Venice, Italy

Getting Lost in Venice with Small Children — and Why It's Worth Every Second

Venice with small children sounds like a terrible idea until you actually do it. No cars, bridges everywhere, gelato on every corner, and a city so ridiculously beautiful that even a toddler stops mid-tantrum to stare. We got gloriously lost more than once and it was genuinely the best part — turning corners with no plan, finding tiny squares, letting the kids pick the next bridge or alleyway. The carnival masks sold everywhere became an instant obsession, and watching the kids chase doves on St Mark's Square while the basilica loomed behind them is the kind of moment you do not forget. The gondola is as clichéd as everyone says and also completely, embarrassingly perfect — the kids loved it, the adults loved it, and it turns out floating through ancient canals is an excellent way to rest legs of all sizes at the same time.

The one thing Venice cannot offer families is space. The city is dense, atmospheric, and wonderful — but the hotels are cramped, the streets are narrow, and after a morning of sightseeing with small children everyone needs somewhere to decompress properly. Which is exactly why where you stay changes everything. The JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa sits on its own private island — Isola delle Rose — in the Venetian lagoon, about 15 minutes from St Mark's Square by complimentary shuttle boat running every 30 minutes. No cars, no crowds, no cramped city streets. Just sprawling parks, a playground, a family pool, olive groves, and enough green space for the kids to actually run. Bikes are available to rent to explore the whole island at your own pace, which with small children is a very good way to spend an afternoon. The family rooms are generous and well set up for travelling with children, and the staff are warm in a way that makes travelling with small people feel looked after rather than tolerated.

The Sagra Rooftop Restaurant is worth knowing about — panoramic views over the Venetian skyline, the lagoon, and St Mark's Campanile, open for dinner and popular with outside guests specifically for those views. We did Venice in half days and spent the rest of the time at the hotel — and that balance is exactly what made the trip feel manageable rather than exhausting. It is not the cheapest option, but for families it genuinely transforms the experience.

Insider tip: go in October — warm, calm, and the city feels like it belongs to you. And if you have more than three days, add Murano and Burano to the list — the glassblowing in Murano is mesmerising and the two islands together make a beautiful full day, but they deserve proper time rather than being squeezed into a short trip.