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Destinations » Europe » Italy » Regione del Veneto » Venice » City Guide: Entertainment

Venice, Italy » Entertainment Things to Do, Nightlife, Performances

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Venice is quite a sleepy city, especially when you compare it to other major cities of the world. There are several reasons for this. The first is the high average age of its citizens is one of the highest in Italy. The second is the relative difficulty getting around. This is not a place for cars and other private means of transport, and a boat ride is not really ideal for an evening out. Finally, there is a lack of space for new development in Venice.

Cannaregio


Besides, by nature Venetians do things differently. They enjoy entertaining friends in the privacy of their own homes. As a consequence, there are very few restaurants which stay open until late—to the point where going for something to eat after the cinema would be a major feat. It is only relatively recently that some restaurants with live music have reopened: Il Paradiso perduto, in the Misericordia district, is noted for its ambiance and its endless disputes with local residents.

Dorsoduro & San Polo

Campo Santa Margherita in the summer is an exception to this rule. The presence of hundreds of students on break transforms the square into a pleasure pavilion, with restaurants, live music and extemporaneous art exhibitions. Amongst the most popular are those at Margaret Duchamp, the Caffè Rosso and Ai Sportivi. Another exception is during the Carnevale in February. In September, Campo San Polo houses an open-air cinema, where you can sit under the stars and watch recently films at the Biennale Cinema.

San Marco & Rialto

The opening seasons of the Teatro Goldoni, the operatic-symphonic Teatro La Fenice and the Malibran) attempt to shift the winter-blues. For those who like a gamble, there are three Casinos: one on the Canal Grande, one in the Lido and the other in Mestre by the airport.

Lido


Finally, there is the Lido—an island that makes this waterlogged city go bathing-mad. But even here, whether you like it or not, the emphasis is on Thomas Mann, rather than Maracaibo. The beach is extremely beautiful, but where it is most beautiful, it is also the most expensive. Where the sand runs out, towards the Murazzi islands, the water is dirty and there are breakwaters.

Outside the City

In short, one will search in vain for nocturnal activities. There simply is not anything to do. However, if you really can't do without nightlife, you can drive to Piazzale Roma (a true Venetian would need a very good justification for doing so) and then on to Jesolo.

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