Venice is built on water, and nothing else in Europe looks like it. There are no cars, just canals, bridges and lanes that lead to quiet squares and the occasional dead end.
It is crowded in the middle of the day and magical early in the morning and late at night. Plan your time around the crowds, not through them.
How many days: 2
Two days is enough for the main sights, with a night in the city to see it after the day-trippers leave. Three lets you add the islands of the lagoon.
Staying overnight changes the whole experience. The city is much quieter in the early morning and after dark.
What to do in Venice
- See St Mark's Square and the Basilica
- The grand square sits beside the Basilica and the Doge's Palace. Book timed tickets on the official sites for the interiors.
- Ride the Grand Canal by vaporetto
- A public water bus ride from end to end is the best cheap tour in the city. Sit outside at the front or back for the view.
- Cross the Rialto Bridge
- The oldest bridge over the Grand Canal, with a busy market nearby. Go early in the morning for a quieter view.
- Get lost on purpose
- The best parts of Venice are away from the main routes. Turn off the signposted paths and wander the back lanes.
- Visit Murano and Burano
- Murano is known for glassmaking and Burano for its brightly coloured houses and lace. Both are reached by vaporetto.
- Take a gondola ride
- A traditional and expensive experience. Agree the route and the length before you step in, and check the current official rates.
- Explore Dorsoduro
- A quieter district with art galleries, student bars and sunny waterfront walks. A good place for an evening drink.
- Visit the Jewish Ghetto
- The original ghetto, a quiet district in the north with museums and synagogues. Away from the main crowds.
- Browse a local market
- A fish and produce market near the Rialto Bridge has been running for centuries. Go in the morning to see it at its best.
What to eat and drink
- Cicchetti
- Small snacks served in bars, like Venetian tapas. Stand at the counter with a glass of wine and move from place to place.
- Seafood
- The lagoon and the Adriatic supply the kitchens. Look for fried seafood and seafood pasta, and ask about the catch of the day.
- Sarde in saor
- Sardines with onions, vinegar, raisins and pine nuts. A traditional Venetian starter.
- Spritz
- The aperitivo drink popular across the region, made with prosecco, a bitter liqueur and soda. Order one at a canalside bar.
- Tiramisu
- Said to come from this region. Eat it fresh at a place that makes it in house.
- Venetian wines
- The region produces prosecco and many other wines, and bars serve them by the glass. A simple way to try several.
Getting around
Venice has no cars. You will walk almost everywhere, and the vaporetto water buses cover the longer routes and the islands.
Streets are narrow and bridges have steps, so travel light. A wheeled suitcase is hard work over the bridges.
From the airport, water buses and road links reach the edge of the old city. Check the official sites for current options.
Good to know
- The city sometimes charges day visitors an entry fee on selected days. Check the official city site before you go.
- High water can flood parts of the city in autumn and winter. Raised walkways are put out, and waterproof boots help.
- Summer is hot, crowded and smelly in the canals. Late spring and early autumn are better.
- Accommodation in the old city is limited and expensive. Staying on the mainland is cheaper but less atmospheric.
- Restaurants right beside the main sights tend to have lower quality. Walk a few streets back.
- Walk on the right, avoid stopping on bridges, and keep your voice down in quiet lanes. Locals live and work here.