Top things to do in Venice
Attractions, tours, and activities in Venice
Recommended museums in Venice
Where to find art and culture in Venice
Venice: the city's best neighborhoods
Find a great area to stay in Venice
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San Marco
0.2 miles from downtown
The beating heart of Venice. From dawn till dusk, stunning San Marco buzzes with footfall and camera-shutter clicks. Start the day with fresh pastry from Pasticceria Tonolo before getting your fill of selfies at Piazza San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. Cap it off with a cocktail at Harry’s, the legendary bar loved by Ernest Hemingway. “Salute!”
Places to stay from $36 a night
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Cannaregio
0.7 miles from downtown
This one-time ghetto is a cache of offbeat treasure. Start the day with breakfast from a café in Campo di Ghetto, then get inspired at Bragorà, a funky handicrafts workshop. On sunny days, you can’t beat Al Timon, a small canalside bar with a moored-up gondola. It’s a tip-top spot to sit and tuck into spritz and “cicchetti” (snack dishes).
Places to stay from $6 a night
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Dorsoduro
0.7 miles from downtown
Keep it real in Dorsoduro. Away from the tourist swarms, this quiet district is home to bona-fide Venetians. Behind artistic treasure troves like Galleria dell’Accademia, you’ll find a whimsical labyrinth of picturesque squares and canals. Stroll down Zattere promenade to bask in the setting sun, then dine by candlelight at atmospheric La Bifora.
Places to stay from $29 a night
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Santa Croce
0.7 miles from downtown
Far from the madding crowds, where the real Venetians live. Friends have a tête-à-tête over biscotti and cappuccino, children chatter and play, and young couples idly stride across the square hand-in-hand. The humble (yet elegant) buildings contrast with the baroque and byzantine monuments that lord above the canal at every turn.
Places to stay from $30 a night
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San Polo
0.5 miles from downtown
History is writ large in San Polo. Ditch the map and follow the slender alleyways like Calle dei Botteri, winding past crumbling façades and impossibly small cafés. Head to Calle del Tintoretto, where Scuola Grande di San Rocco boasts a slew of paintings from the great man himself. Sip a riverside spritz in Ancorà, before a fresh fish supper at Muro Frari.
Places to stay from $22 a night
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Castello
0.4 miles from downtown
Old-school Castello is decidedly laid-back. Neighbours chatter, shirts drip-dry from washing lines strewn above alleys, and mornings start with cappuccinos and newspaper-rustle at the cafes around Giardini Pubblici (the public gardens). It’s also home to the Venetian Arsenal, shipyards that are anchored to the city’s history.
Places to stay from $11 a night
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Giudecca
0.8 miles from downtown
Most visitors head to the Redentore Church. However, if you only go there you’d be missing half the fun. This humble, car-free district is only accessible by waterbus. It was once the city’s industrial centre, where fabrics were woven and rolled, flour ground and turned into artisanal breads and tourists came in droves; now it’s as quiet as it gets.
Places to stay from $11 a night
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Venice City Center
In downtown
The colour of street signs matches the city centre’s interiors – pure gold. Modern-day Medici’s live in luxury in Venice’s most elite district. Before the stream of tourists becomes a river, watch the morning sun strike St. Marco Square – it’s magnificent. Afterwards, slip into Pasticceria Tonolo for a standing espresso and Venice’s best pastries.
Places to stay from $28 a night
About Venice
Including tips for the best time to visit Venice
Venice has barely changed since its peak in the late 13th century, making it one of the world's most unique and well-preserved cities. Located in the Veneto region of northeastern Italy, Venice invites all to explore its network of charming canals and labyrinthine layout of narrow streets, offering a new discovery around every corner.
Surrounding the famous Piazza di San Marco at the city's center, you'll find the increible Basilica of St. Mark, the Doges' Palace (Palazzo Ducale), as well as the columns of San Marco and San Todaro.
Take a romantic gondola ride along the Grand Canal and under the Rialto Bridge, or a water taxi to Murano, world-renowned for its glassmaking. Venice also hosts the oldest film festival in the world, which takes place on the island of Lido di Venezia towards the end of summer. Other cultural highlights include the prestigious Art Biennale exhibition and the annual Carnival, when both locals and visitors hit the streets wearing traditional period costumes and elaborate Venetian masks.
Venice Marco Polo on the mainland area of Mestre is the closest airport to Venice itself, though many low-cost airlines touch down at Treviso Airport, 15 miles away from the city.
Tonight
From $142 per night
Next weekend
From $754 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.11 |
| Language | Italian |
| Average weekend price | $256 per night |
| Average weekday price | $253 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Venice
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Venice
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Piazza San Marco
In downtown
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Rialto Bridge
0.3 miles from downtown
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Teatro La Fenice
0.2 miles from downtown
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The Bridge of Sighs
0.1 miles from downtown
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Ca' d'Oro
0.5 miles from downtown
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St. Mark's Basilica
0.1 miles from downtown
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Doge's Palace
0.1 miles from downtown
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Peggy Guggenheim Collection
0.4 miles from downtown
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San Polo
0.5 miles from downtown
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Venice Casino
0.7 miles from downtown
Venice reviews
What other travelers say about Venice
This was my third visit to Venice (over a 32 year span) and...
September 14, 2024
This was my third visit to Venice (over a 32 year span) and I won’t return in a hurry. Parts of the city are so packed with tourists that you feel claustrophobic. And we went in September, not even high season! And most of the stores are tourist-centric. If you stay away from the major tourist areas you can still enjoy what feels like genuine Venetian life.
Beautiful city but so difficult to get around in.
September 12, 2024
Beautiful city but so difficult to get around in. If your hotel is far from your transportation be ready for a workout. We walked 6 miles a day. The water bus helps but it’s a ripoff for tourists. Locals ride for 1.40 euro we pay 9.50 euro. We rode to early morning events then walked. There’s lots to do and see and eat. Go when you’re young.
We walked the labyrinths of Venice and loved the challenge.
September 10, 2024
We walked the labyrinths of Venice and loved the challenge. We did not use the vaporetto to get around. We had booked 2 days to visit. An extra day would have been bette since we had an afternoon of rain so we missed out on visiting a Murano, Burano and Lido.
I'm very surprised at how clean and safe the city is.
September 10, 2024
I'm very surprised at how clean and safe the city is. I was there for 5 days and walked everywhere. The food was heavenly, I never had a mediocre meal. There is so much to see that I will definitely return a few more times. The only disappointment was the shopping. The next time I go I'll research the local crafts people so that I can support the economy and bring home authentic products. There were too many shops filled with fake leather purses and clothing made in Asia. I would recommend more than one day to get a true feel of what Venice is about.
What a fun city.
September 9, 2024
What a fun city. Not for the weary traveler though. You need to be able to move quickly and be on your feet. Lots of bridges and narrow walkways. So great to get from place to place though. The water taxis have a lot of stop options, but you should get the pass for as many days as you will stay - it's worth it. If you are in the Basilica Square at hide tide - be careful. The water comes up and fills the square - your shoes will get wet. Lots of great restaurants and coffee cafes. We stayed two days - but probably could have stated at least one more day.
Pick the right time for a visit to Venice.
September 9, 2024
Pick the right time for a visit to Venice. I have been there end of June and August and both times it was extremely hot. Venice has many landmarks that must be visited. It is a great cultural experience.
Popular places to stay in Venice
Stay in some of the best accommodations Venice has to offer
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Appartamento Piera Rossa Castello, Venice
From $448 per night
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Casa Marco Polo Venice City Center, Venice
From $521 per night
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Appartamento Calle dei Preti Castello, Venice
From $398 per night
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Other accommodations in Venice
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Venice
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Apartments
From $11 per night
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Villas
From $100 per night
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Cottages
From $36 per night
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Serviced apartments
From $39 per night
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Vacation Homes
From $36 per night
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Guest Houses
From $6 per night
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Hostels
From $11 per night
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B&Bs
From $42 per night
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Homestays
From $33 per night
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Boats
From $244 per night
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Self-Catering Accommodations
From $11 per night
