Your guide to Venice
Venice highlights
Canals and gondolas
Venice's 150 canals are its lifeblood, and while the city is a walker's paradise, its majestic architecture is best admired from the water. No trip to Venice is complete without drifting through The Floating City on a dreamy gondola ride. Gondola stations, each with its own route, are plentiful, with many located near St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.
A city of palaces
Experience regal splendour on your city break to Venice by exploring grand ‘palazzos’ (palaces). Built in Gothic or Byzantine styles, these structures are dripping with opulence and history. Delve deeper into the city’s story at palazzo museums and galleries like Palazzo Ducale and Ca’ Rezzonico. Or indulge in a stay fit for royalty at a palazzo hotel.
Island hopping
Step beyond the iconic attractions to discover more of the city’s character on your stay in Venice. Witness artisans crafting exquisite pieces on the island of Murano, renowned for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours of Burano, the best place to sample ‘cicchetti’ (Venetian tapas) and ‘ombra’ (a small glass of wine). Check the ‘vaporetto’ (water bus) schedules for easy transport to these nearby islands.
Venice: Know before you go
| Language | Italian |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
| High season | July - August |
| Low season | January |
Find the best time to go to Venice
Weather in Venice
March – May: Spring starts off cool, with highs climbing to 21°C in May. Enjoy the big attractions with thinner crowds, and be prepared for rain showers.
June – August: Venice gets hot and busy in summer. Plan your sightseeing during the long, balmy evenings. Escape to seaside spots like the Lido during the day.
September – November: Autumn offers mild weather, lots of tasty seasonal produce and festivals like the Venice Biennale. Pack waterproofs. Heavy rains can sometimes lead to floods.
December – February: Expect chilly temperatures, fog and occasional frost. Bundle up and enjoy quieter streets and attractions, except during the Christmas holidays.
Events in Venice
Venice Carnival (February or March): This 800-year-old event captures the city’s mask-making history. Performers wear elaborate costumes and masks from local boutiques. And the city is filled with floating parades, street performances and masquerade balls.
Venice Biennale (May to November): Come experience ‘the Olympics of the art world’. This iconic festival showcases art, architecture, cinema, music, dance and theatre at some of the city’s most iconic venues.
Venice Film Festival (August to September): The world’s oldest international film festival draws celebrities to the island of Lido di Venezia. But it’s not just for A-listers — regular folks can go too. Buy tickets early.
The best neighbourhoods in Venice
San Marco
San Marco is a prime location for sightseeing in Venice. Admire the white limestone on the Bridge of Sighs and dive into the bustle of St. Mark’s Square. Shop for Venetian glass keepsakes and relax in canal-side cafes. Every moment here is a masterpiece. This bustling neighbourhood is the best area to stay in Venice for iconic attractions like St. Mark’s Basilica and Palazzo Ducale.
Good for: Sightseeing, shopping, central location
Castello
Castello is the best area to stay in Venice for upscale hotels, quick access to iconic landmarks and a tranquil slice of Venetian culture. Explore the expansive Arsenal, a former shipyard and armoury built in the 12th century. Venice’s widest street, Via Garibaldi, is lined with family-run restaurants, boutique shops and bars, while the Giardini beckons with serene greenery and breathtaking sunsets.
Good for: Restaurants, luxury hotels, parkland
Cannaregio
If you’re wondering where to stay in Venice for a more authentic experience, Cannaregio is the place to go. Score affordable digs and budget-friendly Venetian glass here. Stop at a bacaro (wine bar) along Fondamenta de la Misericordia to enjoy a Campari spritz and cicchetti with locals. And don’t miss Ghetto Venezia, the oldest Jewish ghetto in the world.
Good for: Nightlife, affordability, local culture
Things to do in Venice
Beaches
Leave the gondolas for a day and explore the world-class beaches near Venice. Take the hour-long ferry to the pristine sands of Lido di Jesolo. For a quicker trip, relax on Isola delle Rose, a 25-minute boat ride from St Mark’s Square. And to bask in the beauty of the Adriatic Coast, venture a little further to Alberoni or Bibione.
Shopping
The boutique-lined alleys of Venice are a shopaholic's delight. For souvenirs, clothing and jewellery, explore Le Mercerie, a historic commercial hub between Rialto and St Mark’s Square. If you’re hunting for luxury, Salizada San Moise offers international fashion houses and Italian designer labels. For glassware, art and textiles, support local artisans in Castello or Cannaregio.
Take in the culture
Begin your cultural adventure in Venice in the sprawling Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square). Marvel at the Byzantine splendour of St Mark's Basilica, then explore over 1,000 years of ruling history at Doge's Palace. Cross the iconic Rialto Bridge to Rialto Market, which has been operating for over a millennia, and don't miss a spellbinding opera performance at Teatro La Fenice.
Nightlife
While not as wild as other cities, the nightlife in Venice offers a laid-back blend of culture and relaxation. Sip a spritz and sample tasty bites in Campo Santa Margherita or along the canal in Cannaregio. For live music, visit Venice Jazz Club, which offers an in-house quartet or guest musicians most nights of the week.
Places to eat
Similar to Spain's tapas bars, Venice’s bacari offer an array of cheap small plates of snacks called ‘cicchetti’. With everything from fried meatballs to stuffed seafood, these iconic bites can be found in hundreds of restaurants in Venice. For authentic canal-side trattorias, head to Cannaregio. Explore the vibrant Rialto Market area for fresh seafood and local produce.
Free things to do
Despite its pricey reputation, there are plenty of free things to do in Venice. Attend Sunday morning sung mass at St Mark's Basilica or enjoy a peaceful stroll in Giardini, a rare green oasis in The Floating City. Then, explore the whimsical Libreria Acqua Alta, where books are stored in bathtubs and gondolas in case of ‘acqua alta’ (literally high water in Italian).
Get ready for Venice
Budget
With plenty of free attractions and inexpensive ‘cicchetti’ (bar snacks) everywhere you go, an inexpensive visit to Venice is easy. You’ll pay around 15 euros (€) for a meal in a simple restaurant. Or better yet, eat at the bar to save on table service. A local beer costs €6, and a cappuccino is around €2.
Day trips from Venice
Venice offers plenty of easy day trips by rail. In just over 30 minutes, the fast train can get you to the city of Vicenza, with its dreamy palazzos and Renaissance architecture. Or zip over to Padua. The medieval city is famous for its ornate church and local markets. And Italy’s culinary hotspot, Bologna, is just 90 minutes by high-speed train.
Getting around Venice
Venice is one of the most walkable cities in Italy. You can hop on the public vaporetto to reach key spots and day trip locations. Water taxis are quick and convenient but costly. And while gondola rides are an iconic Venetian experience, they’re more for sightseeing than getting around.
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