Venice Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Grand Canal featuring heritage architecture, a lake or waterhole and kayaking or canoeing
Venice
Doge\'s Palace which includes château or palace, heritage architecture and general coastal views
Venice
Venice featuring boating, street scenes and a city

Venice Travel Guide Video

One of those rare places where time appears to have stood still. Renowned for charming lovers and inspiring artists, all visitors will appreciate its splendour.

Those who have visited this corner of north-eastern Italy tend to sprinkle adjectives into their tales of the Floating City. With so many sights and sounds to behold, the island captivates your senses from the very moment your feet touch the famous streets.

Marvel at jaw-dropping architecture and bask in some of the masterpieces found in the city's wealth of museums and galleries. Quaint boulevards teeming with souvenir shops form a collector’s paradise, and after sipping on some of the best coffee in the country, make your way over arched bridges and through tiny alleyways to explore the city on foot.

You’ll learn to love the absence of road traffic and be soothed by the water lapping in the canals below. You may find yourself transfixed as you watch gondolas and vaporettos (water buses) ferrying passengers over the calm waters. Hop on one of these to take in some of the island’s most iconic buildings, such as the Gothic-inspired palace Ca' d'Oro and the Basilica of St Mary of Health (Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute).

The grandRialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto) is a world-famous landmark, but nothing beats gliding beneath it in a gondola. To explore further afield, hop on a ferry to the irresistible islands of Murano and Burano. These islands offer a tranquil day retreat and are renowned for the lace and glass produced by talented artisans.

Venetians are passionate about their food, and freshly cooked Italian cuisine accompanied by excellent wine, are always best savoured on the restaurant terraces. For classical local dishes, head to one of the traditional osterias (bars that also serve food).

The perfect spot to begin your love affair with Venice is St Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco), which is where you’ll find two of Venice's most stunning buildings: St Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), featuring opulent golden mosaics and elaborate domes inspired by the Byzantine era, and the imposing Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale).

The best time to visit Venice is during spring or autumn—the city gets crowded in summer as temperatures soar. But visitors flock to the city all year round for its innumerable attractions, which provide one of the most romantic backdrops in the world, come rain or shine.

Where to stay in Venice

Dorsoduro which includes heritage architecture and a coastal town

Venice City Center

The stunning cathedral and charming cafes are just a few highlights of Venice City Center. Make a stop by St. Mark's Square or Grand Canal while you're exploring the area.

Venice City Center
San Marco which includes a river or creek and kayaking or canoeing

San Marco

4.5/5(1,050 area reviews)

San Marco is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like St. Mark's Square and Grand Canal.

San Marco
San Polo featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbour

San Polo

4.5/5(146 area reviews)

San Polo is known for its abundant dining options, and you can plan a trip to Grand Canal and Campo San Polo while you're in town.

San Polo
Venetian Ghetto which includes boating, a coastal town and heritage architecture

Cannaregio

4.5/5(577 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of Cannaregio is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out Grand Canal and Jewish Museum of Venice.

Cannaregio
Dorsoduro which includes a bridge and a river or creek

Dorsoduro

4.5/5(297 area reviews)

The ample dining options and fascinating museums are top of the list for many visitors to Dorsoduro. A stop by Grand Canal or Maritime Station might round out your trip.

Dorsoduro
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Santa Croce

4.5/5(210 area reviews)

Santa Croce is known for its charming cafes, and you can make a stop by Piazzale Roma and Grand Canal while in the area.

Santa Croce
Amadeus Hotel
Amadeus Hotel
4 out of 5
Lista di Spagna, Cannaregio 227, Venice, VE
The price is ₹18,670 per night from 1 Jul to 2 Jul
₹18,670
₹21,432 total
1 Jul - 2 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (999 reviews)
"Great location close to train station etc. Guy at reception was great until we didn’t book any tours through him then he was very unhelpful. Otherwise we enjoyed our stay. Easy to get to around from there"

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

Amadeus Hotel
Hotel Principe
Hotel Principe
4 out of 5
Rio Tera Lista de Spagna, 146, Venice, VE
The price is ₹15,365 per night from 22 Jun to 23 Jun
₹15,365
₹17,796 total
22 Jun - 23 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"Wonderful hotel and staff. Great location. We chose a room with a balcony. The balcony was exceptional with the best view of the canal."

Reviewed on 12 Jun 2025

Hotel Principe
Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
4 out of 5
Piazza San Marco 1107, Calle del Cavalletto, Venice, VE
The price is ₹13,214 per night from 18 Jun to 19 Jun
₹13,214
₹15,430 total
18 Jun - 19 Jun
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in their reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,517 reviews)
"Just steps from lobby desk to a gondola ride, this place is top notch. Biggest room in Europe so far! Clean accomadations in every space including breakfast room, bar, and cozy outdoor terraces poised above the canal. Do not pass this up!"

Reviewed on 14 Jun 2025

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hu Venezia Camping in Town
Hu Venezia Camping in Town
3 out of 5
Via Giuseppe De Marchi 7, Marghera, Mestre, VE
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly campsite in Mestre. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,525 reviews)
"Very nice and has ac"

Reviewed on 13 Jun 2025

Hu Venezia Camping in Town
Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Via Ca' Marcello 8L, Mestre, VE
Stay at this aparthotel in Mestre. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (699 reviews)
"The room was clean and large. The surrounding area was so so - too noisy because of train and bus station"

Reviewed on 15 Jun 2025

Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
San Marco Palace
San Marco Palace
4 out of 5
Piazza San Marco, Ponte dei Dai 875, Venice, VE
Stay at this 4-star residence in Venice. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (757 reviews)
"Stayed here for 3 days for wedding anniversary as we got married around the corner 18 years ago. Read the reviews but didn’t take much notice which was a good job as I’m sure they must have stayed somewhere else ! Venice is obviously not a new place so any establishments are going to have character, ..."

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

San Marco Palace
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Venice

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1576
5 - Excellent 77%
4 - Good
411
4 - Good 20%
3 - Okay
43
3 - Okay 2%
2 - Disappointing
4
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
4
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Sarita

Venice is a very beautiful city, best place to do for a baecation

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller

Please put your customers first during a global crisis where the cancellation was not the customers fault. It’s disheartening and I would have expected a better service and options. Thank you.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

we love venice

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

I will be going back for sure!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

It was excellent. Venice doesn't have to be expensive if you eat where the Venetians eat. Many places were closed or restricted but it was really easy to get around, as Corona virus kept many tourists away.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Love Venice we were the last tourist from the Uk Before lockdown so most places were closed will return again to finish our tour fantastic city

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