Venice is known as the city of canals and bridges by people from all over the world. It is a place where history and romance flow together like the waters that gently lap against its Gothic palaces and Baroque churches, and century old fondamenta.
As you wander through its labyrinthine alleys, cross its iconic bridges, and glide along its canals, you’ll be transported to a world where time seems to stand still.
Through my eyes, the beauty of Venice lies not only in its stunning architecture and art masterpieces, but also in the magic atmosphere that envelops the city.
Below I’ll help you plan your trip to Venice by offering practical information on everything from transport to hotels to must-see sights and even local dining tips.
Planning a trip to Venice
Whether you’re a first-time visitor or a seasoned traveller, you’ll find some of the most helpful insights you’ll need to make the most of your Venetian adventure.
This guide covers everything you need to know for a smooth trip to Venice, but if you’re still unsure about any of the points below, feel free to reach out to me.
Let’s start by looking at some basic information such as:
- Timezone
- Local language
- Payment methods
- Tipping customs
- Climate
Then right after that, we will begin to explore Venice’s unique location and the best ways to reach its historic centre, whether that be by plane, train, or car.
I would like you to get up to speed with exactly where to stay in Venice and some of the traditional foods that you can taste during your time here.
Are you a first timer or a returning visitor? Your Venice itinerary can cover must-see landmarks, but also experiences, off-the-beaten-path gems and events.
Again, with a bit of planning, you can create an itinerary tailored to your needs and travelling style. See this Venice first timer guide if you’re completely new to Venice.
Ready? Andiamo!
Where is Venice?
Before we get started with this informative guide, to get a visual image of where Venice is in relation to other cities and countries, take a look at the map below:
Venice is located in northeastern Italy, and it’s the capital city of the Veneto Region. It was built on top of 118 islands connected by a network of canals and bridges.
How to Plan a Trip to Venice: The Basics
- Timezone: Venice operates on Central European Time (CET), which is UTC+1. During daylight saving time, from late March to late October, the city shifts to Central European Summer Time (CEST), which is UTC+2.
- Language: Italian is the official language in Venice, and locals also speak Venetian dialect. English is widely understood in tourist areas, but learning a few basic Italian phrases for this book can really help to connect with locals.
- Cash or Card: Credit and debit cards are widely accepted, especially in hotels, restaurants, and shops. However, it’s advisable to carry cash (euros) for small transactions like at the markets and bacari, to get the gondola traghetto (2 euros gondola) and for cash-only establishments.
- Tipping: Tips are not mandatory in Venice as service charges are often included in the bill. At the restaurant it’s called ‘coperto’. However, rounding up the bill or leaving a small tip (5-10%) is common. See my guide here for more.
- Climate: Venice has a moderate continental climate. Summers (June-August) are hot and humid, while winters (December-February) are cool and damp. Spring and autumn offer mild, pleasant weather, ideal for exploring.
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How to get to Venice
Understanding Venice’s location is key to planning your journey.
I’ll explain to you which are the best ways to reach the city, whether you’re flying into Venice’s Marco Polo Airport or Treviso (the closest airports), arriving by train, or travelling by bus from other cities around the country.
Getting to Venice by Plane
The closest airport to Venice city centre is Venice Marco Polo airport (VCE) which is 14 kilometres north of Venice.
Depending on what time you arrive, there are a couple of options for you to get from the airport to Venice: water taxi, water bus, land taxi, bus or private transfer.
See the options below to learn what to expect from each mode of transport.
From Marco Polo airport (VCE) to Venice city centre
Water Taxi:
- Most direct and scenic option.
- 24 hours service.
- Takes you directly to your hotel or a nearby pier.
- Journey time: 20-30 minutes.
- Expensive, but convenient for groups or lots of luggage.
Alilaguna Water Bus:
- Public water bus with three lines (Blue, Orange, Red).
- Stops at major points like San Marco and Rialto.
- Journey time: 60-90 minutes, depending on the route.
- Affordable and scenic.
Bus:
- Take the ATVO or ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma.
- Journey time: 20-25 minutes.
- Cheapest option, ideal for budget travellers.
- From Piazzale Roma, walk or take a vaporetto (water bus) to your destination.
Land Taxi:
- 24 hours service.
- Quickest option to Piazzale Roma.
- Journey time: 15-20 minutes.
- More expensive than the bus, but direct.
- Ideal if you have lots of luggage or prefer door-to-door service.
Then for your return, if you have onwards travel booked and have an early morning flight from Venice airport scheduled, you’ll want to read about the various options.
From Treviso Airport (TSF) to Venice Piazzale Roma
Treviso airport connects various cities around Europe and it’s served by low cost airlines: Ryanair and Wizz Air. It’s 40 kilometres north of Venice city centre and only 10 minutes by bus away from Treviso city centre.
Even if it’s much further away from Venice, it’s well connected by bus or even by taxi if you prefer a private transfer. See an overview of both options below.
Bus:
- ATVO, Barzi Bus or Terravision services available.
- Direct to Piazzale Roma in Venice.
- Journey time: 40-70 minutes, depending on traffic.
- Affordable and frequent, with services timed to flight arrivals.
Taxi:
- Direct ride to Piazzale Roma or your hotel.
- Journey time: 40-60 minutes.
- More expensive but faster and convenient, especially for groups or those with heavy luggage.
Then for your return, if you have onwards travel booked and have an early morning flight from Treviso airport scheduled, you’ll want to read about the various options.
How to get to Venice by train
There’s no train station at Marco Polo airport or Treviso airport.
You can either get a bus or a taxi to Mestre station (or Treviso station if you land in Treviso), and then catch a short train ride across the lagoon to Santa Lucia by crossing the Ponte della Libertà.
For travellers coming from other Italian cities like Rome, Florence, or Milan, high-speed trains such as the Frecciarossa and Italo connect you directly to Venice.
The train journey is often quicker and more comfortable than driving and you can also find good offers on their websites all year round.
Bear in mind that there are 2 train stations in Venice:
- Venezia Mestre – this station is on the mainland, based in the city of Mestre. It’s easy to get from Mestre to Venice city centre by train because it’s only a stop away! If you want to save some money, you can book accommodation one of the many cheap hotels near Mestre station such as this one and then catch a train from early morning to late in the evening.
- Venezia Santa Lucia – this is the main train station in Venice and from here you can start your city exploration on foot, by getting a vaporetto or water taxi. To get more clarity, I have created a special guide that looks at the train stations in Venice in more detail so you learn more about each one.
How to get to Venice by bus
The main bus company connecting Venice to other Italian towns and cities is FlixBus but there is also Itabus and Marinobus. If you’re based in the municipality of Venice, on the mainland, you can use the local ACTV buses.
Flixbus offers direct routes to Venice from nearby cities such as Padua, Treviso Vicenza and Verona but also other important Italian cities such as:
- Milan
- Turin
- Florence
- Bologna
Buses are usually cheaper than trains, but the journey is longer and less comfortable. The buses covering long distances are equipped with Wi-Fi, outlets and reclining seats. You can stop in Mestre, near the train station, or Venice Tronchetto.
Things to know before travelling to Venice
Planning ahead of time is the best way to arrive in Venice knowing what’s going to happen next.
In the following section we’re going to look at some key aspects such as:
- Choosing the best areas to stay
- The ideal time to visit for pleasant weather and fewer crowds
- Approaching the tasty Venetian cuisine
- Discovering the must-see sights and activities throughout the city.
Where to stay in Venice?
Choosing where to stay in Venice depends on your preferences and budget. There are 6 neighbourhoods in Venice, locally called ‘sestieri’:
- San Marco
- San Polo
- Dorsoduro
- Cannaregio
- Castello
- Santa Croce
If you want to be close to the main attractions St. Mark’s Square and Rialto, you can stay in San Marco, the eastern side of San Polo or even the southernmost side of Castello districts. See my Venice neighbourhood guide for more ideas.
If you prefer a quieter, more local vibe, and enjoy art galleries and museums and visit local artisan and artists shops, consider staying in Dorsoduro.
The Cannaregio district offers a more authentic Venetian experience, you can often find better deals and generally speaking it’s quiet. If you fancy joining the local movida, head over to the buzzling Fondamenta della Misericordia.
If you are a seasoned traveller, want to explore other areas of the historic centre or simply looking for a better hotel deal, check Castello, the most ‘residential’ neighbourhood of Venice, Giudecca island or even Murano and Burano.
Finally, if you prefer to be close to the bus and train station and better hotel deals, consider looking for accommodation in Santa Croce.
Best time to visit Venice
The best time to visit Venice is during spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November) when the weather is mild and the city is less crowded.
These periods offer a perfect balance of pleasant temperatures (less in November) and a more relaxed atmosphere, ideal for exploring the city’s canals, calli and campi, and main attractions.
Summer is the most popular time for obvious reasons. You can enjoy the long days, but it can get quite hot and crowded, with high humidity and increased prices.
Winter brings fewer tourists but cold temperatures and humidity and the possibility of encountering the infamous ‘acqua alta’.
One of the most awaited events is Carnival in February when people from all over get to the city to take part in the celebrations. This also means that accommodation prices are higher.
Local’s tip: November, December and March are the cheapest months to visit Venice and book accommodation! See my guide on the best time to visit Venice for more.
Food in Venice
Venetian cuisine is a distinctive cuisine based on centuries old recipes handed down from generation to generation.
In Venice you can taste a lot of fish and seafood from the lagoon and Adriatic Sea, fresh seasonal produce like the Sant’Erasmo artichoke.
Then, in spring ‘castraure’ and moeche (lagoon crab that sheds its shell and gets fished) in both spring and autumn, just to name a few.
When in Venice, for a local experience, I recommend that you try the cicchetti that you can eat at the bacari, accompanied by a glass of regional wine (ombra de vin).
Traditional dishes include sarde in saor (sweet and sour sardines), baccalà mantecato (creamy cod spread), scampi alla busara (scampi with a typical tomato sauce) and bigoli in salsa (thick spaghetti with anchovy sauce).
For dessert, indulge in fritole (Venetian doughnuts) during Carnival, or tiramisù, which originated in the nearby city of Treviso.
You can also try local biscuits like buranelli, esse or zaeti. Lesser known desserts are the pan del doge, sweet focaccia (during Easter) and pinsa.
In Venice, you can find a wide range of eateries that can please any budget, from the small family owned trattorias and osterias to Michelin starred restaurants.
Things to do in Venice
From exploring famous landmarks to less hidden gems, Venice has a lot to offer and can suit different types of travellers.
If you’re a first timer, then you might want to cover the main Venice tourist attractions such as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace in Piazza San Marco, the Rialto Bridge and go for a gondola ride on the Grand Canal, for example.
If you’re more into art and museums, then you can spend hours exploring places like the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Ca’ Pesaro.
No matter what you choose to do, know that Venice is an open air museum and you can find stunning architecture and art treasures all around its historic centre.
Aim to aimlessly wander through neighbourhoods like Cannaregio and Dorsoduro. If you have enough time, you can also go on a boat trip to the islands of Murano, also called the Glass Island and Burano, one of the most colourful places to visit in Italy.
Planning a trip to Venice
Preparing for your Venice trip is key to making the most of this extraordinary city.
From arranging transportation and choosing where to stay to planning what to see and eat, thoughtful preparation ensures you have a memorable experience, beyond the most common and touristy things to do.
By organising these details in advance, you’ll be free to immerse yourself in Venice’s history and culture, making every moment of your visit truly unforgettable.
If you need help with planning your visit to Venice, don’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] and book a trip consultation that can suit your needs.
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