The Veneto region shaped Mediterranean trade and art for centuries. From the Doge’s golden basilica to Verona’s Roman amphitheater, this is Italy where marble history meets everyday life: markets, piazzas, and family-run trattorias. You’ll explore two icons—Venice and Verona—linked by an easy train and packed with family-friendly highlights.

In Venice, kids can count gondolas, feed their curiosity at St. Mark’s, and watch molten glass come alive in Murano. In Verona, Roman stones and Renaissance lanes set the stage for castles, river walks, and gelato rewards. Both cities are compact, walkable, and perfect for short attention spans and stroller breaks.

Practicalities: travel light (bridges in Venice mean steps), pre-book skip-the-line tours, and use transit passes to save. Vaporetto day tickets make lagoon hopping simple; in Verona, the Verona Card covers top sights. Expect classic Veneto flavors—bigoli pasta, cicchetti, risotto all’Amarone—and gelaterie that will win over even picky eaters.

Venice

Venice needs no filter—palaces on water, campanili piercing the sky, and alleyways that become adventures. It’s a playground for curious kids: boat “buses,” mask ateliers, and pastry counters stacked with frittelle and cannoncini.

• Top sights: St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, Dorsoduro’s artful backstreets, the Jewish Ghetto in Cannaregio.
• Family-friendly fun: Gondola glides, a visit to the Libreria Acqua Alta’s book “stairs,” watching gondolas being repaired at the Squero di San Trovaso, and island-hopping to Murano & Burano.
• Great bites: Cicchetti at Osteria Al Squero (stand on the canal ledge), pizza al taglio at Farini, fried treats at Rosticceria Gislon, pastries at Pasticceria Tonolo, and gelato at Suso Gelatoteca or Gelateria Nico.
• Good to know: Vaporettos are the “buses” of the lagoon; 24–48-hour passes are cost-effective for families. Strollers work best in neighborhoods with fewer bridges (Dorsoduro, parts of Cannaregio).

Stay: Browse family apartments on VRBO Venice or mid-range hotels on Hotels.com Venice.

Getting there: Compare flights into Venice (VCE) on Omio Flights. If arriving by train, look for Venezia Santa Lucia on Omio Trains. From the airport, families often choose the blue Alilaguna boat or a land bus to Piazzale Roma, then a vaporetto.

Verona

Verona mixes Roman muscle and Renaissance elegance. The Arena still hosts concerts under the stars, kids adore the castle bridge, and quiet lanes radiate from Piazza delle Erbe like a storybook map.

• Top sights: Verona Arena, Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza Bra, Ponte Pietra, Castelvecchio & its bridge, and the Roman Theater with a leafy view.
• Family-friendly ideas: Funicular to Castel San Pietro, riverfront strolls, and easy day trips to Lake Garda or Gardaland (theme park) in season.
• Eats to try: Locanda 4 Cuochi (creative, kid-welcoming), Trattoria al Pompiere (salumi and risotti), Pizzeria Du de Cope (thin-crust pies), and gelato at La Romana.

Stay: Check family-size stays on VRBO Verona or hotels on Hotels.com Verona.

Getting there: Venice to Verona is a 1h10–1h30 train (Regionale or Frecciarossa) from ~€10–25 per adult on Omio Trains. Buses are a slower, cheaper backup on Omio Buses.

Day 1: Arrive in Venice, Cannaregio Warm-Up

Morning: Fly into Venice (VCE) or arrive by train at Santa Lucia. Price flights on Omio Flights and trains on Omio Trains. Pick up a 24–48h vaporetto pass if you plan to cruise the Grand Canal and islands.

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs in Cannaregio. Grab cappuccini and pistachio cannoli at Torrefazione Cannaregio or Pasticceria Dal Mas, then wander the Old Ghetto’s calm squares. Gelato stop: Suso Gelatoteca (try salted pistachio).

Evening: A cicchetti crawl along Fondamenta della Misericordia: Al Timon for mini-sandwiches and meat skewers, Vino Vero for seasonal bites, and Anice Stellato for a sit-down seafood pasta. For kid-pleasing mains, Rosticceria Gislon’s crispy mozzarella-in-carrozza and Farini’s pizza al taglio are slam dunks.

Day 2: St. Mark’s Square, Kid-Focused Basilica Tour, and Gondola Magic

Morning: Explore the Piazza San Marco ensemble, then join this specially designed, kid-approved experience:

Venice' St Mark Basilica Wonders Guided Tour for Kids & Families

This private, storytelling-rich visit turns mosaics and myths into a scavenger hunt for young travelers.

Afternoon: Snack on tramezzini at Rosa Salva, then circle Doge’s Palace exteriors and the Bridge of Sighs. If energy allows, ride the elevator up St. Mark’s Campanile for a lagoon panorama. Coffee break for adults at Caffè del Doge; a brioche for kids.

Evening: Time for Venice’s quintessential glide:

Venice Private Gondola Ride: Explore Hidden Canals and Sights

Glide along quiet back canals where reflections ripple like paintings. Dinner in Dorsoduro: share cicchetti at Osteria Al Squero while watching the gondola workshop; then pasta at Taverna San Trovaso. Gelato at Gelateria Nico on the Zattere promenade.

Day 3: Murano Glass, Burano Lace, and a Venetian Food Tour

Morning: Hop across the lagoon by private boat to meet master artisans:

Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

Kids are transfixed by glassblowing’s sparks and the candy-colored houses of Burano. Built-in boat time doubles as a rest.

Afternoon: Back in Venice, browse the whimsical Libreria Acqua Alta book “staircase.” Sweet stop at Pasticceria Tonolo (try the crema-filled cannoncini). Consider a quick mask atelier visit to see how papier-mâché comes to life.

Evening: Taste the city, one bite at a time:

Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour

From cicchetti bars to regional desserts, this tour is a family-friendly way to turn dinner into discovery. Prefer DIY? Build a picnic from the Rialto Market and watch sunset from the Fondamenta delle Zattere.

Day 4: Train to Verona, Roman Stones and River Walks

Morning: Depart Venice for Verona Porta Nuova by train (~1h10–1h30, from ~€10–25 pp). Book on Omio Trains. Check in, then espresso and pastries at Pasticceria Flego or Caffè Borsari—tiny, historic, and aromatic.

Afternoon: Step inside the Verona Arena, one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters. Cross to Castelvecchio’s brick bridge for knightly castle vibes and sweeping Adige views. Gelato pause at La Romana (biscotto croccante is a hit).

Evening: Dinner around Piazza delle Erbe: Locanda 4 Cuochi (seasonal mains; kids can split a bigoli dish) or Trattoria al Pompiere (excellent salumi counter and risotti). Peek into the courtyard of Casa di Giulietta after crowds thin, then stroll Via Mazzini for a lit-up, window-shopping passeggiata.

Day 5: Hillside Views, Ancient Theater, and Departure

Morning: Ride the funicular to Castel San Pietro for a postcard panorama. Walk down to the Roman Theater & Archaeological Museum—layered history in a leafy setting that keeps kids engaged. Alternative in warm months: half-day at Gardaland (near Peschiera del Garda) for theme-park thrills.

Afternoon: Farewell lunch: Pizzeria Du de Cope (crispy pies) or Osteria Le Vecete (classic Veronese dishes). Depart from Verona Airport (VRN) or return by train to Venice for onward travel—compare options on Omio Flights and Omio Trains.

Evening: If you have extra time, loop back to Ponte Pietra for golden-hour photos and a last gelato. Pack snacks and refill water bottles; Italian stations have easy kiosks for a smooth trip home.

Optional Upgrade: “Venice-in-a-Day” Combo

If you prefer a structured overview, consider this all-in-one highlight day (swap for Day 2 or 3):

Venice In a Day: St Mark's, Doge's Palace Gondola Ride & City Tour

This streamlines logistics and maximizes sightseeing with kids—great if your family prefers fewer moving parts.

Budget & Logistics Tips

• Transit: Vaporetto passes (24h/48h) can beat pay-per-ride for island days. Venice to Verona trains are frequent; book a Regionale for savings or a Frecciarossa for speed and reserved seats.
• Cards & tickets: The Verona Card (24–48h) includes Arena access and transit; worthwhile if visiting 2–3 paid sights.
• Dining with kids: Split pastas and pizzas, order carafes of house water, and aim for early dinners (7–7:30 pm) to avoid queues. Cicchetti are bite-sized and budget-friendly (€2–3 each).
• Gondola fares: City-regulated base fares vary by time of day; book a specific route or use the private tour above for clarity and quieter canals.

With canals, castles, and cones of gelato, this 5-day Veneto itinerary balances big-name sights and kid-friendly pace. You’ll weave through history, taste the region, and still have breathing room for serendipity—exactly how Italy should feel.