While there are plenty of cities in Europe with many free museums and attractions to visit, Venice is sadly not one of them.

The city's economy is based on tourism, hence you'll find that almost everything comes with a price tag attached.

The Strada Nuova in Venice.

Though Venice may seem to be a less than ideal location for the budget traveler, I assure you that you can visit the city without having to splurge.

1. Explore the Lista Di Spagna and the Strada Nuova

If you like shopping and crowds, take a walk through Lista di Spagna and the  Strada Nuova. Every single guide book in the world tells you to avoid it, but I personally don't mind it. If you like window shopping, walking slowly and seeing lots of people, you must come here.

Start walking from the Santa Lucia Station, by Ponte degli Scalzi, where Lista di Spagna begins. The route starts in Rio terà,  where you will find many masks and souvenir shops. Keep walking and you will reach Campo San Geremia where you can see the church that hosts the relics of Santa Lucia. After the campo there is Ponte delle Guglie, which will lead you into Cannaregio, one of the six "sestieri" (main neighborhoods) of Venice.

Giudecca seen from Zattere

Carry on walking and after Rio Tera Leonardo you will pass along Rio Tera' Maddalena. At the end of this street, you'll find the lovely Osteria Vecia Carbonera, where you can enjoy some delicious cicheti with a nice spritz. Once you pass this osteria, you will be on the "real" Strada Nova.

Strada Nuova is filled with small shops, ice-cream parlors, osterie, bakeries, patisseries, bars and cafés. The moment you turn either right or left, the crowds disappear.

2. La Passeggiata Alle Zattere (Walk in Zattere)

The Fondamenta delle Zattere is a long promenade in Dorsoduro, overlooking the Canal of the Giudecca and extending for about one kilometer from Stazione Marittima a San Basilio up to Punta della Dogana, where the Canal enters the Bacino di San Marco. Strolling the Fondamenta is a favorite pastime of locals, especially on Sunday afternoons. Walking and watching the boats and cruises sail by is a great way to relax.

The Fondamenta delle Zattere is sunny and breezy, making it the perfect spot for a stroll in the warmer months. If you get hungry, pop into Nico's, which serves some of the best ice cream in Venice.

3. Lido Beach

Take a day trip to Lido, Venice's beach. This is traditionally the place where Venetians go during the hot and stuffy summer months to cool off in the Adriatic Sea.

Take line 61/62 to get directly from piazzale Roma to the Lido.

Lido Beach at sunset (right)

Follow the link below to read the entire article in a new window:

www.monicacesarato.com/blog/2010/04/13/10-free-things-to-do-in-venice-italy

Photos by Monica Cesarato who runs her own B&B on the Riviera del Brenta, just outside Venice. She also blogs about life in Venice and the Italian lifestyle.