It’s impossible to capture the feeling when you travel over the sea from the Italian mainland to Venice. You walk outside of the train station, and the first thing that greets you is a canal and stunning Venetian architecture. It’s magical enough as an adult, but imagine how it feels to be a kid seeing this sight for the first time. Venice is a unique city and is a must-visit for the family. Here is some advice to get the most out of your trip to Venice when you’re traveling with children.

Use Luggage Storage If You’re Traveling In

If you are only stopping off in the historical city, luggage storage in Venice is a great way to travel light when you’re walking around the canals. As soon as you get off at the station you can dispense with your heavy bags, and you can pick them up again as soon as you’re ready to get back on the train. When you travel around Venice, it’s advisable to travel light and carry essentials like water and sunscreen, as travel in the summer can be busy and hot.

Travel In The Fall Or Spring

Summer is an extremely popular time to visit Venice, and February also gets busy in the run-up to the Carnival season. Traveling in spring or fall is a great way to make the most of Venice, and also avoid the high water and peak tourist season. You will also avoid the sharp spike in accommodation costs during Carnevale and the summer tourist price hikes. In January, Venice is prone to ‘acqua alta’ or high water, where the famous squares tend to flood and delay some of your on-foot plans for the day.

Bring A Light Stroller And A Baby Carrier

While Venice itself is stroller-friendly, there are many bridges and canals that make constantly walking with a stroller quite difficult. If you can travel with a baby carrier, it will make using the water taxis and traversing the bridges much easier for you. When traveling with toddlers, it’s definitely advisable to keep them on a baby rein or in the stroller, as there are many canals so it’s safer to keep them very close by.

Tell Your Hotel That You Are Traveling With Children

Room occupancy also applies to children in Venice, so let them know if you are bringing a baby or an infant with you to ensure you get the most appropriate room. One thing you’ll notice with Italy as a whole is that they don’t have a kid’s menu. However many restaurants in Venice will simply serve smaller portions and are extremely kid-friendly.

Do The Tourist Activities Early

The famous locations in Venice, like the Rialto Bridge, or St Mark’s Square, can become extremely busy over the course of the day. Take your kids to visit early and then retire to some of the quieter and more relaxed parts of Venice for lunch. Some great locations are Campo Sant Margherita (the more affordable student’s quarter), and a relaxed walk along the Zattere.

Visit The Islands

Taking your kids to visit Murano and Burano will make your family trip to Venice a memorable one. Murano is affectionately known as the Glass Island of Venice and is home to many of the master glass blowers still that create the unique bright glassworks today. Kids will also have the opportunity to create a glass item themselves. Burano, the bright little fishing village, is also memorable as each house has its own unique color. Each color allowed a fisherman to spot their home when they were coming back from a day at sea.

See Piazza San Marco

The pigeons are as much a part of Venice as St. Marks Church is, giving little ones the opportunity to chase them around the square. However, the square is a hub for kid-friendly activities, including looking out over Saint Mark’s Square, and the exciting Doge’s palace, home to everything from a huge armoury to a prison.

Keep The Plans Simple

Overbooking your plans in Venice can be a little overwhelming, so wherever possible keep your travel plans simple. There are many restaurants off the tourist trail in locations like Cannaregio, where you can sit and relax after a busy day of walking. As the travel spots are often very crowded, you will find you have a more enjoyable day if you don’t overbook your travel while you visit.

Enjoy The Experience

Venice is a truly unique city, which makes it a memorable experience for adults and kids alike. Whether you’re traveling with older or younger kids, you can still enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime trip to see the splendors and glory of the island. If you don’t see everything during your trip, you’ll likely find yourself drawn back time and time again.

Disclosure: This is a collaborative post.