It is a place where visitors can easily get lost in a maze of alleys, canals, dead ends, and piazzas. It’s one of those places that you have to see to believe and I have created the ultimate travel guide for Venice!
When I was growing up, Venice was always my answer if anyone asked me where in the world I wanted to visit the most. My first visit was in 2006 and have since been back more than eight times. I can’t get it out of my head. I love everything about this quirky, romantic, tragic, heavily touristed, and ancient location.
Want a FREE printable downloadable itinerary on this city? Simply click the image and it will take you to the PDF itinerary, download it, and print it for easy use.
The first thing you need to know is that the two closest airports are actually on the mainland, not the islands of Venice. Marco Polo is the larger and nearest of the two, while Treviso is about 25 miles away and services smaller airlines like Ryanair and Wizz Air.
Once you have landed, it’s time to get to central Venice. There are several ways to do this:
1. Private Water Taxi: This is the most expensive option, starting at €120. A private water taxi will pick you up at the airport dock and drop you off as close as possible to your accommodation. The ride takes about 30 minutes. It’s a good choice for large groups or those with a lot of luggage. (I don’t recommend taking a bunch of luggage with you, however.
2. Shared Water Taxi: If you want to save money while still riding in style, you can book individual seats on a shared water taxi. Remember that the trip might take longer depending on the number of stops.
3. Alilaguna Water Bus (Vaporetto): This is the cheapest option at €15, but it’s also the slowest, taking over an hour. The Alilaguna has three routes that end in central Venice, so you’ll need to check which stop is closest to your accommodations. You’ll have to carry your belongings over bridges, along tight alleys, and across cobblestones to reach your destination. So pack light.
There are so many unique places to explore in Venice. To skip ahead to the Places of Interest section click here.
Here are the key points to remember about visiting Venice:
1. Avoid visiting during peak season, from June to August. It’s extremely hot and crowded. Instead, consider going in March and April to see the flowers bloom or in September and October when the weather is milder and there are fewer tourists.
2. If you visit Venice between the end of April and mid-July, you will need to pay a €5 fee to enter the historic center or the Venetian Lagoon’s minor islands. Should you decide to stay overnight, the fee will be included in your room rate. If you’re not staying overnight, carry documentation proving that you’ve paid the fee.
3. Travel light. Don’t bring large or multiple pieces of luggage, as you’ll be navigating through tight alleys, bridges, and cobbled streets. A carry-on-size suitcase and a purse are recommended.
4. Wear comfortable shoes. The streets in Venice are uneven, and you’ll be walking a lot, even if you opt for water taxis or buses.
5. When visiting churches in Venice, cover your shoulders and knees. Avoid wearing crop tops, sleeveless shirts, or short skirts, as this is the dress code for religious buildings in Italy.
If you want even more tips on visiting Venice, check out my blog post, Things to Know Before Visiting Venice.
My biggest piece of advice to anyone wanting to visit Venice is to GET LOST! Wander around, go into each church you come across, grab an aperitivo (the iconic Venetian cocktail) or coffee in each campo (square), and enjoy the moment.
Venice can be confusing for first-time visitors due to its winding streets, abundant dead ends, and numerous bridges. However, various water transportation options are available.
Spring runs from March to April and is a great time to visit. The weather is beautiful but it can be a little rainy.
Summer, May to August, is very warm, with temperatures reaching into the 90s. July is the hottest month, it feels like you can fry an egg on the sidewalk. This is also a high season for tourism, so keep that in mind.
Fall lasts from September to November and is generally pleasant with cooler temperatures. September is the rainiest month, so I recommend bringing rain boots and a rain jacket.
Winter’s daytime temperatures average around freezing and below freezing at night. Snowfall is rare, but it can happen.
The best time to visit Venice is March, April, or October, when the weather is warm but not sweltering and the nights are cooler. Flights and hotels are generally cheaper during this time, and it is also less crowded.
Where to Stay While Visiting Venice
I highly recommend staying at least 2-3 nights to truly get a feel for all that Venice has to offer. This allows you to see the city in the early morning and late at night when all the daytrippers have left.
If you look at an overview map of Venice, you will see that it is kinda shaped like a fish. There are six different sestieri (districts) in Venice, and each one is uniquely different.
Keep in mind the amount of walking you are prepared to do each day before you book anything. For example, if you want to stay close to the major attractions so your walking distances will be limited, then look for accommodation around St. Mark’s Square. If you want to see what local Venetian life is like and don’t mind walking further, the best area to stay is Canneregio, where many locals live.
The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
Campo S.Maria Del Giglio 2467, San Marco, 30124 Venice, Italy
The St. Regis Venice
San Marco 2159, San Marco, 30124 Venice, Italy
Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice
Giudecca 10, Giudecca, 30133 Venice, Italy
Ai Patrizi di Venezia
San Marco 4255 – Campo Manin, San Marco, 30125 Venice, Italy
Le case di Rachele – Ca’ Lorenzo e Ca’ Raquel
5873 Calle del Dose 3 piano , Castello, 30122 Venice, Italy
Locanda Cà Del Console
Calle Trevisana 6217, Castello, 30122 Venice, Italy
Venezianamente Apartments – Venice City Centre
Different Locations in Venice City Centre, San Marco, 30122 Venice, Italy
Ca’ Gritti by Venicevillas
3917 Calle Gritti, Castello, 30122 Venice, Italy
Cà Lin Venice Zimmer
Salizzada sant’antonin 3540/A, Castello, 30122 Venice, Italy
There are so many great places to eat in Venice. There is one important thing to remember, do not eat in the major tourist areas if you want authentic, delicious food. Here are some of my favorites:
My husband and I discovered this authentic Venetian restaurant many years ago while wandering around aimlessly. One of the first things we noticed was that we were the only tourists in the restaurant. This was definitely a local hangout and it still is. We ordered two different types of pizza and Coca-Cola with lemon. Every time we return to Venice, we make it a point to eat here. We even took our children and friends to enjoy this place with us. It is some of the best pizza we have ever had!
Address: Sotoportego de Siora Bettina, 2338, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
Hours: The restaurant is open from 12 pm to 3 pm for lunch and dinner from 6 pm to 11 pm daily. During summer, it is open non-stop from 12 pm to 11 pm daily.
Phone number + 39 041 524 1169
Osteria Fanal Del Codega
Address: Fondamenta del Forner, 2924 Beside Fermata San Tomà, 30125 Venice Italy
Hours: Open daily from noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 9 p.m.
Bacaro Quebrado
Address: Calle Larga dei Bari 1107/A, 30121 Venice Italy
Hours: Open daily from 10:30 a.m. to midnight
Trattoria Dona Onesta
Address: Sestiere Dorsoduro,, 30123 Venice Italy
Hours: Open noon to 3 p.m. and 6:30 – 10 p.m.
Gio’s
This is the perfect place for dinner with a view of the Santa Maria della Salute and the Grand Canal. The food is incredible, the service wonderful, and the views extraordinary.
Address: Sestiere San Marco 2159, 30124 Venice, Italy
Hours: Open from 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., 12:30 to 2:45 p.m., 7 to 10:15 p.m.
My name is Kristal and I am so happy to have you visit my site!
I hope that the travel guides, fun facts, and photography you find here will inspire you to explore new places!
