VENICE, ITALY: THE ULTIMATE TRAVEL GUIDE
There’s a reason they call Venice one of the most iconic destinations in Italy. The atmospheric city built on the water is like a step back in time, a dazzling labyrinth of canals and bridges lined with Gothic architecture, dazzling palazzos, ornate churches and moody corridors. Most visitors love Venice, while some say it’s overrated. I personally adore the city. It’s a place I’ve been to four times now, and still find it completely captivating every time I visit. Below is my travel guide to Venice including the best sights, canal viewpoints, hotels, Airbnbs, photo locations, restaurants, travel tips, Google Maps pins and more. And for the best photo locations in Venice, check out my guide here.
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Gondola rides are touristy, but a must while in Venice.
Gelato stop on the Ponte Sant’Antonio Bridge.
Exploring the charming lanes of the Dorsoduro sestiere.
HOW MANY DAYS IN VENICE?
THREE DAYS. Three days is the ideal amount of time to see most of the main sights in Venice at a relaxed pace, and get a good taste of the city. You’ll have time to explore St. Mark’s Square and its surroundings, as well as visit the main tourist sights, wander through Dorsoduro, day trip to Burano and Murano, take a gondola ride and eat at the city’s best restaurants. If you tack on a fourth day, you’ll have time to explore the city’s different sestieri, and tour a couple museums.
Rialto Bridge.
Loads of sweet corners all over Venice.
VENICE TRAVEL TIPS
- CURRENCY – The local currency is the Euro. And while it’s always a good idea to have local currency handy for small purchases, almost everywhere in Venice accepts credit card.
- EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM – Visit popular places early to avoid the overwhelming crowds of tourists in Venice.
- STAYING CONNECTED – Almost all hotels and restaurants have free wi-fi available to guests. I recommend downloading an offline Google map of Venice to help navigate through city when there is no wi-fi connection. If you want connection 24/7, I recommend buying an e-SIM for Italy before the trip.
- WHAT IS A SESTIERE? – Venice is made up of six districts that are called sestiere – San Marco, San Polo, Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, Castello and Santa Croce.
Canal dining at Ristorante Al Barbacani, Ristorante Sempione and Trattoria Dona Onesta.
EXPLORE VENICE
ACCADEMIA BRIDGE
A wooden bridge spanning the Grand Canal that connects the sestiere of Dorsoduro to San Marco. The view from the bridge is one of the best in Venice.
BASILICA DI SANTA MARIA DELLA SALUTE
The name might not sound familiar, but there’s a good chance you know the Basilica di Santa Maria Della Salute. It’s a Gothic domed church that sits on the water across from San Marco, and it’s in almost every photo, painting and postcard of the Grand Canal. The 17th century church is incredibly iconic, and completely free to visit.
BRIDGE OF SIGHS
The Bridge of Sighs is an enclosed limestone bridge that connects Doge’s Palace to the city’s historic prison. Visitors can walk through the Bridge of Sighs while touring Doge’s Palace, or there’s a view of the bridge from the Ponte della Paglia.
CAMPO DEI MORI
Beautiful square located in the Cannaregio sestiere where the statues of three Moorish brothers (plus one statue of a servant) sit in the ancient walls. According to the legend, the brothers were cursed and turned to stone, and you can still see the statues today around the square.
CAMPO DEI SANTI GIOVANNI E PAOLO
One of the prettiest squares in Venice that doesn’t seem to be on the tourist radar. It’s utterly picturesque with the Basilica of Saint Giovanni and Saint Paolo serving as a backdrop, along with colorful historic buildings, a little bridge and canal.
CAMPO SANTO STEFANO
This is my favorite square in all of Venice. Colorful facades and bustling restaurants line the Campo Santo Stefan that most visitors cross enroute to the Academia Bridge. A 19th century statue of Niccolo Tommaseo stands in the middle of the square.
DOGE’S PALACE
Doge’s Palace is a remarkable example of Venetian Gothic architecture. The former home of the Venetian government can now be visited as a tourist attraction.
GONDOLA RIDE
Expensive, yes. But a gondola ride in Venice is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that you literally cannot do anywhere else in the world (except maybe Las Vegas?). And it’s a pretty amazing feeling to float through the picturesque canals. My personal preference is to avoid the gondoliers on the Grand Canal where it’s big, busy and loud, and instead catch a ride in a quieter neighborhood of canals. Prices are €80 before sunset and €100 after sunset for a private 30-minute ride (set prices, no haggling).
GRAND CANAL
It’s impossible to miss the Grand Canal when in Venice – all corridors and canals seem to lead to the city’s main waterway. One of the best viewpoints of the canal is from the Accademia Bridge.
HOTEL SAN MOISE DOCK
Bring pizza to this picturesque dock in the late afternoon, and watch gondolas float by while eating a slice.
LIBRERIA AQUA ALTA
An adorable bookstore that sits tucked away in the Castello district of Venice. The small shop is filled wall-to-wall with vintage books for visitors to browse, thumb through and purchase. There’s a small brick corridor outside that leads out of Libreria Aqua Alta that is lined with stacks of old books – very picturesque.
MUSEO DI PALAZZO GRIMANI
Discrete museum tucked away in an alley that is home to the spectacular Tribuna Room that holds 87 classic sculptures from Giovanni Grimani’s collection.
PALAZZO TETTA
Palazzo Tetta is the only palace in Venice where three sides of the building are bordered by canals. The best view of the palazzo is from the Ponte dei Conzafelzi. Very picturesque.
RIALTO BRIDGE
The Rialto Bridge is the famous stone bridge that spans the Grand Canal at its narrowest point, connecting the neighborhoods of San Marco and San Polo. It’s offers up a great viewpoint of the Grand Canal. The bridge itself also serves as an epic photo backdrop from the banks below.
SCALA CONTARINI DEL BOVOLO
Scala Contarini del Bovolo is home to a six-story spiral staircase that rises up to sweeping views over the city. The design of the palazzo is a mix of Renaissance, Byzantine and Gothic architectural styles using terracotta brick, stone archways and columns. Admission only by timed ticket and can be purchased here.
ST. MARK’S BASILICA
A stunning church located on St. Mark’s Square, next to the Campanile and Doge’s Palace. It’s the largest church in Venice, home to vibrant golden mosaics.
ST. MARK’S CAMPANILE
St. Mark’s Campanile might be the most iconic sight in all of Venice. The bell tower sits in the heart of St. Mark’s Square, rising 323 ft. up, and visible from several locations throughout the city. It was originally built in the 10th century, but the current tower was rebuilt in 1912 after it collapsed in 1902. I highly recommend taking the elevator up to the top of the tower for 360 views over the city.
ST. MARK’S SQUARE
The sprawling public square is home to St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Campanile and a long arcade of shops, restaurants and cafes with dozens of tables that spill out onto the square. It’s one of the busiest places in Venice, especially during the summer months.
‘SUPPORT’ ART INSTALLATION
Or better known as the giant white hands of the Grand Canal. You’ll find this Lorenzo Quinn art installation outside the Ca’Sagredo Hotel.
VENICE BRIDGES
In addition to the famous bridges that are popular tourist attractions, there are dozens of smaller picturesque bridges connecting the canals throughout the lagoon. A few of my favorites include Ponte dei Pignoli, Ponte dei Zogatoli and Ponte dei Pugni.
Pizza picnic with views of the Rialto Bridge.
The outdoor dining on the Campo Santo Stefano.
BEST VENICE DAY TRIPS
BURANO
This colorful island is my favorite day trip from Venice. It too sits in the Venetian Lagoon, approximately 30 to 40 minutes by Vaporetto. Bright houses line the canals, corridors and banks that bisect the tiny island, a strong contrast to the more muted colors of Venice. The main sights on Burano are the Rio del Pontinello, Rio della Giudecca, Rio di Terranova and the leaning campanile of San Martino. Also, the island measures less than one square mile, so it’s easy to see everything in one morning.
MURANO
Murano is world famous for its glass-making, and worth a stop if you have time. It’s composed of a handful of tiny islands linked by small bridges with an architecture palette that resembles Venice. The island is an easy Vaporetto stop on the way back to Venice.
Palazzo Tetta is the only palace in Venice where three sides of the building are bordered by canals.
SESTIERI
CANNAREGIO
This is the second largest sestiere, located in northern Venice and bordering the Castello district. It’s a stark contrast to San Marco with its quiet canals and corridors. Cannaregio is home to the 16th century Jewish Ghetto.
CASTELLO
You’ll find the largest sestiere in Venice just beyond bustling San Marco. It’s home to a handful of popular and beautiful sights including Palazzo Tetta, Basilica od Saint Giovanni and Saint Paolo, Libreria Acqua Alta and the Museum of Palazzo Grimani. The deeper you go into the Castello District, it becomes even more quiet and local.
DORSODORO
Dorsodoro is my favorite neighborhood in Venice. It’s connected to San Marco via the Accademia Bridge, but feels a world away once you cross over the Grand Canal. This sestiere is the loveliest maze of picturesque canals, piazzas and the iconic Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.
SAN MARCO
The most touristed neighborhood in Venice that is home to several of the city’s main tourists attractions including St. Mark’s Square, Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs. The crowds can be overwhelming in San Marco, especially in high season.
SAN POLO
San Polo is connected to San Marco via the Rialo Bridge on the opposite bank of the Grand Canal. San Polo is a labyrinth of bustling restaurants, shops and squares. It’s a small district, but very busy and lively.
SANTA CROCE
This might be the least touristed of the six sestieri in Venice. It sits across the canal from Cannaregio, where you’ll find schools, locals and the spectacular Church of San Simeon Piccolo, seen from the boat as you arrive in Venice via the canals.
Grand Canal view from the Accademia Bridge.
To-go pasta from Dal Moro’s.
BEST VENICE HOTELS
Alice’s House is a clean, spacious apartment in the heart of San Marco, at a very reasonable price point. It’s been recently renovated, so everything feels modern and up to date.
It’s the creme-de-la-creme of luxury hotels in Venice. This stunning Aman property sits in the Palazzo Papadopoli, a 16th century Baroque palace that now houses 24 incredible rooms and suites adorned in ceiling frescoes, silk wall coverings, wood panelling and extravagant chandlers. A handful of rooms overlook views of the the canal.
A second over-the-top luxury option in Venice is the Belmond Hotel Cipriani. The hotel sits on Giudecca Island, a calming retreat from the bustle of the city centre, and a short lagoon ride away from St. Mark’s Square. The property houses nearly 100 luxurious rooms and suites, as well as a stunning outdoor pool, award winning restaurants and private marina.
Ca’Maria Adele is a gorgeous boutique hotel located across from Santa Maria della Salute in the Dorsoduro neighborhood. The design is wildly Venetian, but nothing feels dated – extravagant furniture pieces, Baroque statues, printed drapes, dark fabrics and chandeliers. Guests have a selection of deluxe suites, an apartment or four concept rooms to choose from. The concept rooms have the most character, and are the most beautiful – my favorite is the Noir Room.
Bright, clean Aribnb located in Dorsoduro. The modern two-bedroom space has high ceilings, two bathrooms, a full kitchen and a lovely balcony overlooking the neighboring canal. Highly recommend Ca’Sole Residence.
This is a charming boutique hotel in an amazing setting that overlooks the Grand Canal. While the property’s Santa Croce location isn’t particularly central to the main tourist sites, everything is still within reasonable walking distance. Set in a 15th century palazzo, the design is quintessential Venice – a Venetian courtyard filled with green ivy and white Italian statues, pastel toned rooms and wood beam ceilings. Pricing is very reasonable for the quality of stay and the Grand Canal location, but there are only five rooms. Cima Rosa sells out well in advance – early reservations are a must.
Gritti Palace offers up one of the best locations on the Grand Canal. The 15th century palazzo is a short walk from St. Mark’s Square, and across the waterway from Santa Maria della Salute. Rooms are an opulent Venetian design, very spacious and clean. Club del Doge is the property’s beautiful restaurant with terrace seating right on the Grand Canal.
Tucked away in the Cannaregio neighborhood is a gem of an apartment. The space was completely renovated in 2021, and everything feels fresh, new and modern. The apartment is small, but the high wood beam ceilings, clean design cues and light from the windows make the property feel spacious. The Palazzo Miracoli Apartment is located in front of Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli.
RADISSON COLLECTION HOTEL, PALAZZO NANI VENICE
Newly opened property that sits inside an authentic 16th century palace overlooking a small canal. The beautiful Palazzo Nani looks nothing like a chain hotel. Honestly, you’d never even know it’s a Radisson property. There are 52 rooms and suites, many with original frescoes and traditional Venetian styling, but very modern, clean and spacious.
St. Regis Venice is basically a neighbor to Gritti Palace, both located on the Grand Canal with private jetties facing San Giorgio Maggiore. Walking distance to all the main sights in the city. Very luxurious.
This little dock is located on a popular gondola route next to the Hotel San Moise – a great place to sit with a box of pizza, and watch the boats.
The ornate details of St. Mark’s Basilica.
VENICE RESTAURANTS
1000 GOURMET
The service here can be hit or miss, but the Napoli-style pizza is consistently delicious. There’s usually a wait, but add your name and they get through the wait list pretty quickly. 1,000 Gourmet has another location in Italy – fittingly in Naples.
ANTICO FORNO
Solid San Polo take away pizza counter that serves slices or whole pies. There are more than a dozen thin crust pizzas to choose from, everything from the traditional Margherita to house specials like the Carbonara, Pugliese and Palermitana.
BA’ GHETTO RESTAURANT
If you’re staying in San Marco, it’s a bit of a trek to reach Ba’ Ghetto in the Cannaregio district – the Jewish ghetto of Venice. But it’s a lovely walk through the most populous part of the city, as well as an excuse to explore a seistri most tourists skip over. Plus, the restaurant is worth the journey, serving traditional Roman Jewish cuisine, as well as a handful of Venetian favorites. Highlights include artichokes, falafel, hummus, fried zucchini, fresh pastas and meats.
CAFFE FLORIAN
Sit down for cappuccino or hot chocolate at the oldest coffee house in Venice, on beautiful St. Mark’s Square.
DAL MORO’S
The original to-go pasta spot in Venice. Their menu is simple – select a fresh pasta, a fresh sauce and an optional topping. It all goes in a white to-go box. I think it was better 10 years ago before the hype, but still a solid quick-eat option.
GIO’S (canal dining)
For breathtaking views of the Grand Canal, make a reservation at Gio’s well in advance. The restaurant’s terrace is an amazing spot for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The restaurant is located at the St. Regis Venice.
HARRY’S BAR
Average bar with historical significance, as it’s considered to be the birthplace of the Bellini.
I TRE MERCANTI
Gourmet Italian grocer that sells a selection of fine wines, olive oils, pastas and balsamic vinegars. Most famous for their signature Tiramisu.
OSTERIA FANAL DEL CODEGA (canal dining)
A lovely little restaurant in Dorsodoro with tables that line a small canal – quintessential Venice. And the food is pretty good too. Menu includes a variety of antipasti, pastas and fresh seafood. Reservations highly recommended for the canal dining.
RISTORANTE AI BARBACANI (canal dining)
To be completely transparent, the food here is not good. I’m simply including it in the round-up for people looking for canal dining in Venice because Ristorante Al Barbacani is home to one of the most charming dinner settings. The restaurant has one, small two-person table that sits in a doorway, directly over a small canal. The atmosphere is pretty dreamy. That said, to reserve this specific table (there’s only one canal table in the restaurant), it requires an advance deposit required. There’s a 90-minute time limit, and if you don’t spend all of the deposit at dinner, they don’t refund any of the money.
RISTORANTE PIZZERIA DOLFIN
This cozy little restaurant is bustling at night – always packed. Menu is filled with both Italian and Venetian classics – I loved the fresh seafood options (especially the grilled sea bream).
TRATTORIA DONA ONESTA (canal dining)
Another little restaurant with the coziest canal dining in Dorsoduro. Tables for two line a narrow terrace filled with blooming flowers, perched over a small canal. Reservations recommended.
Libreria Aqua Alta.
One of the three statues of the legendary Moorish brothers located on the Campo dei Mori.
BEST VENICE GELATO
- Bacaro del Gelato
- Gelateria Gallonetto
- Gelateria il Doge
- Gelato di Natura
- Gelatoteca Suso
- La Mela Verde
- Venchi
The prettiest staircase and views in Venice is at the Scala Contarini del Bovolo.
GET AROUND VENICE
- WALKING – The easiest way to navigate Venice is on foot. The city is made up of dozens of little islands connected by small bridges over the narrow canals, so everything can be reached on foot.
- VAPORETTO – The Vaporetto is the city’s water bus system. It’s very easy to use with a variety of routes and stops throughout Venice. Timetables are posted at each stop where you can purchase your ticket. And if you pull directions on Google Maps, the app will indicate which Vaporetto to take. Tickets are €9.50 for a one-way fare (good for 75 minutes), €25 for a one-day pass, €35 for a two-day ticket and €45 for a three-day ticket.
- WATER TAXI – Water taxis are another option, but much more expensive than the Vaporetto. Prices vary by company.
Caffe Florian is the oldest coffee house in Venice.
BEST VENICE PHOTO SPOTS
For a detailed information including exact Google coordinates to the best photo locations in Venice, check out my complete guide here.
Museo di Palazo Grimani is home to the spectacular Tribune Room.
GET TO VENICE
- AIRPORT – The Venice Marco Polo Airport is located on the mainland, connecting Venice to local destinations in Italy, as well as international cities throughout Europe, the Middle East and the United States.
- PRIVATE BOAT TRANSFER – From the airport, the only way to get into Venice is by water. Private boat transport can be arranged through hotels, but it isn’t cheap. Prices vary by company, but private water taxis from the airport typically range from €110 to €135.
- ALILAGUNA BLU – Most tourists take the Alilaguna Blu Line from the airport into Venice (it’s like a public water bus). The boats are clean, efficient and run on a regular schedule. When you exit baggage claim, there are direction signs that lead to the boats. One-way fare from the airport into Venice are €18. Tickets can be purchased here in advance, or at the airport. There are ticket kiosks at baggage claim, and where you board the boat.
- TRAIN – Passengers arriving by train will disembark in Venice. The station location isn’t central to the tourist district, but it’s possible to reach via a long walk. Otherwise, catch the Alilaguna Blu or book a private water taxi.
- FERRY – Ferries arriving from Croatia, Greece and Slovenia will disembark at the San Basilio Ferry Terminal. From there, catch the Vaparetto to your hotel in Venice.
Gelateria Gallonetto.
DESTINATIONS TO VISIT AFTER VENICE
- DOLOMITES – The Venice Airport is a great place to rent a car, and then head up into the Italian Dolomites. Drive time is less than three hours.
- ROVINJ – One of my favorite destination in Croatia can be reached by ferry from Venice. The ferry takes approximately three hours and runs two to three times weekly during high season. Ferry schedules and tickets available on Ferryhopper.
- LAKE COMO – It’s pretty easy to reach Italy’s most stunning lake from Venice via train. It requires only one quick transfer in Milan. Train schedules and tickets available on Trainline.
