another. We found that exploring the canals, bridges and streets kept everyone interested without needing to arrange lots of paid activities.
Is one day enough for Venice with teenagers?
One day is enough to enjoy the main sights and experience the atmosphere, especially if you're arriving by train. However, we'd recommend two days if you'd also like to visit Murano and Burano without rushing.
Is Venice suitable for younger children as well as teenagers?
Yes, although you'll need to consider how much walking everyone can manage. Our family includes children of different ages, and we found that flexible sightseeing, food stops and occasional boat journeys made the day enjoyable for everyone.
Can you visit Venice from Lake Garda without a car?
Yes. We travelled from Peschiera del Garda to Venezia Santa Lucia by train while staying at Camping Village Butterfly. It's a practical way to include Venice in a Lake Garda holiday without hiring a car.
Can you visit Murano and Burano in the same day?
Yes, and we've done this as a family. Allow a full day so you can enjoy both islands and the boat journeys without feeling rushed.
Is Venice worth visiting in August?
We think so. Both of our family visits were in August, and although it was hot and busy, we still had lovely days exploring the city. The children were interested in their surroundings, which made the walking easier than we'd expected.
Would We Recommend Venice with Teenagers?
Definitely. Having visited Venice on several occasions, both with and without our children, it's somewhere we'd happily recommend for a family holiday or day trip.
What makes Venice special isn't necessarily the number of attractions you visit. For us, it's the experience of wandering through unusual streets, crossing little bridges, watching boats on the canals and discovering something different around every corner.
Our children enjoyed the gondola ride, exploring Murano and Burano, shopping for souvenirs and trying different foods, but some of the nicest moments were simply spent exploring together.
Whether you're staying near Venice, visiting from Lake Garda or planning a longer Italian itinerary, we'd recommend leaving time to enjoy the city rather than trying to fit absolutely everything into one day.
Affiliate disclosure: Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, Build a Break may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Activities suggested as optional experiences are not necessarily ones we have personally booked.
