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 churchesand century old fondamenta.
As you wander through its labyrinthine alleyscross its iconic bridgesand glide along its canalsyou’ll be transported to a world where time seems to stand still.
Through my eyesthe beauty of Venice lies not only in its stunning architecture and art masterpiecesbut 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 travelleryou’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 Venicebut if you’re still unsure about any of the points belowfeel 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 thatwe will begin to explore Venice’s unique location and the best ways to reach its historic centrewhether that be by planetrainor car.
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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 landmarksbut also experiencesoff-the-beaten-path gems and events.
Againwith a bit of planningyou can create an itinerary tailored to your needs and travelling . 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 guideto get a visual image of where Venice is in relation to other cities and countriestake a look at the map below:
Venice is located in northeastern Italyand 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 timefrom late March to late Octoberthe city shifts to Central European Summer Time (CEST)which is UTC+2.
- Language: Italian is the official language in Veniceand locals also speak Venetian dialect. English is widely understood in tourist areasbut learning a few basic Italian phrases from this book can help to connect with locals.
- Cash or Card: Credit and debit cards are widely acceptedespecially in hotelsrestaurantsand shops. Howeverit’s advisable to carry cash (euros) for small transactions like at the markets and bacarito 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’. Howeverrounding up the bill or leaving a small tip (5-10%) is common. See my guide for more.
- Climate: Venice has a moderate continental climate. Summers (June-August) are hot and humidwhile winters in Venice (December-February) are cool and damp. Spring and autumn offer mildpleasant weatherideal 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 citywhether you’re flying into Venice’s Marco Polo Airport or Treviso (the closest airports)arriving by trainor travelling by bus from other cities around the country.
1. 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 arrivethere are a couple of options for you to get from the airport to Venice: water taxiwater busland taxibus or private transfer.
See the options below to learn what to expect from each mode of transport.
2. From Marco Polo airport (VCE) to Venice city centre
Water Taxi:
- Most direct and scenic option.
- 24 hours service (Private or Shared).
- Takes you directly to your hotel or a nearby pier.
- Journey time: 20–30 minutes.
- Expensivebut convenient for groups or lots of luggage.
Alilaguna Water Bus:
- Public water bus with three lines (BlueOrangeRed).
- Stops at major points like San Marco and Rialto.
- Journey time: 60-90 minutesdepending on the route.
- Affordable and scenic (Check Tickets).
Bus:
- Take the ATVO or ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma.
- Journey time: 20-25 minutes.
- Cheapest optionideal for budget travellers.
- From Piazzale Romawalk 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 busbut direct.
- Ideal if you have lots of luggage or prefer door-to-door service.
Then for your returnif you have onwards travel booked and have an early morning flight from Venice airport scheduledyou’ll want to read about the various options.
3. 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 Veniceit’s well connected by bus or even by taxi if you prefer a private transfer. See an overview of both options below.
Bus:
- ATVOBarzi Bus or Terravision services available.
- Direct to Piazzale Roma in Venice.
- Journey time: 40-70 minutesdepending on traffic.
- Affordable and frequentwith services timed to flight arrivals.
Taxi:
- Direct ride to Piazzale Roma or your hotel.
- Journey time: 40-60 minutes.
- More expensive but faster and convenientespecially for groups or those with heavy luggage.
Then for your returnif you have onwards travel booked and have an early morning flight from Treviso airport scheduledyou’ll want to read about the various options.
4. 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 RomeFlorenceor Milanhigh-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 mainlandbased 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 moneyyou 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 footby getting a vaporetto or water taxi. To get more clarityI have created a special guide that looks at the train stations in Venice in more detail so you learn more about each one.
5. 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 Veniceon the mainlandyou can use the local ACTV buses.
Flixbus offers direct routes to Venice from nearby cities such as PaduaTreviso Vicenza and Verona but also other important Italian cities such as:
- Milan
- Turin
- Florence
- Bologna
Buses are usually cheaper than trainsbut the journey is longer and less comfortable. The buses covering long distances are equipped with Wi-Fioutlets and reclining seats. You can stop in Mestrenear the train stationor 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.
1. Where to stay in Venice
Choosing where to stay in Venice depends on your preferences and budget. There are 6 neighbourhoods in Venicelocally 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 Rialtoyou can stay in San Marcothe 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 quietermore local vibeand enjoy art galleries and museums and visit local artisan and artists shopsconsider staying in Dorsoduro.
The Cannaregio district offers a more authentic Venetian experienceyou can often find better deals and generally speaking it’s quiet. If you fancy joining the local movidahead over to the buzzling Fondamenta della Misericordia.
If you are a seasoned travellerwant to explore other areas of the historic centre or simply looking for a better hotel dealcheck Castellothe most ‘residential’ neighbourhood of VeniceGiudecca island or even Murano and Burano.
Finallyif you prefer to be close to the bus and train station and better hotel dealsconsider looking for accommodation in Santa Croce.
2. Best time to visit Venice
The best time to visit is during spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November) when the weather in Venice is mild and the city is less crowded.
These periods offer a perfect balance of pleasant temperatures (less in November) and a more relaxed atmosphereideal for exploring the city’s canalscalli and campiand main attractions.
Summer is the most popular time for obvious reasons. You can enjoy the long daysbut it can get quite hot and crowdedwith 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 tip: NovemberDecember and March are the cheapest months to visit Venice and book accommodation! See my guide on the best time to visit Venice for more.
3. 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 Seafresh seasonal produce like the Sant’Erasmo artichoke.
Thenin spring ‘castraure’ and moeche (lagoon crab that sheds its shell and gets fished) in both spring and autumnjust to name a few.
When in Venicefor a local experienceI recommend that you try the cicchetti that you can eat at the bacariaccompanied 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 dessertindulge in fritole (Venetian doughnuts) during Carnivalor tiramisùwhich originated in the nearby city of Treviso.
You can also try local biscuits like buranelliesse or zaeti. Lesser known desserts are the pan del dogesweet focaccia (during Easter) and pinsa.
In Veniceyou can find a wide range of eateries that can please any budgetfrom the small family owned trattorias and osterias to Michelin starred restaurants.
4. Things to do in Venice
From exploring famous landmarks to less hidden gemsVenice has a lot to offer and can suit different types of travellers.
If you’re a first timerthen you might want to cover the main Venice tourist attractions such as St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace in Piazza San Marcothe Rialto Bridge and go for a gondola ride on the Grand Canalfor example.
If you’re more into art and museumsthen you can spend hours exploring places like the Gallerie dell’Accademiathe Peggy Guggenheim Collection and Ca’ Pesaro.
No matter what you choose to doknow 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 timeyou can also go on a boat trip to the islands of Muranoalso called the Glass Island and Buranoone of the most colourful places to visit in Italy.
5. Getting around Venice
Forget carsbikesor scooters – the best way to explore is on foot or by water. Most points of interest are within easy walking distanceso with a pair of comfy shoesyou can go literally from one side to the other of Venice in less than a day.
But if you have to move from your accommodation to an attraction and back again for more explorationthen use the vaporetto. Check out my guide to learn how the vaporetto (public waterbus) works. The best thing is to buy the ACTV pass in advance here or as soon as you get to Venice to save both time and euros.
Vaporetti run every few minutes on the Grand Canal and to the islands like Murano and Burano. The water taxi is great to use at least once to get from Marco Polo airport to Venice oryou can do it in reverse if you prefer to leave Venice in .
Seeing Venice appearing from the lagoon watersit is an unforgettable experience. Butit’s not a sustainable (money wise) to move around the city during your stay. You can find out more about using the water taxi in Venice here.
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 eatthoughtful preparation ensures you have a memorable experiencebeyond the most common and touristy things to do.
By organising these details in advanceyou’ll be free to immerse yourself in Venice’s history and culturemaking every moment of your visit truly unforgettable.
If you need help with planning your visit to Venicedon’t hesitate to email me at [email protected] and book a trip consultation that can suit your needs.
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