Practical tips, using water buses, when to come, prams, where to stay, & where to pee!
Venice can be daunting for any traveller, let alone those with children and prams in tow. Waterbuses, bridges, canals, and endless narrow alleyways cause confusion and can be overwhelming for first time visitors. However, Venice is home to almost 40.000 children, whose families manage to get round the city and entertain their kids on a daily basis. As one of those families, we can assure you that Venice can be perfectly manageable if you pick the right time to come and stick to a few insider tips. If I can survive a summer pushing a pram around with a toddler in my arms while 8 months pregnant, you can manage a week with your little ones too! This section covers a range advice for getting round Venice with children, from how to use the waterbuses, where to stay, when to come, safety tips, and using prams. We’ll also bring you information on all the different areas and islands, as well as some suggestions for alternative types of accommodation that you might not automatically think of when booking your trip. Finally, and most importantly, when one of your kids suddenly announces “I need a wee” you’ll be glad you read this guide….
How to use the “vaporetto” water buses. All you need to know about buying tickets, timetables, routes and lines, boarding, safety, and storing prams.
The Alilaguna boats provide transport from Marco Polo airport to many areas of Venice. Read more for tickets and information on where to board.
The “sestieri” are the six districts of central Venice. It’s essential that you know a bit about each one so you can find your way round the city.
First aid points, hospital emergency departments, nighttime on-call physician numbers, pharmacies, and common illnness & ailments.
Many shops close at lunchtime and reopen in the afternoon. Some restaurants also close between services so it can be difficult to have an early dinner.
You can breastfeed anywhere in public in Italy. In the summer it’s very hot and your baby will need to drink as much as possible.
Finding somewhere to do a wee or change a nappy can be impossible on holiday! Advice on what to do when one of your little ones needs a tinkle.
Venice addresses are impossible and you are likely to get lost. Here we explain the street system and give you some tips on getting around.
Keeping your kids safe in Venice is pretty unique. Falling into canals, safety on water buses and other dangers are not an issue in other cities.
Get out of the centre of Venice and stay in the family-friendly areas of Sant’Elena or Lido. Or have a lagoon adventure in Pellestrina or Certosa.
What sort of pram should you bring? How do you get over bridges with pushchairs? Can you take buggies into museums & restaurants?
Some tourists complain that Venice is overpriced or that they are ripped off in restaurants. Here’s our guide to avoiding feeling like you’re being cheated.
For a completely unique experience, why not book a houseboat for your trip to Venice? Or go camping? Or stay in a “residence” hotel with a pool!
Some tips for families travelling with a child who has physical disabilities.
If you are sick of the hoards of people in Venice see a few of our tips on avoiding them.
Italians love children. But be warned that they might pinch their cheeks or kiss them.
If your baby is anything like ours then you might have some little accidents that need cleaning up. Use a launderette to avoid high costs at hotels.
During winter Venice is plagued by heavy fogs that engulf the city. Public transport is usually affected with some lines being completely cancelled.
If you need to store your bag or even a pram for a few hours here are a few listings. Lockers, left luggage offices and even hotels that store bags for tourists.
Venice is stunning, historic and needs to be preserved. Make sure you know some of the city’s rules such as no sitting on bridges, no picnics, and no bare chests!
Unbearably hot & humid in summer, bitterly cold in winter…. When should you plan your trip to Venice with small children? Spring or Autumn of course!