Looking for immersive experiences in London? Well, good, because I’m the UK’s biggest independent immersive experience blogger. Whenever an immersive experience launches in London, I’m there no matter how weird it is. I have visited more than 100 so far!
Below are London’s best immersive experiences that I have tried and tested, organised by type. This article gets updated regularly, you’ll find 30+ immersive experiences here at all times.
Something needs updating? Give me a shout in the comments, or on Instagram (@travelwithpau).
🫖 Afternoon Tea /Wizard Afternoon Tea, spellbindingly delicious, with a smoky cauldron on the side.
🛏️ Overnight /Key of Dreams, a luxury 24 hour immersive theatre and fine dining experience you can stay in overnight.
This Month’s Highlight
Peaky Blinders: Underworld
The one everyone’s talking about right now. Set in the historic railway arches by London Bridge, Peaky Blinders: Underworld drops you straight into Thomas Shelby’s world, starting in a full recreation of the Garrison Tavern, where you can grab a drink before finding the hidden door down into the underworld beneath. From there you’re free to explore Garrison Lane, The Bookies, Chinatown, and the Small Heath Fairground, bumping into actors, solving puzzles, and stumbling into surprises along the way. Around an hour, fully immersive, and exactly the kind of world-building the show’s fans have been waiting for. Running 13 August 2026 – 3 January 2027, from around £25.
Belfast is the capital of Northern Ireland and one of the most underrated city breaks in the UK. It’s compact, incredibly walkable, and packed with history, culture, and one of the best food and bar scenes I’ve encountered anywhere in the British Isles.
It’s also a city that wears its complex past openly the murals, the Peace Wall, the political taxi tours and that honesty makes it one of the most thought-provoking places I’ve visited. Come with an open mind, and you’ll leave with a genuine understanding of a city that has worked incredibly hard to reinvent itself.
Nowadays Belfast is my second home, as I own short term accommodation properties in the city. I’m constantly advising and engaging tourists so I do dare say I know a lot. So if you are visiting do me a favour and stay in one of them… wink, wink!
GRAND OPERA HOUSE
BELFAST ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Belfast has two airports, Belfast International (BFS) and George Best Belfast City Airport (BHD), most UK flights use City Airport, which is closer to the centre. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a stress-free arrival. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / The city centre is very walkable, with most attractions within a 20 to 30 minute walk of each other. For day trips out to Giant’s Causeway or Hillsborough Castle, compare rental cars on DiscoverCars.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill before heading home, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Belfast. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Even for a UK trip, it’s worth having cover. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Wonderful Things to Do in Belfast
Visit the Titanic Belfast Experience
The Titanic Belfast museum is, without exaggeration, one of the best museums I’ve ever been to. Built on the exact slipway where the Titanic was constructed, it takes you through the full story of the ship, from Belfast’s industrial history to the night of the sinking and beyond. The building itself is stunning, designed to resemble the prow of a ship.
Book in advance, this sells out, especially on weekends. Book your Titanic Belfast tickets and include the SS Nomadic visit while you’re there.
Spot the Samson & Goliath Cranes
These two giant yellow cranes are Belfast’s most iconic skyline feature, you can see them from almost everywhere in the city. They’re a symbol of the city’s shipbuilding heritage and make for great photos, especially from the Titanic Quarter waterfront.
London properly leans into Christmas, and if you’re planning a festive trip with children this year, you’re spoilt for choice. I’ve pulled together everything from the big-ticket immersive experiences to the free stuff you can just wander into, so you can actually plan a few days instead of scrolling ten different “best of” lists.
A few of these change their dates and prices every year, so I’ve included the most current 2026/27 information I could find, but always double check before you book. I’ll be keeping this updated once a week throughout the Christmas season too, so check back if you’re planning ahead.
LONDON CHRISTMAS WITH KIDS ESSENTIALS
🎟️ Tickets / Book your big days out in advance, especially Winter Wonderland and Hogwarts in the Snow, both sell out their best time slots weeks ahead over December. Book your Winter Wonderland entry slot here.
🚇 Getting Around / An Oyster card or contactless bank card is all you need for the Tube, buses and most trains within London, just tap in and out and it caps your daily spend automatically. If you’re heading out to Windsor or Chessington for the day, book your train in advance on Trainline for the cheapest fares.
🏨 Stay / London hotel prices climb fast in December, so book early. Skip the endless scrolling, these are the ones I’d point a friend toward (full picks in Where to Stay below): Search and compare all London hotels.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel, especially with kids in tow over a busy holiday period. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Things to Do at Christmas in London with Kids
1. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland is the big one, and if you only do one Christmas thing in London with kids, this is probably it. It runs from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in Hyde Park, with 150 plus rides, attractions and shows including a new Peter Pan themed Magical Ice Kingdom for 2026, the Giant Wheel, an ice rink and an ice bar. Entry itself is free, but you need to pre-book a timed entry slot. Book direct through hydeparkwinterwonderland.com, this is the official ticketing route, not a third-party reseller. Monday to Thursday sessions in November are just £1.
Winter Wonderland
2. Christmas at Kew Gardens
Christmas at Kew turns the botanic gardens into an after-dark light trail, running from 13 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Expect illuminated tunnels, immersive installations and a visit from Father Christmas, plus a traditional festive fairground near the Temperate House with rides for all ages. Already almost sold out, so book your Christmas at Kew ticket here. From £29.50 for adults, £20 for children, under 4s free.
3. Hogwarts in the Snow at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London
If you’ve got Harry Potter fans in the family, Hogwarts in the Snow is worth the trip out to Leavesden. It runs from mid-November through mid to late January, included in the regular studio tour ticket at no extra cost, and sees the Great Hall and the Hogwarts model dusted in fake snow for the season. The easiest way to do it without a car is a ticket that bundles in coach transport from central London. Book Harry Potter Warner Bros. Studio Tour with coach transport. From £130 adults, £55 children (5-15), £188 family ticket, under 5s free for tickets including a coach from London.
4. Ice Skating
London does not lack for pretty places to fall over on ice.
Somerset House brings back its rink in the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Courtyard next to a 40ft Christmas tree, running from 12 November to 11 January, sessions have typically run from around £18 to £26 depending on the time slot in past seasons.
Hampton Court Palace has one of the prettiest settings of the lot, skating right in front of the Tudor palace, with Santa on Ice sessions and live ice-sculpting on selected dates, tickets from £18 to £21.
Glide at Battersea Power Station runs three interconnected rinks around a 30ft tree from 6 November to 3 January, plus a new riverside skate trail through the trees, tickets from £16 for adults or £48 for a family ticket.
Skate Leicester Square is right in the middle of the West End, tickets from £14.50 for adults, £9.50 for children, or £40 for a family ticket.
Book direct through each venue’s own website, availability moves fast closer to Christmas, and exact prices for this season are confirmed nearer the time.
5. Christmas at The Paddington Bear Experience
Over at County Hall, The Paddington Bear Experience gets a Christmas makeover from around 12 November to 5 January, with an immersive walkthrough, a decorated Christmas tree and festive treats for younger kids. Book your entry ticket here. From £44, under 2s free.
6. London Christmas Village, Shepherd’s Bush Green
New for 2026, London Christmas Village at Shepherd’s Bush Green is an immersive Dickensian storytelling walkthrough running from 28 November to 23 December. It’s too new to have reviews yet, but the Dickensian theming makes it a nice fit if your family has already done the more established options. Book your London Christmas Village tickets here. Tickets from £15.
Somerset House
7. Meet Father Christmas at Hamleys
Hamleys on Regent Street turns into a proper winter wonderland every December, and children can step inside a cosy grotto for around 40 minutes with Father Christmas himself. It’s one of the most famous grottos in London and tickets sell out quickly once dates are announced, so keep an eye on the Hamleys website from October.
8. London’s Christmas Lights
This one’s free. Walk down Oxford Street and Regent Street for the big overhead light displays, then head to Covent Garden for the giant tree in the Piazza. It’s an easy, low-cost way to spend an evening and works well tagged onto the end of another activity in the West End. If you’d rather sit back with tired little legs than walk the whole route, book an open-top vintage bus tour of the lights instead, it covers Regent Street, Piccadilly Circus, Trafalgar Square and more in about 75 minutes.
9. Character Christmas Lights Bus Tours
If you’ve already got a Paddington fan in the family, there’s a Paddington-themed Christmas Lights bus tour that does the same kind of route with Paddington on board. For PAW Patrol fans, there’s a PAW Patrol Christmas Lights bus tour too, with clue-solving, an activity book and Christmas afternoon tea built into the ride. And for Peppa Pig fans, a Peppa Pig Christmas Lights bus tour covers a similar route from Temple, past Tower Bridge, St Paul’s, Piccadilly Circus and Big Ben, with sing-alongs and interactive tablets on board.
10. The Polar Express Train Ride
If your kids love the film, The Polar Express Train Ride at Euston Station is worth booking early, it sells out. It’s a genuine train journey with theatrical performances, a light show, character meet-and-greets, hot chocolate and a cookie, and a Santa visit at the end, running on selected dates from 5 to 23 December. Book direct through londonthepolarexpressride.com. From £69, under 2s on a lap from £5.
11. Meet Santa at London Transport Museum
London Transport Museum in Covent Garden puts on one of the better low-key Christmas outings for younger kids: Santa arrives in an interactive sleigh from 27 November to 23 December, and there’s a festive family trail running right through January exploring 200 years of seasonal transport history, and it’s small enough not to turn into a whole-day slog if you’ve already got a big attraction booked the same day. Book direct through the London Transport Museum website. Adult admission around £27 (doubles as a 12-month pass), kids go free.
While you’re museum-hopping, swing past the Natural History Museum in South Kensington too, its animatronic T. rex gets dressed in a giant Christmas jumper and Santa hat every December in the Dinosaur Gallery, free to see and always a hit with younger kids.
12. Wander a Christmas Market
For an easy, mostly-free evening, the Southbank Centre Winter Market, also known as Christmas by the River, runs along the Thames from Jubilee Gardens to Waterloo Bridge, alpine-style chalets, a visiting Santa, and it’s right by the London Eye if you want to combine it with a ride. Browsing is free, you just pay for food, drink and any craft stalls that catch your eye. Covent Garden and Greenwich both run their own smaller markets too if you want to spread the wandering across more than one evening.
13. The Magic of Christmas at London Zoo
London Zoo runs its own Christmas programme from late November to Christmas Eve, with festive animal talks and crafts included in normal entry, plus a separate bookable Meet Santa experience where kids do a bit of Christmas crafting before heading into the grotto. It’s a nice way to combine a day out you’d probably do anyway with something properly festive, rather than a standalone Christmas-only ticket. Book direct through the London Zoo website. Entry from around £32 adult, Meet Santa experience from £18.50 per child.
14. Gingerbread City
Gingerbread City at Coal Drops Yard in King’s Cross is a genuinely impressive annual exhibition, an entire miniature city built from gingerbread, candy and icing, running from late November to early January. There are also family gingerbread-building workshops if your kids want to do more than just look. Book direct through the Museum of Architecture. From £8.50 for a child, £13.50 for an adult.
If your kids are old enough to sit through a proper sit-down dinner, Taste Film runs themed cinematic dining experiences across London, a multi-course menu synced to key moments as a film plays. All three of this year’s Christmas options are rated PG with a minimum age of 5, so they work best as a one-off treat rather than a regular day-out option: How The Grinch Stole Christmas at The Moniker (November and December), Elf at New Street Square (December), and The Nightmare Before Christmas at Parlour in Kensal Rise (November). Around £80 to £100 a head depending on venue and course count.
16. Chelsea Winter Illuminations
Chelsea Winter Illuminations at the Royal Hospital Chelsea is the only light trail in central London, over 30,000 illuminated white roses through Ranelagh Gardens, running from 25 November to 28 December. The Winter Village itself (markets, workshops, pop-up choirs) is free to enter, the illuminations trail needs a ticket. Book direct through the Royal Hospital Chelsea website. Last season’s illuminations tickets ran from £15 (off-peak) to £25 (peak), children from £5.
17. Phantom Peak
Phantom Peak is one of my own favourites on this list, an immersive open-world experience where you wander a whole built town solving puzzles and interacting with characters in character. The original Canada Water venue closed after 625 performances, but it’s back from 4 December 2026 at a bigger new home in Westfield Stratford City, multi-level, fully accessible, with three distinct storylines and a proper themed bar. Given how seasonal-storyline-driven these immersive experiences tend to be, and that reopening date landing right at the start of December, I’d be amazed if it doesn’t come back with a Christmas theme worked in somewhere. Book your Phantom Peak tickets here. Dynamic pricing, from £39.90 to £65.10 adults, £29.40 to £53.55 under 18s, earlier dates are cheaper.
18. Wundrful World of Christmas
For younger kids specifically, Wundrful World of Christmas at Immerse LDN on the ExCeL Waterfront is one of the more elaborate Santa experiences on this list, a mixed-reality walk-through where you travel to the North Pole, help out in the Elves’ Workshop and Toy Sorting Station, visit Mrs Claus’s Kitchen, and finish with a proper sit-down with Father Christmas himself and a photo. It runs on selected days from 13 November to 24 December, and every child needs a ticket, including babies in arms (free under 12 months). The nearest station is Custom House on the Elizabeth line and DLR. Book your Wundrful World of Christmas tickets here. From £24.90.
London Christmas Shows for Kids
London does not hold back on festive theatre, there’s a genuinely good spread of family shows every year, sorted roughly by age below so you can pick the right one for your kids rather than gamble on a panto that’s too loud or too babyish.
For toddlers and younger children:
Christmas Lights at the Polka Theatre in Wimbledon (11 to 22 November, ages 1 to 4) is a visual, mostly wordless show with integrated BSL about two characters lighting up their house for Christmas, with a play session in the snow-covered garden afterwards.
Dear Santa at Battersea Arts Centre (28 November to 24 December, ages 2 to 6) is based on the Dear Zoo author’s book, and kids get to meet Santa and take home a gift after the show, it runs on Battersea Arts Centre’s pay-what-you-can model with a suggested price around £10.
There’s A Bear On My Chair at the Southbank Centre (9 December to 3 January, ages 2 to 7) is a puppetry show about a mouse reclaiming his chair from an enormous bear.
The Snowflake at Little Angel Theatre (21 November to 23 January, ages 2 to 5) is a gentle puppet retelling of Benji Davies’ picture book, tickets £18 for adults and £16 for children.
For older kids:
The Snowman at the Peacock Theatre (21 November to 3 January, all ages) is the reliable classic, a new staging this year from the Birmingham Rep, still built around Raymond Briggs’ story and that soaring “Walking in the Air” score, tickets from £18 to £75, with off-peak family packages from around £105 for 3 and £140 for 4.
Pinocchio at Shakespeare’s Globe (28 November to 3 January, age 5+) tells the story through life-sized puppets in a full musical staging, standing tickets from around £13, seated from a bit more.
Santa’s First Christmas at the Unicorn Theatre (14 November to 3 January, age 4+) is a dance and music piece about the elves giving Santa a taste of Christmas magic for once.
Scruff’s Christmas Adventure, also at Little Angel Theatre (28 November to 3 January, ages 3 to 8), follows a puppet dog trying to work out the perfect Christmas gift for his owner, tickets £18 for adults and £16 for children.
Stick Man at the Bloomsbury Theatre (3 December to 3 January, all ages) is now in its 15th Christmas season, a stage adaptation of the Julia Donaldson favourite, a tight 60 minutes with no interval, good if you’re not confident your kids will sit through a longer show, tickets from around £19 up to £37 for the best seats.
For a proper pantomime: the London Palladium usually has the biggest-name cast in town for its Christmas panto, loud and silly and made for full audience participation, typically running from late November through January. Check the venue’s own site for this year’s cast and exact dates.
For a bigger spectacle:Scrooge: A Cirque Extravaganza at ExCeL London (23 to 28 December, age 3+) puts a genuine circus twist on A Christmas Carol, aerialists, fire tricks and stilt walkers included, tickets from £38.
For a calmer evening: London’s Candlelight concert series runs dozens of Christmas-themed evenings in churches and halls across the city, string quartets performing by candlelight. Not every one is aimed at kids, but a few are a genuinely lovely, quiet family outing, the Nutcracker Suite performances and the Disney Love Songs and Christmas Movie Soundtracks evenings especially. Browse all Christmas Candlelight concerts in London here and pick one that suits your family.
Close to London Christmas Day Trips with Kids
LEGOLAND Windsor Christmas
LEGOLAND Windsor runs its Christmas event from 21 November 2026 to 2 January 2027. It’s genuinely the one big Merlin Christmas event worth the trip for younger kids who love the rides and the Lego builds. It’s about an hour from central London by train to Windsor & Eton Central, book direct through legoland.co.uk. From £34, Father Christmas grotto upgrade from £27.50 per child.
Chessington’s Christmas Village
Chessington World of Adventures puts on its own Christmas Village, Winter’s Tail, with a Santa’s grotto, a silent disco and an Elves’ Toy Workshop, running from 22 November to 31 December. Book before 24 December for the best price. It’s around 40 minutes from central London by train, book direct through Chessington’s own site. From £35 per person.
Premier Inn London County Hall: I wouldn’t call it exciting, but that’s kind of the point at Christmas when you’re already spending on everything else. Reliable, no-frills rooms right by the London Eye and the Southbank, and after a long day out you can just walk along the river to the Christmas market stalls rather than deal with the Tube. Best for: families who want to be central without paying central prices.
Mid-range
The Tower Hotel: This is the one I’d pick if I wanted the kids to wake up to an actual view, Tower Bridge right there out the window. Family rooms are available, and it’s an easy walk to Borough Market’s own festive stalls if you fancy mulled wine with your breakfast pastry. Best for: families who want a bit more space and a proper “we’re actually in London” moment.
Splurge
The Langham, London: Properly grand, and genuinely one of the most festive hotels in London, close enough to Oxford Street’s lights that you can walk the whole strip straight from the front door. Their Christmas afternoon tea is an event in itself, worth booking even if you’re not staying the night. Best for: a treat-yourself Christmas trip where the hotel is part of the occasion, not just where you sleep.
Ham Yard Hotel: If I were building a trip entirely around the hotel, this is where I’d stay. The Kit Kemp-designed Christmas trees fill the lobby, handmade stockings hang above the fire in the Drawing Room and Library, and a full Gingerbread Village goes up in early December, it’s genuinely one of the loveliest lobbies in London to just sit in with a hot chocolate and watch the world go by. Best for: families who want the hotel itself to be one of the days out, not just a place to collapse at the end of one.
Christmas afternoon tea is a whole genre in London, and most of the big hotels do a festive version with mince pies, gingerbread and hot chocolate worked into the usual sandwiches and scones. Look for kid-friendly sittings, some hotels run earlier slots specifically so families can bring younger children. Three genuinely worth booking:
Children’s Afternoon Tea at Fortnum & Mason, served in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon decked out for the season with sparkling trees and fairy lights, is the classic, glamorous choice, for ages 4 to 10, from £60 per child.
For something more casual, Borough Market and Southbank Centre Winter Market both have street food stalls doing mulled wine for the grown-ups and hot chocolate for the kids, good for grabbing lunch between attractions rather than a sit-down meal.
How Long to Stay in London at Christmas with Kids
A weekend (2 to 3 days) is enough to do Winter Wonderland, one immersive experience and a wander through the lights, if you’re not trying to squeeze in a day trip as well.
4 to 5 days gives you room to add one of the day trips, LEGOLAND Windsor or Chessington, without rushing everything else, and leaves a spare evening for ice skating.
A week or more lets you spread things out properly, especially useful if you’ve got a mix of ages in the family and want to alternate big, busy days with quieter ones like the Christmas lights walk or a pantomime.
Best Time to VisitLondon at Christmas with Kids
Early to mid-December hits the sweet spot: the lights and grottos are all open, but it’s before the really frantic final week before Christmas when everywhere gets packed and prices peak. If you can travel on a weekday rather than a weekend, you’ll find shorter queues at the big attractions and cheaper off-peak entry, Winter Wonderland’s £1 Monday to Thursday November sessions are the standout deal if your half-term dates allow it.
Getting To & Around London
Most international families fly into Heathrow, Gatwick or London City, all of which connect into central London by train or the Underground within an hour. Search flights on Skyscanner, and if you’d rather not deal with luggage and tired kids on public transport after a long flight, book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups instead. If you’re coming from elsewhere in the UK or Europe, Eurostar into St Pancras or a direct train are both easy options, especially useful in December when airports get busy with holiday traffic. Once you’re in London, the Tube and buses cover everywhere in this guide, just tap in with a contactless card or an Oyster card and the system caps your daily fare automatically, no need to work out zones or buy individual tickets.
Entry to Hyde Park Winter Wonderland itself is free for everyone, adults and children, but you must pre-book a timed entry ticket. Individual rides and attractions inside are paid for separately, or bundled into a wristband package.
What is the best free Christmas thing to do in London with kids?
Walking the Christmas lights on Oxford Street and Regent Street, then finishing at the tree in Covent Garden, is completely free and works well as an evening activity tagged onto another day out.
Do I need to book Hogwarts in the Snow in advance?
Yes. Warner Bros. Studio Tour London tickets, including the Christmas Hogwarts in the Snow dressing, sell out well in advance over the festive period, especially for weekend and school holiday dates, so book as early as you can.
Is Chessington or LEGOLAND better for younger kids at Christmas?
LEGOLAND Windsor tends to suit slightly younger children better thanks to its gentler rides and Lego-building activities, while Chessington’s Christmas Village works well across a wider age range with its Santa’s grotto and silent disco.
Is London expensive for a Christmas trip with kids?
It can be, especially for hotels and the big-ticket attractions in December, but there’s a genuine mix of free things to do (the lights, window displays, wandering the markets) alongside the paid attractions, so it’s easy to balance a trip around your budget.
Buenos Aires is my city! I was born and lived 23 years in Buenos Aires before moving to London, and I still visit every year. This is my complete Buenos Aires bucket list, built from a lifetime of actually living there.
BUENOS AIRES ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Search flights on Skyscanner, I’ve flown to Buenos Aires from London at least once a year for the past ten years and it consistently finds the best deals. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups for a hassle-free arrival.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill after checkout, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Buenos Aires, including Recoleta, Palermo, Retiro, and Microcentro. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Hands down my favourite attraction in Buenos Aires is walking around Palermo Soho, named after New York’s own Soho and every bit as cool, cobblestone streets, old Spanish-style houses converted into independent boutiques and art galleries, and some of the best street art in the city covering the walls of Calle Serrano and Calle Honduras. Start from Plaza Armenia and make your way to Plaza Serrano. Stop for brunch at Mark’s Deli, Cocu Boulangerie or Pani. If street art is your thing, book a Palermo graffiti and street art walking tour.
3. Take Colourful Shots at Caminito in La Boca
Caminito is a street in La Boca filled with colourful painted houses, remains of the communal houses built by Italian immigrants in the 19th century. My mum is from La Boca and even lived in a conventillo (a “tenement house”, one of the shared houses these Italian immigrant families divided into single rooms, often with a whole family per room and shared kitchens and bathrooms) when she was a child. Book a La Boca guided walking tour to get the full history.
4. Watch a Boca Juniors Match
Football, or fútbol as we call it, is an obsession for many in Buenos Aires. Boca Juniors’ fans are so intense they’re called “la 12”, the 12th player on the field, and the stadium itself is nicknamed La Bombonera (“the chocolate box”), the story goes the architect’s friend gave him a box of chocolates and he realised the unusual D-shape he’d sketched looked just like it. Book the Boca Juniors match experience, or if there’s no match on, take the stadium tour instead.
5. Visit the MALBA Museum
MALBA, the Museum of Latin American Art of Buenos Aires, is my favourite museum in the city and very worth spending a couple of hours in, its permanent collection holds real Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera pieces alongside the big names of Latin American modernism, and the striking limestone and glass building itself was designed by a competition jury that included Norman Foster.
6. Catch La Bomba del Tiempo or La Grande
Every Monday for over 20 years, La Bomba del Tiempo, a band of more than 17 percussionists, has been delighting locals and foreigners with their beats. Book tickets for La Bomba del Tiempo at Ciudad Cultural Konex. Prefer Tuesdays? La Grande is the one to go for.
7. Spend Your Sunday in San Telmo
Sundays are the best day to visit San Telmo, Buenos Aires’ oldest barrio, dating back to the 1600s and originally home to dockworkers and immigrants whose conventillos are where tango itself really took shape. San Telmo Market is open every day but Plaza Dorrego Flea Market is Sundays only. Book a San Telmo and market guided tour if you want the full story behind it.
8. Try Empanadas
Empanadas are a go-to food item in Argentina, we eat them all the time, with friends, at home, as an appetiser for asado. My picks are La Cocina, La Morada, and De Rosa.
9. Marvel at the Teatro Colón
Teatro Colón is considered one of the ten best opera houses in the world, and National Geographic once ranked its acoustics third on the planet, beaten only by La Scala in Milan and Teatro di San Carlo in Naples, all down to the horseshoe shape of the auditorium. Buy tickets for a performance, or if you’d rather see it in daylight, book a small-group city tour that includes Teatro Colón.
10. Get Lost at Recoleta Cemetery
One of the world’s best cemeteries, you’ll be amazed by the mausoleums, sculptures, and detail of Recoleta Cemetery. It’s also the final resting place of Eva Perón, whose tomb remains one of the most visited spots in the whole city. Book a Recoleta Cemetery guided tour to get the full history behind the names.
11. Take a Tango Lesson
You can’t leave Buenos Aires without trying tango, it grew out of the working-class immigrant barrios in the late 1800s, a blend of African rhythms, Italian and Spanish folk music, and the European waltz, all mixing together in courtyards and general stores. Book Piazzolla Tango, a majestic live music and tango performance inspired by Astor Piazzolla’s work, you get a 30-minute tango class before the show.
12. Have Cocktails at Buenos Aires’ Quirkiest Bars
Go back to Prohibition-era through a telephone box at Frank’s, drink at a steampunk speakeasy at Victoria Brown, sip cocktails in a flower shop at Florería Atlántico, or get your fix in a New York pharmacy you enter through a subway carriage at Uptown.
13. Browse Books at Librería El Ateneo Grand Splendid
El Ateneo Grand Splendid is considered one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, and that’s because it used to be a theatre. It opened in 1919, became one of Buenos Aires’ grandest cinemas in 1929 (the first in Argentina to screen sound films), and only became a bookshop in 2000. Tango legends like Carlos Gardel once performed here, and the original frescoed ceiling, ornate carvings, and crimson stage curtains are all still intact. The old theatre boxes are now cosy reading nooks, and the stage itself, where all those performances once happened, is now a café where you can sit and browse with a coffee under the fresco. Over a million people walk through it every year, so go early if you want photos without the crowds.
14. Eat Argentine Pizza
Our pizza is thick, cheesy to levels you could never have imagined, and it has olives on top, it comes from Genoese focaccia rather than Neapolitan pizza, a La Boca baker’s son is said to have invented “fugazzeta” by slicing a dry focaccia in half and stuffing it with cheese. Try El Güerrin, El Cuartito, Las Cuartetas, or Pirilo.
15. Stroll Through El Rosedal
El Rosedal is a rose garden within Bosques de Palermo, designed in 1914 by French landscaper Charles Thays, whose fingerprints are all over Buenos Aires’ parks, the roses, water fountains, white veranda, and bridge make it a genuinely pretty place for a wander.
16. Have Coffee at Café Tortoni
Café Tortoni is one of the oldest cafés in the city, around since 1858, tango legend Carlos Gardel had his own reserved window table, and writer Jorge Luis Borges was such a regular that there’s now a life-size wax figure of him sitting at his old corner table. Order “cafe con medialunas”, coffee and croissants, or chocolate con churros.
17. Visit La Casa Rosada and Plaza de Mayo
La Casa Rosada (Pink House) is the main government building in Buenos Aires, nobody agrees on why it’s pink, one story says the original paint was mixed with cow’s blood to weatherproof it against the humidity, another says President Sarmiento blended the red and white of the country’s two rival political parties to symbolise unity. Free guided tours run on weekends.
18. Eat Facturas at a Panadería
Facturas are pastries Argentines love, we buy them by the dozen, and some of the classic names are a lot more subversive than they sound, “vigilante” (the long straight one) is named after a policeman’s baton and “bola de fraile” (the round one) mocks a friar’s tonsure, both dreamed up by striking anarchist bakers in the 1880s poking fun at the police and the church. Try Confitería Dos Escudos, El Galeón, Santa Paula, La Argentina, or Ritz.
19. Visit the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes
The Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes features art from renowned South American painters, as well as Monet, Degas, and Picasso, and it’s free, its 12,000-plus piece collection is the largest in Latin America, and the building itself used to be a pumping station for the city’s waterworks before it became a museum in 1933.
20. Photograph the Obelisco and Stroll Puerto Madero
The Obelisco is the most iconic monument in Buenos Aires, standing at the intersection of Avenida Corrientes and Avenida 9 de Julio, the widest street in the world at 16 lanes. Nearby, Puerto Madero is the refurbished port area, now one of the fanciest parts of the city, don’t miss the Puente de la Mujer (Woman’s Bridge).
21. Indulge in Dulce de Leche, Alfajores and Helado
First, you must try dulce de leche, similar to caramel but better, we eat it with everything. Ask for “panqueques con dulce de leche” or “flan con dulce de leche” for dessert, or grab alfajores (two round cookies with a filling) from any “kiosco”. For ice cream, try Freddo, Volta, Persicco, Rapa Nui, or Cadore.
22. Visit Palacio Barolo
Step into the grandeur of Palacio Barolo, an architectural masterpiece inspired by Dante’s Divine Comedy, it’s exactly 100 metres tall, one for each canto of the poem, with 22 floors split into Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven as you go up, and a lighthouse at the top that was visible from Montevideo when it opened in 1923 as the tallest building in South America. Book the day guided tour.
23. Explore Buenos Aires Off the Beaten Path
For hidden gems and lesser-known neighbourhoods beyond the usual Palermo/San Telmo/Recoleta circuit, barrios like Villa Crespo, Chacarita, or Colegiales, where locals actually live and hardly any tourists go, book a private off-the-beaten-path tour.
24. Try Yerba Mate
No trip to Argentina is complete without trying yerba mate, the bitter, grassy tea that’s less a drink and more a daily ritual here, shared from a single gourd and metal straw (bombilla) passed round a group. You’ll see it everywhere, in parks, on park benches, at football matches. Any supermarket or kiosco sells starter kits if you want to bring the ritual home.
Best Day Trips from Buenos Aires
Half-Day Trip to the Tigre Delta
Tigre is a riverside town on the Paraná Delta, the second-largest river delta in South America, a maze of waterways and stilt houses only reachable by boat, some of the islands still have no roads or mains electricity at all. It became a fashionable weekend escape for wealthy Buenos Aires families once the railway arrived in 1865, hence the old rowing clubs and grand villas you’ll still spot along the water today. It’s only about an hour from Retiro station, which makes it a lovely, easy half-day escape from the city without much planning needed. Book a Tigre Delta boat trip.
San Antonio de Areco and Estancia Day Tour
Step into the heart of Argentine culture with a visit to San Antonio de Areco, officially recognised by Argentine law as the National Capital of Tradition and still home to working silversmiths producing the same style of gaucho silverware their predecessors have made since the 18th century. Every November the town hosts the Día de la Tradición, one of the country’s biggest gaucho festivals, with horse parades and folk performances filling the streets. This tour includes a visit to a traditional estancia (ranch), a mouthwatering barbecue lunch (asado), and a folklore show. Book the San Antonio de Areco, Estancia and BBQ tour.
Day Trip to Colonia del Sacramento
Escape the city with a ferry ride to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. I’ve actually taken this exact trip and loved it. Book a Colonia del Sacramento tour, or if you’d rather sort the ferry crossing yourself and explore independently, Ferryhopper covers the Buenos Aires to Colonia route.
Day Tour to Iguazú Falls
Experience the awe-inspiring Iguazú Falls on a day tour from Buenos Aires, one of the largest waterfall systems in the world. It’s seriously one of the best trip experiences I’ve ever had. This tour includes flights and transport, so you get to explore the falls from both the Argentine and Brazilian sides in one day. Book the Iguazú Falls day tour.
Explore Campanópolis, the Magical Village
Discover the enchanting Campanópolis, a whimsical architectural wonder just outside Buenos Aires, built from recycled materials with fairytale-like buildings and labyrinthine paths. It’s the passion project of one man, businessman Antonio Campana, who was diagnosed with a terminal illness in the 1980s and spent the rest of his life building it by hand with a small group of local masons, no architects, no formal plans, just a self-taught vision of a medieval European village on what used to be a rubbish dump. Wander the 12 forest houses and you’ll find a windmill, a chapel, fountains, bridges, and even an old locomotive tucked among the trees. Book a Campanópolis visit.
Wine Tasting and Lunch at Bodega Gamboa
Indulge in Argentine wine at Bodega Gamboa, a boutique winery just outside the city, this tour includes a tasting session, a vineyard tour, and lunch surrounded by picturesque landscapes. Book the Bodega Gamboa wine tasting and lunch tour.
Where to Stay in Buenos Aires
I highly recommend staying in Palermo to make the most of your time in Buenos Aires, there’s an incredible amount of great restaurants, bars, and stores there compared to other areas.
Budget
My Mom’s Airbnb: My mum, who is an artist, recently bought and renovated this studio apartment in Palermo, it’s decorated with her own artwork throughout and it’s genuinely lovely. She’s a great host, and everyone who stays there raves about her hospitality above all else. Self-catering and cheap accommodation in a perfect location. Works well whether it’s just you travelling solo or a couple with a young child, a cot is available if you need one. She is really lovely and will help you with anything you need including money exchange. Best for: budget travellers who want a genuinely central location and a warm host.
Alfonsina Hostel: Right in Palermo Soho near Plaza Serrano, rated 9.0 on Booking.com and 5/5 on Tripadvisor. Clean, friendly staff, an outdoor pool, and buffet breakfast included, genuinely impressive for the price. Best for: solo travellers and backpackers who still want a bit of comfort.
Mid-range
CasaSur Palermo Hotel: A chic boutique hotel in Palermo Soho, known for its stylish design, comfortable rooms, and proximity to trendy cafes and shops.
Fierro Hotel Buenos Aires: A boutique hotel with spacious suites, a rooftop pool, and an excellent on-site restaurant in Palermo Hollywood.
Mine Hotel Boutique: A cozy, contemporary boutique hotel with stylish rooms, a garden pool, and a convenient location in Palermo Soho.
Loi Suites Recoleta: A comfortable hotel with spacious rooms, a lovely indoor pool, and an excellent location near Recoleta Cemetery and the neighbourhood’s cultural attractions.
Dazzler by Wyndham Buenos Aires: A modern, affordable hotel with well-appointed rooms and a fitness centre, with multiple locations across the city.
Splurge
Alvear Palace Hotel: A luxurious, historic hotel in the upscale Recoleta district, with opulent rooms, a renowned spa, and impeccable service. It opened in 1932 in full Belle Époque style, French Baroque motifs inside and Second Empire grandeur outside, and it’s been a magnet for the famous ever since, past guests include Walt Disney, Sean Connery, and Antonio Banderas. It’s one of only four Argentine hotels on the Leading Hotels of the World list, and it’s officially a Historical Monument of the City of Buenos Aires. If you’re going to splurge on one hotel in this city, make it this one.
Four Seasons Hotel Buenos Aires: A five-star gem blending modern luxury with historic charm, spacious rooms, a rooftop pool, and an excellent steakhouse.
Buenos Aires as a capital city has the best food and the best restaurants you can find in Argentina, the offer is truly incredible. Rather than list a handful here, I’ve put together running Google Maps lists I keep adding to:
3 days is enough to hit the main highlights, Palermo Soho, San Telmo, La Boca, Recoleta Cemetery, and a proper asado dinner.
5 days lets you slow down, explore more neighbourhoods properly, and add one day trip, Tigre or Colonia del Sacramento are both easy half or full days.
7+ days is worth it if you want to add Iguazú Falls (it deserves its own day, ideally more), San Antonio de Areco’s gaucho culture, or Bodega Gamboa for wine, and still have time to just live like a local for a bit.
Getting To & Around Buenos Aires
You can really only get to Buenos Aires by plane, it’s pretty far south compared to almost anywhere else in the world (Uruguay’s the exception, you can reach Colonia in about an hour by ferry) and trains are generally not a thing in South America for long distances. Search flights on Skyscanner, I’ve been flying to Buenos Aires from London at least once a year for the past five years and Skyscanner always finds the best deals. For a reliable, hassle-free arrival, book a private transfer with WelcomePickups.
Once you’re here, Buenos Aires is a bustling and well-connected city with an extensive public transport system, buses (colectivos), the subway (Subte), and trains. You can now tap a contactless credit or debit card, or a phone wallet like Apple Pay or Google Pay, directly on the Subte and most buses, no need to sort out a SUBE card in advance if you’d rather not. If you’re really trying to cheap out though, get a SUBE card instead, at any subway station, kiosk, or Correo Argentino post office, and load credit onto it as you go (from cash), contactless card payments get converted at the official exchange rate, which is worse than what you’d get otherwise. Taxis and rideshare services like Uber are widely available, though taxis usually cost more. I very much enjoy walking, the neighbourhoods are super pedestrian-friendly and full of charming streets to explore.
Caminito, Buenos Aires
Best Time to Visit Buenos Aires
The best time to visit Buenos Aires is during spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May). The weather is pleasant, and the city’s parks and streets are particularly beautiful in these seasons. Remember the seasons are flipped from the northern hemisphere, so December to February is Buenos Aires’ summer and can get properly hot and humid, while June to August is winter, mild by European standards but chillier than most visitors expect from South America.
Buenos Aires FAQs
What is the best time to visit Buenos Aires?
The best time to visit Buenos Aires is during the spring (September to November) and autumn (March to May). The weather is pleasant, and the city’s parks and streets are particularly beautiful during these seasons.
Do I need to speak Spanish in Buenos Aires?
While many locals speak at least some English in tourist areas, it’s helpful to know basic Spanish phrases for getting around, ordering food, and interacting with locals.
Is Buenos Aires safe for tourists?
Buenos Aires is generally safe for tourists, but it’s always best to stay aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas. Avoid flashing valuables and be cautious when using ATMs. Stick to well-lit areas at night and use registered taxis or rideshares.
Can I visit Buenos Aires on a budget?
Yes. Buenos Aires is a great destination for budget travellers. Public transport is affordable, and there are many free or inexpensive attractions to explore, such as museums, parks, and historic neighbourhoods.
What’s the best neighbourhood to stay in?
Palermo is where I’d recommend staying to make the most of your time, there’s an incredible amount of great restaurants, bars, and stores there compared to other areas, and it’s well connected to the rest of the city.
How many days do I need in Buenos Aires?
3 days covers the main highlights, but 5 to 7 days lets you slow down, explore properly, and fit in at least one day trip, see How Long to Spend in Buenos Aires above for the full breakdown.
Enjoyed this article? Support my work by buying me an oat capuccino. Otherwise, do me a great favor of leaving a comment and following me on Instagram (@travelwithpau). Feel free to say ‘Hello!’ I don’t bite. And make sure you save the article for later on Pinterest!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a small commission, at no extra cost to you in order to help support my blog.
Oh Venice. It is a city like no other. A car-free city where you can walk everywhere along canals, where the only transport is a boat or a gondola. Venice is unique, different from the rest of Italy, so romantic and charming that you’ll fall in love with it, guaranteed. Below a selection of things you must do when in Venice, as well as how to get there and where to stay, in this Venice bucket list.
VENICE ESSENTIALS
✈️ Getting There / Marco Polo Airport is a short hop from the city, from there you can take the Alilaguna water bus straight into Venice, a slow, scenic introduction to the city. Book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups if you’d rather have it sorted in advance. Search flights on Skyscanner.
🚗 Getting Around / Venice is entirely car-free, the only way to get around is on foot or by vaporetto (the public water bus). No need to think about car rental here at all. If you’re planning to hop between islands or into Mestre, a waterbus and mainland bus pass works out cheaper than buying individual tickets each time.
🧳 Luggage Storage / If you’re early for check-in or have time to kill after checkout, no stress, there are luggage storage points all over Venice, including near Santa Lucia Station and Piazzale Roma. Use this website to find one nearby.
📱 Connect / Stay connected from the moment you land with an eSIM. I use Holafly, use code TRAVELWITHPAU for 5% off.
🛡️ Get Insured / Things can and do go wrong when you travel. World Nomads offers coverage for over 150 activities as well as emergency medical, lost luggage, trip cancellation and more.
Venice Bucket List: 25 Things to Do
1. Wander the Narrow Winding Streets
If you do one thing in Venice, do this one. It’s free and it’s the one I enjoyed the most. The main streets of Venice may be packed with tourists but if you let yourself get lost you’ll wind up in quiet gorgeous streets where you’ll go like “Ah, this is why everybody talks about Venice”. If you’d rather have a local point you toward the quiet corners instead of finding them by chance, book a city highlights walking tour with a local guide, a good way to get your bearings on day one before you go off wandering solo.
Venice Bucket List
2. Drink an Aperol Spritz
The Spritz originated in Venice when it was part of the Austrian empire. It’s a version of the Austrian Spritzer, which is white wine and soda in equal parts. Today the spritz is the most common aperitif in Venice, and it’s drunk with Aperol, Campari, or Cynar. That’s what the orange, red and brown watery drinks you’ll see on the streets of Venice are about!
3. Have an Espresso at Caffè Florian in Piazza San Marco
Yes, of course an espresso in Piazza San Marco will be overpriced, but how expensive can an espresso be? Caffè Florian, founded in 1720, is one of the oldest cafés in the world, and sipping a coffee beneath its chandeliers while you gaze at San Marco Basilica and people watch is worth the price alone. It’s also really nice to walk the Piazza when the sun comes down and the lights come on.
Venice Bucket List
4. Watch Sunset at the Rialto Bridge
The Rialto Bridge in Venice is one of those bridges you’ll never forget. If you watch sunset from here then you’ll also watch a sunset you’ll never forget! Fun fact: the stone bridge you’re standing on was built in the 1590s after the previous wooden one collapsed twice under crowds, and the winning design came from a competition that beat out Michelangelo himself. It still has 24 shops built directly into it today, the same way it’s had for 500 years.
5. Take a Gondola Ride
Of course a huge cliché but you can’t really skip this when in Venice, sorry. The rides come at a hefty price though, last time I checked it was 80 EUR for 40 mins, and the price goes up at night to I believe 120 EUR. Worth it, specially if you are trying to be extra romantic. You can also book a private gondola ride in advance here, roughly €145 for a private group of up to 5, note this is pricier than a shared ride since you’re not paired up with strangers, but it means the whole boat is just your group.
This bridge takes its name because it is where convicts would get the “last view of Venice” before their imprisonment, or execution. There is a nicer legend around this bridge which says that if a couple kisses while drifting under the bridge at sunset, as the bells of St Mark’s Campanile ring out, it will enjoy eternal love and happiness. The bridge is beautiful, by the way. Access to it is included in every Doge’s Palace ticket, so you’ll walk across it anyway if you visit the palace itself.
8. Tour the Doge’s Palace
The Doge’s Palace was the seat of Venetian political power for over a thousand years, Gothic on the outside, gilded state rooms and Tintoretto ceilings on the inside. It’s where the Bridge of Sighs leads through to the old prisons, so the history and the drama come as one visit. Book a reserved entry ticket to skip the queue at the door.
9. Admire St Mark’s Basilica
This is one of the most iconic sites of Venice. It’s located in Piazza San Marco, and it’s known for its gorgeous mosaic and golden details. It is impressive to say the least. The queue to get in can be brutal in high season, so if you don’t want to lose half a morning standing outside, book priority access with a guided tour, you’ll skip the line and get the mosaics and history explained rather than just wandering through.
Venice Bucket List
10. View Venice from Above at St Mark’s Campanile
St Mark’s Campanile is the bell tower of St Mark’s Basilica. Climb the stairs to get a panoramic view of the city. Lines can get pretty lengthy in the summer, so arrive early or invest in a skip-the-line ticket.
11. Visit La Fenice Opera House
Make your time in Venice more memorable by visiting the La Fenice Opera House. Even if you don’t have the time to watch a performance, use this skip-the-line ticket with audio guide to admire its sensational avant-garde design. The name literally means “The Phoenix”, and it’s lived up to it: the theatre has burned down and been rebuilt three separate times, most dramatically in 1996 when a fire gutted it in under nine hours, leaving only the outer walls standing. It was rebuilt to the exact original design and reopened in 2003, so what you’re walking into today looks exactly as it did before the fire.
12. Create Your Own Carnival Mask
The wearing of masks in Venice is a tradition which goes back as far as the 12th century, and historians speculate that it was a response to one of the most rigid class structures in all of Europe. Eventually the wearing of masks was so ubiquitous that the government had to pass laws restricting it to the Carnival season. Instead of buying one, learn more about this tradition and make your own mask in this workshop.
13. Admire the View from Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Get an amazing view of Venice and its network of canals from the top of the famous spiral staircase of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. You can buy the entrance ticket in advance here, it’s cheaper than if you buy it on the spot.
14. Get Lost in Libreria Acqua Alta
Libreria Acqua Alta is touted as one of the most beautiful bookshops in the world, and it’s easy to see why: bathtubs, gondolas, and even full-size boats are all stacked with books to protect them from the flooding the shop is named after. There’s a staircase made entirely of old hardback novels out the back, worth the visit for that alone. It’s free to wander in and browse.
15. Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection
The Peggy Guggenheim Collection fills a Grand Canal palazzo, Peggy Guggenheim’s own former home, with modern art by Picasso, Pollock, and Kandinsky. Wander the airy rooms and the sculpture garden, then linger on the terrace for the canal views. Book a skip-the-line ticket.
16. Hear Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at the Church He Played In
Vivaldi was born in Venice, and the Church of the Pietà (also known as the Vivaldi Church) is where he actually played and composed, a genuinely different experience to hearing the Four Seasons anywhere else. The Vivaldi Baroque Ensemble performs it live in the same space, and it’s a lovely, low-effort evening to add onto a day of sightseeing. Book your Vivaldi Four Seasons concert ticket here.
17. Watch Sunset from Punta della Dogana
If the Rialto Bridge crowd isn’t your thing, Punta della Dogana, the tip of land where the Grand Canal meets the Giudecca Canal, is a quieter sunset spot with a wide-open view back across the water to Piazza San Marco. Grab a drink first and just sit.
18. Ride Vaporetto Line 1 Down the Grand Canal at Night
This is the closest thing to a gondola ride at a fraction of the price. Vaporetto Line 1 runs the full length of the Grand Canal, and taking it after dark, when the palazzos are lit up, is a genuinely romantic way to see the city for the price of a normal bus ticket. Grab a waterbus and mainland bus pass in advance if you’re planning to use the vaporetto more than a couple of times anyway, it works out cheaper than single tickets.
19. Get Gelato at Suso Gelatoteca
Suso Gelatoteca, tucked away near the Rialto Bridge, does some of the best gelato in Venice. Try the Manet flavour, chocolate, caramel and salt, if you only try one.
20. Lunch at Il Porticciolo, Hotel Cipriani
For a proper splurge, Il Porticciolo at the Hotel Cipriani on Giudecca Island is a seafood and oyster restaurant right on the water, with a Bellini basically mandatory. It’s a boat ride away from the main island, which makes it feel like even more of an occasion.
21. Dine at El Magazen
El Magazen in Cannaregio is a small, contemporary osteria that’s worth booking ahead for, especially if you’re celebrating something. Good for a proper sit-down dinner away from the tourist-menu spots near San Marco.
22. Rooftop Drinks at La Terrazza Bar
La Terrazza Bar at the H10 Palazzo Canova hotel has one of the best rooftop views in the city, right over the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge. Go for sunset if you can, it gets busy.
23. Lunch on the Terrace at The Gritti Palace
The Gritti Palace, a historic 5-star hotel right on the Grand Canal, is worth it for a lunch on its terrace alone, even if you’re not staying there. Between April and October you can eat al fresco with views over Punta della Dogana and the Santa Maria della Salute basilica, or dine year-round at its Club del Doge Restaurant. Another proper splurge, but one of the most iconic dining views in Venice.
24. Escape the Crowds at Giardini Reali
Right between Piazza San Marco and the water, the Giardini Reali (Royal Gardens) are a genuinely peaceful 5,000-square-metre green space that most tourists walk straight past. Commissioned by Napoleon in the early 1800s and reopened after a full restoration in 2019, it’s free to get in and a good spot to sit down for ten minutes when the crowds around San Marco get overwhelming.
25. Climb the Bell Tower at San Giorgio Maggiore
For the view every postcard is trying to capture, head across the water to San Giorgio Maggiore and go up its bell tower instead of St Mark’s Campanile. Entry to the church is free, and the lift to the top of the tower costs around €8, taking you up for a 360° view of St Mark’s Basin, the lagoon, and the whole skyline, with far fewer people up there than the Campanile.
Best Day Trips from Venice
Murano, Burano and Torcello
Both Murano and Burano are islands you can travel to as a day trip from Venice by taking a vaporetto (public ferry), and Torcello, Venice’s original settlement, makes a genuinely worthwhile third stop if you have the time. Burano would be my first choice, this cute little island with colourful houses just makes postcard-perfect photos, some consider it a slice of paradise. Murano is a must for glass lovers, you can get all sorts of hand-blown glass ornaments and even watch a demonstration. If you’re in Venice for a couple of days you can visit them separately, or take a tour that covers both Murano and Burano in half a day.
Verona
If you fancy a day away from the canals, Verona is about an hour from Venice by train, the mainland city of Romeo and Juliet, with a Roman arena still used for opera in summer, Juliet’s House and its famous balcony, and the medieval Piazza delle Erbe. Book a Verona, Sirmione and Lake Garda tour with a boat cruise if you want to combine it with Lake Garda in the same day, or check train times and prices on Trainline if you’d rather do Verona alone at your own pace.
The Dolomites
For something completely different to the canals, the Dolomites make a genuinely spectacular full day out from Venice, dramatic mountain scenery that feels like a different country entirely. Book a Dolomites day trip with Cortina d’Ampezzo and Lake Misurina, a 9-hour round trip with a driver, panoramic viewpoints, and a walk around the lake. It’s a long day, so worth it only if you’ve got the extra time in Venice to spare.
Venice Bucket List
Where to Stay in Venice
Venice is small and super touristy so staying there is expensive and even more so on weekends. To avoid the steep prices some people stay in Mestre, the first city on the mainland, and commute in. In my experience that’s not worth it. To get the real Venetian experience, I’d strongly recommend you stay in the city. Evenings and walking at night are the nicest thing about Venice and there is nothing better than knowing that you are a short walk back from your bed.
Budget Accommodation
Porta Orientalis Venice: This is where I stayed, standard and not too expensive, but the location is unbeatable. A quiet, colourful apartment in Cannaregio, close to Santa Lucia Station and a walkable stretch to Piazza San Marco. Best for: anyone who wants a genuine, affordable base without sacrificing location.
Mid-range
Palazzo Keller: Tucked down Calle del Pestrin, you could genuinely walk straight past this one without noticing it, which is exactly the appeal. It’s a converted 15th-century noble palace, some rooms still have their original ceiling frescoes, and the common areas keep the vintage floor tiles and chandeliers. Close enough to Piazza San Marco to walk over whenever you fancy, far enough down the side street to escape most of the crowds. Best for: anyone who wants a proper Venetian palazzo feel without the Splurge-tier price tag.
Splurge
Danieli, Venezia, A Four Seasons Hotel: A historic palazzo facing the lagoon, steps from San Marco, with a rooftop restaurant looking out over the water. One of Venice’s most iconic addresses. Best for: a genuine once-in-a-while, no-expense-spared Venice trip.
2 to 3 days is the sweet spot, enough time to wander without rushing, tick off the main sights, and still have a slow morning or two.
4 to 5 days lets you add a day trip to Murano, Burano, and Torcello without feeling rushed on the mainland side too.
A week or more only really makes sense if you’re using Venice as a base for the wider Veneto region, Venice itself is small enough that most people find 3-4 days genuinely enough.
Getting To & Around Venice
If you’re travelling from abroad, search flights on Skyscanner, Marco Polo Airport is just a short trip from the city. From the airport, the Alilaguna water bus is the most scenic way in, or book a private airport transfer with WelcomePickups if you’d rather have it sorted in advance. If you’re travelling within Italy, the best way to get to Venice is by train, Santa Lucia station is right in the centre so you can most likely walk to your hotel from there.
Once you’re here, Venice is entirely car-free, the only ways to get around are on foot or by vaporetto. If you’re planning to hop between islands or into Mestre, a waterbus and mainland bus pass works out cheaper than buying individual tickets each time.
Best Time to Visit Venice
The best time to visit Venice is spring (April to May) or autumn (September to October), mild weather and thinner crowds than peak summer. Summer (June to August) is hot, humid, and busy. Winter brings acqua alta (occasional flooding) but also Carnival season and far fewer tourists, worth it if you don’t mind bundling up.
Venice FAQs
How many days do I need in Venice?
2 to 3 days is genuinely enough to see the main sights and get properly lost in the backstreets. Add a 4th day if you want to fit in Murano, Burano, and Torcello without rushing.
Is Venice expensive?
Venice is one of the pricier Italian cities, especially for hotels and anything right in Piazza San Marco. Staying in the city itself (rather than commuting from Mestre) costs more but is worth it for the evenings and night walks alone.
Do I need to book a gondola ride in advance?
You don’t have to, but booking ahead online works out considerably cheaper than hailing one on the spot, and guarantees you a slot rather than queueing.
Is Venice worth visiting if it’s touristy?
Yes. The main streets around Piazza San Marco and the Rialto Bridge are genuinely packed, but wander a few streets away and you’ll find quiet canals and squares with barely anyone around, that contrast is part of what makes Venice special.
Can I visit Murano and Burano as a day trip?
Yes, easily, both are a short vaporetto ride from Venice, or book a half-day tour that covers both if you’d rather not sort the ferry timetables yourself.
Enjoyed this article? Support my work by buying me an oat capuccino. Otherwise, do me a great favor of leaving a comment and following me on Instagram (@travelwithpau). Feel free to say ‘Hello!’ I don’t bite. And make sure you save the article for later on Pinterest!
This post contains affiliate links. If you click on one and make a purchase, I might make a small commission, at no extra cost to you in order to help support my blog.
As someone who values style and comfort in equal measure, I’m always searching for footwear that’s versatile enough for travel, city walks, workdays, and everything in between. VIVAIA is a brand that kept popping up on my radar, marketed as sustainable, elegant, and genuinely walkable. When I had the chance to try out five of their pairs, I was curious: would they live up to the hype?
I tested them over a few weeks, rotating through different styles, weather, and occasions. Here’s my honest take on each pair. Make sure you keep reading for an exclusive discount!
What Makes Vivaia Different
Before getting into the individual pairs, it’s worth knowing what’s actually behind the “sustainable” label. Vivaia makes its shoes from recycled plastic bottles, spun into a breathable knit yarn, it takes around 6 bottles to make one pair of flats. They also work natural fibres like cotton and hemp into some styles. It’s not just marketing spin, it’s the reason the knit uppers on several of these pairs feel the way they do.
Best for: Anything! This are the comfiest shoes ever.
If comfort is what you’re actually shopping for, the Izabel is the one to go for. It combines the easy slip-on feel of a ballet flat with the support and sole grip of a sneaker, extra heel padding, real arch support, and a soft, roomy toe box that doesn’t dig in anywhere, which is exactly what other reviewers say too, several call them out specifically for having zero break-in period and genuinely supportive soles, not just a soft knit upper doing all the work. I took these out on a drizzly morning, my feet stayed dry, and I didn’t slip once. They’re breathable, cushioned, and machine washable, which makes them a dream for travel, and easily the pair in this lineup I’d reach for on a day where I know I’ll be on my feet for hours.
Fit: True to size Comfort: 10/10 Worth noting: Great for airports or days when weather is iffy Style tip: Works best with joggers, jeans, or anything casual-sporty
Best for: An easy everyday flat that still looks polished
The Silvie is a square-toe loafer with a barely-there 1cm heel, so it wears more like a smart flat than an actual heel. Same stretchy, sock-like knit upper as the rest of the range, with a wide toe box and a padded heel patch built in to stop any rubbing. Other reviewers consistently flag it as comfortable straight out of the box, no break-in period, even on days with a lot of walking.
Fit: Runs true to size, wide toe box Comfort: 10/10 Style tip: Works well with tailored trousers or a midi skirt for a polished-but-relaxed look
The Cristina lace-ups have a cool, Oxford-meets-sneaker vibe that’s ideal for adding polish without feeling overdressed. They’re lightweight, flexible, and sharp enough to dress up a simple outfit. However, fair warning: I got them in a lighter shade and they attracted dirt faster than I expected. They’re washable, yes, but if you’re not up for that maintenance, go darker as given how flat they are they can get dirty very quickly.
Fit: True to size Comfort: 8/10 Worth noting: Stylish but not made for messy terrain Style tip: Pair with tailored pants or monochrome outfits for a clean, modern aesthetic
These are a standout. The Nelly Mary Janes are made with Vivaia’s AdaptAll technology, which basically means they stretch and adapt to different foot shapes, ideal if you have bunions, wide feet, or just prefer a forgiving fit. The strap gives a cute, vintage feel, but the shoe itself is ultra-modern in comfort. I wore these for a full walking day with no socks, no blisters.
Fit: Extremely forgiving, true to size Comfort: 9.5/10 Style tip: Looks great with socks and a flowy dress, or cropped denim for a casual French-girl vibe
The Maville slingbacks are the most “fashion” of the bunch, but still surprisingly wearable. I was expecting them to be stiff or too narrow, but the knit upper stretches just enough, and the slingback actually stays put. I wore them out to dinner and walked a few city blocks comfortably, which I can’t say for most pointed shoes. They’re an easy way to elevate a basic outfit, and despite the knitted style they can look very elegant with a night dress.
Style tip: Pair with straight-leg jeans or a midi skirt for an effortless dressy look Fit: True to size Comfort: 8/10
Final Thoughts
VIVAIA really delivered on comfort, especially for a brand that leads with sustainability and style. All five pairs felt thoughtfully designed—nothing pinched or needed breaking in, which is rare. I especially loved how lightweight and breathable they were, making them great for warmer months and travel.
If you’re looking to invest in versatile shoes that blend fashion and function (without sacrificing your feet), these are genuinely worth a try.
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