Venice Travel guide
Is a trip to Venice in your future? If so, you might be interested in learning a bit more about this exciting city before you arrive for your vacation. We have produced this updated travel guide to one of our favourite cities since we believe that Venice and Rome are the two most stunning in Italy and are well worth visiting for a weekend break or longer trip.
Recommended stay – 3-5 days
Day trips – Murano and Burano
Brief Overview
Venice, an enchanting fantasy with 118 islands boldly erected on a lagoon, is a city of unparalleled beauty and a dream from which you would never want to awake. La Serenissima, in all its splendour of traditional arts, beautiful gondolas, and postcard perfect scenery, is a city of meandering canals interwoven by a labyrinth of quirky bridges overlooking unblemished pastel architecture.
The city is mysterious and alluring at the same time, with cathedral-like churches, museums housed in former palaces, and glistening emerald water cutting through the opulence. Every wrong turn is a delicious treat in this extremely threatened atmosphere; just a sniff of the Venice air is enough to turn anyone into a romantic.
Best time to visit
Venice is in northern Italy, not too far from the Alps. This implies that the time of year you choose to visit the Serenissima might have a significant impact on your experience due to the wide range of weather conditions.
Summer in Venice
During the summer, daytime highs in the city are relatively high, but overnight lows are pleasantly cold. Those who are easily chilled should pack a light jacket in case it gets cool in the nights. Summer storms are possible, however they are uncommon.
In spite of the high temperatures, the small lanes of Venice offer welcome relief from the sun’s rays. Lido di Venezia is a long sandbar extremely close to Venice where you may sunbathe and swim in the Adriatic Sea, which is a pleasant temperature from July through September.
We think that summer is the best time to visit Venice because the days are longer, the weather is mild, and you can enjoy the Adriatic Sea.
Spring and Autumn in Venice
If you plan to visit Venice in the spring or autumn, you should bring along some warm clothing because the weather can turn chilly when clouds roll in and the wind picks up. Also, the spring season is the wettest time of year in this region of Italy.
Winter in Venice
The typical low during the winter months is much below freezing. Extreme cold and snow are both possible. If you can only go to Venice in the winter, it’s worth it to go then to see the Venice Carnival.
Getting around Venice
The best way to get around Venice is to walk!
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. Travellers 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.
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 & Murano Island’s
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.
Rialto Bridge
It’s a tourist mecca, but it has to be experienced. Venice is awash with bridges (there are over 400 of them!). But the Rialto is of course one of the most renowned Venice landmarks. It tops the list of every guide of what to see in Venice. And it is simply stunning.
Over the bridge are a collection of shops and boutiques. You can of course enjoy these but if you want to, I recommend doing it later in the day when it’s slightly less manic. You’ll also get a sunset photo opportunity too.
Alternatively, see the Ponte di Rialto from a distance – from a gondola is perfect!
The Doge’s Palace
Framing St Mark’s Square, the Doge’s Palace is an impressive masterpiece of Gothic architecture. You’ll want to capture perfect Instagrammable shots of yourself under the arches of the façade.
However, do make time to go inside and be mesmerised by the impressive art on display, by icons such as Titian and Veronese. You’ll also marvel at the residential apartments as much as you’ll reflect on the austere prison cells.
Basilica di San Marco
While you’re in St Mark’s Square, you should also join the throngs to experience the Basilica di San Marco. Bridging East and West in its grand design, this 832 AD consecrated cathedral is awe-inspiring inside with its gold-coloured dome adorned with thirteenth century mosaics. Again, it is one of the must-do things to do in Venice, and you won’t regret jostling with the crowds here.
Bear in mind that this is a functioning place of worship, so do check times for visiting.
Bridge of Sighs
You’re in Venice so you have to see the bridge of Sighs! Amongst the top things to do in Venice, the Bridge of Sighs will always feature highly for its wonderfully romantic character.
A small bridge (in Venetian terms), the Bridge of Sighs was used to transport criminals from the Doge’s Palace over to their impending imprisonment. The legend is that, casting their eye out from the bridge, they got one last look at the beauty of Venice, and would sigh!
Whatever the truth, you’ll want to cast your own eye over the bridge. To enhance your experience, you could take a gondola ride underneath it (be warned that this will cost much more than other gondola rides!).
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Not quite as famous as St Mark’s, but one of the top Venice landmarks nonetheless, is the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute. It’s on the other side of the Grand Canal to St Mark’s and stands proudly with its Baroque design complete with four statues of the apostles and its classic dome.
T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi
You may not have expected me to recommend visiting a DFS department store when visiting Venice. But this DFS is like no other, and has been described as the Harrods of Venice. Yes, there are luxury shopping opportunities, but the best part is the roof of this department store. Stand in amazement at one of the best views of the city.
There are so many things to do in Venice that it’s difficult to narrow it down to just this list. Make sure you book a long enough trip and always plan to come back again!
Where to stay
€ 50 – € 100 per night
Where to Eat
When you think Italian food, Pizza and Pasta are the staples that prop into your mind. Most people who come to Venice flock in to touristy eateries serving pizza and pasta in the hope for authentic venetian food. You’ll be surprised to know that Venetian Cuisine is not remotely close to pizzas and pastas. Due to its close proximity to the sea, venetians indulge in a lot of seafood and local produce like asparagus and artichokes. Though the list below barely scratches the surface of the umpteen dishes this city has to offer, they are the absolute must trys one cannot afford to miss. Do try the Fegato alla veneziana, moleche crabs and fritole ( only during Carnevale)
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Getting to Venice
There are several options for getting to Venice, depending on where you are travelling from. The two best options are by plane or train, although neither of these options will take you directly into the heart of Venice. For that you’ll need to travel on the water.
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 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!
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.
Book tours and Purchase Tickets
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How to Save Money in Venice
Venice maybe one of the most romantic cities in the world, but can be a damper on your pocket if you’re not cautious. No matter how you slice it, the city is expensive and unless you get your research done right and well in advance, you may end up shelling out a whole lot of euros that could be have been avoided. Here are a few tips and hacks that could help you allow you to tour Venice on a budget
The trick is to think like a local, feel like a local and live like a local.
1. Choose the Right Time for Your Trip
The first and foremost tip to save money in Venice is choosing the right time for your visit. During peak season ( May – August), the prices are sky high for almost everything. From accommodation to flight tickets to price of gondola rides, food and more. If you skip visiting Venice during this period, you won’t just save money, but also time. Due to the countless scores of tourists, the queues take upto 45 minutes to 1 hour and can be quite a buzzkill for travellers who are looking to truly enjoy the beauty of the city. Fall and Winter months are great to visit because the hotels are not likely to be crowded, lesser people hence lower prices too.
2. Make Accomodation Reservations in Advance
Backpacking in Venice with hopes of finding a hotel to stay in as and when you land there might not be such a good idea , especially during peak season , simply because most budget hotels tend to be booked out and you’ll have to pay an exorbitant amount to get decent accomodation. Online bookings actually help you save a few euros, so it is highly recommended to have your accommodation sorted pre hand.
3. Stay Outside of the Main City
Accomodation in Venice is quite expensive, especially if you decide to stay near St. Mark’s Square and its whereabouts. Instead, you can save quite an amount by standing on Lido, Mestre and other nearby islands and commute to the city centre using the well- connected waterways.
4. Buy a Transportation Pass
Though Venice is one of the most pedestrian friendly cities on earth, you are bound to get tired and will need a boat to swoosh you to your next destination. For the same, the vaporetto or water bus happens to be the cheapest mode of transport. Buying a pass for the number of days you are around gives you unlimited access through all the Vaporetto lines which pretty much covers all of Venice.
5. Pre Book Gondola Rides
Gondola rides are the most quintessential Venetian affair and one should not deprive themselves of this experience because of the exorbitant prices quoted by the gondoliers. The Venetian government has established a standard rate of €80 for a 40 minute ride on gondola of 6. The evening rates can be higher and with a serenade tour, the prices are likely to get steeper. Bargaining with gondoliers can be a lost cause, hence we would recommend purchasing Gondola tickets online for a cheaper rate in order to have a haggle and hassle free experience.
6. Dine outside of the Touristy Areas
Venice is infamous for its overpriced mediocre food with quantity that can barely satisfy half a stomach. To avoid this trap, skip cafes in the city centre and walk into secluded alleys and seat yourself in quaint cafes and restaurants far far away from the touristy parts of the city. In the neighbourhoods of Dorsoduro, near the Accademia, in the islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello, you are likely to find pocket friendly bites close to authentic Venetian cuisine. Find out the closest bàcari, and head here for tapas-styled cicchetti, small plates of food that start at the appetising price of €1. Try out these places for a great meal – Pizzeria ae Oche , Pizza al volo, Vecia Gina in Sant’ Elena, Trattoria Alla Madonna and Brek.
7. Lunch like a King and Dine like a Pauper
Restaurants and cafes in Venice have cheaper lunch menus, care off care of the locals working around the city. Lunch timings are between 12 noon to 2 PM in most places and we’d suggest you splurge on a good lunch than on an extravagant dinner as the prices tend to be higher after sun set.
8. Book Online Tours for Cheaper Deals
Venice is best explored on foot , coupled with a few boat tours to rest your legs. There are many many churches and museums that demand to be explored and if you’re on a time constraint, you should consider buying the various passes the city offers in order to skip the lines and gain priority access. Else, majority of your time will be spent in standing in queues outside each attraction. Some of the passes you can consider buying are the Venice Museum Pass, Chorus Circuit Pass and St. Mark’s City Pass. Booking tickets for guided tours of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica are a good idea to skip the line and get an exclusive guided tour of the famed structures. Venice also has many walking tours like the Rialto Market Tour, Venice Craftsmanship Tour , Venice Walking Tour etc.
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