The six mistakes first-time visitors make in Venice, according to a travel expert

Venice may be one of the world’s most visited cities, but according to one travel expert, most first-timers are getting it badly wrong.

With more than 30 million visitors descending on the lagoon city each year, a figure that has prompted crowd-control measures and a day-tripper access fee, the temptation to cram every landmark into a short stay has never been greater. But that, says Maryanne Sparkes, river cruise expert at luxury hotel barge specialist European Waterways, is precisely where most visitors go wrong.

“People arrive with a long list of things they want to see and end up racing from one attraction to the next,” she says. “But Venice is one of those places where slowing down actually gives you a much better experience.”

For business travellers tagging a leisure weekend onto a Milan or Verona trip, an increasingly common pattern as more UK workers extend work trips into holidays, the advice is worth heeding. Here are the six mistakes Sparkes says first-time visitors make most often.

1. Trying to see everything

The pressure to tick off every famous sight in a few days is, Sparkes says, the most common error of all. “People often put a lot of pressure on themselves to see absolutely everything. But Venice isn’t really that kind of city. The best parts are often the things you didn’t plan.”

Her advice is to put the map away. “Venice is one of those places where getting a little lost is part of the fun. Some of the most memorable spots are the ones you stumble across by accident rather than the ones you planned to visit.”

2. Never leaving the big landmarks

St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge are obligatory stops, but too many visitors never venture beyond them. “Of course you should see the famous sights, they’re famous for a reason,” says Sparkes. “But some people spend their entire trip in the busiest parts of the city and miss everything else Venice has to offer.”

A few streets is all it takes. “You only have to walk a few streets away from the main attractions and the atmosphere changes completely. That’s often where you’ll find the little cafés, quiet canals and hidden corners that make people fall in love with the city.”

3. Following the crowd

Arriving at the most popular attractions in the middle of the day guarantees sharing them with thousands of others, particularly on charge days, when day visitors must now register and pay Venice’s access fee to enter the historic centre between 8.30am and 4pm.

Sparkes recommends an early alarm instead. “Venice first thing in the morning is absolutely beautiful. It’s quieter, calmer and you get to see a completely different side of the city.”

4. Ignoring the islands

Most visitors never leave the main island, missing what Sparkes calls a huge part of the region’s appeal. “Murano and Burano aren’t just somewhere to stop for a quick photo. They each have their own history, character and atmosphere.”

She also recommends Chioggia, the fishing port at the southern end of the lagoon often dubbed ‘Little Venice’. “It’s got beautiful canals, a really authentic feel and some fantastic seafood. It feels much more local, which can be a nice change if you’ve spent a few days in the busier parts of Venice.” Those keen to dodge the crowds entirely will find other ways to see Venice without the throngs.

5. Eating wherever is closest

After a long day on foot, the nearest restaurant is rarely the best one. “One of the easiest mistakes to make in Venice is eating right next to the biggest tourist attractions simply because it’s convenient,” says Sparkes. “You can end up paying more for a meal that’s not necessarily representative of the local food scene.”

The fix, again, is a short walk. “Often the places serving the best food are tucked away down side streets or in quieter neighbourhoods. If you can see locals eating there, that’s usually a pretty good sign that you’re onto something.”

6. Rushing through it all

Most of the mistakes, Sparkes concludes, come down to one thing: trying to do too much. With Venice’s authorities now actively managing visitor numbers through booking systems and entry charges, the case for a slower, longer visit has never been stronger.

“There’s often this feeling that you need to see absolutely everything while you’re there,” she says. “But Venice isn’t really a city that’s meant to be rushed. Some of the best bits happen when you slow down and just enjoy being there.”