Venice is unlike anywhere else on earth: palazzi on the water, Byzantine mosaics, quiet backstreets and lagoon islands. It’s also crowded and expensive at peak times, so timing and planning make a big difference. This guide covers the essentials and links to our detailed Venice guides.
Top things to do in Venice
- St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace: book both online. See Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s tickets.
- The Grand Canal by vaporetto Line 1: the cheapest “cruise” in Venice.
- The Rialto Bridge and market: fish and produce stalls in the morning.
- Dorsoduro: the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Zattere promenade.
- Murano and Burano: glass-making and colourful fishermen’s houses.
- A gondola ride: pricey, but unforgettable at sunset.
- Getting lost in Cannaregio and Castello, away from the crowds.
See all 20 best things to do in Venice, or compare Venice tours and gondola rides.
Where to stay in Venice
- San Marco: central and iconic, but the priciest and busiest.
- Dorsoduro: artsy, calmer and romantic.
- Cannaregio: local, good value, near the train station.
- Castello: authentic and quiet, near the Biennale gardens.
- Mestre: budget hotels on the mainland, 10 minutes by train.
Read our full Venice area guide, or check hotel prices in Venice.
Getting around Venice
Walk everywhere you can, because the city is small but maze-like. ACTV vaporetti cost €9.50 for a 75-minute ticket, with passes at €25 (24 hours), €35 (48 hours), €45 (72 hours) and €65 (7 days) (ItalyPlanner). Validate your ticket at the pontoon before boarding. The traghetto gondola ferries across the Grand Canal are a cheap shortcut.
Airport to the city
| Option (VCE → Venice) | Cost (one way) | Time |
|---|---|---|
| ATVO express bus to Piazzale Roma | €10 | ~20 min |
| ACTV bus 5 to Piazzale Roma | ~€8 | 30–45 min |
| Alilaguna water bus | €18 | 60–90 min |
| Water taxi | €120+ | ~30 min |
Full details are in Venice Airport to the city.
The Venice access fee
In 2026, day-trippers aged 14+ paid €5 (booked 4+ days ahead) or €10 to enter the historic centre between 8:30 and 16:00 on 60 selected days from April to July. Overnight guests are exempt, but they must register for a free QR code. See our Venice access fee guide.
Best time to visit Venice
Spring and autumn offer the best balance of weather and crowds. Summer is hot and packed. In winter, you’ll see misty, magical scenes and lower prices, and there’s Carnival in February, though acqua alta (high water) is possible from October to January. Read the best time to visit Venice.
Continue to Tuscany: Florence is about 2 hours from Venice by train. See our Florence travel guide.
Practical tips
Italy is in the Schengen area. See our Schengen visa guide and ETIAS and EES guide. Venice charges a hotel tourist tax per night. Don’t sit on bridges or monuments to eat, and don’t swim in the canals, because fines apply. Get a Europe eSIM and consider travel insurance.
Venice guides
- 20 best things to do in Venice
- Venice itinerary: 1, 2 or 3 days
- Where to stay in Venice
- Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Basilica tickets
- Venice access fee: dates and rules
- Venice Airport to the city
- Best time to visit Venice
- Rome travel guide
FAQ: Venice travel
How many days do you need in Venice?
Two days covers San Marco, the Grand Canal, Dorsoduro and the Rialto. A third day lets you visit Murano and Burano at a relaxed pace.
Is Venice expensive?
Yes, especially hotels, gondolas and cafés on St Mark’s Square. Save by staying in Cannaregio or Mestre, eating cicchetti in bacari, and using vaporetto passes.
Is Venice worth visiting as a day trip?
Staying overnight is much better. The city is magical in the evening once the day-trippers leave, and overnight guests are exempt from the access fee.
How much is a gondola ride in Venice?
Official daytime rates are around €90 for about 30 minutes, more in the evening, per boat for up to 5 people. Agree the price and duration before boarding.
Plan your trip to Venice
The trusted services we use to plan our own trips.
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