In case you are new around here and haven’t been following along with our social media, SYLTBAR founders Regina and Claus recently got back from a magical trip to Europe. They spent over a month traveling all over Italy, Germany, Belgium and Austria, introducing Mr and Mrs to so many amazing people, places and experiences along the way. We’ve documented most of the trip on Instagram if you want to check it out and read more about our travels!

2022 Venice Travel Tips 

If you have questions about traveling in Europe, we are always happy to help. One of the cities we are often asked about is Venice. Summertime is definitely the most popular time of year to visit Europe, especially Venice. But for us, the best time of the year to visit is between March and April or September and October. All other months are crowded with tourists. The first and most important part of planning your travel itinerary is securing your flight accommodations — that’s the easy part. But when it comes to where to stay, what restaurants to dine at and what beautiful places to see? That can be hard to lock down! With so many amazing options, it can be hard to know what’s worth visiting.

The most trustworthy recommendations come from people who have recently been to the area and know all the current hot spots (and what is actually still open). Lucky for you, our Venice outings are still fresh in our mind!

As you plan your upcoming vacations to Venice, here are some of our top suggestions for places to stay, eat and drink during your travels.

Venice Places to Stay

• San Clemente Palace Kempinski: This luxury 5-star hotel in Venice was voted Best Hotel in Venice by Conde Nast Traveler in 2020. It is on a private island, San Clemente, and is only accessible by the hotel’s own boats, water taxi or private transfer services. Guests of the hotel or those who have restaurant reservations can take a 10 minute boat ride to the hotel from nearby Piazza San Marco, which is Venice’s main public square, known in English as “St. Mark’s Square.” We suggest checking out the Buddha Bar Pool for lunch, a restaurant and bar situated outside by the pool surrounded by exotic palm trees. Attire is casual/swimwear, and the cuisine is modern Asian fusion. For dinner, head to Acquerello Restaurant for award-winning Venetian Italian food. There is an a la carte menu as well as two tasting menus. Attire is smart casual.

• Hotel Monaco: This 4-star hotel is located in the heart of Venice, inside a historic building from the1600s. It’s close to St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace and a view of the Grand Canal and San Marco bell tower. We highly recommend having a Venetian lunch on the terrace at the hotel’s restaurant aptly named the Grand Canal Restaurant.

• Hotel Splendid: This luxury hotel is located near St. Mark’s Palace and Doge’s Palace. There is a high-end restaurant called Le Maschere, as well as a lounge bar that overlooks the canal. We recommend having an aperitif at the bar on the hotel roof.

• Terrazza Danieli: This restaurant gives off gorgeous scenic views from the top floor of Hotel Danieli, located on the Riva delgi Schiavoni, which is a waterfront area in Venice on St. Mark’s Basin. Outdoor seating is available during the warmer months of May to October. The menu showcases both traditional Venetian and Mediterranean fare. Attire is elegant, flip flops and shorts are not permitted. There is also the more casual Bar Terrazza Danieli, which is open from May to September from 3-6:30pm, if that is more of the scene you are looking for.

• De Pisis Restaurant: This elegant and romantic restaurant, located within the Bauer Hotel in San Marco, offers Venetian and Mediterranean fare. We love this place for an aperitif on the rooftop terrace, overlooking the gorgeous views of the Grand Canal and the church of Santa Maria Della Salute.

• Da Fiore: This traditional Italian restaurant is located in Venice’s historic center, and has been named the best restaurant in Venice by Wine Spectator.

• Cantina Do Spade: This is one of the oldest taverns you will find in Venice. It’s been around since 1448!

• Osteria Ai 40 Ladroni: A beautiful setting with a terrace overlooking the canal, this restaurant specializes in traditional menu items featuring fish from Venetian lagoons.

• Osteria Alle Testiere: This is a top recommendation for seafood, especially shellfish.

• Trattoria Alla Madonna: This family-owned restaurant has been in Venice since 1954. It’s located near the Rialto Bridge, and features nine rooms beautifully decorated with famous Italian paintings.

• Vini da Gigio: Another great restaurant option for Venetian-style fish dishes, this family-owned restaurant is also well known for its wide selection of wines.

Things to Experience in Venice

• Cantina Do Mori: This is a must if you want to see true Venetian culinary culture. It’s a legendary local hangout going back all the way to 1462. There are no tables, and the menu consists of a variety of cicchetti, which is basically the Italian version of Spanish tapas — small plates of food featuring local specialities.

• Osteria alla Vedova: This is another one of Venice’s oldest local taverns that’s known for its signature meatballs and other cicchetti.

• San Simone Winery: Of course, our number one recommendation is to take the 40 minute train ride from Venice to Pordenone and visit SYLTBAR’s wine producer, San Simone! This is why we know and love the area so well, because our winery is right nearby. You can spend the day at the winery, learning how SYLTBAR is produced and hearing stories from winemaker Antonio Brisotto, who produces our Happy, Healthy, Daily Juice!

We hope this guide to Venice is helpful as you plan your trip. Remember, if you have any questions or need more recommendations, please do not hesitate to reach out to us by email or social media messages!