Sakina & Steve's Wedding
Things To Do
Osteria Ai Promessi Sposi
The hidden gem where gondoliers go to eat. Tucked down a narrow alley in Cannaregio, this beloved osteria serves traditional Venetian cuisine with a handwritten menu that changes daily based on the catch. Small, warm, and consistently full of locals. Do not miss the squid ink pasta or the tiramisu. Book by email at aipromessisposi@gmail.com. Reservations recommended — walk-ins are not always possible.
Murano
A small island in the lagoon, a 20-minute vaporetto ride from Venice, and the historic home of Venetian glassblowing. Watch master glassblowers at work in the furnaces, then wander the quiet fondamente away from the main shops. Take Line 4.1 or 4.2 from Fondamente Nove. Allow at least half a day. No booking required. Vaporetto tickets available at any ACTV machine. Official Murano Website linked
La Perla Ai Bisatei
If you go to Murano, you can't miss this authentic trattoria. Sakina's family's house is attached to this restaurant.
Burano
Venice's most colorful island, known for its vividly painted fishermen's houses and centuries-old lacemaking tradition. The boat ride through the lagoon alone is worth the trip. Combine with Murano for a full island day. Take the vaporetto from Fondamente Nove. No booking required. Combine with lunch at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero — book that well in advance.
Trattoria Al Gatto Nero
Michelin-recognized, family-owned, and open since 1946. Chef Ruggero Bovo and his son Massimiliano have turned this canal-side trattoria into a Burano institution. The interior is lined with celebrity photos and lagoon paintings, the tableware is custom-made, and the risotto Buranella is the reason people take the vaporetto. Strictly reservation only, no walk-ins. Book well in advance at info@gattonero.com
Al Covo
One of Venice's most quietly celebrated dining rooms, beloved by Anthony Bourdain, Condé Nast Traveler, and Venetians themselves for decades. Chef Cesare Benelli's cooking is rooted in lagoon seafood and seasonal produce from Sant'Erasmo island. The atmosphere sits perfectly between fine dining and a family home. If you only have one special dinner in Venice, make it here. Book online directly at ristorantealcovo.com (linked) Reservations open every two months. Credit card required to hold the table.
Experimental Cocktail Club Venice
Tucked behind a discreet door on Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo in Dorsoduro, this is Venice's finest cocktail bar — intimate, beautifully designed, and serving some of the most inventive drinks in Italy. Signature cocktails use local Venetian ingredients and change seasonally. Arrive before 10 PM for a good seat. No reservation needed. Walk in and find a spot at the bar or on a sofa. Open evenings.
Al Covino
The intimate little sibling of Al Covo, with only seven tables and an open kitchen. Lighter takes on traditional Venetian dishes, a carefully chosen wine list, and service that feels personal. Perfect for a long, unhurried lunch. Book online at alcovino.it. Reservations essential.
Osteria alle Testiere
One of the smallest and most extraordinary restaurants in Venice. Only eleven tables, a menu that changes daily with the market, and seafood that regularly makes best-in-Venice lists. Run by chef Bruno Gavagnin and sommelier Luca di Vita, who has built one of the city's finest natural wine lists. Book the earliest slot you can and order whatever they recommend. Online reservation only (linked) — they do not accept phone or email bookings. Book at osterialletestiere.it. Reserve at least 3 to 4 weeks ahead.
Trattoria Antiche Carampane
Hidden between the Rialto fish market and Campo San Polo, this is exactly the kind of place Venice used to be full of. No pizza, no lasagna, no tourist menu — just serious, authentic Venetian seafood and a room full of locals. The staff will steer you toward whatever is freshest, and you should let them. Book online at dishcult.com/restaurant/antichecarampane. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Gallerie dell'Accademia
Venice's greatest collection of Venetian painting, from Bellini to Titian to Tintoretto. Book tickets in advance — queues can be long
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
ne of Europe's finest collections of modern art, housed in Peggy Guggenheim's former home right on the Grand Canal in Dorsoduro — a five-minute walk from the venue. Picasso, Dalí, Pollock, Kandinsky, and more, in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable. The sculpture garden alone is worth the visit. Book tickets in advance at guggenheim-venice.it (linked)
Gondola Ride
Gondola Ride No visit to Venice is complete without one (if you're a tourist). A private gondola holds up to five people and costs €90 during the day or €110 after 7 PM for a 30-minute ride — that is the total price for the boat, not per person. Evening is the right choice: the light is softer, the canals quieter, and the city feels entirely yours. The rates are set by the City of Venice and are non-negotiable. Cash only, in euros. A tip of €5 to €10 is appreciated if your gondolier makes the ride special (and is a great singer) For the most beautiful experience, look for a departure point in Dorsoduro — you will already be in the right neighborhood. Ask for a route through the smaller canals rather than staying on the Grand Canal the whole time.
Squero di San Trovaso
One of the last working gondola boatyards in Venice, tucked into a quiet corner of Dorsoduro. You can watch gondolas being built and repaired from the bridge above — for free, with almost no other tourists around. A genuinely local experience that most visitors never find. No booking required. Best visited in the morning when the yard is active.
Libreria Acqua Alta
Venice's most eccentric and beloved bookshop, tucked down a narrow alley in Castello. Founded in 2002 by Luigi Frizzo, the store protects its collection from Venice's seasonal flooding by housing books in bathtubs, waterproof bins, barrels, and a full-sized gondola parked inside the shop. Around the world Old encyclopedias become steps in an amazing staircase in the courtyard, and resident cats wander freely through the stacks. Venezia.net There is a back exit that opens directly onto the canal — one of the most quietly magical moments in the city. Free to enter. Open Monday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 7:15 PM. Libreriacqualta Buy a postcard or a book on Venice to support the shop — most people just take photos and leave without purchasing anything, which is a shame. Go early in the morning on a weekday to avoid crowds. No booking required. Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa 5176b, Castello.
