Venice
What you need to know before you go
Venice is a treasure-trove of astonishing architecture and art, which sprawls enticingly across a dense network of islands, connected by sun-spangled canals and ornate bridges. Surrounded by water and inaccessible by car, its historic centre offers an immersive trip back in time to the middle ages, with well preserved architectural icons like St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace having lost none of their original lustre.
This bucket-list destination draws visitor crowds throughout the year, but you can escape the hustle and bustle with a romantic gondola ride or a quick water-taxi trip to the Lido, an effortlessly elegant beach resort that plays host to the glamorous Venice Film Festival each September.
What to see & do in Venice
Featured stories & fun stuffVenice attracts tens of millions of visitors each year with its unique set of charms – not least its spectacular sightseeing options. The Venetian Lagoon has several islands enclosed by the waters of the Adriatic, each offering its own characteristics. At Venice’s heart is the picturesque Grand Canal, with the main islands home to the beautiful Piazza San Marco, from where you can explore some of Venice’s greatest basilicas, monuments, and... Read more
12 Famous Movie Locations in Venice
Famous movie locations in Venice include some of the city’s most iconic landmarks. They complement key scenes in films through their historical charm and atmospheric settings. Some classics have their most memorable sequences set against Venice’s grand piazzas and canals...10 Weird and Quirky Things to Do in Venice
Venice is a city of a thousand symbols – Canals, gondolas, carnival masks, friezes adorning the palaces, church mosaics, and architecture...10 Best Things to Do for Couples in Venice
Romantic things to do in Venice usually include gondola rides along the canals and waterways, as well as exploring St...15 Best Things to Do in Venice
The best things to do in Venice include seeing the top sights of one of the world’s most beautiful and...10 Things to Do in Venice on a Small Budget
Any mention of Venice typically conjures images of romantic gondola rides on the calm waters of the Grand Canal and...5 Haunted Places to Explore in Venice
Haunted places in Venice showcase the city's rather colourful past. Winding canals that make the city so special have also...10 Most Famous Canals in Venice
The famous canals of Venice have attracted visitors in their masses for centuries. Over 170 waterways dissect all the city’s...The Local's Guide to Venice
Despite the hordes of tourists that flood Venice’s streets, there are still parts of the city that retain that magical...10 Most Instagrammable Places in Venice
Venice is probably one of the most photographed and Instagrammed places in Europe, and it’s not hard to see why...
Where & what to eat in Venice
10 Best Local Dishes from Venice
The best local dishes in Venice often consist of various seafood delicacies caught from the city’s famous waterways and lagoon. Venetian cuisine also puts its own twist on Italian favourites such as risotto, lasagne and spaghetti. From seasonal seafood delicacies...10 Best Local Restaurants in Venice
The best local restaurants in Venice serve fantastic dishes at much lower prices than the fine dining spots along the...10 Great Restaurants in Venice
Great restaurants in Venice serve delicious and authentic lagoon cuisine. The food is usually prepared with market-fresh local ingredients...
Where to shop & what to buy in Venice
10 Best Markets in Venice
Venice is home to quite a few shopping opportunities to enjoy, but if you want to immerse yourself in local life, you'll want to head to the best local markets. Nothing gets you closer to local producers and crafters than...10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Venice
The best places to go shopping in Venice are often hidden in plain sight. You won’t find many malls or arcades in the “floating city”, but you will find small streets and quarters that house some small hidden gems. There...
Where to go & what to do at night in Venice
10 Best Rooftop Bars in Venice
Venice is known for its scenic canals and historic architecture, and one of the best ways to enjoy that after dark is from the viewpoint of a rooftop bar. Whether you visit a speciality bar or one that's part of...10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Venice
This guide to the best things to do after dinner in Venice shows you just why it’s a destination on most people’s bucket lists. The romantic charm of a city on water, where you travel around by water taxis, is...
Useful information
Venice is unlike any other city in Italy, or the world, in that it requires a bit of prior planning and some basic geographical knowledge. Venice’s attractions are mostly navigable by foot, and thanks to its network of regular vaporetti (waterbuses) servicing the Grand Canal, you can get from one point in the lagoon to another relatively easily. It’s good to have some understanding of where the main attractions are... Read more
10 Best Festivals in Venice
Venice has many festivals throughout the year, meaning you shouldn’t have to wait long to take part in a celebration. Though small in size, the island's reputation as a centre of art history is hard to beat, and the locals...5 Fun Facts About Venice
Almost everyone I know wants to visit the city of Venice in Italy for a number of good reasons. Some...Venice Travel Essentials
Our Venice Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help planning your trip to one of the...