Guide to Venice

Venice isn’t just a city—it’s a living stage, a floating maze, and possibly the world’s most glamorous puddle. It’s also one of those rare places that look exactly like the postcards, only with a few more tourists holding gelato. Whether you’re here for romance, history, or to test your balance getting on a gondola, Venice is an absolute must-see.

Getting to Venice

By Plane

Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the main gateway, a quick 13 km from the city. From there you can catch a bus, taxi, or—for the full Venetian experience—a water taxi straight across the lagoon.

If you’re staying in the historic center, remember: there are no cars. Once you reach the lagoon, it’s boats all the way. That means your “airport transfer” might just be a vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal. Eat your heart out, Uber.

By Train

Venice Santa Lucia Station drops you directly at the historic center. The tracks glide over the lagoon on a causeway, and the moment you step outside, bam—Grand Canal. No transfers, no cars, just water, bridges, and gondoliers waiting to charm (or overcharge) you.

Trains connect Venice to major Italian cities: Milan in about 2.5 hours, Florence in 2, and Rome in just over 3.5. Fast, easy, and scenic—no turbulence included.

Top Things to See

• St. Mark’s Basilica & Piazza San Marco – Glittering mosaics, epic domes, and pigeons that think they own the place.
• Doge’s Palace – Venetian Gothic at its finest, plus the famous Bridge of Sighs.
• Grand Canal & Rialto Bridge – Best viewed from a vaporetto (public boat) so you can pretend you’re in a movie montage.
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection – Modern art inside an unfinished palace. Because why not?
• Teatro La Fenice – An opera house that’s been reborn from fire more times than a phoenix.

Gondolas & Romance

Yes, gondolas are pricey. Yes, they’re touristy. And yes, you should ride one anyway. Venice is arguably the most romantic city in the world, and nothing says “we’re in Italy!” quite like floating under centuries-old bridges while your gondolier mutters about traffic jams—boat traffic jams, that is.

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Eating & Drinking

• Cicchetti Bars – Venetian tapas with spritz on the side. Hop between them for the local version of a pub crawl.
• Seafood – Fresh from the lagoon: try cuttlefish ink pasta or sardines “in saor.”
• Michelin Options – Ristorante Quadri (with a view of St. Mark’s Square) and Oro at the Belmond Cipriani make fine dining feel even finer.

Nightlife

Venice isn’t exactly a party capital, but it shines in quieter ways:

• A spritz at a canal-side café.
• Student bars at Campo Santa Margherita for something livelier.
• Gelato under lantern-lit bridges for maximum romance.

Day Trips by Vaporetto (waterbus)

Venice is more than its main islands. The ACTV vaporetto network whisks you across the lagoon in no time:

• Murano – Famous for glassmaking; you can even watch artisans at work.
• Burano – A riot of rainbow houses that might just break your camera.
• Torcello – Quiet, historic, and blissfully free of crowds.
• Lido di Venezia – Venice’s beach escape, perfect if you need a dose of sand after all the stone.

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Where to Stay

• Luxury: Aman Venice or The Gritti Palace—palatial settings with palatial prices.
• Mid-Range: Boutique hotels tucked inside old palazzos.
• Affordable: Hostels and guesthouses—though “budget” in Venice is a relative term.

The Crowds (and How to Outsmart Them)

Venice attracts millions of visitors every year, and cruise ship arrivals can flood the city with thousands of day-trippers at once. Want the magic without the mobs? Explore early mornings, late evenings, or in the off-season (November to February). That’s when Venice feels like yours.

The Perfect 3-Day Venice Itinerary

How to see the best of La Serenissima without sinking under the crowds

Day 1: The Icons of Venice

Morning

• Arrive early at St. Mark’s Basilica (beat the crowds, beat the pigeons).
• Wander Piazza San Marco and soak in the grandeur.
• Step into the Doge’s Palace and cross the Bridge of Sighs—dramatic sigh optional.

Lunch
Grab cicchetti and a spritz at a bacaro (Venetian tapas bar). Think Italian snacks + happy hour vibes.

Afternoon

• Take a vaporetto ride down the Grand Canal—cheap, scenic, and cinematic.
• Cross the Rialto Bridge, then explore its lively market.

Evening
Enjoy dinner near the canals. If you’re splurging, book Ristorante Quadri for Michelin-starred magic overlooking St. Mark’s Square. Otherwise, a cozy trattoria will do the trick.

Day 2: Gondolas, Art & Hidden Alleys

Morning

• Splurge on a gondola ride (because if not Venice, where?).
• Visit the Peggy Guggenheim Collection for a dose of modern art.

Lunch
Seafood pasta or squid-ink spaghetti—trust Venice on this one.

Afternoon

• Explore the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in the world.
• Wander the quieter Cannaregio district for a more local feel.

Evening
Catch an opera or concert at Teatro La Fenice, or sip wine at Campo Santa Margherita, Venice’s student-filled nightlife hub.

Day 3: The Islands Beyond

Morning
Hop on the vaporetto and go island-hopping:

• Murano for glassmaking.
• Burano for rainbow houses and lace.
• Torcello for peaceful vibes and old churches.

Lunch
Burano is perfect for a seafood lunch. Trattoria Al Gatto Nero is a favorite (book ahead).

Afternoon

• If it’s warm, take the vaporetto to Lido di Venezia for a beach escape.
• Otherwise, linger longer on the islands.

Evening
Return to Venice for one last sunset stroll. End your trip with gelato in hand, watching gondolas glide by.

Pro Tips for This Itinerary

• Timing is everything: Hit major sights early or late to avoid cruise-ship crowds.
• Transport hack: A multi-day vaporetto pass saves money and sanity.
• Stay fueled: Never underestimate the power of a spritz stop.
• Get lost (on purpose): Venice’s best moments are in the alleys where maps fail.

Three days is just enough to capture Venice’s magic: the icons, the hidden corners, and the islands that give the lagoon its sparkle. Sure, you’ll leave wanting more—but that’s part of Venice’s charm.

Final Word: Venice Is a One-of-a-Kind Romance

Cars don’t exist here. Streets are canals. It’s small enough you can walk everywhere (don’t swim). Palaces rise straight from the water. It’s chaotic, historic, and endlessly photogenic. Yes, you’ll queue for St. Mark’s and dodge selfie sticks on the Rialto. But there’s no place like Venice, and seeing it once in your life is non-negotiable.

Pro Tip: Venice is best enjoyed slowly. Wander, get lost, and let the city surprise you. After all, half the fun here is turning down a random alley and finding your own little slice of magic—gelato in hand, of course.