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
-
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 $35 a night
-
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 $5 a night
-
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 $28 a night
-
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 $29 a night
-
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 $21 a night
-
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
-
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
-
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 $27 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 $197 per night
This weekend
From $1,007 per night
Next weekend
From $429 per night
| Most popular time to visit | October-December |
| Cheapest time to visit | January-March |
| Local currency | € 1 = $1.07 |
| Language | Italian |
| Average weekend price | $200 per night |
| Average weekday price | $206 per night |
| Average stay | 2 nights |
Points of interest in Venice
Stay near the top sightseeing spots in Venice
-
Piazza San Marco
In downtown
-
Rialto Bridge
0.3 miles from downtown
-
Teatro La Fenice
0.2 miles from downtown
-
The Bridge of Sighs
0.1 miles from downtown
-
Ca' d'Oro
0.5 miles from downtown
-
St. Mark's Basilica
0.1 miles from downtown
-
Doge's Palace
0.1 miles from downtown
-
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
0.4 miles from downtown
-
San Polo
0.5 miles from downtown
-
Venice Casino
0.7 miles from downtown
Venice reviews
What other travelers say about Venice
Palazzo Ducale, Basilica San Marco, Galleria dell...
May 10, 2024
Palazzo Ducale, Basilica San Marco, Galleria dell 'Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim Collection are not to be missed. Previous bookings are the best options. Also the view from the campanile of St. Giorgio Maggiore is superb. The food in Venice is good if you find a suitable restaurant. Expensive though. With a map you can reach almost any place of interest, but it's lovely just to get lost and wander around. Not many groceries stores in the central area so it's better to bring in some essentials.
This was my 4th visit.
May 9, 2024
This was my 4th visit. Venice is magical and unique but if you spend your time around St. Mark's Square and the Rialto, you may end up hating it. This city needs to be walked and all its different quarters seen. The vaporetti are a great way to get about. Buy a card for 1, 2 or 3 days and you can hop on and off at leisure. Visit the island too, they are lovely and worh seeing.
Beautiful city…a picture around every corner.
May 8, 2024
Beautiful city…a picture around every corner. Lots to see, just walk everywhere and get a vaporetto pass as they are great value for money. Lovely restaurants but there are some great cafes too to keep the cost down. Have at least one late night to enjoy the atmosphere and get some fab pictures. Visit the terrace Fondaco edi Tedeschi for great views it’s free but must book exactly at midnight 21 days prior to visit, Four seasons concert at Vivaldi church, Arsenale hand sculpture. Also don’t miss Morano for a glass demonstration and Burano for lunch with lovely colourful buildings.
It is a unique place which with 8-9 km walks daily you can...
May 8, 2024
It is a unique place which with 8-9 km walks daily you can see in 4-5 days! I recommend booking everything prior to visiting to avoid long lines! The food is good only if you do a good research and visit the more traditional restaurants and cafes! Best restaurants that we ate at: 1. Ristorante da carletto - Traditional and incredible food! 2. Baci & Pasta - Pasta to go - take away 3. Venchi - Great ice cream but would also recommend Suso as an alternative (both were great) 4. Sora al ponte - Lunch on a bridge! Good food. 5. La Nuova Perla - Dine by the sea! Great good 6. Ristorante due fratelli - Value for money! 7. I Tre Mercanti - Great tiramisu variations with plenty of flavors!
Beautiful unique island to visit.
May 8, 2024
Beautiful unique island to visit. Have to be sportive person or afford pay taxis to hold luggage through Venise small not regular streets and many bridges. Tourists are not very welcome and it was very clear that locals are annoyed and even mad sometimes because of tourists presence. Very crouded especially in the center.
Beautiful city, with plentiful options for things to do, and...
May 7, 2024
Beautiful city, with plentiful options for things to do, and places to eat. Doge's Palace worth a visit. The colourful houses of Burano are worth going to see. Went on a day trip to the Dolomites, which are spectacular.
Popular places to stay in Venice
Stay in some of the best accommodations Venice has to offer
-
Acqua - Attico con terrazza Castello, Venice
From $464 per night
-
Ca' Alessandro Cannaregio, Venice
From $306 per night
-
Casa Marco Polo Venice City Center, Venice
From $462 per night
-
Appartamento Calle dei Preti info at yourhomefromhomeinvenice-venicerentalapartments dot it Castello, Venice
From $447 per night
-
Residenza Donini in Venice Suite 1 Castello, Venice
From $339 per night
-
Other accommodations in Venice
Pick from a wide variety of places to stay in Venice
-
Apartments
From $11 per night
-
Villas
From $97 per night
-
Cottages
From $35 per night
-
Serviced apartments
From $38 per night
-
Vacation Homes
From $35 per night
-
Guest Houses
From $5 per night
-
Hostels
From $11 per night
-
B&Bs
From $41 per night
-
Homestays
From $32 per night
-
Boats
From $236 per night
-
Self-Catering Accommodations
From $11 per night
