Venice is one of the most beautiful and unique cities anywhere in the whole world. This city made up 118 islands and 400 bridges is a fairytale world like nowhere else on earth and somewhere you have to visit at least once in your lifetime. However Venice has become a victim of its own popularity and in recent years has suffered from massive overtourism. Visiting Venice when busy and crowded is not fun and you could very easily leave hating the city that you wanted to visit so much.

However Venice is what you make of it and by doing a little research and planning ahead of time, you can avoid crowds and fellow tourists, overpriced food and drink and your trip to Venice can easily be the magical experience you want it to be. I have written this blog and travel guide and tried to include as much up to date information that you need to know before your visit as well as things to see and do, directions, advice, photos, tips and tricks as I can to help anyone planning a trip to Venice.

When to Visit Venice

Venice is a popular destination to visit all year round but the summer months are hot and extremely crowded (actually crowded is probably an understatement) and normally best avoided at all costs. The rest of the year will still be busy but the crowds will be much more manageable and the temperatures will be a lot cooler. Venice is a major European cruise port so no matter what time of the year you plan to visit, always check the cruise ship schedule so you can get an idea of how many ships will be docked during your stay – and make sure to check for the nearby ports of Marghera, Ravenna and Trieste as well. As the streets and bridges of Venice are small and narrow, you do not want to be here on these busy days when it is even more crowded as you could find it unbearable – I know I would.

Visiting out of season will always be the best option as not only will it be quieter but it will also be cheaper and you will be able to enjoy the city a lot more. Visiting on a weekday rather than a weekend is always a good idea and check for when any events such as Carnival are taking place – unless of course that is the reason for visiting!

How to Get to Venice

Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is located five miles north of the city and is the main airport serving Venice. From the airport you can either take either the cheap and easy ATVO or ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma, the Alilaguna water shuttle boat to several destinations in the city or a much more expensive private water taxi to your destination. The other airport is Treviso (TSF) which is located twenty miles from Venice and is mainly used by low cost airlines. You can reach Piazzale Roma in the city from here by using the ATVO or Barzi Service bus.

You can also arrive into Venezia Santa Lucia railway station which is located in the city itself on high speed trains from major cities across Italy. However if staying in the city, do not get off the train at Venezia Mestre as this station is located on the mainland – stay on the train and the next and final stop will be Venezia Santa Lucia.

If driving to Venice, you will either have to leave your car on the mainland in Mestre and take either the bus or train over the bridge into the city or park your car in one of the more expensive multi story car parks located in Piazzale Roma. If doing the latter option, make sure to book your parking ahead of time as they will be busy – even though we visited when it was quieter than normal, the car park was completely full so I am glad that we booked in advance.

If staying in Venice itself and arriving by car or bus at Piazzale Roma or arriving by train at Santa Lucia station, make sure to have a plan of how you are going to get any heavy bags and luggage that you have with you to your hotel – you will either have to walk, take a Vaporetto or a very expensive water taxi. Try to pack as light as possible when visiting Venice and pick a hotel near a Vaporetto stop to avoid carrying your luggage long distances along narrow alleyways and up and down the numerous bridges in the city.

Where to Stay in Venice

Whilst waking up and looking out from a hotel room at the canals of Venice below is a great option, it can be expensive depending on the time of year. I have read many blogs that say to avoid staying on the mainland at all costs and to only book a hotel in the city but I honestly think it all depends where on the mainland you stay as I believe it to be a very good and affordable option.

I completely get why people say to stay in the city – I have done it on a previous trip – as it makes it very easy to see Venice and it is also possible to go back to the hotel during the day and take a rest before heading back out later to continue sightseeing. When booking a hotel in Venice itself, book early and make sure to pick one close to a Vaporetto stop and contact the hotel in advance to find out how many bridges it is from that Vaporetto stop so you have an idea of how easy or difficult it will be to carry your luggage between the two.

However on my last visit which was part of a road trip around Europe, we stayed on the mainland just on the other side of the causeway at the Hilton Garden Inn Venice Mestre San Giuliano as not only was it very affordable, it also had larger rooms with better facilities (including a swimming pool) as well as free parking for us to leave our car during our stay and a bus stop right outside allowing us to get to Piazzale Roma (which was the next stop) in less than ten minutes for €3 return. It was the perfect location to stay in Mestre as it was so close to the city (and not too far out like some hotels can be) and the journey into Venice itself was quick and easy.

How to Explore Venice

As it can get very busy and crowded in Venice, it is wise to have an idea of how to explore the city. Whilst it is possible to see limited highlights of Venice in one day, you will need longer to be able to see any more or to explore in more detail. Whilst Venice is not huge, it does take time to get around (there are only four bridges across the whole of the Grand Canal and they are further apart than what you think) so the best way to see everything is to break up your sightseeing into the different neighbourhoods (Cannaregio, Santa Croce, San Marco, Dorsoduro, Castello and San Polo) and take your time to see each one before moving onto the next.

Try to start exploring Venice as early as possible in the morning before all of the crowds arrive and once again in the late afternoon and into the evening once everyone has left the city. The streets of Venice in the evening are silent and magical and you feel like you are in another world as you walk through the empty squares and along the empty maze-like alleyways and by the canals – it’s like travelling back to another time. The best advice in Venice is to not follow the crowds and to avoid the popular areas such as St Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge in the middle of the day – use this time to explore the back streets and the less popular areas which are simply beautiful and definitely worth visiting.

It is also worth pointing out that you do not need to book an organised tour to be able to see Venice as you can easily see everything yourself in your own time. We had no problem using Google Maps whilst we were there and were able to see (and find) everything that we wanted to – you can even pick up a paper map and mark all the places you want to visit with no difficulty. If you want to visit places such as Doge’s Palace, Saint Mark’s Basilica or any museums, make sure to book tickets ahead of time (especially now as many places have strict capacity limits) as you can often skip the line this way and are guaranteed entry. Also remember if visiting any churches during the summer months that you will need to cover up before being allowed inside.

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Tips for Walking Around Venice

As already mentioned, it is incredibly easy to walk around Venice and it really is the best way to see and explore the city but there are a few need-to-knows that will make your life easier. The first thing is to allow yourself extra time to get anywhere as you will continuously stop and look at the different views or take photos without even realising it. You will also walk in Venice a lot more than you thought possible and both your feet as well as your legs will hurt at the end of the day from walking on the cobblestones and up and down the many bridges so make sure to wear comfortable and supportive shoes and leave the heels and flip flops at home.

Do not worry about getting lost as you will probably discover places you did not even know existed. The fun in Venice is getting lost in the back streets so embrace that feeling. If you do get lost you are never far from wherever you need to go and there are signs everywhere pointing you in the direction of the main areas and landmarks such as “San Marco”, “Rialto”, “Piazzale Roma” and “Ferrovia” (Train Station) which are easy to follow.

Try to carry as little as possible with you when walking around and only have a small bag with you – there are lockers at Venezia Santa Lucia station where you can leave any heavier bags whilst you explore. I carried my SLR camera with me all day and I ended up regretting that decision as a smaller, lighter camera would have been much easier to carry.

If travelling with small children, do not bring a stroller into the city with you due to the narrow alleyways and the fact that you will spend more time lifting it up and down steps than you will pushing it. There are very few ramps making Venice not easily accessible and more challenging to visit if you have limited mobility.

How to Use the Vaporetto in Venice

As there are no roads through the city, the Venice public transportation system consists of the Vaporetto which are water buses that run on several different routes along the canals. As of 2025 a single fare is €9.50 (which is valid for 75 minutes) but there are also 1, 2, 3 and 7 day passes available which can work out great value for money if you will be using the Vaporetto a lot during your stay. You can purchase tickets from the machines (Biglietteria) at some stops or on the AVM Venezia app (which is what we used) but remember to activate your tickets before boarding the Vaporetto.

A great way to see Venice is from Line 1 of the Vaporetto which runs along the entire Grand Canal from Piazzale Roma to the Lido di Venezia passing under the Rialto Bridge and past St Mark’s Square. The best views of Venice are from the water so you will get amazing views on this route. However Line 1 can get very busy and even though there are seats outside of the Vaporetto, do not expect to get one unless you board at the start of the route.

How to Ride a Gondola in Venice

I will hold my hands up and say that I have never been on a Gondola in Venice and even though it is expensive and touristy, I would never say to not do it (as it is a bucket list item for a lot of people) but I do not feel like I have missed out by not doing it. There is a fixed price to ride the Gondola – €80 for a forty minute ride during the day and €100 from 7:00pm in the evening. However each gondola can hold six passengers so the more of you there are, the cheaper it works out per person making it much more affordable.

Do not book online before you go as there is no need to and anyone who tells you there is also has an affiliate link on their blog to a travel site to earn a commission. Once you arrive in Venice, do not go to the first gondolier you see – explore the city a little first and decide which area you would like to see from the water. Make sure to get in a gondola away from the busy Grand Canal and St Mark’s Square and you will be able to take in more of the quieter and less congested canals without getting in a “traffic jam” of gondolas which could cut into your time. Agree on the price and the route with the gondolier before boarding the gondola and just to let you know that the majority of gondoliers do not sing.

However you can also take a Traghetto (a slightly larger gondola in which you stand) to cross the Grand Canal which costs €2 per person and takes only a minute or two and is much more affordable.

Where to Get the Best Views in Venice

There are several places in Venice where you can go to get incredible views of the city from above. The first one is the famous Campanile di San Marco bell tower in St Mark’s Square which is the tallest building in Venice and which costs €10 per person. The line to enter can be very long so visiting early in the day is recommended or when possible, book a skip the line ticket online in advance if they are available. This is somewhere that should not be missed on your trip to Venice.

The second place is the T Fondaco Dei Tedeschi Rooftop Terrace located next to the Rialto Bridge. From here you will get a great view looking across the rooftops of the city and along the Grand Canal. Entrance is free of charge but you must book a time slot online in advance.

The last place is one that I happily discovered by accident which is the rooftop of the San Marco Parking Garage in Piazzale Roma. The view across the entire city at sunset from here is spectacular.

Where to Eat and Drink in Venice

When it comes to eating and drinking in Venice, the best rule of thumb is to avoid St Mark’s Square at all costs. It’s a rip-off aimed at overcharging tourists so the one drink you have will easily be the most expensive drink that you have ever had – you will be charged a “music fee” to sit outside per person on top of an already overpriced drink. If you walk a few blocks away to one of the other squares, the prices will be completely different. To give an example my Aperol Spritz in the nearby Campo Bandiera e Moro cost €4 whereas in St Mark’s Square it would have been an eyewatering €19! Another “scam” is the restaurants alongside the Grand Canal next to the Rialto Bridge – whilst they advertise dinner for one price, that price is only if you sit indoors – you will pay a lot more to sit outside with a view. And whatever you do, do not go to the Hard Rock Cafe – just don’t do it.

Avoid anywhere with tourist menus and any restaurant with flags and photos of their food outside. Head away from the touristy areas to where the locals eat and not only will the food be cheaper, it will also be a hundred times better. If a restaurant on a back street is busy late at night, that is a good sign. Most restaurants do have a small cover charge (Coperto) but this will only be a couple of Euros each. If you know where you want to eat, make sure to get a reservation ahead of time. One of my favourite restaurants in the whole world is in Venice with one of the best dishes I have ever eaten – however it is nowhere near a touristy area, does not even have an English menu and yet you need to book several days in advance to be able to get a table.

With all walking you will do in Venice, you might not realise that you haven’t eaten for hours so do not forget to eat something during the day. Cicchetti Bars (Italian tapas) are great for grabbing a small snack and a glass of Aperol Spritz or Prosecco whilst on the go and if you need a coffee, join the locals and stand and get an espresso at a bar for next to nothing.

Other Need to Knows for Visiting Venice

As of 2025 you will have to pay an “Access Fee” when visiting Venice on specific days of the year. All information, dates and pricing can be found on the Venezia Unica website.

Despite English being widely spoken in Venice, make sure to use some Italian whilst you are there. Just knowing the basics such as Buongiorno (Good Morning), Ciao (Hello), Buonasera (Good Evening), Per Favore (Please), Mi Scusi (Excuse Me), Vorrei (I Would Like), Grazie (Thank You) and Arrivederci (Goodbye) as well as numbers will be very much appreciated.

There are public toilets located throughout Venice but these will cost you between €1-2 to use each time so make sure that you have some loose change with you. The better alternative is to stop at a cafe or bar for a drink and use their toilets whilst you are there.

There are water fountains located throughout Venice (especially in the public squares) where you can fill your bottle for free – there is absolutely no need to buy expensive (and wasteful) bottled water and these are especially useful on a hot day.

If you want to buy real Murano glass, take the Vaporetto (Lines 12, 4.1, or 4.2 from Fondamente Noveto) to Murano and avoid taking a free trip organised by a sales person looking for gullible tourists. Once there visit the workshops, showrooms and factories where you can ensure the authenticity of what you are buying.

Acqua Alta (High Water) can occur in both Autumn and Winter which can flood certain areas of the city. There are raised platforms that you can walk along which will still allow you to access everywhere. You can check the high tide forecasts here.

Due to overtourism in the last few years, there have been a lot of rules put in place to help make Venice a much better place both for those visiting and more importantly for those that live there. Make sure not to feed the pigeons, swim in the canals (and do not walk around bare chested or in swimwear no matter how hot it gets in the summer), do not sit on any steps anywhere (either on the bridges or in St Mark’s Square) and only eat and drink in a cafe or restaurant and never sitting on the ground. Also never leave a crappy padlock or “love lock” anywhere as it is not a sign of love and just pure vandalism instead. The #EnjoyRespectVenezia rules can be found on the Venezia Unica website.

Remember that people live and work in Venice so be respectful and do not block paths or be noisy either early in the morning or late at night – always walk on the right hand side of any path or bridge and when stopping to take a photo, always make sure there is enough room for people to pass you.

My last tip is to carry an umbrella with you – I found this one out the hard way and it cost me €10 to quickly purchase one in a supermarket during a huge thunderstorm.

2020 was the exception to every travel rule and I feel very lucky and incredibly grateful that I was able to visit Venice during this time whilst following all the rules and guidelines. The city was far from empty (there were lots of other European tourists) however there were no crowds like there normally would be at that time of year. I loved that we were able to include Venice as part of our road trip around Europe – it definitely was the perfect place to stop for a few days and spend some time. There is nothing like sitting with an Aperol Spritz in one of the squares on the back streets of Venice watching the world go by.

Venice is beautiful and well worth visiting. Even after two trips I still feel like I have barely scratched the surface of what Venice has to offer – the city is already calling me back and it will definitely have the same effect on you.

Since this blog post was written back in 2021, some of the information may no longer be accurate or up to date though I have tried my best to keep it updated. Be sure to do your own research and check official websites for the latest details before making any of your own travel plans.

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