NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM
We love Venice’s Natural History Museum. It’s much smaller than some of the famous ones in other cities but it is utterly delightful. It is rarely crowded so kids can really get up close to see the exhibits. There is a dinosaur and whale skeleton, and our children particularly like the rooms that are literally stuffed with stuffed wild animals. Most of the information on the exhibits is in Italian so it is worth getting the English audio guide. It’s quite reasonably priced and is a good option for a rainy day (or if you want to stay inside with a bit of air-conditioning during summer).
INSIDER TIP
If you’re planning to see other museums, consider getting a Museum Pass, as it costs only a little bit more than a standard ticket and includes entrance to Doge’s Palace, Ca’ Rezzonico, the Natural History Museum and 8 other sites.
FAMILY FRIENDLINESS
The museum is easy to get around with a pram. There’s a lift and you can push buggies around many of the exhibits with ease. The toilets are OK though often need a bit of cleaning. There’s a baby room for changing nappies and breastfeeding. Children can get close to all the exhibits as it is usually not very crowded. There’s a small bookshop at the end with some nice books in English. The whale skeleton at the end is the best! Children under 6 go free. A full price adult ticket costs a reasonable 8 euros but there’s a discount for kids between 6-14 years (5.50 euros). They also have a family ticket (two adults + at least one child) that offers a reduction for all family members.
Address: Santa Croce 1730
Street: Piazza San Marco
Nearest waterbus: San Stae
Water bus lines: 1
Closed: Mondays
Opening hours winter: Weekdays 0900-1700, weekends 1000-1800
Opening hours summer: 1000-1800 (last admission 1700)
Website: