Venice

Travel Guide
Venice featuring night scenes, boating and heritage architecture

Venice Travel Guide Video

You’re not going to find a more romantic city thanthe floating city of Venice, with its gondolas,serenades, beautiful piazzas, churches, beautiful architecture, intimatecandle-lit restaurants and almost timeless atmosphere, anywhere.

Explore the cobblestone streets and the archedbridges and let yourself be guided by your senses as you hear the water lappingagainst the gondolas in the canals, the tantalising smells of freshly preparedItalian food and taste quality wines on the terraces of restaurants. Feel thesun on your skin while taking in the sights in St. Mark's Square (Piazza SanMarco) hear the street musicians’ sweet serenades.

Even in the cooler winter months Venicebustles with life. While in the summer it can be hot and crowded, Autumn andSpring brings pleasant, mild weather and fewer crowds, making it a verypleasant time to visit. You can view all the main attractions in just a fewdays. The magnificent St. Mark's Square is a good place to start. On the eastside of the square are two of the most spectacular buildings you’ll find in Venice,namely the St.Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) and the Doge's Palace(Palazzo Ducale). The Basilica, with its ornate, golden mosaics and granddomes, is a perfect example of Byzantine influence in Venice. The impressiveDoge’s Palace exudes wealth and power.

Most attractions are accessible via the S-shapedcanal. You can spend hours just watching the gondolas and vaporetto (water bus)or embark on a romantic boat trip yourself. Glide smoothly past buildings suchas the Gothic palace Ca 'd'Oro (Golden House) and the Basilica di Santa Mariadella Salute, and be carried by the water under the Rialto Bridge. Once you’veseen the city, make sure you stop at a traditional osterie (pub) for a plate ofgnocchi or risotto and tiramisu to follow.

Enjoy a few days in Venice,the floating city, and indulge in the Italian passion for food, romance andstyle.

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 St. Mark's Basilica 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 St. Mark's Basilica.

San Marco
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 Venetian Ghetto and Casino 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 Maritime Station or Campo Santa Margherita might round out your trip.

Dorsoduro
Castello which includes heritage architecture and a river or creek

Castello

4.5/5(409 area reviews)

Castello is known for its popular shops, and with sights like St. Mark's Square and Venetian Arsenal, you won't get bored spending a day wandering around this part of Venice.

Castello
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 Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and Palazzo Pisani Moretta while you're in town.

San Polo
Hotel Montecarlo
Hotel Montecarlo
3 out of 5
Calle Specchieri 463 San Marco, Venice, VE
The price is €170 per night from 12 May to 13 May
€170
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Comfortable room with lovely amenities. Super clean and bed was very comfortable. Staff was very friendly and helpful. English is spoken by all we have encountered. Great location for sightseeing. Outstanding breakfast. We were provided several options for transportation from the airport to the hotel ..."

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Hotel Montecarlo
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 €214 per night from 12 May to 13 May
€214
per night
12 May - 13 May
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"It was a great location I enjoyed the area and the the dining nearby. Also was close to the Metro which was very helpful to get around."

Reviewed on 8 May 2024

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
Hotel Excelsior Venice
Hotel Excelsior Venice
5 out of 5
Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi 41, Venice, VE
The price is €391 per night from 21 May to 22 May
€391
per night
21 May - 22 May
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a beach locale. Popular attractions St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (974 reviews)
"The grounds were impeccable! Every location of the hotel was service oriented. The breakfast was fresh and constantly replenished. Our room was spacious and well appointed!"

Reviewed on 6 May 2024

Hotel Excelsior Venice
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 campground in Mestre. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,129 reviews)
"Overall it was a good stay. The only problem was that the bedding provided was a very thin bed cover and we were all quite cold overnight."

Reviewed on 22 Apr 2024

Hu Venezia Camping in Town
Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Via Ca' Marcello 8L, Mestre, Venice
Stay at this aparthotel in Mestre. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (523 reviews)
"Room was large and it was really clean. Also have great soundproof walls as we barely hear other guests. A large supermarket and McDonalds nearby with around 8 minutes walk, very convenient when we wanted to cook dinner ourselves using the mini kitchen. Also near to Mestre train station with around ..."

Reviewed on 9 Apr 2024

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 helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (680 reviews)
"in room water / tea / coffee not available ..."

Reviewed on 7 May 2024

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

Things to do

Reviews of Venice

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
1576
" "5 - Excellent 77.3307163886163%
4 - Good
411
" "4 - Good 20.166830225711482%
3 - Okay
43
" "3 - Okay 2.1099116781158%
2 - Disappointing
4
" "2 - Disappointing 0.19627085377821393%
1 - Terrible
4
" "1 - Terrible 0.19627085377821393%

5/5 - Excellent

Sarita
21 May 2020

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

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller
26 Apr 2020

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
7 Apr 2020

we love venice

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
18 Mar 2020

I will be going back for sure!!!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
15 Mar 2020

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
13 Mar 2020

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