Tag: Italy

Venice is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe. Millions of people visit the city every year, but is Venice worth visiting alone?

I like to try to give as definitive answers as possible (based on my own experience) to help you plan your solo travels.

But giving an answer to is Venice worth visiting alone is more difficult than a yes or no like it was in my is Seville worth visiting article.

Venice is more complicated, and I think it boils down more to whether or not Venice is a place you want to visit rather than is Venice worth visiting alone.

There is nothing about Venice that would make the city less enjoyable to visit alone compared to visiting with a group.

Well, minus the romantic gondola rides. Those are always better with someone rather than alone.

In this article, we’re going to discuss why you may or may not want to visit Venice alone, so you can decide if it is right for you.

The answer to is Venice worth visiting alone is solely dependant on your travel style, interests, and budget.

Because it certainly isn’t cheap. In fact, I found it to me significantly more expensive than anywhere else I’ve been in Italy.

Solo travel in Italy

Reasons You May Want to Visit Venice Alone

There is no doubt that Venice is a beautiful city. The canals are stunning, the architecture is lovely, and the winding streets are so fun to get lost in.

Venice is busy, but it doesn’t have the same hustle and bustle as Rome does. It’s a small city with a laidback energy.

This makes it a really good city for inexperienced solo travellers to visit. You won’t get overwhelmed in Venice, and you’ll build some confidence in your solo travel skills.

Because Venice has so many tourists every year, the city is set up for tourists. Most restaurants and shops have English-speaking staff, and there are multiple tourist booths throughout the city to help you if you need.

You’ll also be able to meet other tourists easily in Venice if you’re social and want to meet new people to explore with.

Overall, if Venice is on your bucket list and you need to see it before you die, it is totally worth visiting alone.

It’s a very easy city to travel in. You’ll probably get lost walking around the winding streets, but you’ll always find your way to the water and can follow the water back to your accommodation.

And if that’s the biggest complaint and risk there is with visiting Venice alone, that’s a good thing!

Travelling from Venice to Rome is one of the best European vacations by train and another reason you may want to visit Venice as a solo traveller.

Reasons You May Not Want to Visit Venice Alone

Okay. Now onto the reasons Venice may not be worth visiting alone.

Firstly, Venice is comparatively expensive to the rest of Italy. If you’re on a tight budget, you may want to skip Venice.

Food, accommodation, and souvenirs will cost you more than pretty much anywhere else in Italy (except maybe Cinque Terre).

On average, Venice is 7.9% more expensive than the rest of Italy.

Another important thing to consider when deciding is Venice worth visiting alone is your health.

Venice isn’t an accessible city.

If you have any mobility issues, you probably don’t want to visit Venice alone. There is tons of walking, the streets are narrow, and there are bridges or stairs throughout the city.

There are no cars in Venice, and it is up to you to get around by your own by walking through the city. The boats can’t get you everywhere, and you’ll be walking quite a bit.

If you have a disability, be sure to read this article on accessibility in Venice before committing to a trip to Venice.

Tips for travelling alone for the first time

Something to Consider

Finally, it is important to consider the ethical cost of visiting Venice.

As we all know, Venice is sinking, and the millions of tourists visiting every year isn’t helping the situation.

I’m not saying you shouldn’t go to Venice because the city is sinking, but it should be a consideration.

Firstly, if you do want to visit Venice alone, try to plan your trip during off-peak times. This limits the number of tourists in the city at one time.

Plus it’s less crowded, so you have a more relaxing holiday.

Secondly, if Venice isn’t a place you really want to go and are just going because it’s popular and you feel like you should go, don’t go.

I never really wanted to go to Venice but a friend asked me to go with her. If it wasn’t for her, I wouldn’t have gone. I also don’t plan on going again unless someone else begs me to go with them.

Is Venice Worth Visiting Alone? My Honest Opinion

I personally think Venice is one of the most overrated cities in Europe.

Please don’t hurt me for saying that!

There is no doubt Venice is a gorgeous city, but it doesn’t feel authentic at this point.

Young locals are leaving the city in heaps and bounds, and there are more tourists in the city than there are locals.

The big draw of Venice is undoubtably the canals. There is no arguing that they’re beautiful, but it isn’t the only city in Europe with canals like that.

If you’re going to Venice solely for the canals, consider visiting Annecy, France instead. It’s much more relaxed and has the same small canals. There is different architecture, but it is no less beautiful.

If you’re going to Venice for the architecture, consider visiting Bologna or Florence. The architecture isn’t exactly the same as Venice, but they’re two of the most beautiful cities in Italy.

So, is Venice worth visiting alone in my opinion?

Yes and no.

It’s a no for me. I also think it is a no for anybody who doesn’t really want to explore Venice and hasn’t been dreaming about visiting Venice.

It’s a yes for anybody who has been dreaming about visiting Venice. It is on the top of their bucket list. They planned a trip to Italy just to visit Venice.

I’ll never tell you not to visit Venice.

I will tell you, however, that if you’re meh about Venice and just adding it to your itinerary because it is a famous city, there are probably better places in Italy you can visit.

Things to Know When Visiting Venice Alone

If you’re decided you want to visit Venice alone, there are a few things you should know before your trip.

These have nothing to do with travelling alone in Venice, but they’re things I wish I knew before visiting Venice.

I’m not going to cover the most common things to know before visiting Venice. You’ve probably read them a million times already.

I’m going to cover what I wish I knew about Venice. They may be odd things, but I hope they help you plan your trip!

The Boats are Very Slow

I’m a fairly impatient lady. I think to move quickly, and the boats in Venice move very slowly.

There are public transportation boats from the airport, around Venice, and to other nearby islands.

Side note: I highly recommend visiting Burano and Murano when in Venice.

The public transportation boats are the best (and cheapest) way to get to and from the airport and to the other islands.

If you’re trying to get around Venice, I recommend walking.

Anyway, the public transportation boats are slow.

Painfully slow.

You need to leave yourself extra time to get where you want to go. Google Maps may tell you it takes a certain amount of time to get somewhere, but it often takes longer.

Secondly, bring something to keep you entertained on the boats. A book. A podcast. Anything.

Don’t Assume You’ll Find Your Way Home Without Google Maps

I’m pretty good at finding my way around. Especially if I’m walking to one place and then directly back to my accommodation.

That wasn’t the case in Venice.

There are so many small, winding streets that look the same. It is super easy to get confused, take a wrong turn, and end up nowhere near where you wanted to be.

I suggest you rely heavily on Google Map when in Venice.

Be sure to load your maps while you have wifi, so you’re not stranded in the middle of Venice without wifi to use Google Maps.

Even if you think your walk will be easy because you’re going straight across the city, use your Google Maps.

There are plenty of winding streets and bridges along the way.

There are arrows on some of the buildings pointing the way to the train station, for example. They’re quite helpful so be on the lookout for those in addition to using Google Maps.

What I wish I knew before backpacking Europe alone

You Won’t Meet Many Locals

The local population in Venice is shrinking. There aren’t a ton of opportunties for young people, and a large portion of them are moving to other cities.

If you’re hoping to make local friends or hear from a local about their experience in Venice, it won’t be easy to find them.

Of course, there are shop, restaurant, and attraction employees, but they don’t have time to chat with you.

You won’t have one of those moments where a local comes up to you in a coffee shop and starts talking to you. I’ve had that experience a few times in other cities. They’re really special, but you won’t get it in Venice.

I’m not saying that’s a bad thing by any means.

I just know a lot of people enjoy speaking with locals while travelling to try to get a more authentic version of the place they’re visiting. You’re more likely to casually run into a young person born in Venice in Rome than you are in Venice.

Be Respectful of Locals

On a similar note, be respectful of the locals you do come across in Venice.

They have to deal with their city being overrun by tourists and have to work around the tourists to get their normal life activities done.

The most common place you’re going to run into locals is waiting for the public transportation boat.

They have their own line and are often welcomed onto the boat before the tourists.

Don’t complain. Don’t try to get in their line even though it is likely shorter.

They’re likely trying to get to and from work. They pay taxes. They deserve to be able to use the public transportation easily without having to wait in line for ages with tourists.

Pick Pockets are Everywhere

Venice is small, overcrowded, and full of unsuspecting tourists.

This makes it a great place for pick pockets to get a big loot.

Luckily, there are a few simple steps you can take to make sure you’re not one of their victims.

• Carry your purse on the front of your hip or in front of you

• Keep your wallet/phone/valuables as close to your body as possible

• Don’t carry anything in your back pocket

• If you have a backpack, use the inside pockets for your valuables. They’re harder to get to that way

• Know that pick pockets often work in pairs. If someone points out your shoe is untied or tries to have you sign a petition, these are signs they may be trying to pick pocket you. Move somewhere else to tie your shoe and say no thank you to signing the petition

There is a Tourism Tax Starting in January 2023

The last important thing you need to know is there is a tourism tax coming to Venice in January 2023.

This tax will only affect people who are visiting Venice as a day trip. If you’re staying in Venice, there is already a tax built into the cost of your hotel.

A large portion of the tourists that visit Venice are on cruises and are only in Venice for one day. This impacts hotels and restaurants.

I personally think the tax is a good addition to Venice and will help the city thrive in the future. Others aren’t happy about it.

Being aware of the new tax is important when trying to decide is Venice worth visiting.

I think if you do visit Venice, it’s worthwhile to stay for at least two days.

There is no sense only going for a day, not seeing everything, and paying a tax to get into the city.

Activities in Venice You’ll Probably Love

Conclusion

I know this article didn’t give you the most direct answer to the question is Venice worth visiting alone.

That’s because there isn’t a cut and dry answer.

It depends more on your travel interests and budget than it does on the city itself.

For me and my travel style, Venice isn’t the right choice. But for you and your travel style, it might be the perfect choice.

I hope this article gave you a little sense of how you can decide whether or not Venice is the right destination for your next solo trip.

Italy is one of the most popular countries in Europe and is one of the best European countries for solo travellers. It is so easy to plan a solo trip to Italy, and that is one of the reasons it is so popular amongst solo travellers.

That and the fact that visiting Italy is basically an essential stop for any travellers. There is hardly anyone you chat with that doesn’t dream of visiting Italy one day!

Italy is one of the easiest countries in Europe to travel alone it. It is easy to get around, is relatively inexpensive, and has amazing sights. It is, however, also easy to get scammed while in Italy. Especially when you’re on a solo trip to Italy.

This post covers the top ten things you need to know before travelling to Italy alone.

We’re covering the good, the bad, and the ugly of taking a solo trip to Italy.

Okay. There is no ugly part about solo travel in Italy, but you know how the saying goes!

By the end of this post, you’ll have a better idea of how to plan the perfect solo trip to Italy and what to expect when travelling alone in Italy.

You’ll be fully prepared to take on Italy and experience all the culture (and food) it has to offer!

PS- check out the top tips you need to know when planning a solo trip!

1. The Transportation System is Awesome

One of the easiest parts of travelling to Italy alone is their transportation system.

It is so easy to travel between cities in Italy!

There is a train system that takes you pretty much anywhere in the country.

It is easy to use, trains run between the most popular cities on a regular basis, and they run on time the majority of the time.

Which is amazing! It is amazing how often trains don’t run on time in other countries!

The downside to the inter-city transportation is that it is expensive.

It may even be the most expensive part of your trip (excluding airfare).

To get the best deal on your train tickets, buy them in advance and travel during off-peak times.

You will be amazed at how much those small things can reduce the price of your ticket!

Also, never travel in first class. It isn’t worth the additional cost under any circumstances!

You can also easily get around within cities.

Most cities don’t have a metro system, but they do have an extensive bus system. Or boat system if you’re in Venice.

You won’t have any issues when it comes to travelling within or between cities in Italy.

I know it may sound like a trivial thing to lead this post off with, but if you’ve ever been to a country where the transportation is a nightmare, you understand why a great transportation system is something to be cherished.

2. You Need a Wifi Plan

Unfortunately, the wifi situation in Italy isn’t anything to write home about.

There isn’t an extensive wifi network in Italy, and you have to rely on businesses that provide complimentary wifi out of the goodness of their hearts.

Cafés, restaurants, hotels, and the occasional museum are your best shot.

Not every restaurant or café provides complimentary wifi, but a lot of them that are in the main tourist areas do.

If you need access to the internet on a consistent and reliable basis, you should not rely on public wifi.

You need to find a wifi alternative, and you have three options:

• Rent pocket wifi

• Buy a Skyroam (read my full review here)

• Download an esim to your phone (my favourite option)

Both options will give you unlimited access to the internet no matter where you are!

It is disappointing that Italy doesn’t have an extensive public wifi network, but most countries in Europe don’t either. They definitely need to up their game!

You will be relying on public wifi during your solo trip to Italy.

Even if you have a pocket wifi device, it eventually needs to be charged, and you will be forced to connect to your hotel wifi.

Any time you connect to a public wifi network, you put yourself at risk of having your information stolen.

The only way to keep your devices safe is by installing a VPN on your phone, laptop, and tablet.

A VPN makes a public wifi network just as secure as your home wifi network where you’re the only person who knows the password.

If you can afford to travel, you can afford a few extra dollars per month to protect your online safety.

My Favourite VPN

I’ve used a lot of VPNs over my years of travel, and, frankly, most of them suck. They slow down your phone so much that you disconnect from the VPN in frustration and put your devices at risk.

The only VPN I’ve used that doesn’t slow down my phone to a snail’s pace is NordVPN.

It is by far the fastest VPN on the market, which is very important to travellers. We all know that public wifi isn’t always the fastest, and you don’t need your VPN slowing down your internet connection even more!

Another reason I love NordVPN is the ability to cloak my location.

You can change your location int the app to make it look like you’re in a different country than you actually are.

This allows you to unlock that country’s Netflix catalogue (yay!) as well as any hotel or flight deals exclusive to that country.

Protecting your online data is essential.

There is zero excuse to leave your online devices open to being hacked and having your information stolen.

It is so easy to protect your online data, and it costs less than the prices of a Starbucks per month!

3. Beware of Scooters in Rome

I wouldn’t call Italy a dangerous place. The fear of getting hurt certainly isn’t a reason not to take a solo trip to Italy.

The one major exception to that are the scooters in Rome.

They can cause some serious harm.

I’ve seen many tourists almost get hit by scooters because they aren’t paying attention.

Please, please, please look both ways before crossing the street and keep an eye out for scooters.

Especially at night!

There may be a red light in front of them, but they don’t always stop. If nobody is coming from the other direction (especially at night), there is a chance they may go straight through the light.

The scooter drivers may not see you, and it is your responsibility to stay out of their way.

Just be cautious.

Nobody needs to get hurt because they’re trying to beat a scooter across the street!

PS- check out these overrated cities in Europe. You may be surprised to see a few Italian cities on the list!

4. English is Widely Spoken

You won’t run into a language issue during your solo trip to Italy.

Nearly everybody (young and old) speak English. You can ask pretty much anybody you run into for directions, and they will be able to understand and communicate with you.

You won’t run into any communication issues, which makes travelling to Italy alone a breeze.

I always recommend that travellers learn a few words in the local language before travelling.

It is polite and shows a level of respect for the people and country you’re visiting.

Just a few common words like hello, goodbye, and thank you are enough.

The more the better though!

5. Get Off the Beaten Track

Italy is home to some of the most popular cities in Europe.

Nearly everybody dreams of visiting Rome, Venice, and Florence, but Italy has so much more to offer.

One of the best parts of travelling to Italy alone is that you’re in complete control.

You can do and see whatever you want, and you should take advantage of that.

Get off the beaten track and see more of what Italy has to offer outside the most popular cities.

There are countless small villages, towns, and cities you can (and should) explore. They give you a different taste of Italy.

An idea of what Italy is like without the hoards of tourists.

The Italy that locals enjoy and love.

Visiting off the beaten track locations is one of the best experiences you can have while travelling!

You don’t have to go out of your way to experience a less touristy area.

You can take a day trip from a major city and experience a different side of Italy.

Add an extra day or two onto your trip and dedicate it taking day trips from Rome or Florence.

It doesn’t take much of a Google search to learn about cool, often forgotten about destinations that are a few hours from the major tourists hubs.

You’ll be so glad you took the time to get out of the city and experience more of Italy!

PS- be sure you know this before flying alone for the first time

6. Be Courteous (Especially in Venice)

This is one of the most important things you need to know when you visit Italy.

Not just when you’re on a solo trip to Italy. Everybody who visits the country needs to know this!

It is imperative that you’re respectful and courteous.

Italy is overrun by tourists, and it often feels like there are more tourists than locals in some cities.

But people actually live there and deserve to be respected.

I’m specifically talking about Venice, but it applies to every city.

Venice is hugely popular with tourists, and the locals are getting fed up with tens of millions of tourists visiting their city every year.

It impacts their daily lives and makes their normal day harder to navigate.

They have to fight through crowds when travelling to and from work or running errands.

They have to wait in long queues to eat at their favourite restaurants, and over tourism is increasing the waste and pollution in the city.

I’m by no means saying not to go to Venice or other Italian cities.

You just need to make sure you’re visiting them as responsibly as possible.

Travel is a privilege not a right.

You need to disturb the local environment as little as possible when you visit any city as a tourist.

So be aware of your surroundings, try not to get in the way, and leave Italy cleaner than when you got there!

7. Indulge in a Food Tour

Italy is known for its incredible food, and there is no better addition to your solo trip to Italy itinerary than partaking in a food tour!

There are food tours in every major city, and they range in price.

You can spend a lot of money and go on a high-end food tour or spend a fraction of the price and go on a more everyday food tour.

Any food tour you take will be amazing and worth every penny you spend on it!

You can also find food tours that cater to any dietary restrictions, which is amazing!

One of the best parts of a food tour is you get to try a bunch of different food places that you probably wouldn’t have time to visit on your solo trip to Italy.

You get a taste from a number of different restaurants and food providers, and if you fall in love with one place, you can go back for a full meal on your own!

Food is an important part of any culture.

Going on a food tour with an expert helps you understand the different ways food has shaped Italy and how food has grown and melded flavours from different regions over time.

Plus who doesn’t want to walk from restaurant to restaurant with an expert guide trying all the amazing carb-loaded dishes Italy is known for?!

Plus there is a good chance you’ll get to sample some of Italy’s incredible wine!

PS- check out the top 10 European countries for solo travellers

8. It is Very Affordable

You solo trip to Italy won’t break the bank!

Italy is one of the least expensive of the popular tourist countries in Europe. Travelling alone in Italy will cost significantly less than a solo trip to France, Germany, UK, Ireland, Belgium.

The list goes on and on and on.

The affordability of Italy is what surprised me most about the country. I expected it to be much more expensive considering it is a tourist hub!

Italy isn’t as affordable as a country like Ukraine, but it is on par with Spain and Portugal.

A solo trip to Italy may be a good choice if you’re on a tight budget and don’t want to sacrifice too much comfort or miss out on any experiences.

Venice, unsurprisingly, is one of the most expensive cities in Italy.

If you’re going to rely on cheap eats and the grocery store anywhere in Italy, it will definitely be in Venice!

But outside of Venice, a Euro goes a long way.

You can get dinner and a glass of wine for less than €10 in Rome and Florence. As long as you’re not eating right outside the popular tourist attractions.

Get a little ways outside of the tourist hub and find a local place.

The food will be better and less expensive!

9. Beware of Scams

There are, unfortunately, a lot of scams in Italy.

Every popular tourist destination has scams, so that isn’t a reason not to take a solo trip to Italy.

You just need to be educated on that most popular scams, so you can not fall victim to them.

Here is a list of some of the most common scams in Italy.

Rome is the hot bed of scams in Italy and where you should be most on guard.

The city of Rome has been getting better at stopping scammers, but it is impossible for the city to completely eradicate it.

Pick pocketing is a huge issue, and you need to be aware of your surroundings.

Keep your purse in close to you at all times and don’t keep valuables in your pockets.

Bus route 63 is one of the most famous places for pick pockets to get tourists. The bus route hits a lot of the major tourist sights in the city, and pick pocketers hang out along the route and pry on unsuspecting tourists.

Another thing to be weary of are Romeo boys.

This is where men try to woe tourists (more commonly women) into thinking they are going to have an Italian love affair (such a trope in movies!), and they end up scamming tourists out of a lot of money.

As a basic rule of thumb: if a man approaches you at Trevi Fountains and tells you you’re the most beautiful woman he’s ever laid eyes one, sorry to tell you, but you’re being scammed.

This isn’t a romance novel. Sorry to crush your dreams!

But it is way better to be safe than sorry!

All in all, as long as you’re aware that scamming is an issue in popular Italian cities and keep your wits about you, you’ll be fine and won’t run into any issues.

PS- If you’re planning to visit the Vatican, be sure to read this article for the best Vatican tips to ensure you have an amazing time and don’t get scammed.

10. Cities are Very Walkable

If you enjoy walking, a solo trip to Italy is a no brainer!

The cities in Italy are very walkable.

Once you arrive in the city, you can pretty much walk everywhere and not have to rely on public transportation to get around!

Not only does this save you money, but it also lets you see parts of the city you wouldn’t get to if you too public transportation.

You never know what sights, sounds, and tastes you’ll stumble upon when walking from one tourist attraction to the other.

I’ve stumbled on some of my favourite restaurants and neighbourhoods just by walking over my years of travel.

Plus it is a great way to walk off some of those carbs and make room for the next meal!

PS- read this article on the truth about solo travel

Conclusion

Do you feel more prepared for your solo trip to Italy?!

It is truly one of the easiest countries for solo travellers and a great way to start your solo travel career.

Travelling alone in Italy is so easy and a very good choice for your first solo trip to Europe.

It is affordable, easy to get around, the people are friendly, and the food is incredible!

It isn’t personally my favourite country in Europe, but I think I’m in the minority with that one.

I know so many people who are obsessed with Italy and keep going back year after year to explore more and more of the country.

They must be onto something right!

It is hard to beat the sights of Italy, and once you get out of the major tourist hubs, it is a much more relaxing trip.

I highly recommend a solo trip to Italy.

You’ll have an amazing time and easily navigate solo travel if you’re new to it.

And if you’re an experienced solo traveller, all the better! Get far off the beaten track and experience some of Italy’s hidden gems.