A Tourist's Guide to Venice
Probably one of Italy's most well known cities, thoughts of Venice conjure images of gondola rides and beautiful waterways at sunset. Read on to discover the city behind the canals.
Best Time to Travel
The weather is best in Venice in the late spring to early summer but be warned, this is when the vast majority of tourists visit the city so best to travel outside these times if you want to avoid the crowds. Temperature can reach highs of 25°C in the summer, and lows of single figures in the winter. Winter is also known as high water season and there is more risk of flooding.
Amazing Attractions to See
There are a few religious attractions to visit in Venice such as Saint Mark's Basilica and San Giovanni e Paolo. Most churches in Italy have a strict dress code so best to dress conservatively to guarantee admittance. (This means no short skirts or bare shoulders). Unfortunately filming and photography is not permitted inside the buildings, so don't be tempted to try to sneak a cheeky snap. Admission is free but waiting times can be up to 5 hours so be sure to use the reservation system available.
Venice also has some stunning museums on offer, including The Jewish Museum and Ca' Pesaro, which focuses on modern Italian art. Rialto market and the Rialto Bridge are sights not to be missed, with a farmers market and local restaurants available.
Take a day to visit the islands, ideally Murano and Torcello. Easily accessible by boat, but be prepared for long lines and long waits for the boats between islands.
Exquisite and Delicious Restaurants
Italy is well known for its fabulous food. Look out for local trattorias who aren't touting for your business - avoiding the popular tourist areas should help to guarantee you a good quality meal at a decent price. Watch out for added extras or a higher priced wine than you agreed on your bill. Cuttlefish (nella seppia) risotto is the dish to try if you're looking to try a local specialty.
The Rialto food markets are a must visit if you're planning on going self catering in the city, selling fruit, cheese, vegetables and a vast variety of seafood.
Going Places in Venice
The closest airport to Venice is Marco Polo Airport, a 20 minute ride from the city. There is a shuttle bus every half an hour, costing €5. Public transport is plentiful and cheap in Italy. If you're looking to use it to travel around Venice you can either use a bus, train or water buses (vaporetti). The vaporetti are much cheaper to use than private water taxis. A travel card for all services will cost you €18 for one day, or €33 for three days.
The major rental car companies can be found at the edge of the city, at Piazzale Roma, although it's worth noting that Venice is a pedestrian city and easily walkable in a day, so it's not worth renting a car unless you plan to travel outside the boroughs.
Best Time to Travel
The weather is best in Venice in the late spring to early summer but be warned, this is when the vast majority of tourists visit the city so best to travel outside these times if you want to avoid the crowds. Temperature can reach highs of 25°C in the summer, and lows of single figures in the winter. Winter is also known as high water season and there is more risk of flooding.
Amazing Attractions to See
There are a few religious attractions to visit in Venice such as Saint Mark's Basilica and San Giovanni e Paolo. Most churches in Italy have a strict dress code so best to dress conservatively to guarantee admittance. (This means no short skirts or bare shoulders). Unfortunately filming and photography is not permitted inside the buildings, so don't be tempted to try to sneak a cheeky snap. Admission is free but waiting times can be up to 5 hours so be sure to use the reservation system available.
Venice also has some stunning museums on offer, including The Jewish Museum and Ca' Pesaro, which focuses on modern Italian art. Rialto market and the Rialto Bridge are sights not to be missed, with a farmers market and local restaurants available.
Take a day to visit the islands, ideally Murano and Torcello. Easily accessible by boat, but be prepared for long lines and long waits for the boats between islands.
Exquisite and Delicious Restaurants
Italy is well known for its fabulous food. Look out for local trattorias who aren't touting for your business - avoiding the popular tourist areas should help to guarantee you a good quality meal at a decent price. Watch out for added extras or a higher priced wine than you agreed on your bill. Cuttlefish (nella seppia) risotto is the dish to try if you're looking to try a local specialty.
The Rialto food markets are a must visit if you're planning on going self catering in the city, selling fruit, cheese, vegetables and a vast variety of seafood.
Going Places in Venice
The closest airport to Venice is Marco Polo Airport, a 20 minute ride from the city. There is a shuttle bus every half an hour, costing €5. Public transport is plentiful and cheap in Italy. If you're looking to use it to travel around Venice you can either use a bus, train or water buses (vaporetti). The vaporetti are much cheaper to use than private water taxis. A travel card for all services will cost you €18 for one day, or €33 for three days.
The major rental car companies can be found at the edge of the city, at Piazzale Roma, although it's worth noting that Venice is a pedestrian city and easily walkable in a day, so it's not worth renting a car unless you plan to travel outside the boroughs.
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