venice tourist guide

15 of the best things to do in Venice in 2024

Feb 28, 2024 • 12 min read

Experience the best of Venice with this guide to the top things to do © Cavan / Getty Images

Visitors flock to  Venice year-round, and who can blame them?

Some 118 islands float on this fairy-tale lagoon, linked by 400 bridges. Each is crammed with dazzling palazzos and heart-stopping art – Venice really is a place like no other. 

All the famous stereotypes are true, to an extent. It’s spectacular and it’s just like the photos but, thanks to mass tourism, Venice’s world-famous sights are overcrowded and in precarious health (even during the quieter months ). 

It is worth remembering that even in the busiest areas, step just one or two blocks away from the fray and you’ll find empty streets and local voices in the neighborhoods beyond. Spend more time here – five days is a decent starter – and you’ll discover that the true beauty of Venice isn’t the wow factor of its blockbuster sights, as magnificent as they are, but within the quieter spaces, where life goes on as it has done for centuries. Once you glimpse that life, you’ll want to protect it.

To help counter the overtourism that is exploiting the city, stay overnight in a hotel or B&B (not vacation rentals, which hollow out housing stock), eat in family-owned restaurants, and buy souvenirs from Venice’s artisans who ply centuries-old trades. Then, not only are you helping the city stay alive, but you’re also ensuring a better trip – Venice done well is unforgettable.

Here are the best experiences in Venice.

1. Take in the Piazza San Marco

For many people, this waterfront square is Venice: the rolling domes of the basilica, the centuries-old cafes beneath the stately porticoes, the vast Campanile  (belltower) throwing its shadow around the square, high tide occasionally sloshing around your feet. There’s so much to see around  Piazza San Marco (or St Mark’s Square) that you could easily spend a day here.

Start in the  Basilica di San Marco , the Byzantine basilica that glitters with golden mosaics inside. Then move on to the Campanile, where elevators whisk you up 98.6m (323ft) for enticing views of Venice and the lagoon. Spare a few hours for the  Museo Correr , at the opposite end of the square from the basilica, which tells the story of the city through its objects. Need a break at any point? Stop for a coffee or a spritz at Quadri , our favorite of the 18th-century cafes in the square.

Local tip: Keen to understand these icons better? Time for some reading. Family-run  Libreria La Toletta in Dorsoduro is Venice’s best bookshop, with literally hundreds of volumes about the city. For kids , try  Ponte dei Sogni in Castello, whose beautiful picture books tell the history of the city.

2. Enter the seat of power at the Palazzo Ducale

If you only visit one museum in Venice, you need to make it this: the vast  Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), the Republic of Venice’s seat of power for around 900 years. With its pink and white facade squaring off against the lagoon, it has everything: mindblowing art and architecture, plus a whole load of atmosphere.

There’s so much to see here – every single room is plastered with works by some of the greatest artists of all time – that you shouldn’t expect to take it all in. But it’s worth saving more time for the rooms and their art than speeding across the famous Bridge of Sighs and through the grim prisons – although the latter is great for kids.

Planning tip:  Lines can get long here, especially before 11am. Skip the wait and book a fast-track ticket in advance through sites such as Ticketsvenice.com . 

Transform your visit to Palazzo Ducale by  booking with GetYourGuide.

3. Sail down the Grand Canal

Venice may be ideal for wandering, but its majestic palazzos were built to be admired from the water. Take the number 1 Vaporetto (waterbus) that plies the Grand Canal and experience one of the world’s greatest public transport routes .

You’ll find beauty every way you turn but heading south don’t miss: the Fondaco dei Turchi (once the headquarters for Arab and Muslim merchants, now the city’s  natural history museum );  Ca’ d’Oro , with its spectacular carved and marble-clad facade; Ca’ Foscari, the city’s beautiful university; and the bombastic octagonal  Salute church, right before the Grand Canal meets the lagoon.

Local tip: Get off at Salute, and walk down to Punta della Dogana for the best lagoon views, and then up along the Zattere waterfront. From here you can pick up a number 2 Vaporetto, which takes you to St Mark’s Square from the other side.

4. Venture over the Rialto

Everyone who visits Venice wants to see the  Rialto Bridge , the flouncy white crossing over the Grand Canal made of gleaming Istrian stone. Yet what the bridge leads to is arguably just as interesting. There’s been a  market on the western side of the bridge for over 1000 years – while it’s not the trading hub of centuries past, there’s still a lively fish market and a fruit and veg area too.

If you’re looking at the stalls, do remember to buy something, and don’t get in the way of other shoppers – this is still a real market, even if many tourists treat it as an Instagram backdrop. Stop for a drink beside the Grand Canal on Campo Erbaria –  Bancogiro is always a good bet for cicchetti (small snacks) – then lose yourselves in the surrounding alleyways, still full of food stores.

Planning tip: For a behind-the-scenes look at this most touristy of areas, take a tour with  Go Guide , a local group of guides who focus on Rialto.

Explore the Rialto effortlessly with  GetYourGuide . Book your tour today.

5. Be immersed in world-class art at the Accademia

In Dorsoduro, sitting quietly at the end of the famous wooden Accademia Bridge, is one of Italy’s finest art museums, the  Gallerie dell’Accademia . The meandering itinerary takes you through buildings packed with works that once hung from the city’s church walls, telling the story of Venetian art in the process. It starts with Paolo Veneziano, carries through to Carpaccio, Mantegna and Bellini, and then explodes into the finest works of Tintoretto, Titian and Veronese.

Detour: Near the Accademia are two of Venice’s best artisans. At  Cornici Trevisanello , the Trevisanello family has been making picture frames for the likes of Picasso for decades; they also make jewel-like smaller frames that make perfect souvenirs. Near Ca’ Foscari is bookbinder  Paolo Olbi , who creates beautiful stationery with hand-printed Venetian and Byzantine motifs. Further up towards Rialto, in Campiello dei Meloni, is  Il Pavone , where Paolo Pelosin makes everything from stationery to earrings with exquisite marbled paper.

6. Eat cicchetti in a bacaro

Three essential words for your Venetian stay: ombra , cicchetti and bacaro . Ombra (shadow) is the local name given to a small glass of wine served in a bacaro – a traditional wine bar or tavern. It may only be a small glass but don’t forget to follow it with cicchetti – finger food-style bar snacks, rather like Spanish tapas. You’ll find bacari all over town – when you spot one that looks good, make sure you stop.

Local tip: These days most cicchetti are slices of baguette bread topped with anything from cheese to fish but don’t miss old-style ones like a hard-boiled egg with anchovies, or sarde in saor – sardines in a sweet-sour marinade with pine nuts and raisins.

7. Seek out local traditions in Burano

Most visitors flock to  Burano to photograph its gorgeous candy-colored cottages. Fair enough – but to do only that is to miss out on one of the most special places in the lagoon. A fishing community since medieval times, Burano’s relative isolation in the north lagoon – a 45-minute vaporetto ride (or four-hour paddle) from Venice – has kept its culture intact. Or rather, it did until mass tourism hit.

Today, the Buranelli are assailed by crowds who come, photograph and hop on the boat back to town without spending a cent – but you can help them by practicing more sustainable tourism. Visit the  Museo del Merletto , which teaches you about the island’s lace-making tradition, and take a tour of the tranquil north lagoon with fisherman  Andrea Rossi , who’ll sweep you past mudflats and islands in perfect peace, with birds overhead your only company. It’s definitely one of the top experiences in Venice to change everything you think about the city.

Local tip: Stop for lunch at the family-run  Trattoria al Gatto Nero . Try the risotto di gò (goby fish risotto).

Explore Burano effortlessly with GetYourGuide.  Book your tour today .

8. Acknowledge the painful history behind the Jewish ghetto

The sinister word ghetto comes from the Venetian geto , or foundry – a clue to the past of this area, which was abandoned and undesirable when the Jewish community was forcibly settled here in 1516. Originally one tiny island, the area was expanded twice by the 17th century, with residents gated in every night, and living in eight-story "skyscrapers".

Despite the appalling conditions, the Jewish community flourished here, building no fewer than five synagogues that were as lavish as Venice’s churches. Guided tours of the area get you access to some of them, including the atmospheric  Scola Levantina , with scarlet-swaddled walls and a dark carved ceiling, redesigned by Venice’s 17th-century starchitect, Baldassare Longhena.

Planning tip: Book ahead for tours of the ghetto. The  Museo Ebraico (Jewish Museum) is closed for renovation until further notice.

9. Gaze upon the artworks in Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Forget Titian and Tiepolo – for many, Tintoretto is Venice’s greatest artist of all time. His finest paintings fill two floors of the vast Scuola Grande di San Rocco , one of Venice’s many scuole (lay confraternities that did charity work in the community), including the ceiling. They were decorated by Tintoretto to celebrate the end of the 1576 plague, which wiped out a third of the city.

There are more than 60 paintings of swirling Biblical scenes (Tintoretto revolutionized the depiction of movement and amped up the use of rich color), including on the roof of the main hall. This is Venice’s answer to the Sistine Chapel.

Planning tip: Many visitors see the Scuola and forget about the nearby church of San Rocco, which has yet more Tintoretto artworks inside.

10. View the Grand Canal from Ca’ d’Oro

Nobody loved Venice like Baron Giorgio Franchetti. In 1894, he bought the 15th-century Ca’ d’Oro, a Gothic palazzo on the Grand Canal so lavish that it was named the "Golden House". 

It had fallen into disrepair by the time he bought it and Franchetti dedicated his life to bringing the house back to its former glory, by rebuilding, repairing and filling it with sublime art. His ashes are now buried in the courtyard. It’s undergoing a major restoration, but the gallery will remain open throughout, with some parts closed, stage by stage. The views of the Grand Canal and Rialto market are spectacular from its balconies.

Planning tip: The best way to arrive at Ca’ d’Oro is by traghetto – a large gondola-style boat that acts as a shuttle across the Grand Canal. The Santa Sofia stop is right by Ca’ d’Oro, and connects with the Rialto market.

11. Get to know glass on Murano

Floating in the lagoon a 10-minute vaporetto ride north of Cannaregio, elegant  Murano is a mini Venice with opulent waterfront palazzos, knockout churches, and even its own Grand Canal. It is best known for its glass blowers, as it has been for centuries. Start at the  Museo del Vetro , the island’s glass museum, where you’ll learn that the art of glass-making was perfected in the Middle East, before Venice’s medieval trade links with Syria allowed it to copy the techniques and take it to new heights.

A small, easily digestible museum with a jewel-like collection, it’ll give you the background you need to appreciate the often tacky-looking glass ornaments in the shops. Ready to buy? We like  Lucevetro , where Cecilia Cenedese designs products and gets island maestri to craft them for her, while  Wave Murano Glass offers furnace tours and even lessons.

Detour: You may be here for glass but don’t miss Murano’s churches. The  Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato has a knockout 12th-century marble mosaic "carpet", while the  church of San Pietro Martire has works by Bellini, Tintoretto and Veronese.

12. Take in the modern Querini Stampalia museum

The  Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a fascinating space in a 16th-century palazzo, combining a museum, gallery, library archive and a modernist wing and garden designed by Venice’s 20th-century architect, Carlo Scarpa. The main gallery has works by the likes of Palma il Vecchio, Canaletto and Bellini, whose Presentation at the Temple is one of the city’s finest artworks.

It’s also a brilliant example of a modern museum: the information panels, redone in 2022, contextualize the art and teach you about Venetian life, from the poor conditions for house staff to arranged marriages and the banning of homosexuality.

Detour: In the square outside is the church of  Santa Maria Formosa , one of the few true Renaissance buildings in Venice.

13. Explore the city's finest churches

It’s no secret that some of Venice’s best art lies in its churches. But in a city which, as legend says, has a church for every day of the year, how do you know where to start? Buying a  Chorus pass is the way forward. Eighteen of Venice’s loveliest churches belong to this group – each is €3.50 to enter, but a pass for all of them, valid for one year, is just €14.

They’re dotted all around the city, so as you do your obligatory Venice wander, you can pop in for an art fix. All are worth seeing, but the standouts are  Santa Maria dei Miracoli (a marble-clad Renaissance jewel), and  San Sebastiano , frescoed and painted almost entirely by Veronese.

Planning tip: Some of the churches have limited opening hours. When you get your pass, ask for the map of the churches – it also lists opening hours.

14. See Venice’s birthplace on Torcello

This island just across the water from Burano is where Venice began. The first island of the lagoon to be settled, and then a bustling early medieval boomtown, today  Torcello is a haunting place of around a dozen inhabitants, and one big draw: the  Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta , the vast church that dominated the north lagoon for centuries. Still visible from the airport, its interior sparkles with Byzantine-style mosaics from the 11th century. It’s pure magic.

Planning tip: Visit  Torcello before Burano – if you do it the other way round, you’ll be trying to board a packed vaporetto back to Venice.

15. Pay your respects to Tintoretto

Peaceful Cannaregio is worth a stroll for its tranquil canals lined with grand palazzos, and for the church of  Madonna dell’Orto . This big barn of a place was Tintoretto’s neighborhood church – today he’s buried here, along with his artist children Domenico and Marietta, and its walls are covered with his paintings, as well as works by Titian, Palma il Giovane and Cima da Conegliano.

Detour: A short walk away is the church of  Sant’Alvise , part of the Chorus association, and famous for its spectacular trompe l’oeil ceiling.

This article was first published October 2021 and updated February 2024

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Italy's Floating City Is One of the Most Memorable Vacation Destinations on Earth — Here's How to Plan a Trip

Visit Venice for an unforgettable adventure. Discover the best hotels, restaurants, and things to do with this highly curated Venice travel guide.

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Things to know, how to get around, best hotels, best restaurants, things to do, best shopping, neighborhoods to know, apps to download.

Canals, gondolas, and the Rialto Bridge. You think you know what to expect from Venice, but it turns out that no photo, however digitally enhanced, can hold a candle to the real city. To get to know it, though, requires more than an afternoon. While the day-trippers are stampeding from the Rialto to St Mark's Square, you should be a block or two away, watching artisans craft items with Renaissance techniques, seeing shimmering reflections dancing on bridge arches, and gawking at marble-clad buildings each more fantastical than the next. The joy of Venice is getting lost, they say – although however far you amble, you're never more than a couple of churches away from a Titian or Tintoretto.

Don't stick to the city, though – that getting lost should also be done in the lagoon, taking the vaporetto (ferry) to the beach-filled Lido, island of glass Murano, and, further out, Torcello and Burano, where Venice began 1600 years ago. You could spend a lifetime here and never do Venice justice. But with just a few days, it can touch your soul.

Central European Standard Time

If you're wanting to escape the crowds, there's no better time than winter, when visitor numbers are at their lowest. But while there's a romance to it, Venice in winter with its biting cold, swirling fog, and frequent wind and rain certainly isn't the Venice of people's dreams. In summer, the city is crowded and hot – but it's also the perfect time to head to the beach on the Lido, or into the lagoon. Spring and fall tend to have the best of both worlds – go late March to mid April, Easter aside, and you should enjoy decent weather but not too many crowds. Christmas tends to be quiet but New Year is busy, and Carnival (roughly mid January to mid February) is packed.

Currency: Euro (Check the current exchange rate )

Language: Italian

I don't speak Italian: Non parlo Italiano

I'm lost: Mi sono perso/a

I would like…: Vorrei…

How much is…: Quanto costa…:

How do you get to…: Per andare a…:

Learn more Italian phrases

Calling Code: +39

Capital City: Rome

Trains: Venice has two main train stations, Venezia Santa Lucia and Venezia Mestre, but only long distance trains stop at the former while local trains go to the later.

Buses: The vaporetto is the public transit system in the city and operates on 20 different lines all through town. The water buses run the length of the Grand Canal and cost €7.50 per ride, and are good for 75 minutes. Travelers can also get a Venezia Unica City Pass (€10) to use one both mainland buses and some water water buses. Buses from the mainland and local airports terminate at Piazzale Roma in Santa Croce.

Taxis: Water taxis can be found at the airport, train and bus station, and Piazza San Marco. Otherwise they must be booked in advance. Note that they're expensive, with a minimum charge of €60 ($72). Ground taxis (a car) can take you from the airport to Piazzale Roma for considerably less.

Car service: Hotels can arrange transfers, usually with water taxis.

Gondola: While more of a scenic mode of transportation rather than a pragmatic one, Gondola rides are synonymous with Venice and shouldn't be missed. Daytime rates are usually around €80 ($95) or €100 ($120) at night, excluding tip.

Hotel Flora

Address: S. Marco, 2283/A, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 520 5844 Website

Set at the bottom of a small alleyway on the designer drag off Piazza San Marco is this time capsule of a hotel, owned by the local Romanelli family. While the rooms are stuffed with antiques and the floors are typical Venetian terrazzo, it packs a luxury punch with Simmons mattresses, Rivolta Carmignani linens, and Ortigia amenities. Breakfast is served in the tiny courtyard out back, while the retro-style bar is the place to be after dark.

Giò & Giò Bed and Breakfast

Address: Calle delle Ostreghe, 2439, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 296 0491 Book Now

You'll feel like you're stepping into your swanky Venetian friend's home as you enter this boutique B&B near the Santa Maria del Giglio church that's just a quick stroll from St Mark's Square. Antiques sit alongside contemporary white-clad sofas, chandeliers hang from pebble-colored ceilings, and the three rooms continue that mix of old-meets-new.

Istituto Canossiano San Trovaso

Address: Fondamenta Eremite, 1323, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 240 9711 Website

Many of the city's monasteries and convents run B&Bs on the side, and staying in one is a unique way of seeing Venice. The Istituto Canossiano San Trovaso, run by nuns in arty Dorsoduro, is as close as they get to hotels: large, comfy rooms in a 17th-century building, at a fraction of the price of similar-standard hotels. You don't get breakfast, but there's a communal kitchen; and you don't need to be religious, but must be ok with a Madonna and Child over the bed.

Address: Calle Avogaria, 1629, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 296 0491 Book Now

You'll feel like a real Venetian in this five-room B&B at the quieter end of Dorsoduro. Rooms are sleek but fun, with out-there patterned walls, heavy drapes, and swanky mosaic-tiled bathrooms. Choose a junior suite and you'll get a private, walled garden.

Centurion Palace

Address: Dorsoduro, 173, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 34281 Book Now

Had enough of the heavy brocade and stucco found all around town? You'll want this ultra-modern grande dame of claret and brown walls, contemporary art, and blingy bathrooms papered with real gold leaf. Ask the friendly staff to set up breakfast or dinner on the terraces cantilevered over the Grand Canal.

Palazzo Stern

Address: Dorsoduro, 2792/A, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 277 0869 Book Now

Ride the number 1 vaporetto along the Grand Canal and you'll notice this pretty, locally-run hotel with its lovely little garden right beside the Ca' Rezzonico stop. Owned by an early 20th-century art collector, the 15th-century building is packed with antiques and ancient sculptures. Above the traditional rooms is a rooftop hot tub.

Ca' di Dio

Address: Riva Ca' di Dio, 2181, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 06 398 061 Book Now

New hotels in the city center are now banned by the Venice authorities, so this property, opening in summer 2021, is one of the last debuts. And it's a goodie: a grand palazzo with a rare modern interior and two private courtyards to escape the crowds. Even better? Its front-facing rooms (and roof terrace) have the same lagoon views as those around St Mark's but its location, a 10-minute walk up the famous Riva degli Schiavoni, by the Arsenale vaporetto stop, means it's beautifully peaceful.

Address: Riva degli Schiavoni, 4196, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 522 6480 Book Now

This, the former home of a 14th-century doge (plus two more modern annexes), is the Venetian grande dame par excellence. Sit back in the bar – the original doge 's atrium, with Corinthian columns and a grand coffered ceiling. Eat on the rooftop overlooking the lagoon at Terrazza Danieli. Or climb the breathtaking Escher-like staircase to the rooms – some designed by Jacques Garcia, others pointed right at the lagoon, and a special few with original painted ceilings.

Hotel Santa Chiara

Address: Santa Croce, 548, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 520 6955 Book Now

If you're not here for long, it's simpler to get the bus from the airport and leave your stuff at the terminus, instead of braving packed ferries and lugging your bags across countless bridges. This lovely, locally-owned hotel – part old convent, part ultra-modern block – has great, modern rooms, some of which overlook the Grand Canal. Pretty Santa Croce is on the doorstep, and San Polo and Dorsoduro are each a 10-minute walk.

Address: Calle Dandolo o Civran, 1958, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 863 3022 Website

Five rooms, three of them overlooking the Grand Canal, and a peaceful courtyard to kick back in – if those aren't reasons enough to book this lovely B&B, how about the decor? Instead of traditional Venetian grandeur, rooms sport the colors of the lagoon – eau de nils, greys, and barely blues. Breakfast is served in the living room, where canal reflections dance on the ceiling.

Address: Fondamenta di Santa Caterina, 3, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 527 2281 Book Now

You want to stay far from the crowds but you still want luxury? This modern Michelin-starred restaurant-with-rooms is the place for you. Sitting canalside on the quiet island of Mazzorbo, with a sprawling vineyard round the back, this gets you back to nature – and Burano's multi-colored houses sit just across the bridge at the end of the garden.

Address: P.za San Marco, 12130124 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 522 2105 Website

By day, Quadri is known for its outdoor tables and inhouse orchestra serenading guests as they sit in St Mark's Square. By night, though, this Venice institution – everyone from Lord Byron to Brad Pitt has stopped here – opens a Michelin-starred restaurant upstairs. Forget the food, straight from the Rialto market and the Philippe Starck-designed room, focus on the unparalleled view of that famous square from a secret angle. Reservations recommended.

Trattoria Al Gatto Nero

Address: Via Giudecca, 88, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 730 120 Website

A stop at Trattoria Al Gatto Nero is worth the 40-minute vaporetto ride to Burano. This wonderful institution is known lagoon-wide for serving the freshest fish netted by the island's boats each morning. Trust maitre d' Massimiliano to point you in the direction of the day's best catch; and trust his parents, Ruggero and Lucia, to cook it to perfection. Reservations recommended.

Address: S. Croce, 1762, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 524 1570 Website

If you don't love seafood, Venice can be a struggle. Not at La Zucca ("The Pumpkin"), which has a delightful veggie-heavy menu, whatever your dietary preferences. Load up on the inventive sides – like prosecco-stewed onions, or zucca in saor, sweet-and-sour pumpkin marinated with currants, onions and pine nuts. Reservations recommended – book an outdoor table beside the canal.

Antica Sacrestia

Address: Calle de la Corona, 4463, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 523 0749 Website

Genial owner Pino is a multi-generational Venetian who brings the best of the lagoon to the table, despite the handy location in the touristy alleys behind St Mark's Square. Don't be afraid to venture away from pasta and pick gratin scallops and mussels – or whatever came in that day.

Address: C. Giazzo, 1580, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: No phone Website

A classic modern joint for cicchetti (Venetian bar snacks), the restaurant pairs great local wines with the best Italian ingredients, stuffing sandwiches and tiny bread rolls with everything from zucchini and cavolo nero frittata to grilled eggplant and capocollo. Popular with locals, it's a brilliant lunch stop.

Address: Fondamenta di Santa Caterina, 3, 30142 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 527 2281 Website

Mazzorbo, a lagoon island next to Burano, has long been known for its agriculture. Local prosecco magnates the Bisol family have taken things up a notch by replanting an ancient vineyard, adding a vegetable garden and opening a Michelin-starred restaurant and trattoria (same kitchen, lower prices). The menu is inventive lagoon food, and if you want to make a night out of it, there's a tiny hotel upstairs. Reservations recommended.

Address: Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2684, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: No phone Website

Venetian tramezzini – sandwiches stuffed to the gills – are legendary, and this tiny bar on Cannaregio's popular drinking strip, run by siblings Federica, Stefania, and Davide Michielan, is the best place to try them. Bag a canalside table and try the porchetta – herb-roasted beef, produced by a friend of the family.

Locanda Cipriani

Address: Piazza Santa Fosca, 29, 30142 Torcello VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 730 150 Website

This legendary restaurant-with-rooms on quiet Torcello island has captured the hearts of everyone from Nancy Mitford to Ernest Hemingway, who stayed a month. The food, sourced from around the lagoon, is Michelin-rated, but you're here for the out-of-this-world atmosphere. Book a table in the pergola-shaded garden, Torcello's two Byzantine churches soaring up behind the rose bushes. Reservations recommended.

Osteria Ae Botti

Address: Giudecca, 609, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 724 1086 Website

You'll get the best sunsets in Venice here on Giudecca island, where the sun ploughs into the lagoon like a giant gobstopper as shadows cast over the city, across the water. This lovely, laidback restaurant is the place to take it in, with tables stretched out along the waterfront as the Giudecca Canal slaps at guests' feet. It's divided into a pizzeria and a restaurant – pick whichever appeals, as you're here for the view. Reservations recommended.

Ristorante Riviera

Address: Fondamenta Zattere Al Ponte Lungo, 1473, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 522 7621 Website

Bag an outdoor table at this Michelin-rated restaurant on the ever-sunny Zattere waterfront, overlooking the Giudecca Canal. The food is fervently local, but forward-looking – go all out with the 12-course "Big Market" tasting menu to get the best sense of what the region has to offer, from lagoon-grown mackerel to beef carpaccio and Asiago cheeses. Reservations recommended.

Frary's

Address: Fondamenta Frari, 2558, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 720 050 Website

Pick a canalside table at this lovely laidback restaurant for a super-quick canalside lunch, overlooking the Frari church. If you're sick of Italian food, this is your respite – the Mediterranean cuisine rounds up dishes from Greece to Iran. The fesenjoon – a Persian mix of chicken, walnuts, and pomegranate on rice – is outstanding.

Address: Campo Santa Marina, 5908, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 523 0017 Website: no website

No time for lunch? Pop into here, one of Venice's historic pasticcerie , or cake shops. As well as pastries, they do everything from sandwiches to local dishes, like radicchio lasagne – a restaurant-style experience served in minutes.

Osteria Da Moro

Address: Fondamenta Sant'Eufemia, 658, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 099 5884 Website: No website

Fill up on the cicchetti here and you won't need dinner. From fish-laced crostini to mini meatballs, you can construct your own feast as you take in the show-stopper Giudecca sunsets with a glass of wine on the outdoor tables. The prices are excellent, too.

Address: o dei Garzoti, Fondamenta Rio Marin, 890, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 716 636 Website

Pizza is relatively new to Venice, but you wouldn't know it from the perfectly crisp pies on offer at Ai Garzoti. Try an unorthodox topping like 'nduja and peppers, or if you'd prefer something lighter, they do inventive salads. There's a full restaurant menu, too.

Harry's Dolci

Address: Fondamenta S. Biagio, 773, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 522 4844 Website

You can't come to Venice and not drink a Bellini cocktail – that peach and prosecco mix that sweetens every trip here. But instead of heading to Harry's Bar, where it was invented, hop on the vaporetto to Giudecca, where you'll find sister restaurant Harry's Dolci. You'll get the same Bellinis and fish-filled Cipriani menu; only with spectacular waterside views from the outdoor tables.

Grand Canal

The vaporetto (waterbus) lines plying the zigzagging Grand Canal double as spectacular cruises. Hop on the number 1 at Piazzale Roma or the station, and wiggle your way down past marble-clad palaces, each more ornate than the other, before sailing under the Rialto Bridge, past St Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace, and alighting at San Zaccaria.

Piazza San Marco

Most visitors to Venice come for one thing only: the breathtaking, waterside St Mark's Square. Have coffee in one of the chi-chi cafes outside (we recommend Quadri), visit the Basilica di San Marco, the church covered head-to-toe in glittering gold mosaics, and stroll along the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront, for those classic lagoon views.

Palazzo Ducale

Address: P.za San Marco, 1, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 271 5911 Website

Overlooking the waterfront, this stunning palace – which was the seat of power for the ancient Venetian Republic — showcases an astonishing mix of artistic masterpieces and grand architecture, including the famous Bridge of Sighs. Take the Secret Itineraries Tour to get guided around the prisons and other rooms not otherwise open to the public – you're then free to continue the rest of your visit alone.

San Giorgio Maggiore

Address: Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore

Admire the Tintorettos in the vast church below, then take the elevator to the top of the belltower on this island monastery. From here, you'll have spectacular views of Venice – go at sunset to see the lagoon flush pink beneath you.

Querini Stampalia Museum

Address: Campo Santa Maria Formosa, 5252, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 271 1411 Website

Only time for one museum in Venice? Make it this one, a former noble's house, stuffed with works by the likes of Bellini, Tiepolo, and Pietro Longhi upstairs, and a ground-floor wing and garden designed by 20th-century architect Carlo Scarpa where the canal is encouraged in to lap against specially constructed channels.

Burano and Torcello

Get a vaporetto (ferry) to these two islands 40 minutes outside Venice. Fishing town Burano's multicolored houses make it an Instagram paradise (go early or late to discover the real town), while semi-deserted Torcello, where Venice began, is known for the Byzantine mosaics in the basilica of Santa Maria Assunta.

Northern Lagoon of Venice

Phone: +39 333 904 3172 Website

Spend the afternoon with Andrea Rossi, one of Burano's best fishermen, who'll show you the hidden corners of the lagoon in his boat. You choose the itinerary, from fishing to floating through inches-deep channels, or birdwatching on Torcello.

Teatro La Fenice

Address: Campo S. Fantin, 1965, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 786 654 Website

Most visitors tour Venice's famous opera house, which burned to the ground in 1996 before being rebuilt. But for a more intimate experience, book a ticket for a show to hear the legendary acoustics and see the gold-drizzled stucco up close from your own box, instead.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Lara D'Agostino/Travel + Leisure

Address: San Polo, 3052, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 523 4864 Website

Tintoretto is one of Venice's 16th-century celebrity artists, and this is where you'll find his best works. The top floor of this building is covered entirely – yes, even the ceiling – in his paintings, making it an artwork in itself.

Buy a Chorus Pass

Venice's churches are living museums, with masterpieces usually in situ. Fifteen of the best make up the Chorus group – buy an open-access ticket (valid for 12 months) so you can pop in to see Tintoretto in San Polo, and Canova's tomb in the Frari church, as you walk around.

Arts & Crafts tour

Phone: +39 349 084 8303 Website

Venice's artisans have a proud history, with many crafts dating back to medieval times and earlier. These days, they're endangered – so take a tour with guide Luisella Romeo, who'll take you to meet glass-blowers, mask-makers and gold-beaters.

Walk the Giudecca

The 20-minute walk along the waterfront of Giudecca, the island squaring off against the city center, nets you some of the city's most iconic views, with St Mark's and the round Salute church always in the background. This is also one of the least touristy areas, so follow the locals into bars for a spritz along the way.

If it's sunny, blow off steam from all that culture with a trip to the Lido, the long sandbar off Venice city center. The deep-sanded beach is incredible, here – head west for the free section, away from the sunbeds.

Gondola ride

Yes, it's expensive. Yes, it's worth it – Venice was built to be seen from the water. But don't rent one on the Grand Canal; instead, you want to be going along the small waterways where you can't get by public transport and the only sound is the slosh of water on the boat. Start from the train station for an off-the-beaten-track itinerary.

T Fondaco dei Tedeschi rooftop

Address: San Marco, 5541, 30124 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 314 2000 Website

Work your way through this department store in a 16th-century building by the Rialto Bridge, up to the rooftop. From up here you'll get astonishing views of the Rialto and the Grand Canal, snaking from top to bottom. Reserve ahead online.

Rialto Market

Address: Campiello de la Pescaria, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: No phone Website: No website

The waterfront market beside the Rialto Bridge has been going strong for centuries. Don't just take photos, though; buying is part of the fun, whether it's lagoon-netted fish or veg from Sant'Erasmo island.

Il Pavone Legatoria Artigianale

Address: Calle Perdon, 1469-1477, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 522 4296 Website

From pencils to notebooks, scarves and even earrings, Paolo Pelosin does them all in marbled paper. Ask to see his workshop out back, where he uses combs to create swirls and blobs with this ancient art.

Process Collettivo

Address: A, Fondamenta Frari, 2559, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 524 3125 Website

From the recycled bags, passport holders and washbags to essential oil-infused soaps and amenities, everything on sale here has been made by inmates in Venice's jails. The shop is a collaboration with artist Mark Bradford and two local non-profits, which staff are always delighted to tell you about.

Stefano Morasso

Address: Campo San Cosmo Giudecca 621/A, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 564 7224 Website

Why brave the crowds and souvenir shops on Murano when you can buy hand-blown glass by a Murano maestro on Giudecca – for a better price? Stefano makes incredibly modern, delicate glasses, beakers and vases, while wife Nicoletta turns his offcuts into stunning glass jewelry.

Address: 3253/A, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 523 7655 Website

Byzantine and Venetian motifs take center stage at Paolo's store. The octogenarian bookbinder makes notepads, albums, folders and bookmarks with his hand-printed designs, while he's also branched out into leather- and fabric-clad objects.

Marina de Grandis

Address: Calle Larga Giacinto Gallina, 6376, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 521 0019 Website

Ignore those cheap "Made in Italy" leather shops for hand-sewn pieces by leather worker and bookbinder Marina. Choose from her rainbow-colored handbag collection, or try a leather-clad notebook with cult Fabriano paper.

Ca' Macana

Address: Dorsoduro, 3215, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 277 6142 Website

You'll need a mask to remind you of Venice, of course; but make sure it's a handmade one. Carlos Brassesco handcrafts papier maché masks – both traditional Venetian designs and modern style – and runs mask-making workshops if you want a go yourself.

Legatoria Barbieri

Address: Via Giudecca, 283, 30133 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 528 8493 Website

Venice has for centuries been famous for its textiles. Here, Adriano Barbieri uses pricey fabrics by the likes of Fortuny and Rubelli to create exquisite notebooks, picture frames, and more.

Codex Venezia

Address: Fondamenta dei Ormesini, 2778, 30121 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 348 546 0257 Website

Artist and graphic designer Nelson Kishi makes gorgeous, one-of-a-kind line drawings of Venice in his studio, which he shares with his painter wife. Usually in monochrome pen with a single flash of color, they somehow cut to the heart of the real Venice. He makes prints of all his work, if the originals are beyond your budget.

Banco Lotto n10

Address: Salizada S. Antonin, 3478/A, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 522 1439 Website

Pure woollen coats, silk jackets, and summer dresses, all with a vintage feel – they're all handmade by inmates of the women's jail on Giudecca. This non-profit teaches prisoners skills to equip them for life on the outside – and their clothes, often in expensive fabrics by Venetian companies like Rubelli and Fortuny, are divine.

Dila Venezia

Address: San Polo, Campiello dei Meloni, 1477, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

Don't mistake this for a typical souvenir shop. Artist Laura Bollato and her nephew Sebastiano make beautiful prints of Venetian cats, and turn them into bags, t-shirts, calendars and even pencil cases.

Collection Muranero

Address: Salizada del Pignater, 3545, 30122 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 338 450 3099 Website

Moulaye Niang fuses the glass-blowing techniques he studied on Murano with motifs from his Senegalese roots to create unique handmade works, from beads and jewelry to glass sculptures. Got something in mind? He takes commissions.

Teresa Ballarin Antichità

Address: Sestiere Dorsoduro, 2400, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 347 822 3536

Channel Peggy Guggenheim with the in-your face costume jewelry at this antique store's all-jewelry annexe. Outré Bakelite patterns abound – choose from vintage (going back to the early 1900s) or new takes on retro patterns.

Acqua Marea

Address: Calle S. Pantalon, 3750, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 351 922 1895 Website

Caught out by acqua alta flooding? You'll need super-chic gumboots, curated by Martina Ranaldo, who gave up life as an academic to kit out Venetians. She also has eco-friendly shoes.

Libreria Toletta

Address: Dorsoduro, 1214, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy Phone: +39 041 523 2034 Website

Looking for a book to remind you of your trip? You'll find it here at the city's best-loved bookstore since 1933. It has a huge English-language section of guides, Venice-set novels and cicchetti cookbooks.

Michela Buttignol/Travel+Leisure

San Marco : Once the political heart of Venice, San Marco is now the most visited of Venice's six sestieri , or districts. Piazza San Marco, or St Mark's Square, is the center; radiating out around it is a rabbit warren of narrow calli (streets), taking you to the Rialto Bridge. There are gems here, but this is definitely the tourist trail.

San Polo : On the other side of the Rialto from San Marco, this is Venice at its most medieval, with squeezebelly alleyways, sottoporteghi (cut-out passageways underneath first-floor houses) and timber-framed palazzos. Although heavily trodden, there are still artisans around, and it has a young feel, thanks to its proximity to university Ca' Foscari.

Dorsoduro : Traditionally the artists' area, Dorsoduro — the "hard back" of Venice, forming the lower border of the city center — is less boho than it was, but you'll still find high-end galleries and bijou shops around the Guggenheim Museum. It's a popular area with students around the vast, bar-lined square, Campo Santa Margherita, and the always-sunny Zattere waterfront is where locals love to stroll.

Castello : The biggest sestiere is also the hardest to pin down. Alleyways behind San Marco stuffed with restaurants and bars unfold into big, café-lined squares where local kids play football. Some of the loveliest churches are in Castello – like the marble-clad Santa Maria dei Miracoli – but this is a place for walking, along the Riva degli Schiavoni waterfront and around the Arsenale, where the Republic of Venice could knock out a warship in mere days.

Santa Croce : For the vast majority of visitors, Santa Croce is their first sight. But step away from the Piazzale Roma bus stops or the cruise terminal and one of the city's most laid back areas is on the doorstep. This is one of the most residential areas still, and the quiet canals are worth a wander. This top end of the Grand Canal is less prestigious, but, because of that, more real.

Cannaregio : What was once an industrial area is now perhaps the loveliest sestiere, with wider canals, bigger pavements to lay seating on, and magnificent palazzos. Cannaregio has long been known for its artisans; today, the Fondamenta della Misericordia is the locals' favorite bar strip, while the Fondamente Nove waterfront, on the north of the lagoon, offers spectacular views of the Dolomites, as well as ferry boats to the islands. Giudecca and the islands: Life goes on as it always has on the islands, which give a different glimpse of lagoon life. Giudecca, the croissant–shaped island opposite Dorsoduro, has some of the best views in the city, while the Lido is one great, miles-long beach. In the north, past the cemetery island of San Michele, is Murano, known worldwide for its master glassblowers. Half an hour beyond it, into the north lagoon is the fishing island Burano, known for its multicolored houses, and Torcello, where two ancient basilicas mark where Venice began.

Spring is the classic time to visit Venice, before the summer crowds (and heat) hit. Temperatures can hit 55°F in March and 70°F in May, but when the sun is out, it feels much hotter. Summer can be sweltering – although average temperatures are in the low-to-mid 80s, the humidity, which pushes 80 percent, makes everything much stickier. Fall tends to remain warm – average temperatures are 74°F for September and 64°F in October, again feeling warmer when the sun is out. Winter temperatures rarely hit freezing, though the high humidity, fog, and strong winds can make the city feel colder than other snowier cities.

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Are you thinking of visiting Venice ? If you are, then you'll probably want to discover more about this fascinating city before your holiday. In our opinion, Venice and Rome are the two most magnificent cities in Italy and are well worth visiting, whether it be for a weekend break or a longer holiday, and this is why we have written this up-to-date travel guide of one of our absolute favorite cities.

Venice Travel Guide

• General Information
• Top Attractions
• Getting to Venice
• Saving Money
• Where to Eat
• Where to Stay
• 48-Hour Itinerary

What is Venice?

Venice is made up of 119 islands connected to one another by various bridges and overpasses. The Ponte della Libertà connects Mestre to Venice in Piazzale Roma .

The city, also known as La Dominante, has suffered from regular floodings since it was founded. Currently, this phenomenon called Acqua Alta still occurs several times a year and is a serious problem for the city. 

Between autumn and spring, the level of the Adriatic Sea rises and causes flooding in Venice, especially in Piazza San Marco . The peaks are sometimes so high that the authorities have to place wooden planks to help pedestrians.

If you would like to discover more about Venice, we suggest reading our articles on its six  neighborhoods , its top attractions,  and its history.

Why visit Venice?

In our opinion, Venice is an extraordinary destination and we can think of numerous reasons to visit this magical city.

But if we were to give just one reason, it would be that Venice is unique and completely different from any other city in the world. A place that welcomes and captures the hearts of all those that visit it.

Looking for accommodation?

If you haven’t booked your hotel yet, we recommend visiting our search engine, where you'll find all types of hotels, serviced apartments, and hostels with the best rates guaranteed. If you book in advance, you can get up to a 75% discount and pay once you get to your hotel.

• Accommodation in Venice – find the best deals online.

top activities

Vivaldi's Four Seasons Concert Attend a concert of Antonio Vivaldi's The Four Seasons in the very place where the artist composed his most famous works – a magical experience!

Venetian Galleon Cruise with Dinner The sun setting, three-hour cruise, a gourmet dinner, the Lagoon islands and a stunning Venetian galleon make this an incredible evening in Venice .

Offer: St. Mark's Basilica + Doge's Palace Tour Explore two of Venice's famous monuments with this St. Mark's Basilica + Doge's Palace Tour. Numerous works of art, hidden galleries and majestic halls await!

Burano, Murano & Torcello Self-Guided Excursion Enjoy a boat trip around the  Venetian Lagoon's most famous islands — Burano, Murano, and Torcello . Delve into the charm and rich artisan culture at your leisure.

Venice Canals Gondola Ride On this gondola ride, you'll discover Venice's canals from a different, romantic , and historical point of view. Let's go!

Venice Gondola Ride under the Bridge of Sighs Board a typical Venetian boat on this gondola ride on the canals . You'll pass the city's most iconic sites, such as the Bridge of Sighs . Don't miss out!

Murano and Burano Self-Guided Tour Enjoy a relaxing cruise to two spectacular islands in the Venetian lagoon: Murano and Burano . You can watch a live demonstration of traditional glassblowing.

Walking Tour, Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica On this tour we will pass through the centre of Venice, taking in its most important monuments: the Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Basilica

Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica + Glass Factory Guided Tour On this tour of Venice , visit the Doge's Palace and enter St. Mark's Basilica with our skip-the-line ticket , plus visit a glass factory . Enjoy a day of culture!

Venice Free Tour See Venice through the eyes of a true Venetian! On this 2-hour free tour, we'll walk the City of Canals' streets and see its most iconic landmarks!

Venice Private Tour This private tour of Venice takes you through the past and present of the Serenissima with an exclusive guide, just for you, your family and friends.

Stairs of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo Ticket The ticket to the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo will give you access to one of the most peculiar buildings in Venice and its captivating stairwell.

Visit the La Fenice Theatre Discover the La Fenice Theatre, one of the most prestigious opera theatres in the world , where works by Verdi, Rossini and Bellini have been premiered.

Are you looking for a unique experience at a historic location in Venice ? Talent and art combine perfectly at this classical music concert in San Vidal Church . 

Rialto and Jewish Quarter Tour If you want to experience the authentic and less touristy side of Venice , you can't miss this brilliant tour of Rialto and the Jewish Quarter.

Guided Tour of the Doge's Palace This tour takes you back to the golden age of the city , passing through the Doge's Palace: seat of Venetian political power for centuries.

Venice, Murano, Burano & Torcello Sightseeing Boat Sail the canals of Venice on this tourist boat , where you can get on and off as many times as you like. You can also visit Murano, Burano and Torcello !

San Marco City Pass The San Marco City Pass includes admission to the most important churches and museums in the center of Venice  – the best way to save on your trip!

Murano & Burano Free Tour With this free tour of Murano and Burano , we'll discover the charm of the most famous islands of the Venetian lagoon – a visit full of color and tradition!

Venezia Unica City Pass The Venezia Unica City Pass offers  skip the line access to the main museums and churches in Venice . You'll save yourself time and money!

Carnivals and Secrets: Venice Free Tour Did you know that the  city of canals is shrouded in mystery ? Discover the secrets of the city of Venice on this free walking tour!

Venecian Carnival Tour The history of the Venice Carnival goes far beyond the colorful identity-hiding masks. Join us to learn about the medieval origins of this iconic festival.

Tour of the Red Light District of Venice Hidden within Venice lies a forbidden and libertine city, full of lustful tales from the past. Join us on a tour of the Red Light District to discover them!

Venice + Islands Transport Card Discover Venice at your own pace with this tourist card, offering unlimited access to the city's public transport: the famous vaporetti and the bus network .

Peggy Guggenheim Collection Ticket Visit one of the most important galleries of modern art in Europe with this admission ticket to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in Venice.

Venice Boat Trip Discover the most emblematic places and monuments with this Venice Boat Trip along its beautiful canals. See Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, San Giorgio.

St Mark's Basilica Guided Tour Gorgeous marbles and golden mosaics make St. Mark's Basilica one of the most impressive cathedrals in the world, and with a guide we'll miss no detail.

Venice Watertaxi Airport Transfer What better way to arrive in Venice than by water? Book your place on a Watertaxi Airport Shuttle and enjoy an easy transfer to your hotel in the city .

Gondola Ride With Serenata In Venice On this gondola tour you will pass through the Venice canals enjoying the company of musicians and singers , who will delight you with popular Italian songs.

Palazzo delle Prigioni Tour On this guided tour to Palazzo delle Prigioni in Venice  you'll explore one of the oldest prisons in Europe. And even visit Casanova's cell!

Venice Carnival Mask: Make Your Own Venice, the city of canals... and Carnival!  Decorate your own mask in this Venetian masks workshop and experience this side of the famous festivity.

Hard Rock Cafe Venice Come to the iconic Hard Rock Cafe Venice  and enjoy an American menu full of delicacies while listening to the greatest rock'n'roll hits.

Venice Food & Wine Tour Treat your tastebuds on this unique tour of Venice. Discover the Italian city's exquisite cuisine and apperitif culture on this wine and food tasting route.

Venice Glass Workshop Experience Did you know Venice is known for its 1,000-year-old glass craftsmanship tradition? Make your own glass piece in this workshop and take back it home!

Murano Private Day Trip On our Venice Islands Private Day Trip, you'll visit Murano Island and learn all about the refined techniques behind glass production.

Venice Mysteries & Legends Tour Who said Venice was only for romantics? Learn about the mysteries & legends of the ghosts that haunt Venice on this tour .

Venice Glass Workshop Discover the secrets of this ancient craft that has become synonymous with the city of Venice by visiting an authentic glass workshop.

Venetian Wine Tasting Discover Venice's winemaking tradition with this tasting, during which you will have the chance to taste a variety of the region's finest .

Luxury Dinner + Avanspettacolo Venezia Cabaret Show If you want to enjoy an unforgettable evening in the city of canals , don't miss out on this magical luxury dinner with a cabaret show at Avanspettacolo Venezia !

Cicchetti and Concert In this activity, you'll discover Venice through its customs while enjoying a classical music concert and a cicchetti dinner .

Boat Transfer to St. Mark's Square Hop aboard this boat transfer , the epitome of comfort and convenience, linking Santa Lucia Station to the vicinity of St. Mark's Square !

Venice Gondola Ride & Audio Guide On this gondola ride with an audio guide , we'll discover the magic of Venice on board the city's most famous type of boat admiring unbeatable views.

Venice's Ducal Palace Legends and Mysteries Tour The former residence of the Doge of Venice  is home to many an enigma. Discover its hidden stories on this mysteries and legends tour of the Ducal Palace!

Giorgio Cini Foundation Ticket On this visit to the Giorgio Cini Foundation , you'll have an audio guide to discover this complex located on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore .

Florence Excursion by High Speed Train Come and discover the city of the Renaissance by traveling from Venice to Florence by high-speed train . Plus, you'll take a panoramic tour on the tourist bus !

Verona Train Trip If you're in Venice , you'll love our Verona Train Trip ! You'll discover the romantic city of Romeo and Juliet as you stroll through the Piazza delle Erbe.

Venice City Pass Unleash the magic of Venice with the incredible Venice City Pass ! It's your gateway to the city's top attractions and iconic landmarks .

Want to sail around the city of canals in a unique way? Renting a skippered boat in Venice , you'll be able to tour the city at your leasure.

Burano, Murano + Torcello Tour On this tour to Burano, Murano and Torcello with lunch , you'll enjoy the many charms of the 3 most popular islands in the Venetian Lagoon .

Venice Legends & Mysteries Free Tour Discover the City of Water on our Venice Legends and Mysteries Free Tour . We'll learn about the mysteries hidden in this city's fascinating history.

Venice Galleon Cruise & Lunch On our Venice Galleon Cruise & Lunch , you can see the city and its canals while enjoying a delicious lunch on board. You'll also see Burano Island!

Doge's Palace Prison Concert The prison of the Doge's Palace is the perfect setting to treat your ears to Mozart or Verdi. Enjoy a concert in the city of canals !

Castello Neighbourhood Tour Explore the largest neighborhood in Venice with this fantastic guided tour of Castello. You will get to know this enchanting old shipyard district.

Galleon Carnival Party Spend your Carnival in Venice in the best possible way with us on this fabulous party on board the Venetian Galleon . You'll have the best time!

Why use our guide to Venice?

Our guide is written for travelers by travelers , in simple language and with useful advice about how to save and make the most of your time in The Floating City.

All the information in this guide was updated in February 2023 . If you see any errors or anything which should be changed, please contact us .

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When's The Best Time To Visit Venice

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written by Olga Sitnitsa

updated 11.04.2024

Venice ’s tourist season is very nearly an all-year affair . Peak season is from Easter to early October when hotel rooms are virtually impossible to come by at short notice; if possible, try to avoid July and August , when the crowds are at their fullest, the climate can be oppressive, and many restaurants and bars take their annual break. The other two popular spells are Carnevale (leading up to Lent) and the weeks on each side of Christmas; again, hotels tend to be heavily booked, especially for Carnevale

Key takeaways

• When's the best time to visit Venice?

What are the travel season(s) in Venice

What are the best months to visit venice, when is rainy season in venice, visit the carnival of venice, tips for travelling to venice, tailor-made travel itineraries for italy, created by local experts.

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From Venice to Florence: A Grand Tour of Northern Italy

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• Spring ( March to May) and autumn (September to November ) are the most favourable periods to visit Venice, when temperatures are mild and crowds are smaller, allowing you to explore its canals and architecture more closely.
• Acqua alta , or flood season, occurs from October to January , presenting a unique aspect of Venice with its flooded streets and squares, offering a different perspective on the city's charm.
• The Venice Carnival , a world-famous event, usually takes place in February , transforming the city into a colourful scene of masquerades, elaborate costumes and cultural festivities.
• Venice is hot and crowded in the summer ( June to August ), but there are opportunities to enjoy lively festivals, al fresco dining along the canals and spectacular sunsets over the lagoon.

When's the best time to visit Venice?

For the ideal combination of comparative peace and pleasant climate, the two or three weeks immediately preceding Easter are perhaps the best time of year. Climatically, the months at the end of the high season are erratic: some November and December days are so clear that the Dolomites seem to start on the edge of the mainland, but others bring torrential rain or fog so dense you can’t see across the Canal Grande. 

However, the desertion of the streets in winter is magical, and the sight of the Piazza under floodwater is unforgettable. This acqua alta, as Venice’s seasonal flooding is called, is common between October and March, and you should anticipate a few inconvenient days in the course of a winter visit.

Here are some highlights:

• Spring : Ideal weather and Venice Biennale.
• Summer : Vibrant festivals and outdoor dining.
• Autumn : Serene beauty and the Venice Film Festival.
• Winter : Carnival of Venice and unique acqua alta scenes.

Grand Canal, Venice, Italy © Apple Kullathida/Shutterstock

In Venice, the tourist seasons are characterised as follows:

High Season

From June to August, from late December to early January (Christmas and New Year's Eve), and a fortnight at Easter. Venice is at its busiest during this period, with warm summer weather attracting tourists to its canals and events such as Easter creating a festive atmosphere. Expect crowded attractions, higher accommodation prices and a lively city pulse.

Shoulder Season

Occurs in April, May, September and October. These months are characterised by milder weather and coincide with events such as the Venice Biennale art exhibition, which alternates with the Architecture Biennale, which begins in May. 

At this time, the city is less crowded than in high season, allowing for a more relaxed exploration of Venice's historic streets and canals. Accommodation prices are moderately high but more affordable than in high season.

Lasts from November to March, with the exception of the Christmas, New Year and Carnival periods. This season is characterised by cooler temperatures, potential acqua alta (especially from November to January) and a calmer atmosphere of the city. 

The number of tourists decreases significantly, resulting in lower prices and a more soulful experience of Venice. This period offers a unique opportunity to explore the city without the crowds of tourists, although some businesses may operate on reduced hours or be closed.

When planning a trip to Venice it is important not only to consider the weather conditions but also to find suitable accommodation. Our guide to the best places to stay in Venice will help you solve this issue .

St Mark's Square from the Grand canal. Venice, Italy © volkova natalia/Shutterstock

Venice, a city of great beauty and historical significance, offers its visitors unique experiences throughout the year. However, some months stand out for their perfect combination of pleasant weather, relatively smaller crowds and the city's vibrant cultural calendar. These months capture the essence of Venice and will make your visit unforgettable.

Weather in Venice in April

April marks the beginning of spring in Venice. The weather becomes comfortably mild and the city begins to blossom with colour, making it an ideal time for photography and nature lovers. Easter celebrations add to the festive atmosphere and you can enjoy open cafes and restaurants without the summer crowds. April also sees the opening of the Biennale art or architecture exhibitions, depending on the year, and the start of a wave of cultural events.

Weather in Venice in May

May is probably one of the best times to visit Venice. The weather is warm but not yet hot, allowing you to explore the city's narrow streets and countless bridges for long periods. The city is alive with colour, from fresh greenery to clear blue skies, perfect for leisurely gondola rides. Also in May, Venice often hosts the Biennale, making it a magnet for art lovers from all over the world.

Weather in Venice in September

As the summer heat begins to subside, September welcomes visitors with comfortable temperatures and a light, pleasant atmosphere. The city breathes a sigh of relief as the peak tourist season comes to an end, allowing for more relaxed cultural and historical sightseeing. Among other things, the Venice Film Festival, held in early September, attracts film lovers and adds a glamorous touch to the city's already enchanting atmosphere.

Weather in Venice in October

October is the month that showcases the tranquil beauty of Venice. Temperatures cool down and the summer crowds eventually dissipate, offering a more intimate introduction to the city. The change of season brings stunning autumn colours, creating picturesque scenes around every corner. This is a great time if you want to immerse yourself in the rich history and art of Venice without the hustle and bustle of high season. In addition, the mist over the canals adds a mysterious charm to the Venetian scenery.

Venice landmark, Burano island canal, colorful houses and boats, Italy © StevanZZ/Shutterstock

The closest equivalent to the rainy season in Venice is mostly in the fall: the rainiest month is November, as well as October and April. These months often see acqua alta, or floodwaters, causing flooding in some parts of the city. This phenomenon, while unique and fascinating to observe, can affect the movement and accessibility of Venice. 

If you plan to visit during these periods, you should be prepared for possible disruptions and the opportunity to see the city from an unusual perspective as its waterways and streets merge together.

The Venice Carnival is a world-famous festival that transforms the city into a land of wonder, history, mystery, and beauty. It usually takes place in February and concludes with Lent, so guests from all over the world come to take part in its extravaganza.

It is important to book accommodation in advance, as the city is flooded with people wanting to experience the magic of Carnival. While most of Venice's attractions remain open, expect them to be more crowded than usual.

The appeal of Carnival lies not only in its historic costumes and elaborate masks but also in the variety of entertainment it offers:

• Majestic masquerade balls in ancient Venetian palaces.
• Street performances that enliven the city's narrow streets
• Gondola parades along the famous canals.
• Impressive art exhibitions and live music events.

However, the influx of tourists during this period means that popular destinations can be extremely busy and airfares and hotel prices can rise significantly. It is therefore advisable to plan your Venice Carnival adventure well in advance to ensure you have an enjoyable time in the colorful atmosphere of the festivities.

Venice offers a wide list of things to do at any time of the year. If you're feeling confused and don't know where to start planning your itinerary, check out our list of the best things to do in Venice for all tastes .

Masked man by the water at Venice Carnival, Italy, Europe – copyright Kiki Deere

Plan your visit during shoulder season

Visiting Venice during the "shoulder" months of March, April and October can enhance your experience. During these periods, the weather is milder, the crowds are smaller and the beauty of the city is more tranquil. You'll get fewer queues at the main attractions and a calmer atmosphere for exploring the winding streets and canals.

Embrace the Acqua Alta

The Acqua alta , or high water, is a unique phenomenon in Venice that usually occurs between October and January. Instead of seeing it as an inconvenience, embrace this aspect of Venetian life. Put on waterproof boots and walk on the elevated platforms to see the city in a whole new light. It's an experience unique to Venice that you won't want to miss.

Get lost in the backstreets

One of the best ways to get to know Venice is to wander its less-visited paths. Venture beyond the main tourist spots, such as St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge, to discover hidden gems. Here you'll find quieter canals, charming local shops and authentic Venetian restaurants, giving you a glimpse into the daily lives of the residents.

Use Public Transportation Wisely

Venice's public transport system , primarily the vaporettos (water buses), is an efficient way to get around the city. If you are staying for a few days, consider purchasing a pass to save on the cost of individual tickets. Remember that gondola rides, although iconic, are more for the experience than as a practical way to get around, and they can be expensive.

Online editor at Rough Guides, specialising in travel content. Passionate about creating compelling stories and inspiring others to explore the world.

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Your Trip to Venice: The Complete Guide

Venice, Italy Guide: Planning Your Trip

Venice, or Venezia , is one of the world's most unique and beautiful cities. During its more than 1700-year history, it has been at the nexus of major European art, music, and political developments. It was a maritime power for centuries and is thought to have been the world's first financial center.

Today, it is one of Italy's most important cities and a supremely romantic travel destination , where you can stroll alongside miles of crisscrossing canals. There are, in fact, 150 canals with more than 400 bridges that connect Venice's 118 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon  . Almost every inch of these islands are covered with amazing architecture, magnificent churches and palaces, squares and museums, excellent restaurants , historic hotels, and beautiful shops.

Planning Your Trip

Here is some basic knowledge for planning your trip to Venice.

• Best Time to Visit:  Since it's near the sea, Venice has mostly mild weather , although there can be rain nearly all year round. Summers are humid, and winters can be foggy and wet. To avoid large crowds, spring and fall are the best seasons to visit. Venice experiences high-water flooding or aqua alta about 60 days a year, from October through early January. In Venice, keep an eye on the weather forecast every day, and always bring an umbrella!
• Language:  Italian is the national language of Italy, though you'll find that most hoteliers, restaurant workers, and shopkeepers speak at least some English, as well as possible French, Spanish, and German.
• Currency:  Venice, like the rest of Italy, uses the Euro (€). US dollars or other currencies are not accepted, though credit cards are widely accepted. Some stores may not accept credit cards for small purchases (under 10 or 20 euros).
• Getting Around:  The Grand Canal, which cuts through the center of the city, is like Venice's main street, and the  vaporetti boats are its public buses  . They are the main public transport in this canal-filled city and ply the principal waterways. The #1 vaporetto runs along the Grand Canal from the train station and makes many stops, so it's a good way to cruise the main canal and get a good overview of the city. If you want something more up close and personal, take a taxi and a gondola, though they tend to be more expensive. Read more about the vaporetti system . Gondolas , a symbol of life in Venice, are a romantic way to get from point A to point B, but today these costly diversions are used mainly by tourists.
• Travel Tip:  To avoid Venice's famously crowded main squares and tourist attractions, here are two tips: The first is to book must-see sites like the Doge's Palace and Basilica San Marco with a private tour, so you skip the line and possibly get exclusive access to some areas. Our second tip is that when out walking, head away from Piazza San Marco and Rialto . You'll soon discover a far less crowded Venice, and one that is still inhabited by locals.
• Read our full article on the Best Time to Visit Venice .

Things to Do

Venice has several world-famous museums and attractions, but you'd be surprised how much you might love just wandering along the canals off the main tourist tracks or taking advantage of other free diversions this ancient city offers. Some of Venice's most famous attractions include:

• Saint Mark's Square : Piazza San Marco is Venice's main square and is surrounded by chic sidewalk cafés and fancy shops. While it's a great place to take in the scenery and people, you will definitely pay top euro to sit at an outdoor table. In the evening, you can listen to live music, too. Walking in the piazza and taking photos is, of course, free.
• Saint Mark's Basilica : Basilica di San Marco, consecrated in 832 AD, is a beautiful church blending the architecture of East and West. 
• Doge's Palace : Palazzo Ducale, also on St. Mark's Square, is the most impressive building in Venice and well worth a tour. It was the Venetian government's political and judicial hub until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797. The palace was connected to its prisons by the famous Bridge of Sighs .
• Grand Canal ( Canal Grande): This is the main thoroughfare of Venice. It is full of many types of boats and lined with beautiful buildings.
• Rialto Bridge ( Ponte di Rialto) : This is the main bridge crossing the Grand Canal in the heart of Venice, and it's more than 400 years old. Nearby is the Rialto Market, an interesting and lively food market with lots of little shops.
• Tourist Information Offices : The train station tourist office is almost always very crowded, but agents there have lots of information and can help with hotel reservations. The main tourist office is near Saint Mark's Square. Most staff speak at least some English.

Read more of our guides for things to do in Venice: the best things to do in Venice , a guide to Venice neighborhoods , and a month-by-month guide to Venice.

What to Eat and Drink

Seafood is a big part of the delicious Venetian cuisine, as are polenta and rice. Seppia , or cuttlefish, is popular, and risotto nero  (black rice) is colored with its ink. Try the zuppa di pesce  (fish soup) here, too. Radicchio trevisano , red chicory, comes from nearby Treviso. Cicchetti , or little appetizers, are served in Venice's bars and are often eaten before lunch or dinner, but, like Spanish tapas or Greek meze,  you can also order a few for a light meal. Finish with an exquisite Venetian pastry and an espresso.

Typical wines of Venice are made from grapes grown in the Veneto, the surrounding region. These include citrusy Soave, sparkling prosecco, and deep red Valpolicella. Cocktails are popular here, from the peachy Bellini, invented in Venice, to the Aperol Spritz, Negroni, and other classic Italian mixed drinks. There's a burgeoning craft beer scene in Venice and a handful of Irish pubs catering to the younger crowd.

Read more about the best restaurants in Venice and the best nightlife in Venice .

Where to Stay

The old city center of Venice is divided into six districts or sestieri . The Cannaregio district, the most populated, is near the station. The Castello district, the largest, and the famous San Marco district, home to its namesake square and basilica, are on the Grand Canal side. The Santa Croce district, the only one with a bridge to the mainland and some car traffic, is across the Grand Canal from the train station. The San Polo district, with its famous eponymous church and the Dorsoduro district, situated on Venice's hardest and most stable island, are across the canal from St. Mark's. Read more about Venice's neighborhoods .

Start your hotel search by looking through our list of top-rated Venice hotels, many of which are in the San Marco neighborhood, near Piazza San Marco ,  the most popular tourist popular area. One of our favorite hotels, right near San Marco but remarkably quiet, is the family-run Hotel Flora . If you decide to go with an Airbnb-type rental, make sure you go with a licensed facility, like these recommended by Venice Tourism .

Check our list of top-rated Venice hotels.

Getting There

Venice is in the Veneto region, on the northeast coast of Italy, and is protected from the Adriatic Sea by a strip of land called the Lido.

The best way to arrive in Venice is by train, to the Santa Lucia Train Station on the northwestern edge of the city. There's also a bus terminal and parking garages nearby, at Piazzale Roma. Venice also has the small Marco Polo Venice Airport , and from there, you can take a bus or boat into Venice.

Check our articles on how to reach Venice from Rome or from Milan .

Culture and Customs

There aren't many "need to know" factoids about Venetian customs and culture, but here are a few to keep in mind:

• When entering Venice's many churches, you need to dress modestly. That means no short-shorts or skirts and no bare shoulders. Those rules apply to everyone, regardless of gender. If you're underdressed, bring a large, lightweight scarf to drape over you.
• Though drinking is a big part of Venetian and Italian culture, public drunkenness is not, and Venice shuts down surprisingly early. Don't overdo it, and always be respectful of residents. Your voices on the street carry right up to their apartment windows.
• To help the city deal with its overtourism issues   , try bringing refillable water bottles instead of buying plastic, and always dispose of your garbage in the marked recycling bins.

Money-Saving Tips

Venice is an expensive city, but here are our recommendations for saving a few euros during your visit.

• Eat cicchetti . Skip a big evening meal and snack instead on the Venetian equivalent of tapas, small bites that can be purchased for just a euro or two apiece. Pair a few of these with an inexpensive glass of wine, and you've got a great, cheap (for Venice) meal.
• Head to Cannaregio  . This working-class district is lined with affordable bars and restaurants filled with locals, not tourists.
• Buy a VeneziaUnica City Pass , which includes public transportation and free or discounted admission to most major attractions and museums.
• Read our list of the Best Free Things to Do in Venice .

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15 Best Things to Do in Venice

By Andrea Whittle

You'll find part of the appeal of Venice in its layers and contrasts: There are plenty of beautifully preserved palaces, churches and glorious renaissance masterpieces to be sure, but there are also abandoned Byzantine shipyards used to display the world's most cutting edge contemporary art, and house museums that now host avant garde poetry readings and dance shows. It's all about the mix of crumbling old world glamour and mysterious chic. Yes, it's a major tourist town, but with this list of the best things to do, we've tried to guide you towards the stuff that's really worth seeing, be it on everyone's hit list or more of a low-key secret.

St. Mark’s Basilica Arrow

The cathedral anchoring St. Mark's square is so over-the-top beautiful it almost looks imaginary, like a church in a storybook. Outside, it's all Byzantine domes and columns and lions and angels; inside, it's aglow with glittering, gilded mosaics. For those just interested in the architecture, you can visit when there's not a mass in session (it's still very much a functioning church, with regular services), but check the website for the latest on the sometimes-nonsensical opening hours. Also know that, because it's in the Times Square of Venice, the church has had to start limiting crowds in recent years and there's often a long line. Make plans to go early.

Palazzo Fortuny Arrow

Palazzo Fortuny, a Gothic palazzo, was once the home of Mariano Fortuny, the artist, stage designer, and textile designer behind Fortuny Fabrics, which still turns out luxurious damask silks, cut velvets and printed cottons today. As a museum, it's a tribute to his opulent and eclectic taste: Rooms, draped in a patchwork of luxurious textiles or painted in floor-to-ceiling frescoes, are filled with art, antiques, and decor from his collection.

Venetian Arsenal Arrow

Arsenale di Venezia, a massive Byzantine armory and shipyard, was originally built in the 12th century, and it served as the Venetian military HQ for centuries afterwards. Now, its cavernous halls and landscaped gardens are used as one of the main venues for the Biennale, as well as the city's Naval Museum. During the Biennale, the Arsenale is filled with curators, collectors, tourists, and artists checking out the exhibition or relaxing on one of the lawns overlooking the harbor.

Giardini della Biennale Arrow

Every two years, during the Art Biennale, Giardini della Biennale, the leafy garden at the edge of the city, transforms into the Epcot of the art world. Maritime pines and gravel pathways conjoin a series of small pavilions, each pertaining to a different country, and each with its own architectural style. At all other times, the park is simply a beautiful, secluded, walkable, mostly tourist-free green space, with views of the canal and plenty of benches. Getting here is a bit of a trek though though; the park is about a 30-minute walk from San Marco, so if you're there in the heat of summer, consider taking the vaporetto (water bus).

Shannon McMahon

CNT Editors

Hannah Towey

Gallerie dell'Accademia Arrow

Gallerie dell'Accademia is Venetian Renaissance 101. Name an important painter from the era—Titian, Canaletto, Bellini, Bosch, Tiepolo—and you can bet you'll find it here, spread among rooms as decadent as the paintings themselves. The collection spans the 13th to 17th centuries and consists mostly of works created in and around Venice. There are a lot of oil paintings, many of them religious masterpieces that have been beautifully restored and displayed. Particularly fun are the historical scenes of Venice, which offer a sense of the city's chaos during its heyday as a merchant capital.

Caffè Florian Arrow

Caffè Florian, in Piazza San Marco, has been open since 1720. In the early days, it was a watering hole for the likes of Proust, Dickens, and Casanova. Now, it's a tourist spot, sure—but it's a charming, beautiful, and an inarguably romantic one. Musicians (which you're paying for by the way—a fee will show up on your bill) play in the square out front, and patrons cluster around low marble tables, sipping hot chocolate and picking delicate pastries off silver trays. For first-timers to Venice, Florian is a glamorous place to stop and refuel.

Church of San Giorgio Maggiore Arrow

The main attraction on San Giorgio Maggiore, a small island next to Giudecca, is the church designed by Andrea Palladio, which has a bell tower with some of the best views in the city. But there are also multiple art foundations, including Fondazione Cini and Le Stanze del Vetro, worth checking out as well. Since the island is only reachable by boat, there's built-in crowd control, making it a perfect choice if you're looking to escape the San Marco fray.

Teatro La Fenice Arrow

The name of Teatro La Fenice, a landmark opera house, means "The Phoenix"—a nod to the fact that it's literally risen from the ashes not once, but three times, most recently after two arsonists burned down everything but the exterior walls in 1996. But it's been rebuilt and restored to its former glory (complete with its world-famous acoustics) by a team of architects and artists who sought to recreate every inch of the way it looked and felt in the 19th century.

Peggy Guggenheim Collection Arrow

This squat palazzo on the Grand Canal was once the home of the eccentric gallerist and collector Peggy Guggenheim, who played a big part in the careers of artists like Jackson Pollock, Max Ernst, and Alberto Giacometti. Today the eponymous museum still maintains the feeling of a private house. Most of the work on display was collected by Guggenheim during her lifetime—and it's some of the best art of the 20th century. In the entryway, two Picassos hang next to a Calder mobile. There are rooms filled with Kandinskys and Brancusis and Pollocks and Dalis. One mantlepiece is lined with Joseph Cornell boxes.

Fondazione Prada Arrow

This gloriously crumbling Baroque palazzo is the Venetian headquarters of Fondazione Prada. Much like the Italian fashion brand's designs, the artistic programming is bold, contemporary, and innovative. There is no permanent collection; instead, the three main floors of the palazzo are used as a project space for immersive exhibitions that often run concurrently with the Biennale. Sometimes, the foundation invites multiple artists to build installations that interact with the architecture; otherwise, curators will utilize every inch of the space to display a survey by one artist.

Pinault Collection Arrow

The contemporary art collection of French billionaire Francois Pinault is split between two Venetian venues: Palazzo Grassi, near the Accademia bridge, and Punta Della Dogana, the former customs house at the tip of Dorsoduro. Both are pretty spectacular, and they present a rotating program of blockbuster exhibitions. The shows at Palazzo Grassi tend to focus on a single living artist, giving them full reign of multiple floors as well as the massive central atrium. Across the canal, Punta Della Dogana usually goes wider, with thematic shows featuring work by multiple artists.

Doge’s Palace Arrow

Palazzo Ducale, an opulent gothic palace overlooking Saint Mark's Square, was the city's government seat (and the Doge's home) from the 14th to 18th centuries. It's been rebuilt and expanded over the years, so it's really a conglomeration of multiple buildings and styles—pretty much all of them over-the-top and glamorous. Visitors have access to various ballrooms, the Doge's former apartments, the grand inner courtyard, and the former prisons. It's run as a museum, so tickets are required.

Fondazione Querini Stampalia Arrow

Part 19th-century house museum, part contemporary exhibition space, part architecture nerd's dream garden, Fondazione Querini Stampalia is a microcosm of everything that's fascinating about Venice. The collection spans centuries and defies categorization: Renaissance paintings by the likes of Bellini and Tiepolo are displayed next to antique instruments, gilded French porcelain is laid out carefully on lace-trimmed tablecloths, and perfectly fluffed pillows sit on gleaming Louis XVI chairs. The garden, designed by the architect Carlo Scarpa in the 1960s, is a maze of geometric fountains and a serene lawn.

Mercato di Rialto Arrow

The fruit, vegetable, and fish market near the Rialto Bridge has been running for hundreds of years, and it's still where local chefs and home cooks come to stock their kitchens. Depending on the season, you'll find local cherries and peaches, artichokes and Treviso radicchio grown on nearby islands, and soft shell crabs and eels pulled straight from the lagoon. The produce market runs from 7:30 am to 1 pm every day except Sunday; the fish market is open those same hours, but Tuesday through Saturday.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco Arrow

Scuola Grande di San Rocco, an ornate Venetian "scuola" (the headquarters of a religious guild), is home to some of the Renaissance painter Tintoretto's best works, which cover the ceilings and walls of the building's two floors. Every inch of this place is decorated: In addition to the more than 60 paintings depicting scenes from the bible, floors are a geometric array of polished stones, every molding is intricately carved and/or gilded, and every wrought-iron lamp is as big as a person.

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Let’s explore Venice

Venice travel guide

I don’t think it’s possible to visit Venice and not fall head over heels in love with its inherent magic and irresistible charm.

Despite being overrun with tourists (and believe me, it really is), I really believe that Venice is an unmissable Italian city. I love that it offers something different, with its car-free streets and winding canals. And every nook and cranny feels both rustic and luxurious, all at once.

About the author

Jessie Moore is a luxury travel expert with years of experience travelling the world to find the best destinations, hotels and adventures.

Venice is a city of grandeur and inexplicable beauty. It’s a place where marble palaces and gothic palazzi are linked by beguiling bridges and winding canals. All surrounded by the blue waters of the lagoon which sparkles in the sunlight. Venice exudes a creative and vibrant personality that has been enchanting visitors for years.

As the gondolas saunter along the waterways and the palatial domes frame the views, it’s easy to get swept up in the romance of this Italian city. Although a popular destination with starry eyed lovers, Venice is not just for couples. Solo travellers will adore the bustling neighbourhoods and charming Italian hospitality. While groups of friends or family can be immersed in the social scene, exchanging bellini-fuelled conversation over some decadent Venetian cuisine.

While Venice may be one of the best cities in Italy to visit, its beauty comes with a price. That price is the sheer volume of tourists who descend on the narrow streets of the floating city. Despite the mass convergence of visitors, it doesn’t detract from the uncompromising beauty of the city. There are still hidden corners of magic to be discovered – you just need to let yourself get lost to find them.

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How to get to Venice

• By plane. The main international airport in Venice is the Marco Polo airport (VCE). There is a second airport, the Treviso Airport (TSF), which is situated about an hour away from the city. If you’re travelling from the UK or US, several airlines offer direct flights during the high season. From the UK, it’s a relatively quick flight of around two hours from the south. The three main UK airlines servicing Venice include British Airways, Easyjet and Ryanair.
• By train. If you’re travelling domestically, the train might be your best option as it provides comfortable travel without the stress of driving. The central train station in Venice is the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station. It has great connections from other popular Italian cities like Milan, Rome and Florence.
• By car. Driving to Venice is not a particularly good option, seeing as the city is mostly car-free. It is possible to leave your car in one of the available parking lots. You can then get a bus from the parking lot to the city.
• By vaporetto. Since Venice is situated in a lagoon, you can’t actually reach the centre of Venice by any of the above means. The last stretch of any journey to Venice requires a vaporetto (water bus) or a private water taxi. Although more expensive, the water taxi is definitely worth it. There is no other way to get that rock-star feeling of arriving in Venice in style – sunglasses on and wind blowing through your hair!

How to get around Venice

Unlike many European cities, getting around Venice is limited to just two options: by foot or by water. Venice is the largest pedestrian city in the world but it’s still compact enough to get everywhere on foot easily enough. Aside from being a pretty healthy way of getting around, it’s also the best way to take in all the sights and really soak up the Venetian atmosphere.

If you travel by water then there are several modes of transport:

• Vaporetto (water bus). Where walking isn’t an option, the next best mode of transport is by water bus. This is a public service that runs 24/7. A water bus service runs every 10 minutes from the stops on the Grand Canal. It’s also the best way to get to the nearby islands of Burano, Lido, and Murano – if this is part of your itinerary then get an ACTV Water Bus Pass, as it is the most cost effective option.
• Water taxi. Essentially a private water bus, these water taxis can fit up to 10 people. Water taxis are rarely used by the locals because they do have quite high fixed prices. They are commonly used for getting from the airport to the centre of Venice, which usually works out at good value for money if there is a group of you travelling. It’s by far the most glamorous airport transfer you will ever experience!
• Gondola. The gondola is not technically a mode of transport, as you can’t use a gondola to get from A to B. They return to their boarding station, so gondolas are very much used for sightseeing and the general experience. Gondolas are also helpful for exploring narrow canals and other hidden areas that are not easily reachable by water bus or on foot.

Best time to visit Venice

Venice highlights, st mark’s square.

The Piazza San Marco – St Mark’s Square – is the only square in Venice to boast piazza in its name, with the others being campos or piazzales . This is testament to its scale and splendour, which is well documented in photos and tales of the historic square. In fact, St Mark’s Square was described by Napoleon as ‘the world’s most beautiful drawing room’, showcasing the very best that Venice has to offer. 

The square itself is filled with architectural design to excite even the most seasoned traveller. St Mark’s Campanile towers above the skyline, while Doge’s Palace ( Palazzo Ducale ) exhibits the very best of gothic architecture. Or marvel at St Mark’s Basilica ( Basilica di San Marco ) and the lofty clock tower ( Torre dell’Orologio ). 

Just beware that if you fancy stopping for a coffee in this iconic square, you’ll need deep pockets. Some will consider the experience to be worth every penny, while others would rather grab a coffee in a more authentic spot away from the tourists.

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal flows between St Mark’s Basilica and Santa Chiara to split the city in two. Lined by spectacular gothic and renaissance buildings on either side, the winding channel offers a fantastic way to glimpse the grand architecture of Venice. 

Take a journey along the Grand Canal to appreciate all that Venice has to offer. You can ride along the canal from one end to another using Venice’s floating public transport system, the vaporetto. Smaller motor boats also journey along the Grand Canal, providing informative tours of Venice’s best-known tourist attractions.

For an extra special take on this infamous Venice landmark, take to the waters at night. See the magic of Venice after dark, as the city lights up and reflects off the canals.

Burano Island

Burano is an island located in the Venetian lagoon, famed for its bold and eccentric style. Peruse Burano’s rainbow streets by foot or water for the perfect Instagram opportunity and some fabulous photos!

Be sure to call in to see the island’s most famed property, Bepi’s House ( La Casa di Bepi Suà ). You’ll be greeted with bright and vivid colours coupled with striking and bold shapes. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea to live in, but it’s definitely a must-see for anyone travelling to Venice. 

While the other popular Venetian island of Murano is known for its glassmaking, Burano is known for its lace making. To learn more about this fascinating trade, head to Museo Merletto. If this doesn’t take your fancy then be sure to visit the adorable artisan shops along the canals.

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Frequently asked q uestions

How long to spend in venice.

Venice is a city that deserves at least 2-3 days to explore. A day trip will not do the city justice, so aim to stay for a minimum of two nights if you can. A longer stay will enable you to enjoy the city at a slower pace, which you’ll be grateful for when you’re battling your way through the tourists!

Do I need to pre-book attractions in Venice?

Yes, I highly recommend pre-booking any of the major tourist attractions in Venice, such as Doge’s Palace. You can still visit without a booking. But you will likely have to wait in painfully long queues, especially if you’re travelling during the peak summer months. You can book either a guided tour or a ‘skip the line’ ticket.

Are there any beaches near Venice?

Many are surprised to hear that Venice has a beach. Lido is one of Venice’s islands and has an 8 mile stretch of sandy beach. So if the sun is shining, the temperature hot, and you fancy a relaxing break, then head to Lido. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sound of the Adriatic waves. 

Is Venice a good destination for solo travellers?

Despite its reputation as an unwaveringly romantic destination, Venice is one of my favourite  European cities for solo travel . Perhaps it’s the lack of public transport or the small, compact feel, but it feels wonderfully safe. Plus, Italian hospitality is always on point, making any independent travellers feel very welcomed.

Is Venice expensive?

Yes, Venice is an expensive city. It’s understandable given the sheer volume of tourists it draws in every day of the year. Avoid dining out in the tourist areas and head off the beaten track. Not only will it be cheaper, but you’ll get a more authentic Venetian dining experience.

How many Michelin star restaurants in Venice?

There are six Michelin star restaurants in Venice. The Glam Enrico Bartolini restaurant has an impressive two Michelin stars. Zanze XVI, Wistèria, Quadri, Oro Restaurant and Local each have one coveted star.

Are there Christmas Markets in Venice?

A number of the piazza in Venice play host to Christmas markets each year. Wander the charming wooden cabins serving all kinds of local goods and food. Some of the Christmas markets have ice rinks to really get you in the festive mood. The main Christmas markets in Venice take place at Campo Santo Stefano, Campo S. Bartolomeo, Campo San Salvador, Campo Manin and Camp San Luca.

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Luxury accommodation picks

With its opulent architecture and palatial buildings, it’s no surprise that there are a number of luxury hotels in Venice . Whether you prefer classic or contemporary, big or boutique, here are some of the best places to stay in Venice.

THE GRITTI PALACE

HOTEL CIPRIANI

HOTEL DANIELI

HOTEL METROPOLE

Venice bars

ENOTECA SCHIAVI

IL MERCANTE

HARRY’S BAR

Venice landmarks

Whether you’re after breathtaking Gothic architecture or quaint islands, Venice is awash with remarkable landmarks and attractions. Here is my pick of the best things to see in Venice .

GRAND CANAL

DOGE’S PALACE

PONTE DI RIALTO

BURANO ISLAND

Venice travel inspiration

Planning a trip to Venice? Have a read of these Venice travel articles to help you plan your visit.

Venice or Rome? Which Italian city to visit

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20 amazing things to do in Venice

Venice is an iconic jewel of a city and one of my personal favourite destinations in Italy. While Italian, it is so quintessentially unique that I think it’s possible to think of Venice as a

15 best bars in beautiful Venice, Italy

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Without the lagoon between its great palazzos, churches, and museums, Venice wouldn’t be Venice. Even those averse to this isolated Italian city have a modicum of respect for its modest beginnings, its nautical empire, and its spectacular ingenuity for finding ways—day in and day out—to live by the whims of the sea. The city’s distinctive neighborhoods and barrier islands are resplendent with marble-clad buildings and statuary that tell the story of the extravagant rise of this maritime power. In all seasons, the city manages to find excuses and make time for celebrating its deep traditions and the influx of creativity that flows into its borders each year.

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Nick Karvounis

When’s the best time to go to Venice?

Each season has its intolerable moments of high-impact tourism, making it a pick-your-battles sort of destination. Some say to visit Venice in the winter, but prepare to find many shuttered shops and hotels, and the human-traffic nightmare that is Carnival. Summer visits to the lagoon can be a delight, but the prices and the wet heat soar to their highest rates of the year. While tourism remains fairly high during spring (April-June) and autumn (September through early November), the weather is much more pleasant, and the light changes from tawny yellow to bright white, lending an enchanting color to the ancient architecture and the watery thoroughfares of the city.

How to get around Venice

Venice’s Marco Polo airport is about 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic, from downtown via the ACTV express bus, which costs about $9. Private water taxis will collect you from the airport and deposit you in front of your hotel for a fee that fluctuates annually but seems to hover around $170.

The public transportation system in Venice, ACTV, operates along the Grand Canal. It connects passengers to the major points of interest including the Piazzale Roma bus station, S.M. Novella train station, and landmarks like the Academia Bridge, Rialto Bridge, and St. Mark’s Square. ACTV also services other lagoon destinations like the Guidecca, Burano, and Murano. Water taxis and gondolas that ferry travelers across the Grand Canal are also available.

Can’t miss things to do in Venice

- A meal at L’Arco, a Venetian bacaro , or snack bar, almost exclusively a locals’ breakfast and lunch spot. Prosecco and spritzer are the protocols, and the typical Venetian snacks like truffle-infused cheese crostini are—without fail—fresh, local and seasonal - A visit to the 14th-century Doge’s Palace lets you see how the ruling class lived and gives a look at some of the finest art the city has to offer - An evening stroll across the Piazza San Marco to see it at its most magical - An Ecology of Venice tour organized by our travel partner, Context, and led by scientists who can shed light on how this floating island came to be and what its future may hold - A nighttime ride on the Grand Canal, whether by private boat or one of the public water buses

Food and drink to try in Venice

International cuisine hasn’t yet taken hold in Venice. The options here range from local Venetian fare to regional Italian pasta and seafood dishes. You’ll find a smattering of bad Chinese restaurants, and one good but expensive Thai restaurant that recently opened in the new Aman Resort. Local specialties are the Venetian snacks, cicchetti, which are usually small pieces of toasted bread topped with baccalà cream, whipped truffle cheese, and a million other variations of toothsome nibbles. During holidays like Carnival and Christmas, special desserts like fritelli (basically a fried cream donut) and panatone, a light cake with candied fruits, appear for a short time to celebrate the holiday.

Culture in Venice

All corners of Venice have cultural significance and intrigue, from the ad hoc bridges linking the city’s 118 separate islands to iconic public spaces like Piazza San Marco and Rialto. If pressed for time, it’s a good idea to see at least one or two treasures from each neighborhood. In Castello, check out the Arsenale district and the Museo Storico Navale di Venezia to learn about the city’s maritime empire. In San Marco, the Museo Correr holds a bevy of fascinating Venetian art and rotating international exhibitions. Santa Croce would be a shame to miss, and visiting the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a must. The same applies to the new Prada Foundation in San Polo. The Accademia Museum in Dorsoduro, though usually very busy, is an absolute gem, and since its restoration by the nonprofit Save Venice Inc., it’s now one of Venice’s hottest tickets.

Venice is a hive of cultural activity and offers a seemingly unending lineup of festivals, fairs, and street parties. The Venice Film Festival, Carnival, and the art and architecture Biennales are the most famous, and tend to last between two weeks and four months. But other less-frequented though equally entertaining events include the feast day Festival of San Marco in April, and the September Regatta Storica, a procession of ornate boats throughout Venice’s main waterways.

Local travel tips for Venice

What don’t they know? Venice is a small, insulated city made more intimate by its completely pedestrian layout. The locals know where to eat. They know the alley shortcuts that save you 15 minutes on your commute. They will tell you to abide by the high water alarms or risk getting caught by rising waters. If you’re looking for the best gin and tonic in town, they will direct you to the lobby bar at Hotel Londra Palace or suggest, only for the view, to consider lunch on the roof terrace of Hotel Danieli.

Local Resources

• Time Out Venice

Guide Editor

Becca Blond

Plan Your Trip to Venice: Best of Venice Tourism

Travel Advice

Essential venice.

How to do Venice in 3 days

A tour of Venice’s most fabulous hotel bars

Browse collections

A treat for the ears.

Architectural gems

Do a bit of island hopping

Go for the view

Worth the splurge

Venice Travel Guide

Travelers' pro tips or experiencing venice.

Venice is also the Lido, Murano, and Burano. Move out and (away) from the train and cruise ship area to find surprises.

Use the vaporettos and buy a three-day trip ticket at the bus station. Walking from the Arsenale vaporetto stop to the Biennale Gardens is reasonably easy. The Biennale is expensive.

SydneyConcordian

Take a supply of one euro and 50 euro cent coins for toilets for the 1.50 cost to "spend a penny."

Vermonters210

Venice is a magical place with tons of things to see and do. Many activities are free, others have a modest (and occasionally not-so-modest) cost. We love to wander the streets, poke among the incredible food markets, see the incredible architecture and still get away from the crowds. La Serenissima!

TravelFranceOnline

Art lovers, Venice awaits you! This magnificent city boasts an exceptional cultural, architectural and artistic heritage! You’ll be delighted as you don’t need to spend a fortune to admire the great Venetian Masters’ paintings! Forget galleries, museums and entrance fees, and visit the city’s churches. You’ll be surprised to discover how many of Titian's, Tintoretto's or Veronese's masterpieces adorn their walls and ceilings.

DavidREssexUK

Venice is like no other place. It's a location where you can immerse yourself in history, marvel and enjoy the art and architecture, enjoy a car-free environment, people watch and above all, get purposely lost and find the true hidden gems around every corner.

What is the best way to get there?

The main airport in Venice is Marco Polo International Airport (VCE), which offers service to/from many destinations across the globe on most major airlines. Treviso Airport (TSF) in nearby Treviso is another option for smaller carriers.

Venezia St. Lucia is Venice’s main station, offering domestic and international train service. Venezia Mestre station offers local and regional service.

Omio and Flixbus offer service to Venice from several European cities.

For more info on getting to Venice, visit  here .

Do I need a visa?

Since Italy is one of the 26 Shengen Area countries, tourists from those countries do not need a visa for visits less than 90 days, but passports must be valid for at least six months after departure dates. The same goes for Americans.

When is the best time to visit?

Winter: Winter in Venice sees crowds thin, the mercury drop, and “acqua alta” (high water) potentially flood the canals — but it’s also a prime time to snag a deal. Average daily temperatures this time of year are highs of 43 Fahrenheit (6 Celsius) and lows of 32 Fahrenheit (0 Celsius). To experience the city at its most atmospheric, coincide your trip with November's Arte Biennale or March's Carnevale.

public transport

While walking is a wonderful way to get around Venice and its 118 islands, ACTV operates the city’s public transportation, Download its daAab app to buy tickets for vaporettos (waterbuses), buses and the airport shuttle here . For more info on ACTV, including schedules, routes, and fares, see here .

There are more than 150 vaporettos and larger vessels (battelli foranei) that travel to dozens of locations along the Grand Canal and islands.

people mover

This monorail offers connections to PIazzale Roma transit hub, Marittima cruise ship terminal and Tronchetto parking island.

Two tram lines make 36 stops between mainland Venice and the city center

Buses can be found on mainland Venice as well as some of the smaller city islands.

taxis/water taxis

With many parts of Venice closed to traffic, taxi service is limited to Mestre and Lido. However, water taxis can be hired at several points in the city and can be expensive.

Uber and Lyft do not operate in Venice

Venice’s iconic gondolas are another way to get around, but they can be expensive, even before you tip your gondolier. Additionally, Gondolas 4 All offers service and wheelchair-accessible access for passengers with mobility issues.

For info on Gondolas 4 All, visit  here .

While BicinCitta is the city’s bike-share, and there are several bike rentals companies, biking is prohibited in central Venice, but you can bike around its larger islands.

For more info on BicinCitta, visit  here .

On the ground

What is the timezone.

Central European Summer Time

What are the voltage/plug types?

Plugs and sockets are type F and L with standard voltage 230V and frequency 50 Hz.

What is the currency?

Are atms readily accessible, are credit cards widely accepted, is it easy to find a bank, how much do i tip, restaurants.

Tipping in Venice restaurants is not as common as it is in the U.S., though some eateries do add a service charge to your tab. In that case, you won’t need to give more, but obviously, if you were well-cared for, an extra few euros are certainly in order.

Italians generally tip their bartenders by rounding up their tabs to the nearest euro. (If you ate at the bar, though, throw down a few extra euros.)

Tipping drivers is not common in Venice, though many passengers often round up to the nearest euro. But, if your driver is super helpful, one to three euros would suffice.

Tip five to 10 euros if you sought their expertise to explore Venice or land a restaurant reservation (do give more if they got you into a hotspot or went above and beyond).

It’s standard to give one euro per bag.

Housekeeping

It’s common to tip at least one euro per each day of your stay. Some hotels leave envelopes for such tips, but if they don’t, a quick note saying “Thank you” will suffice.

Tour guides

Tipping a tour guide is one of the only tipping customs in Italy, and how much depends on the size and length of your tour. Per person, five euros is standard for a half-day excursion or 10 euros for full-day. It’s customary to give at least 10% of the total cost of a private tour.

About 10% of the ride is common.

Are there local customs I should know?

The legal drinking age in Venice is 18.

Cannabis is legal for medical use in Italy.

Some common greetings to know in Venice is “buongiorno” (hello/good morning), “ciao” (hello/goodbye) and “Buonasera” (good afternoon/good evening).

Be sure to keep right when walking in Venice (and anywhere, really).

• Hotel Moresco
• Palazzo Veneziano
• Hotel Antiche Figure
• Hilton Molino Stucky Venice
• Hotel Palazzo Stern
• Ristorante La Piazza
• Osteria Fanal Del Codega
• Trattoria Dona Onesta
• Doge's Palace
• Basilica di San Marco
• Canal Grande
• Piazza San Marco
• Harry's Bar
• Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary
• Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride
• Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
• Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat
• Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace

Nomadic Matt's Travel Site

Travel Better, Cheaper, Longer

Venice Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 23, 2023

With its iconic canals, picturesque gondolas, and winding streets, it’s no surprise that Venice is considered one of the most romantic cities in the world. But while the city is popular with honeymooners, it’s also a huge destination for cruisers and backpackers too.

It should be obvious as to why.

Venice is beautiful, fun, and full of narrow streets and alleys to get lost in. It’s a magical place unlike any other. There are museums, palaces, historic town squares to explore, and endless gelato to eat.

Unfortunately, the city is also expensive and overtourism has become a real problem. No matter what time of the year, you’re going to encounter crowds. In fact, if you come in the summer, it’s going to be unbearable (and if you come when a cruise ship is docked, it’s even more unbearable!)

But that doesn’t mean you should skip a visit!

You can avoid the crowds if you skirt around the center of the city and head to some of the outer islands like Burano and Morano. Tourists tend to cluster in a few places and are easy to escape.

This travel guide to Venice can help you beat the crowds, save money, and make the most of your time in this famous Italian city!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Venice

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Venice

1. Visit the Basilica San Marco

St. Mark’s Basilica is dedicated to the patron saint of the city and is located in the Piazza San Marco. While there has been a place of worship on this site since 820 CE, the current basilica was built in 1063. It’s filled with amazing 11th-century mosaics, marble-covered walls, statues, and five, gold-covered Byzantine domes. The High Altar also supposedly contains some of St. Mark’s remains. It’s 3 EUR to visit the basilica (or 6 EUR for a skip-the-line ticket). There are also a variety of combined entrance tickets depending on which attractions in the complex you want to visit. The Complete Basilica Ticket, which includes the Basilica, Pala d’Oro (golden altar), Museum, and Loggia Cavalli (terrace with views and other exhibits), costs 20 EUR, which includes skip-the-line entry. You can also do a guided tour after hours when the crowds have left with Walks of Italy for around 100 EUR.

2. Walk across Rialto Bridge

While it’s now one of four bridges that cross the Grand Canal, for centuries, the Rialto Bridge was the only way to get from one side to the other. Originally built as a floating bridge in the 12th century, it was first constructed for easier access to the Rialto Market (hence the bridge’s name). The current iteration of the bridge, completed in 1591, was created by Antonio da Ponte, who beat out Michelangelo for the job. The entire bridge is made of Istrian stone and crosses the Grand Canal at its narrowest point, connecting the San Polo and San Marco districts. To beat the crowds, come at sunrise.

3. Tour the Doge’s Palace

Located in St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace is one of Venice’s main landmarks and was the home of the duke who ruled Venice. The massive building was originally built in the 14th century in the Venetian Gothic style, though it has been renovated, extended, and modified over the centuries. The interior is filled with artwork, gilded ceilings, and an armory. You can also descend into the prisons and cross the famous Bridge of Sighs. Admission is 26 EUR as part of the Combined Museums of San Marco ticket, which includes entrance to the Correr Civic Museum, the National Archaeological Museum, and the monumental rooms of the Marciana National Library.

4. Attend Carnival

Carnival is ten days of masquerade madness every February leading up to Mardi Gras, the day before the start of Lent on Ash Wednesday. The tradition goes back centuries, starting in the 12th century and reaching the height of popularity in the 18th century. The festival was on pause for nearly two centuries, starting in 1798 when the city was under Austrian rule (when masks were banned). It wasn’t until 1979 when Carnival was revived. Today, it is one of the biggest festivals in Italy , with millions of people attending every year. The iconic and diverse masks are a central part of the festivities and every year there is a contest for the most beautiful mask. If you have the funds, you can even pay to attend a traditional masquerade ball! (Book your accommodation early as the city fills up months in advance).

5. Day trip to Burano

Other things to see and do in venice, 1. take a walking tour.

The first thing I do when I arrive in a new city is take a free walking tour. It’s the best way to see the main sights on a budget while connecting with a local guide who can share their insider tips and advice. Venice Free Walking Tour runs regular free tours that cover all the highlights. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

If you want to invest in your experience and take a more detailed walking tour, my favorite company is Take Walks . They have amazing walking tours and boat tours all around the city. They use expert local guides so you’ll not only have fun but you’ll learn a lot too!

2. Wander the Piazza San Marco

This is the most famous and largest piazza (city square) in Venice. The grand square has long been a popular meeting spot for Venetians and is home to many important city highlights, including the basilica, its bell tower, the Doges Palace, and the National Archaeological Museum. (You can visit all of these sights on a combined Piazza San Marco ticket, which costs 26 EUR). The Piazza is most impressive when approached from the water as you get a full sense of the scale and history of these antiquated buildings.

3. Head to the island of Lido

If you want to escape the city, Lido is a nearby island where people go to relax on the beach. There are lots of picturesque canals here, as well as restaurants, cafes, and bars. Every August, the world of cinema descends on Lido for the Venice Film Festival, the oldest and one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world. Lido is only a 20-minute vaporetto ride (water bus) from Venice. A round-trip ticket costs 10 EUR, or for 13 EUR you can get a round-trip ticket that can be used for the buses on Lido too.

4. Visit Murano Island

Close to Venice, this island is the home of the famous Murano glassblowers, who have been creating intricate glassworks here since 1291. Although Murano is filled with expensive souvenirs (avoid buying anything on the island if you’re on a budget!), you can still have an educational and fun afternoon learning and watching how the glass is blown. The Murano Glass Factory only costs 5 EUR, which includes the glass blowing demonstration and guided tour of the factory. To get to Murano, you can take the ferry for 8 EUR.

5. Wander the Rialto Market

The Rialto Market is Venice’s main market and it has been around for the past 700 years. It’s a huge food market with all kinds of meat, produce, and fish. Come in the morning before the market is flooded with tourists to watch all the hustle and bustle. You’ll find the market northwest of the Rialto Bridge in the district of San Polo.

6. Tour the Peggy Guggenheim Collection

This is the personal art collection of art collector Peggy Guggenheim, located in her former mansion along the banks of the Grand Canal. It is a massive, avant-garde collection of art with works from more than 200 artists. While modern art is not my favorite kind of art, there are countless pieces by surrealists, abstract expressionists, and Italian futurists that make this worth a visit. There’s also an outdoor sculpture garden. Admission is 16 EUR.

7. Climb the Campanile di San Marco

Built in 1912, this tower in Piazza San Marco is a replica of the original Bell Tower of St. Mark (which was built in the 16th century and collapsed in 1902). It said that every last detail of the structure is a match. Standing at almost 100 meters (328 feet) tall, it’s the tallest structure in Venice. The tower was originally constructed for defensive purposes so that watchmen could see ships coming in and out of the city. For 10 EUR, you can climb up through the inner workings and get a panoramic view of the city.

8. Watch the Vogalonga

The Vogalonga is a non-competitive 20-mile marathon rowing event held annually in May. This tradition originated in 1974 as a protest against the increasing amount of powerboats taking over Venice’s waters. Thousands of people from all over the world take part every year, in all different kinds of boats, including gondolas, kayaks, canoes, dragon boats, stand-up paddleboards, and more (some people even swim!). It’s incredible to watch and one of the biggest events of the year.

9. Visit the National Archaeological Museum

This museum was created in 1523 by Italian nobleman and cardinal, Domenico Grimani. Although it’s a small museum, the National Archaeological Museum’s collection of Greek sculptures, Roman busts, funerary stelae, and other relics date back as far as the 1st century BCE. Tickets are 26 EUR as part of the Combined Museums of Piazza San Marco (which includes entrance to the Doge’s Palace, the National Archaeological Museum, and the monumental rooms of the Marciana National Library).

10. Check out the Correr Civic Museum

The Correr Civic Museum includes an expansive collection of art and artifacts showcasing the city’s history, as well as works from the homes of former royals (including Napoleon Bonaparte). You can spend hours here viewing the frescoes, ancient maps, statues, religious paintings, and more. Tickets are 26 EUR as part of the Combined Museums of Piazza San Marco (which includes entrance to the Doge’s Palace, the National Archaeological Museum, and the monumental rooms of the Marciana National Library).

11. Peruse the art at the Galleria dell’Accademia

The Galleria dell’Accademia was established by Napoleon Bonaparte and is home to numerous artistic works from the 14th-18th centuries, including masterpieces from Bellini and Tintoretto. Its most famous piece, however, is Leonardo da Vinci’s small ink drawing titled Vitruvian Man (however, it’s rarely on display due to the fragile and light-sensitive nature of the work). Tickets are 12 EUR.

12. Explore the Jewish Ghetto

The Jewish Ghetto is a neighborhood located in the north-western part of Venice. It’s considered to be the world’s first ghetto, established in 1516 when everyone in the city’s Jewish community was forced to relocate here. They were only allowed out during the day and then were locked up and heavily guarded in the evening. Despite its troubling history, the Jewish Ghetto is now full of restaurants, shops, museums, and synagogues. It’s a lively place to explore but is often overlooked by tourists.

13. Take a food tour

To learn more about the history and culture behind Venice’s cuisine, take a food tour. It’s the best way to eat your way around the city sampling the best eats Venice has to offer while learning what makes the cuisine unique. Devour Tours runs in-depth food tours led by expert local guides that will introduce you to the food culture and its history. If you’re a foodie like me who wants to learn more about the history and culture behind each dish, these tours are for you! Tours start at 89 EUR.

  For more information on other cities in Italy, check out these guides:

• Cinque Terre Travel Guide
• Florence Travel Guide
• Milan Travel Guide
• Naples Travel Guide
• Pisa Travel Guide
• Rome Travel Guide
• Sorrento Travel Guide

Venice Travel Costs

Hostel prices – A dorm bed in a hostel usually costs 27-45 EUR per night for a 4-6-bed dorm in peak season and 22-30 EUR per night off-peak. Private rooms cost between 75-150 EUR per night in peak season and 60-85 EUR in the off-season. Free Wi-Fi is standard and several hostels have kitchens or a bar/cafe on the premises. None of the hostels in Venice currently offer free breakfast.

For those traveling with a tent, camping outside the city costs 15-30 EUR per night for a basic pitch without electricity. There are also small lodges and cabins for 30-50 EUR.

Budget hotel prices – A room in a two-star budget hotel in Venice costs 75-125 EUR per night in peak season and 50-65 in the off-season. Free Wi-Fi is included and some also include free breakfast.

On the main island, Airbnb has private rooms starting from 60-80 EUR per night. Entire apartments go for closer to 125-150 EUR per night. Expect to pay double that price if you don’t book early.

Average cost of food – Italian cuisine is beloved around the world, though every region in Italy offers its own distinct flavor. Tomatoes, pasta, olives, and olive oil form the backbone of most meals, with meat and fish and various cheeses rounding out the menu.

In Venice, seafood is an important staple, with popular traditional dishes being bigoli in salsa (pasta in anchovy sauce), risotto al nero di seppia (risotto with cuttlefish ink), and fried sardines.

Overall, eating in Venice is really expensive. It’s hard to get a cheap meal in the city. If you do want to eat out, it’s better to go out for lunch rather than dinner since lunch menus are often around 15-20 EUR.

If you want to splash out, a mid-range meal with drinks and an appetizer costs 35-50 EUR. A set, 4-course meal is 65-70+ EUR.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 8.50 EUR for a combo meal. Sandwiches are usually just 3-7 EUR, while pizza is 5-8 EUR for a small and 12-15 EUR for a large.

Beer is 4-5 EUR, a glass of wine is 3-4 EUR, and cocktails start at 7-9 EUR. A latte/cappuccino is closer to 2 EUR while bottled water is 1 EUR.

If you plan on cooking your own food, a week’s worth of groceries costs around 50-60 EUR. This gets you basic staples like rice, pasta, produce, and some meat or seafood.

Backpacking Venice Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 60 EUR per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all of your meals, limit your drinking, take public transportation to get around, and do mostly free activities like taking free tours and wandering the markets. If you plan on drinking, add 5-10 EUR to your daily budget.

On a mid-range budget of 145 EUR per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eat out for most meals, enjoy a few drinks, take the occasional water taxi to get around, and do more paid activities like day-tripping to the nearby islands and touring the museums and galleries.

On a “luxury” budget of 265 EUR or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, take more taxis, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get an idea of how much you need per day. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day, who knows!). We just want to give you a general idea of how to budget your money. Prices are in EUR.

Venice Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

It doesn’t matter what time of year you visit, Venice is going to be expensive. That said, here some ways to you can lower your expenses when you visit Venice:

• Don’t eat at Piazza San Marco – This is the area with the most tourists, making it much more expensive. Avoid eating here at all costs, no matter how tempting the cafe patios might be.
• Cook your food – Food is one of the biggest costs in the city so if you’re on a budget it’s a good idea to cook your own meals. It’s not fancy but you’ll save a ton!
• Walk around and get lost – Venice is so beautiful that it’s a thrill just strolling through the city seeing the old building, churches, artists, and, best of all, get a bit of people-watching in.
• Use discount vaporetto tickets – Get a day pass (or multi-day pass) for the water bus if you plan on traveling around the city a lot. It can save you money after just a few trips.
• Get a combined museum pass – There are a couple of main options for combined museum passes: St. Mark’s Square Museum Pass (which costs 26 EUR for admission to all the attractions in St. Marks Square) or the Venice Museum Pass (which costs 36 EUR for admission to the St. Marks’ Square museums as well as 9 other museums, including the Murano Glass Museum).
• Get the Venezia Unica Pass – If you are going to do lots of sightseeing, this pass gives you discounts to the top museums, tours, and attractions. It is priced to save you money when compared to buying separate tickets. You go online and pick out what you want to see ahead of time. The price varies depending on what you want to see but you’ll save a lot.
• Buy your own booze – You can buy a great bottle of wine for under 10 EUR at the store. Getting your own bottle is a much more economical way to drink. Sit in one of the squares, have a glass of wine, and watch the world go by.
• Stay with a local – Accommodation is very expensive in Venice. Try using Couchsurfing to stay with locals for free and make a new friend to show you around this amazing city.
• Go on a free walking tour – This is the best way to learn about the city on a budget. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
• Bring a water bottle – The tap water here is safe to drink so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Venice

Finding an affordable place to stay in Venice is challenging, but not impossible. My recommended places to stay in Venice are:

• Generator Venice
• Anda Venice (10% off, a free welcome drink, and free city map if you’re a member of HostelPass )
• Ostello S. Fosca – CPU Venice Hostels
• Camping Serenissima

How to Get Around Venice

Venice is a pedestrian city. Unless you’re taking water taxis or floating buses, you’ll be walking everywhere.

Vaporetto – A vaporetto is a floating “bus” that can get you just about everywhere you need to go. They’re not cheap, with one-way tickets costing 7.50 EUR. Tickets are valid for 75 minutes. You can get a 24-hour pass for 20 EUR, a 48-hour pass for 30 EUR, a 72-hour pass for 40 EUR, or a 7-day pass for 60 EUR.

If you’re traveling to Murano, Torcello, or Lido, you’ll be on the same vaporetto system but on a larger boat known as motonave . The prices are the same.

When to Go to Venice

Venice is at its peak busyness in the summer. Prices skyrocket and the crowds are intense. Temperatures hover around 18-28°C (66-83°F) from June through August. If possible, I’d avoid visiting during this time as the city is bursting with cruisers and the crowds are massive.

Spring is a beautiful time to visit since temperatures are more manageable, usually between 17-22°C (63-72°F), and the city is not overly crowded.

Tourism also eases off in the fall and winter, and temperatures are cooler, ranging from 4-12°C (44-55°F). However, this is also known as the acqua alta (“high water”) period, where flooding in the streets can occur.

In February, Carnevale takes over the city. It’s a great time, but expect chaos and inflated prices.

Overall, you’re going to face crowds whenever you go, but if you can avoid peak summer you’ll find the city pleasant to visit.

How to Stay Safe in Venice

Venice is a very safe place to backpack and travel. As with most of Italy’s cities, Venice’s biggest safety risk is petty theft and pickpocketing. This is especially true in crowded tourist areas and on public transportation, so keep a close eye on your belongings and never flash your valuables when out and about.

Scams here are rare, but if you’re worried about getting ripped off, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here, however, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.)

If you come during autumn or the winter, you may be at risk for acqua alta (“high water”). Flooding is a common occurrence due to rising ocean levels. Choose accommodations closer to the upper part of town, near Piazzale Roma or the rail station.

If you experience an emergency, dial 113 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Venice Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• Walks of Italy – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of Italy.
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

Venice Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Italy and continue planning your trip:

The 6 Best Hotels in Florence

Where to Stay in Florence: The Best Neighborhoods For Your Visit

Where to Stay in Milan: The Best Neighborhoods for Your Visit

The 6 Best Hotels in Milan

The Best Walking Tours in Florence

The 8 Best Hotels in Rome

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Venice   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Andreas Koch | EyeEm

20 Best Things To Do in Venice

Losing yourself in Venezia's charm is easy, but there are an endless number of bucket list activities and century-old landmarks to see while you're there. Touring top attractions like St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace is a

• All Things To Do
• 1-Day Itinerary
• 2-Day Itinerary
• 3-Day Itinerary

St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)

This elaborate church sits on the popular piazza by the same name. The church was built in honor of St. Mark the Evangelist, whose remains were stolen in Alexandria, Egypt, by a couple crafty Venetians, intent on bringing him to rest in Venice. (What made them crafty? They smuggled the remains to Italy in barrels of pork fat.) 

Crafted from many different styles of architecture, today the basilica's opulence shines from nearly every corner – from the four full-size bronze horses that guard the entrance to thousands of square feet of mosaics to the Pala d'Oro — an elaborate altar piece commissioned in Byzantium by the Venetians. If you look closely at the center gable on the exterior of the basilica, you can even see a statue of St. Mark along with Venice's emblem: a lion with wings. 

Grand Canal Grand Canal free

U.S. News Insider Tip: You don't need to make a reservation for a gondola ride. Instead, speak with a gondolier in person the day you want to ride. You may be able to negotiate a lower price or longer ride if you're traveling during off-peak months, or if you find a gondolier along one of the side streets. – Holly D. Johnson

Considered to be the main street of Venice, the roughly 2-mile Grand Canal is one of the city's most popular and highly photographed attractions. Recent travelers recommend hiring a gondolier for a romantic row along the canal. If you're hoping to do this option, plan to fork over between 80 and 120 euros (about $87 to $132) for the ride.

Gondola Rides Gondola Rides

Taking a gondola ride is a must-do when you're visiting a city that rises directly from a network of canals. A relaxing journey on one of these light, flat-bottomed boats will help you admire the historic charm of Venice from a range of new angles, and to explore neighborhoods and buildings you won't see on foot.

You can prebook a Venice gondola ride online if you prefer, which typically costs at least $80 for two adults. Some of the best gondola tours you can book online come from companies like Walks of Italy , Venice Tours and The Roman Guy .

Popular Tours

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Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) free

Several centuries ago, if you wanted to cross the  Grand Canal , the Rialto Bridge was the only way. There are now four major bridges that cross the canal, but Rialto is by far the most famous.

The bridge's current incarnation is the handiwork of Antonio da Ponte, who beat out Michelangelo and Palladio for the job. Antonio da Ponte's name translates to "Anthony of the Bridge," and he built the Rialto Bridge entirely of Istrian stone after it collapsed multiple times from previous designs. Predicted to fail by critics, the bridge still stands and is considered an engineering marvel. 

Teatro La Fenice Teatro La Fenice

The  Teatro La Fenice is one of Italy's most popular opera houses, and one that has almost faced its demise from not one, but three big fires since opening in 1792. Locals and visitors alike joke at the name (which translates to Theater of the Phoenix), and how it has coincided with the theater's unfortunate history: like a phoenix rising from the ashes, La Fenice has lived on.

Although renovated in 1996, the historic opera house still has an Old World feel with decadent, intricately designed gold interiors outfitted with plush, red velvet chairs, making it the perfect setting to take in the auditory/visual pleasure of classic Italian opera. In addition to opera and musical performances, there are also a variety of dance – particularly ballet – performances scheduled throughout the year. For those with a tight itinerary, the theater offers day tours.

Torcello Torcello

Torcello is a northerly island in the Venetian lagoon that sits nearby Burano, another island and tourist hot spot. Torcello features a range of archaeological finds, including the so-called "Attila's Throne" and the Palazzo del Consiglio — the Gothic-style seat government of the island. The Museum of Torcello is also worth a visit according to past visitors, mainly due to its displays of early Christian artifacts and the other finds from the island.

Most tours to Torcello also include stops at the nearby islands of Burano and Murano, which are both known for their artisan crafts and glass blowing. These tours typically cost $25 to $40 per person and last six to seven hours. Each one includes boat transportation with several interesting stops that vary by tour operator.

Campanile di San Marco Campanile di San Marco

This particular bell tower was constructed in the early 20th century as a replica of the 16th-century original. The original structure provided the optimal setting for Galileo Galilei's presentation of the telescope; it also served as a stage for tight rope walkers who would humor the doge (the highest Venetian official at the time) with their feats during the Flight of the Angel celebration. Today's campanile is used for sightseers desiring a Venetian panorama – though one with few canal views, oddly, since most of the canals are obscured from its 324-foot height.

Most visitors say the attraction is well worth your time and makes for a great photo. To avoid crowds, travelers say it's best to go early in the morning or later in the evening. If you join one of the best Venice tours , you'll likely pass by the iconic landmark on your jaunt through the city.

St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) free

St. Mark's Square, or  Piazza San Marco , is considered by many to be the heart of Venice. As the largest square in Venice, St. Mark's Square is the only piazza in the city. Lining the square are multiple historical sites including  St. Mark's Basilica ,  St. Mark's Campanile  and  Doge's Palace , as well as a number of restaurants, making it the perfect spot for leisurely people-watching and wine sipping. The square even has a handful of dueling piano bars that let you sit down and relax in a decadent setting, although the cost of food and drink at any of them is exorbitant.

Along with intricate architecture and hearty plates of spaghetti carbonara, visitors will be met with throngs of tourists, pigeons and vendors selling souvenirs. If you hoped to pick up a gondola hat or a carnival mask during your trip, this is the place you will find them.

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Bridge of Sighs Bridge of Sighs free

Centuries ago, the Bridge of Sighs, which connects the  Doge's Palace  to dungeons, was used to transport prisoners from the courtroom to the prisons. Legend has it that the Bridge of Sighs, or  Ponte dei Sospiri , was named for the sighs prisoners like Giacomo Casanova would utter as they took one last look at the outside world through the bridge's windows as they made their way to prison for good. On a much lighter note, Venetian lore says if two lovers kiss on a gondola under the bridge, they'll be granted eternal bliss. 

Recent travelers offer mixed reviews on the Bridge of Sighs. Those who enjoyed it appreciated the details of the architecture and unique placement of the bridge, saying it was a nice photo-op, especially while the gondolas passed underneath it. Those who weren't as smitten noted its lack of accessibility as the main drawback, saying that merely looking at the bridge was underwhelming. Other disgruntled visitors pointed out that the number of tourists, combined with the small amount of viewing space, made the bridge barely visible. For a better viewing experience, consider tagging along on one of the best Venice tours .

Santa Maria della Salute Santa Maria della Salute free

The Santa Maria della Salute was built to celebrate the end of the plague in 1631 and is dedicated to Our Lady of Health. Nowadays, many will recognize this magnificent Roman Catholic Church as the backdrop for many photos of Venice. There's a good chance you'll see it whether you take the time to go inside or not – at least from a distance. In fact, you can easily see the Santa Maria della Salute over the Grand Canal from Piazza San Marco . The church itself stands out due to its white marble facade and the 125 statues that adorn it, but there's much to see and explore inside.

The basilica features famous paintings by Titian and Tintoretto, as well as a remarkable sculpture called The Queen of Heaven Expelling the Plague. A 13th-century version of the painting "Madonna and Child" is also found within the basilica.

Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Views from the Venetian Lagoon give the Doge's Palace an ethereal look – almost like it's floating on top of water. But it's fitting, as the Doge's Palace (or  Palazzo Ducale ) has witnessed an intriguing history in its role as the residence of the doge (leader), the seat of government and the palace of justice. Everything from execution orders to the affairs of Venetian leaders was carried out here; and a web of secret passageways and hidden doors reveals a decidedly mysterious past.

Along with the attraction's historical significance, Doge's Palace is located in the busy St. Mark's Square , which means it sees a lot of foot traffic. It isn't uncommon to see a line wrapping around the building, so book your tickets in advance, and if you can't do that, arrive right when it opens to avoid crowds.

Academy Gallery (Gallerie dell'Accademia) Academy Gallery (Gallerie dell'Accademia)

Originally an academy, this building was later turned into the Galleria dell'Accademia museum by none other than Napoléon. Today, it's filled with an expansive collection of Venetian art from the 14th to the 18th century by artists such as Bellini, Tintoretto and Veronese. 

If you enjoy art – especially Renaissance art – then you'll probably enjoy this museum. If not, you might be disappointed. Travelers who enjoyed this museum were primarily self-proclaimed art enthusiasts, while those who didn't identify as such reported being a bit bored.

Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, sometimes referred to simply as Frari , is a gothic-style church that was finished in the 14th century. The exterior is minimal in comparison to  Saint Mark's Basilica  because the Franciscans who built it wanted the building to emulate their beliefs on living a life of poverty. The interior, however, is a different story. Inside, you'll see works by Titian, Bellini and Vivarini, among other famous artists, and all for a cheaper price than the city's art museums.

Recent visitors appreciated the minimal entrance fee and the fact that it sits away from the frenzy of the Piazza San Marco . Others admired its intricate interiors, as well as its bevy of artworks, calling the church a "must-see."

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Venice: St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour with Tickets

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Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto Ebraico di Venezia) Jewish Ghetto (Ghetto Ebraico di Venezia) free

In 1516, Jews in Venice were forced to move to a small northwestern section of the island. Considered to be the world's first ghetto, residents were only allowed to leave the neighborhood during the day and were then locked up at night and guarded. Today, this area is a part of the Cannaregio  sestiere (district) and is filled with restaurants and shops (some offering kosher products) and several synagogues, which are open for touring. Although it's free to wander around the neighborhood – and you might want to do just that – the synagogue tours do cost .

For a deeper understanding of the ghetto's history, recent travelers recommend booking a walking tour; some of the best Venice tours include stops here. Several water bus lines stop near the neighborhood, but you can also reach it on foot. 

Peggy Guggenheim Collection Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Expat American art collector Peggy Guggenheim dedicated her life to gathering this impressive body of 20th-century contemporary art. The collection, which is housed in the Palazzo Venier dei Leoni on the  Grand Canal  (also Peggy's former home), contains works by artists such as Magritte, Picasso, Pollock, Chagall and Dalí. In the sculpture garden, you can pay your respects to Peggy herself (she was laid to rest on the property), as well as her beloved dogs, who are buried beside her.

Many travelers agree the Peggy Guggenheim Collection is well worth the visit. Some visitors were keen to point out that getting to know Peggy's life, on top of seeing the exceptional art, made the experience more unique than merely visiting a museum. Others who also enjoyed the museum said its modern collection is a nice break from the traditional Renaissance paintings often seen in Venetian museums. 

Correr Civic Museum (Museo Civico Correr) Correr Civic Museum (Museo Civico Correr)

The Correr Civic Museum, also known as the Museo Correr, is a large museum that displays art and artifacts from Venice's history as well as the former royals' quarters. If you're also planning to visit Doge's Palace  (the former government seat and leader's residence), the standard ticket includes entry to this attraction.

Those who visited the museum said they were pleasantly surprised at how much they enjoyed the stop, considering it wasn't on their must-see list (though they recommend you add it to yours). Others enjoyed the museum's peace and quiet and said it's a great escape from the crowds in Piazza San Marco . Reviewers were also pleased with the on-site cafe.

Ponte dell'Accademia Ponte dell'Accademia free

Ponte dell'Accademia is one of the four bridges that crosses the Grand Canal in Venice. While not as famous as the Rialto Bridge , its wooden structure makes it truly unique from other Grand Canal bridges in Venice that are made of metal or stone. It crosses the southern end of the canal where it connects the Dorsoduro and San Marco neighborhoods. Consider stopping by the Gallerie dell’Accademia or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection before or after viewing the bridge, as both are nearby.

Visitors say this bridge not nearly as crowded as the Rialto , and that the views of the canal and surrounding neighborhoods are spectacular. They also note that a vaporetto stop is nearby, so it's easy to visit the bridge by boat if you don't want to walk. Not only will you want to cross the bridge to get views of the water, but also you’ll want to take photos of the bridge from the surrounding buildings and walkways, according to past visitors.

Libreria Acqua Alta Libreria Acqua Alta free

U.S. News Insider Tip: Many books at Libreria Acqua Alta are for decor only. Not everything you see is for sale. – Holly D. Johnson

The Libreria Acqua Alta is often called the "most beautiful bookstore in the world," and it's easy to see why. From its ancient stone walls to its cobblestone floors and embellished (and sometimes flamboyant) decor, there's a lot to see here other than books.

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Ca' d'Oro Ca' d'Oro

Ca' d'Oro is a patrician palace that was originally built in the 15th century in the Renaissance style coupled with Gothic and Islamic elements. Built by Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon (famous father and son architects and sculptors of the time) at the request of the procurator of St. Mark, the building is located along the Grand Canal . Several stories high, the palace facade is adorned with marble terraces and intricate architectural design. The building features ornate cornices and cresting that was made to please local Venetian patrons at the time.

The building is worth a look due to its elaborate exterior, but art lovers should note the Ca' D’Oro Franchetti Gallery is housed inside. Past visitors said that a trip inside was just as meaningful as an outside view, mostly due to the exceptional collection of art and heirlooms. Art you can view in this palace-turned-gallery includes sculptures, antique furniture, 16th-century Flemish tapestries, paintings and more.

Rialto Market Rialto Market free

Located near the famous Rialto Bridge , the Rialto Market is a centuries-old market that features everything you would expect including fruit, fish and vegetables. Of course, many travelers head here to pick up souvenirs as well, some of which wind up being edible. Visitors to the market have said it's a vibrant and busy place that's ideal for buying local herbs and sauces, or trying out meats, cheeses, spices and freshly caught seafood.

What should you do while visiting the market? You can walk throughout and try interesting foods and sauces, and there are places to sit down and eat or relax. Hours can vary, but the produce market is typically open 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Saturday and the fish market is open the same hours Tuesday through Saturday. To avoid crowds, try visiting first thing in the morning.

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Venice travel guide

Introduction to venice travel.

There is no city quite like Venice. It is a magical place full of mystery and wonder. From the majestic Grand Canal to the hidden smaller waterways, there is beauty around every corner. Over 400 bridges cross the canals of Venice, eventually leading you to magnificent Piazza San Marco, dominated by the basilica of the same name, its campanile (belltower) and maginificent Palazzo Ducale.

Most of your days in Venice are spent simply wandering and admiring this unique city but if you feel like taking to the water, the outer islands hold many charms. From colorful Burano to the glass blowers of Murano, these islands each have their own unique history, stories and culture.

What to see in VENICE

All journeys to Venice should start with a ride down the Grand Canal. Gliding past the elegant palazzi and watching the gondolas, service boats and water taxis zip across the water is one of the world’s must do experiences.

PIAZZA SAN MARCO

Basilica di san marco, palazzo ducale, rialto bridge, grand canal, gondola ride, bridge of sighs, untold venice.

Having experienced the majestic beauty of Venice’s main attractions, you will be doubly reward by letting your senses take you meandering along its narrow canals and laneways

Read more about Untold Venice

VENICE ACCOMMODATION guide

Choose the best area and hotel for your trip with our guide to the best accommodation and hotels in Venice. Whether you want to stay in the on the Grand Canal, close to Piazza San Marco or in a quiet neighborhood like Castello, there is a perfect hotel to suit your trip.

VENICe hotel deals

Hotels on the grand canal, hotels near piazza san marco, hotels near santa lucia station, venice tourist tax.

Starting on specific days in April 2024 the city will collect a fee to enter the city aimed at the large number of day trippers who put pressure on the city’s delicate infrastructure. 

This new requirement will applies for ALL visitors. Read more about the Venice Tourist Tax

VENICE tours and tickets

Information on skip the line tickets for San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale, the best tours of the city and unique activities that are sure to make your trip memorable.

SAN MARCO & PALAZZO DUCALE TOURS

Venice walking tours, outer islands tours, venice food tours, more city guides.

The Insider’s Guide to Venice

Ahead of the Biennale opening, three local creatives share their favorite spots in a city unlike any other.

Three Venetian creatives shared their beloved spots with us: Marcantonio Brandolini D’Adda, creative director of Laguna~B , a glassware line handmade in Murano; Viola Arrivabene, co-founder of the shoe brand ViBi Venezia ; and Alma Zevi , an art historian, writer, curator and museum consultant.

What to Bring

Comfortable shoes are a must, given that the best way to explore the city is on foot. Arrivabene recommends a pair of Vibi Venezia slippers, which are modeled after traditional velvet Friulane shoes that you’ll see lots of locals wearing (these also make for a great gift or souvenir; you can find them at the boutique Al Duca d’Aosta in San Marco).

Arrivabene also recommends a sketchpad and a good pencil to take in your surroundings, while Brandolini D’Adda recommends “a refillable water bottle that you can fill in the many fountains in the city, and binoculars to look at birds in the lagoon—they will bring you joy.”

Zevi’s advice is to “Bring something glam—you never know where you might end up. At places like Harry’s Bar, people dress up!”

What to Leave Behind

“High heels and selfie sticks!” declares Arrivabene. Zevi warns to ditch any “expectations of an Uber-style service, via water or otherwise.”

What to Keep in Mind

Everyone agrees that getting lost is part of the experience. While the city is surprisingly small, its streets are winding and haphazardly laid out, which means you’ll often find yourself at a dead end when you thought you were about to turn a corner into a square. (Plus, Google Maps is not necessarily reliable here, so a paper map is a great thing to keep on hand as well).

Zevi and Arrivabene recommend maintaining a flexible itinerary. “It is a spontaneous city, and it’s best to be ready to change plans or add things to the plan as you meet people who recommend things, or you stumble upon things on your way from A to B,” says Zevi. Brandolini D’Adda’s advice is to “walk as much as you can and swim where the water is clear.”

Where to Stay

The Gritti Palace is at the top of many lists for a reason. “It has the best location and great service,” says Zevi. It’s located a short walk from Piazza San Marco, and their terrace overlooks the Grand Canal. Brandolini D’Adda and Zevi also like Il Palazzo Experimental , which has a fun, younger vibe and is located on the Zattere, a promenade that runs along the southern edge of the city. (“It’s the best place for a sunset walk,” Brandolini D’Adda notes.) Arrivabene recommends the Aman Venice, in San Polo, noting the beautiful garden as a prime breakfast spot.

Gritti Palace

Aman Venice

Where to Start the Day

Zevi loves Gelateria Paolin in Campo Santo Stefano. “It’s a super central, classic Venetian meeting spot and excellent for people watching,” she says. “Perfect for a fresh grapefruit spremuta [fresh pressed juice] in the morning, or a cappuccino mid-morning. Also perfect for lunch, ice creams in the afternoon, and drinks as evening sets in. Always great!”

Brandolini D’Adda recommends Caffè Rosso in Campo Santa Margherita. “They will not have avocado toast but you can order a tramezzino which is the equivalent of a sandwich. Or go to have a really early drink and slice of salame at Lele in Piazzale Roma,” he says.

Bacareto da Lele

Per Arrivabene, the pastries at Pasticceria Rizzardini in San Polo are a must (“absolutely have a krafen or pizzetta ,” she says), as are the ham and cheese toasts at Caffè Florian , an old-school spot in Piazza San Marco.

Caffè Florian

Where to Eat

Vini da Arturo is a favorite of both Zevi and Brandolini D’Adda. “It looks and feels like being in a glamorous train carriage back in the day,” says Zevi. Highlights from the menu include pork chops with white vinegar and pasta with radicchio.

Vini da Arturo

Harry’s Bar is an institution, but Zevi has a soft spot for it because “it always feels festive. Drink a bellini and eat their delicious carciofini [baby artichokes],” she says. Another classic is Trattoria alla Madonna , just off of the Rialto bridge. “The restaurant hasn’t changed anything since I was a child,” says Arrivabene. “You must have the spaghetti alle vongole , it’s the best in the world for lunch or a cozy dinner.”

Harry’s Bar

Where to Shop

For handmade Murano glassware, Laguna~B’s sleek showroom in Dorsoduro features the full line of Brandolini D’Adda’s colorful tumblers and carafes as well as a library of art and photography books curated by the local publishing house Bruno.

The Laguna~B showroom

Another high-end Murano outfit, Giberto Venezia , just opened its first boutique on the Rialto Bridge, where you’ll find elegantly subdued designs with contrasting rims.

For more design and homewares, Zevi nods to Chiarastella Cattana and Yali Glass . And whether you’re stocking up for a DIY aperitivo or bringing something special home, Arrivabene recommends stopping by Drogheria da Mascari for wine and chocolate, or the Rialto Fish Market for fresh fish, vegetables, and flowers.

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While Venice is known for its glassware, their local jewelers are also world-renowned. Zevi recommends stopping by Palwer , for more contemporary pieces, or Atilio Codognato , for bejeweled snakes, skulls, and coffins. Both Zevi and Brandolini D’Adda love the unconventionally luxurious jewels designed by Antonia Miletto , who works with materials as varied as wood and diamonds.

Where to Look at Art

There is an abundance of art and culture in this city, between the meticulously preserved historical sites (and many, many churches) and the glut of contemporary art that fills the city during the Biennale. More often than not, the spaces are as fascinating as what’s on the walls. Zevi says the Palazzo Ducale and Basilica of San Marco are not to be missed. “You really get a feeling for the grandeur of Venice in its historical heyday,” she says. For the Palazzo Ducale, make sure to book tickets in advance and go early in the day to avoid crowds.

Palazzo Ducale

To see the best of renaissance art, The Gallerie dell’Accademia is “magic,” says Zevi, and never particularly full. The Peggy Guggenheim Collection , housed in the art collector’s former home, offers an intimate look at the history of modern art and the personalities who shaped it.

The Peggy Guggenheim Collection

For cutting-edge exhibitions, Zevi also loves Ocean Space , which is housed in the gorgeous Chiesa di San Lorenzo. Both Brandolini D’Adda and Zevi also recommend a visit to the contemporary art and design gallery Giorgio Mastinu . To learn about the history of glassmaking, add a stop at Le Stanze del Vetro to visit the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, where the Palladian church is also a must.

Giorgio Mastinu

Arrivabene’s favorites are Museo Fortuny , the former home of the artist and fashion designer Mariano Fortuny, and Palazzo Grimani , a formerly private collection in a spectacular space. “I never get bored of going back,” she says. Meanwhile, Brandolini D’Adda recommends the Museo Navale . “It’s the most underrated museum in town,” he notes.

Museo Fortuny

Where to Unwind

Brandolini D’Adda recommends the classes (taught in English) at Ashtanga Yoga Venezia , which is centrally located. For the best massage, Arrivabene says to make an appointment at the Aman Spa.

Where to Get Some Fresh Air

The Lido of Venice, reachable by boat, is a long barrier island that separates the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea. It’s lined with old school beach clubs and seafood restaurants, offering a bit of coastal contrast to the rest of the city. “I suggest walking along the murazzi [stone breakwater paths] and try to go until you reach the Alberoni Beach—you can also do it with the bicycle,” says Brandolini D’Adda. “Then, you can get a ferry from Alberoni to Pellestrina, where there is an amazing restaurant called Da Nane. It has the best fish and great view of the lagoon.” Zevi also recommends the Lido for a swim, or a game of tennis at Tennis Club Ca’ del Moro.

If you don’t have time to make the trip over there, there are spots of greenery within the city center. “I love waking up early and walking to the giardini di Sant Elena when the city is still asleep,” says Arrivabene.

Lido di Venezia

Where to Have a Cocktail

While the grande dame hotel terraces offer fabulous aperitivi along with fabulous views, if you’re in the mood for something a bit more low-key, Zevi and Brandolini D’Adda both recommend Cantine del Vino già Schiavi in Dorsoduro. “It’s pretty famous, but it has the best cicchetti, which are little pieces of bread with various toppings,” says Brandolini D’Adda. “The wine is good and the vibe after 6 PM is fun.”

Cantine del Vino gia Schiavi

In nice weather, the best thing to do is to load up a paper plate and bring your spread outside where you can watch what’s happening at the gondola workshop across the way. For something a little chicer, Arrivabene recommends Naranzaria , just next to the Rialto Bridge. “I always meet my Venetian friends and family there for a Negroni or an Aperol Spritz,” she says.

Where to Stay Up Late

Unless you’re there during Carnevale or the opening of the Biennale, you won’t find much of a late-night scene in Venice. “You need to be pretty creative,” says Brandolini D’Adda. “Get drunk, get a small portable speaker and dance in front of a church. If you are lucky, you might end up meeting people who will invite you to some after party.”

Best Time of Year to Go

“My favorite months are April and May for the Biennale opening, and because May weather is so pleasant,” says Zevi. “In September, you have the Venice Film Festival, glorious weather, and lots going on in terms of cultural offerings. That being said, every month is wonderful and winter is very romantic in Venice, with the mist among clear, crisp days where you can still sit outside and have coffee! The only month I avoid in Venice is February. The weather and mood can be a bit dreary and the carnival creates chaos and litter and an influx of (I think rather ill-informed) tourists who do not respect the city.” Other months to avoid: July and August, when it’s oppressively hot and the cruise ship crowds clog the narrow streets.

“The intensity of the silence that contrasts with the loud history of the city is unique. Meaning that it’s an absurd city worth visiting at least once in a lifetime,” says Brandolini D’Adda. “Sounds really abstract, but I would not know how to describe how special this place is with facts.” Zevi echoes his sense of fantasy. “It’s like a mirage rising up from the water. It is where East meets West, old meets new,” she says. Arrivabene sums it up perfectly: “There is nothing like it. Even though I grew up there, every time I arrive by plane, train or car I have the same excitement,” she says. “I’m lucky to call such a beautiful and unique city home.”

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Venice Travel Guide 2024-2025: Discover the Charm, History, and Hidden Gems of Italy's Floating City. Kindle Edition

Immerse yourself in the timeless allure of Venice with our comprehensive travel guide. As you flip through the pages of this meticulously crafted handbook, you'll embark on a journey through winding canals, historic alleyways, and magnificent piazzas that have enchanted travelers for centuries.

Each chapter of our guide is designed to transport you deeper into the heart of this floating city, revealing its hidden treasures and iconic landmarks alike. With vivid descriptions and insider tips, you'll uncover the secrets of St. Mark's Square, traverse the labyrinthine paths of the Doge's Palace, and experience the romance of a gondola ride along the Grand Canal.

But this guide is more than just words on a page—it's a visual feast that brings Venice to life in vibrant detail. Stunning photographs capture the city's architectural splendor, bustling markets, and charming neighborhoods, inviting you to imagine yourself strolling along its cobblestone streets and sipping espresso in sun-drenched squares.

From indulging in authentic Venetian cuisine to discovering the city's thriving arts scene, each section of our guide is infused with the passion and excitement that Venice inspires. Whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveler, let this guide be your companion as you embark on an unforgettable adventure through one of the world's most captivating destinations.

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• ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CYCTTDCL
• Publication date ‏ : ‎ April 15, 2024
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Venice access fee: what is it and how much does it cost?

The Italian Unesco site is hoping to reduce over-tourism with the charge – the first of its kind in a major city

After years in the making, Venice will on Thursday begin charging day trippers to enter the city in an effort to protect the Unesco world heritage site from the effects of over-tourism.

While the measure has ignited criticism and derision from some, who argue it is unconstitutional and restrictive of freedom of movement – the Venice mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, has compared his “bravery” in enacting the charge to that of the Venetian explorer Marco Polo, in daring to go where others have feared to tread.

In some ways this is true: Venice will become the first major city in the world to adopt such an initiative, and others grappling with the impact of mass tourism are keenly observing.

However, will this bold experiment work in practice? Will it help save Venice, a uniquely beautiful city that campaigners have warned for decades is in peril? And – most importantly, perhaps, for anyone looking to book their trip – how do you buy your tickets?

Why is this being introduced?

According to Simone Venturini, the city’s councillor for tourism, Venice “affixed itself” to mass tourism in the 1960s and since then visitor numbers have surged to the point that during the busiest periods of the year it attracts an average of 40,000 people a day.

That number has put pressure on the fragile lagoon, while pushing residents away from the main island. Brugnaro said he wanted to make Venice “livable” again.

However, the final push to enact the measure came after Unesco threatened last year to put Venice on its list of heritage sites in danger, citing mass tourism and rising water levels attributed to climate change.

While Venice has moved to counter mass tourism in recent years by banning huge cruise ships from chugging through its centre, the city only escaped the potential shame of losing its Unesco status after the access charge was agreed.

How much is the charge and who has to pay?

The “Venice access fee” costs €5 (£4.30). It could be worse – when the idea was first suggested it was €10. Only day trippers have to pay. Residents, commuters, students and children under 14 are exempt, as are tourists who stay overnight. Critics of the scheme say the €5 is unlikely to deter many people.

How do I buy a ticket, and on which dates is one required?

The tickets are bookable online and apply on 29 peak dates between 25 April and 14 July. The dates are listed on the site. You will be provided with a QR code on your phone – guard it as this is the proof that you have paid the fee.

Hang on, Venice is a massive place with dozens of islands. Where exactly does it apply?

The charge applies only to those entering the historic centre of Venice between 8.30am and 4pm on any of the peak dates. That includes the Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s Square, La Fenice opera house and many other top-drawer tourist attractions, as well as quieter neighbourhoods such as the island of Giudecca.

What if I arrive in Venice without the QR code or I don’t have access to a mobile phone?

Fear not. When you arrive in Venice, says the council, be it by train, bus, or boat, stewards wearing white bibs featuring the city’s logo will guide you through buying the ticket online and downloading the QR code.

Those without a phone can pay at water taxi stations or in tabacchi shops, Venturini says.

The five key entrance points are Venezia Santa Lucia train station, bus terminals at Piazzale Roma and Tronchetto, and vaporetti (water bus) stops at Zattere and the Riva degli Schiavoni, the waterfront that covers the entrance to St Mark’s Square.

How will the measure be implemented?

Brugnaro has promised the system will be imposed with “very soft controls” and “without queues”, rejecting speculation the city would be installing barriers or turnstiles in the streets.

In effect, the authorities hope the measure will be implemented by means of a fleet of 180 personnel, made up of volunteer stewards, council staff and public officials. Those wearing white bibs are there to inform, while those wearing yellow bibs are there to do random checks and have the power to issue fines for those without a QR code.

Venturini said that if you arrived without one and did not approach someone in a white bib for information, and you were then spot-checked by someone in a yellow bib, you would risk being fined.

And how bad are the penalties?

Fines range from €50 to €300. “Don’t worry, nobody will be arrested for not having paid the fee,” said a council spokesperson.

• Climate crisis

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Venice to limit tourist group size to 25 to protect historic city

Venice gondola capsizes after tourists refuse to sit down and stop taking selfies

Venice to trial €5 ticketing system for day visitors from 2024

I took my mum to Venice – it was instantly special

Seagulls force Venice’s Marco Polo airport to close briefly

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How to plan the best solo female trip to milan, italy.

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Milan is a smart, safe, and stylish destination for solo female travel in Italy.

Based on post-pandemic tourism data compiled by Italy’s tourist board , planning vacations to the the beloved Mediterranean country has never been more popular. While cities like Rome and Venice will always remain bucket list destinations, what should you do if you’re a solo female traveler looking for an Italian city that’s less crowded, safe, and just as beguiling?

Consider Milan. Italy's second-largest city has long been dismissed as the country’s design and fashion capital, but in reality, there’s far more to Milan’s appeal than Salone del Mobile and Miuccia Prada. From historic attractions to fantastic food, the city is an underrated gem. Plus, getting around is a breeze thanks to inexpensive public transportation, including Milano Centrale—which has several hundred domestic trains departing daily so you can explore even more of Italy.

Here, a handy guide on how to plan a safe and unforgettable solo female trip to Milan.

Where to Stay

Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife pays homage to the church it occupies, 1934's Chiesa del Cristo ... [+] Re.

Anchored by three architectural masterpieces from Zaha Hadid Architects, Daniel Libeskind, and Arata Isozaki, CityLife is a mixed-use development that’s home to stylish shops, enticing restaurants, and as of 2022, one of Milan’s buzziest new hotels, Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife . Spread across two structures including Chiesa del Cristo Re, a 1934 neoclassical-style church, the 185-key hotel offers a stay that’s removed enough from Milan’s city center to ensure peace and quiet, but close enough to access by foot.

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Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife's exterior lounge and reception area

The gleaming all-white structure’s original facade, arches, and soaring columns were carefully restored to nod to Chiesa del Cristo Re’s previous life. The design ethos flows indoors to the main lobby, where seven-meter-high bronze elements resembling organ pipes make the mundane act of checking in a grand one.

Religion, however, isn’t the only source of inspiration for Hotel NH Collection Milano CityLife. The city’s fashion legacy is woven into the property’s signature restaurant and lounge Tailors. Lovely for an aperitivo—which in true Italian style arrive with salty nibbles like Taralli and potato chips—a sophisticated dinner of housemade duck ragu paccheri drizzled with Vacche Rosse Parmigiano Reggiano bechamel, or the daily breakfast spread, Tailors celebrates craftsmanship in the kitchen. When the sun’s out, zip up to the roof, where one of only two hotel rooftop pools in Milan and chic al fresco bar await.

NH Collection Milano Citylife has ten duplex suites outfitted with private terraces and hot tubs.

Though the guest rooms skew snug (as do many European hotels), they’re smartly laid out. On top of that: the low-slung beds are dreamy; the branded NH bathroom amenities incorporate sustainable packaging and formulas; and the ceiling-to-floor windows bathe the space in natural light for a more open feel. In the mood to splurge? Then reserve one of the hotel’s ten duplex suites . Cloaked in calming earth tones, they sport one-of-a-kind configurations and come with private terraces and hot tubs.

Federico Vaccari leads personalized tours of his hometown Milan in a beautiful restored vintage ... [+] Fiat 500.

If you’ve been to Milan before, and want to discover a lesser-known side of the city, book a private tour with Federico Vaccari . Over the course of three hours, Vaccari will scoot you around in a beautiful restored vintage Fiat 500 and reveal spots travelers rarely get to see, like Via Abramo Lincoln’s candy-colored houses. Since the car can only carry two passengers, it’s especially well-suited for solo female travelers.

For first-timers: no visit would be complete without seeing the Duomo, Milan's most famous cathedral, and enjoying expansive city views from the rooftop. Teatro alla Scala and Santa Maria delle Grazie, home of Leonardo Da Vinci's famous Last Supper painting, are other cultural landmarks worth scoping out. For retail therapy, head to Milan’s legendary fashion district Milan's Quadrilatero and Via della Spiga. Reserved for pedestrians, this glamorous strip showcases Italy’s biggest fashion houses such as Prada and Moschino. (Bring your passport to enjoy tax-free shopping.)

Where to Eat

A traditional Puglian snack of fried dough stuffed with cheese and tomatoes, Panzerotti is one of ... [+] Milan's most popular street snacks.

Despite being frequently overshadowed by Naples, Rome, and Bologna, Milan is a worthy dining destination in its own right. As of 2023, it’s home to 17 Michelin-starred restaurants like Rome, which run the gamut from Enrico Bartolini ’s innovating tasting menus to IYO , where modern Japanese fare with European flourishes take center stage.

Bice remains a city stalwart for classic Tuscan fare (Ossobuco alla Milanese, Ribollita) and Federico Delrosso’s timeless design, while Peck has attracted discriminating palates since 1883 with an extensive (and immaculately presented) selection of gourmet meats, prepared foods, cheese, sweets, and wines. Ciacco turns out high-quality, small-batch gelato in classic and experimental flavors like the Robiola-infused “Almost Cheesecake.” For a quick bite to go, Panzo has you covered with made-to-order panzerotti, a traditional Puglian snack of fried dough stuffed with melty cheese and tomatoes.

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