Venice rewards attention to detail. Beyond its major landmarks, the city is a sequence of reflections, worn stone, narrow passages and changing views across the water. During this visit, we stayed close to St Mark’s Square and explored both familiar sights and quieter corners on foot.

Baglioni Hotel Luna

Baglioni Hotel Luna occupies a historic palace a few steps from St Mark’s Square. Its position is central, yet the interiors create a marked separation from the busiest streets outside.

The Marco Polo ballroom, now used for dining, has a frescoed ceiling and an atmosphere shaped by Venice’s decorative tradition. Other rooms combine paintings, gilded details and Murano glass, while private terraces open towards the lagoon, the San Marco basin and San Giorgio Maggiore.

The hotel also welcomes pets, which made it suitable for travelling with Charlie. Its location allowed us to start early, return during the busiest hours and go out again as the light changed.

Rialto Bridge and the Grand Canal

Rialto is the oldest of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal and one of the city’s busiest viewpoints. Early morning offers the best chance to see its structure clearly. From the bridge, the canal curves between palaces, water buses and working boats.

The Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs connects the Doge’s Palace with the former prison. It is usually seen from the bridge on Riva degli Schiavoni, but a visit inside the palace gives the architecture its historical context.

Small canals and the Contarini del Bovolo staircase

Away from the main routes, small canals reveal a quieter, more residential Venice. Walking without a strict itinerary remains one of the best ways to find balanced views of bridges, façades and water.

Scala Contarini del Bovolo offers a different perspective. Its external spiral staircase leads to a viewpoint across the rooftops and bell towers of the city.

St Mark’s Square and the waterfront

St Mark’s Square brings together the basilica, Doge’s Palace, campanile and arcades. It is rarely empty, but early and late hours soften the crowds and improve the light.

Riva degli Schiavoni continues east along the lagoon, with views of gondolas and San Giorgio Maggiore. From here, moving a few streets inland quickly leads back to quieter canals.

Libreria Acqua Alta

Libreria Acqua Alta is a distinctive bookshop where books are stored in boats, tubs and raised piles to protect them from high water. Its popularity means it can be busy, so visit with consideration for the working shop and surrounding residential streets.

For a colourful island trip from Venice, see our guide to Burano.

This stay was created in collaboration with Baglioni Hotel Luna. The account and opinions remain our own.