Venetian Carnival: 5 Days of Fun, Colors, and Masquerades

The Venetian Carnival—a kaleidoscope of masks, music, and excitement that will make your heart beat louder. As Carnival enthusiasts from Portugal, where the festivities are already pretty spectacular, we knew we had to experience one of the most well-known of them all: Carnevale di Venezia.

The end of February promised to be a vibrant spectacle, and boy, did Venice deliver. Here’s your guide to making the most of this enchanting festival, complete with practical tips and all the essential details to ensure your 5-day Venetian Carnival adventure is nothing short of magical. We have to say that we cannot recommend this once in a lifetime experience enough, so let’s jump right in!


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Budget During the Carnival

Accommodations and How Soon You Have to Book:

  • Budget Options: If you’re aiming to save some euros, look for budget accommodations like hostels or affordable B&Bs. The Generator Venice Hostel offers beds starting at around €40 per night. You’ll be close to the action but won’t need a second mortgage. Keep in mind, these places book up fast, so try to secure your spot as soon as you can.

  • Mid-Range: For a bit more comfort without going overboard, check out Hotel Antiche Figure. Expect to pay around €120-€200 per night.

  • Splurge: For a more expensive experience you can book a room at Ca’ Sagredo Hotel, Splendid Venice - Starhotels Collezione or Hotel Danieli for a truly over the top experience. Rooms start at around €400 per night, so you know, just keep that in mind.

Pro Tip: Book your accommodations as early as possible! Venice during Carnival is insane, and the best places fill up quicker than you can say “Ciao bella!”

Food Prices:

  • Cheap Eats: For affordable Venetian cuisine, grab a bite at local bàcari (wine bars) like All’Arco or Osteria Al Squero. Enjoy cicchetti (Venetian tapas) starting around €1.50 per piece, and you can easily assemble a meal of delicious nibbles for under €15.

  • Mid-Range: Dine at trattorias such as Trattoria Antiche Carampane or Osteria da Fiore for a more substantial meal. Expect to pay around €25-€50 per person.

  • Fine Dining: Oro Restaurant or Quadri are a good option for a splurge. Prices start at around €80 and go up from there, so keep that in mind and prepare your wallet if you choose this option.


Transportation

Venice is a city of canals, and getting around requires a bit of strategic thinking. Fortunately, the unique transport options are part of what makes Venice special!

  • Vaporetti (Water Buses): The Vaporetto is Venice’s version of a public bus, but on water. A single ride costs about €7.50, and you can buy a 1-day pass for around €20 or a 3-day pass for about €50. The Vaporetto is a great way to see the city from the water and avoid the crowded streets, especially during the Carnival.

  • Gondolas: A classic Venetian experience, though not the most budget-friendly. A typical gondola ride costs between €80 and €100 for a 30-minute trip. It’s a splurge, but hey, it’s a must-do for that Venice experience, so we would recommend it!

  • Walking: Venice is best explored on foot, especially during Carnival when the streets are alive with activity. Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll be wandering through narrow alleys, over charming bridges, and around bustling squares. 

  • Water Taxis: For a more private, but more expensive option, consider a water taxi. Prices start at around €100 for a short trip, and while they’re convenient, they might make your wallet sigh in despair.


Venice Pass

For those wondering whether a Venice Pass is worth it during the Carnival, here’s our personal opinion on it:

  • Venice Card (Venezia Unica): It offers a range of options, including transport and museum entries. The 3-day pass costs about €60 and includes unlimited use of the Vaporetto and discounts on several museums. It’s a solid choice if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing and use public transport frequently and it’s the one we used and recommend the most.

  • Museum Pass: If you’re a museum enthusiast, consider the Venice Museum Pass which includes entry to several major museums, including the Doge’s Palace and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection. Prices vary depending on the number of museums and duration but expect to pay around €40-€60 for full pass.


Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival and Initial Impressions

  • St. Mark’s Square: Start your Carnival adventure in the heart of Venice. The square is the epicenter of the festivities, and you’ll be greeted by a sea of elaborate masks and costumes (we snapped so many amazing photos here that look like they came straight out of a movie!). Grab a coffee at Caffè Florian (around €6 for a coffee, but the atmosphere is priceless) and soak it all up.

  • Exploring the Rialto: Take a walk over the iconic Rialto Bridge. Explore the surrounding market and pick up some Venetian snacks. This is also a great place for photos—just be prepared for crowds, but to be honest this will always be a bit unavoidable during the Venetian Carnivale so just embrace it.

  • Dinner at Osteria Al Squero: Sample some delicious cicchetti and relax after a day of travel and exploration. Expect to pay around €15 for a good selection of delicious food.


Day 2: Masks and Masquerades

  • Mask-Making Workshop (Suggestion): Kick off your day by joining a mask-making workshop. Places like La Bottega dei Mascareri offer sessions where you can create your own Venetian mask. Workshops cost around €50 and include all materials.

  • Costume Parade: In the afternoon, head to the Grand Canal to watch the costume parade. Be sure to dress up yourself—Venice’s Carnival is all about the flamboyant costumes and masks!

  • Dinner at Trattoria Antiche Carampane: Enjoy a delicious Venetian meal for around €35. The seafood here is top-notch!


Day 3: Historical Venice

  • Doge’s Palace: Spend your morning exploring this opulent historical landmark. Tickets are around €25 (so as you can see the Museum Pass might come in handy), and you’ll be amazed or sure!

  • Bridge of Sighs: After visiting the palace, take a walk over the Bridge of Sighs. It’s a famous landmark with an interesting history—just don’t sigh too loudly or you might draw attention!

  • Lunch at All’Arco: Enjoy a casual meal of cicchetti for around €15. This spot is popular with locals and tourists alike, making it a great place to experience authentic Venetian flavors.

  • Evening Gondola Ride: Take a romantic gondola ride through the canals. Expect to pay around €80-€100 for a 30-minute ride, as mentioned before, but it is a MUST!


Day 4: Art and Culture

  • Peggy Guggenheim Collection: Tickets are about €15, and the museum’s setting on the Grand Canal is breathtaking, again with the Museum Pass this one is for sure worth it!

  • Walking Tour (Optional): In the afternoon, join a guided walking tour to discover hidden gems and lesser-known spots in Venice. Tours cost around €50-€100 and offer fascinating insights into the city’s history and culture, so if you want to know more about history or like Sara, love Assassin’s Creed and want to compare facts that the game mentioned versus reality), this can be super interesting.

  • Murano Glass Islands Tour: Take a tour to the Murano Islands to see glassblowing demonstrations. Tours cost around €20-€40, depending on what it includes. It’s super fascinating so we would recommend it if you can!


Day 5: Farewell Venice

  • Shopping in the San Marco District: Spend your last day picking up souvenirs and enjoying the festive atmosphere. Browse the shops for masks, Murano glass, and other Venetian treasures.

  • Final Gondola Ride or Vaporetto Cruise: If you haven’t had enough of the canals, take a final ride on a Vaporetto (public water bus) to see more of the city from the water. A single ride costs around €7.50.

  • Farewell Dinner: Head to a cozy trattoria for a final meal and reflect on your unforgettable Carnival experience. Osteria da Fiore offers a lovely vibe and great food—plan to spend around €35 per person.

 

Venetian Carnival is a dazzling extravaganza that will leave you with a head full of memories and a camera roll bursting with photos. Whether you're sipping espresso in St. Mark’s Square, using a mask you made yourself, or trying some Venetian cuisine, this city will captivate your heart and senses. Just remember to pack your most comfortable shoes and prepare for crowds (big ones at that!)—Venice knows how to throw a party! So, immerse yourself in the magic of Carnival, and let Venice work its charm and share your experiences with us on it! Ciao for now!

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