Is Venice kid friendly? Is Venice suitable for babies? I think it depends on your point of view. I often see people telling everyone that Venice with a baby, or especially with a walking toddler, is a disaster. I tend to disagree.
Kids have been raised in Venice for centuries and there are many families obviously still living there. It’s obviously not a city full of ramps for strollers, or big changing tables in bathrooms, but it doesn’t mean that it should be skipped with small children. By that rationale, the entire country of Italy shouldn’t be considered kid-friendly.
We spent the first time of my firstborn’s life living in Verona, a town about an hour away from Venice. We’ve been to Venice every other week and can tell you that Venice with a baby or toddler is absolutely possible, as long as you prepare.
Is Venice with a Baby Possible? How to Get Around Venice with Kids
Of course, as long as you don’t go during aqua alta season when the city floods. However, it’s safe to say that I wouldn’t recommend anyone, with a child or without, to visit Venice then.
Venice has no cars and it involves a lot of walking. We all know that little kids aren’t good walkers in general, and even if they are, walking all day is not really possible for kids under 6 years old.
There are also vaporetti, which are basically water buses (timetables, routes and prices here). They can get crowded, but not impossible.
Children 6 years old and younger can ride the vaporetto free of charge. Attendants will squeeze you in, so you don’t even need to fold the stroller, just roll on with it.
Alternatively, a traghetto allows you to cross the canal vertically from one side of the Grand Canal to the other. It’s a fun short ride with kids for just 2 EUR (for more tips see my Venice post).
Can You Buy Baby Stuff in Venice?
Venice is well-equipped with baby essentials. You can buy baby food, weaning products, and diapers in supermarkets and also in pharmacies. No need to drag a ton of diapers with you.
Can you take a baby on a gondola in Venice?
Absolutely! You can bring a baby on a gondola in Venice, there is no age limit. Gondolas have a limited capacity of 5 people, but babies in carriers don’t count as a person.
Just keep in mind that you can’t bring a stroller even when folded so plan according to leave the stroller behind. Gondolas also do not have life jackets, it’s just not a thing.
I generally don’t recommend taking a gondola from S. Zaccaria vaporetto stop, because then you’d end up on busier canals. There’s a quiet gondola stop around Ponte San Severo that will take you through smaller canals.
Stroller in Venice
Most people will tell you not to bring a stroller to Venice, because there are bridges with stairs every couple of meters. I think you it depends and personally we always brought a stroller and never regretted it.
Obviously, you need to have a very lightweight travel stroller and not a full-size stroller with a heavy car seat on top. That’s just insane.
Even more insane are some people bringing a twin stroller and then trying to carry it and block the entire pathway with it. You will get a lot of hate from everyone if you do it, and most importantly for you – you’ll hate your trip. Leave a double stroller at home.
We had a Babyzen Yoyo and it was easy to lift when we had to. However, some bridges have now got smooth ramps, so you can push a stroller up and down the bridge easily.
There are always many places where we strolled around and honestly, having big kids I cannot imagine having to carry a big toddler all day. A stroller gave us a break for naps, meals, when we wanted a break from carrying a baby.
Also, depending on the season and year mosquitos can be bad, and that’s another benefit of stroller: you can put a bug net over it.
Bathrooms in Venice
Bathrooms in Venice are just like in most historical cities in Italy: small and cramped. Basically, you won’t find a changing table there, because there’s no space.
However, it’s not an issue, if you bring a changing pad and quickly change the baby in a secluded corner outside on a bench. Alternatively, you can change your baby in a stroller (more on strollers later).
There are public bathrooms in Venice that your older children can use when they need to pee. Also, obviously every restaurant or cafe has bathrooms. As an adult customer you’d need to buy something to use the bathroom, but Italians aren’t heartless 0 I was never refused anywhere when I asked if my little one could go when we couldn’t find a public toilet.
Toddlers in Venice
First things first, Venice is obviously full of canals and this is why people tell you that it’s a horrible place with a toddler, because they can fall in…
I find these statements a bit odd because one can say the same about taking a child outside anywhere because there are cars around. Or should we take all children out of the Netherlands too, since it’s full of canals?
We taught our toddlers about dangers and this is why never felt strange about staying in overwater bungalows or taking them anywhere. If you’re worried, hold your child’s hand, but Venice isn’t via ferrata… it’s a normal place for everyone to enjoy.
What to See and Do with Toddlers in Venice
The Doge’s Palace is a must-see for families, as it’s stunning. Children will be amazed by how cool it looks like.
From simpler things, having ice cream at San Marco Square while chasing pigeons will be fun for little ones.
If your kids are old enough, there are plenty of Venetian mask decorating workshops.
Obviously, a gondola is a fantastic way to make a trip memorable for kids and adults!
I highly recommend taking a trip to Murano and Burano which is an easy trip with a vaporetto. Murano is famous for its glass-making and is home to many glass-blowing workshops where you can watch artisans at work. Kids can enjoy glass-blowing demonstration of Murano.
Rainbow houses of Burano can be fun for kids too and they won’t forget how crazy they look like. There’s also a small playground in Burano.
Eating with Kids in Venice
Most restaurants are very child-welcoming, the same as anywhere else in Italy. They will be willing to make a slightly smaller portion of pasta with olive oil or butter and parmesan cheese. Or give you some veggies or bread for the child.
Waiters can be entertaining and keep your toddler occupied and happy.
Where to Stay in Venice with Kids
I’ll be very honest: for anyone who can afford it Cipriani Belmond Hotel is a great option. It even has a private shuttle boat from Guideca back to San Marco, so you don’t need to experience the crowds of vaporetto.
It is undeniably expensive, so not for everyone’s budget. We also stayed at Hotel Metropole, which was central with a convenient direct boat taxi stop right outside, but slightly away from crowds.
Starhotel Splendid is also super central, this is one of the best-equipped for toddlers. They will supply baby equipment, toys and other gadgets.