Venice City Breaks

Must-see sights

See some of Venice’s most popular attractions.

• St Mark’s Basilica – Venice’s most famous landmark. Look out for its gold mosaics and climb the loggia for views over the piazza. Book ahead to skip the queues.

• Doge’s Palace – Walk across the famous Bridge of Sighs, tour the grand council rooms and see Tintoretto’s masterpieces lining the walls.

• Rialto Bridge – Venice’s oldest bridge over the Grand Canal and one of its most-photographed spots. Visit early morning or at sunset for a quieter moment.

• Grand Canal vaporetto ride – Take Vaporetto Line 1 all the way from Piazzale Roma to San Marco – it’s got a reputation for being one of the most scenic bus routes in the world.

• St Mark’s Square – The heart of Venice. Sit at an outdoor café and watch the world go by beneath the Campanile and arcaded walkways.

• Scala Contarini del Bovolo – A hidden spiral staircase with panoramic views of the city.

Gondola rides

This is one of Venice’s classic experiences, and it can be busy, so here are our tips for making the most of a gondola ride.

• Best time to go – Go early morning to beat the crowds or at sunset in time for golden hour – midday rides tend to be the busiest.

• Where to start – For the best scenery, set off near the Rialto Bridge or St Mark’s Square. For quieter canals and a more authentic route, start in Dorsoduro or Cannaregio.

• Typical cost – Prices are set by the city. It’s €80 for a 30-minute ride during the day, which goes up to €100 after 7pm.

• Private vs shared – Private rides are best-suited to couples and special moments, while sharing rides are great for groups or for a more budget-friendly option – you can fit up to six people in a gondola.

• Add-on extras – Some gondoliers offer live serenades, and select companies run gondola and cicchetti tours that combine a ride with food and wine stops.

Arts and culture

Venice feels like an open-air gallery, with plenty of art exhibitions to wander around.

• Gallerie dell’Accademia – The city’s most important art museum, with works by Bellini, Carpaccio and Veronese.

• Peggy Guggenheim Collection – Modern art in a former grand canal palazzo, home to works by Picasso, Pollock and Dalí.

• La Fenice Opera House – One of Italy’s most beautiful opera houses – tour the grand interior or book tickets for an evening performance.

• Venice Biennale (art/architecture) – International art and architecture exhibitions held every other year in the Giardini and Arsenale pavilions.

• Glassblowing in Murano – Take a boat to Murano to watch glass masters crafting ornate pieces in historic furnaces.

Festivals and events

Discover some of Venice’s biggest events.

• Carnevale di Venezia, February – Masked balls, gondola parades and costumed processions fill the city.

• Venice Film Festival, August-September – One of the world’s oldest film festivals, held on Venice Lido.

• Festa del Redentore, July – A big summer fireworks display over the lagoon, which is filled with boats.

• La Sensa, May – A historic ceremony where Venice ‘marries the sea’, with gondola regattas.

• Christmas markets and nativity scenes, December – Festive stalls can be found in Campo Santo Stefano and churches display elaborate nativity scenes.

Live like a local

See a quieter side of Venice by discovering hidden canals and stopping in small neighbourhood bars along the way.

• Morning espresso at a bar – Drink your coffee like a Venetian, standing up. Try Torrefazione Cannaregio or Caffè del Doge.

• Cicchetti in a bàcaro – In the early evening, locals gather in tiny bars for ‘cicchetti’ (Venetian tapas) and ‘ombra’, a small glass of wine.

• Sunset stroll along Zattere – Wander the wide canal-front promenade in Dorsoduro as the sun sets over Giudecca Island.

• Rialto Market – Visit this traditional food market in the morning to browse fresh fish, vegetables and local produce.

• Rowing lesson on a traditional batela – Swap the gondola for a rowing class and navigate the canals like a true Venetian.

Daytrips

Take a daytrip to one of the islands, vineyards and colourful villages – all just a short boat trip away.

• Murano – About 15 minutes by vaporetto and famous for glass-blowing workshops and artisan boutiques.

• Burano – Around 45 minutes by vaporetto, this rainbow-coloured fishing village is known for traditional lacemaking.

• Torcello – Visit the 7th-century cathedral and climb the campanile for lagoon views. It’s around 50 minutes away and much quieter than the other islands.

• Lido di Venezia – Around 20 minutes by vaporetto. Ideal for a beach day or renting a bike to cycle along the coastline.

• Valdobbiadene (Prosecco region) – Around 90 minutes from Venice by train or bus – take a tour and taste Prosecco in hillside vineyards.

Local dishes

Venetian cuisine is focused on fresh seafood and regional flavours.

• Cicchetti – Venice’s take on small plates, served in local bàcari or traditional wine bars. Look out for cod mousse (baccalà mantecato), fried olives or small sandwiches filled with prosciutto.

• Bigoli in salsa – Thick wholewheat pasta paired with an anchovy and onion sauce.

• Risotto al nero di seppia – A creamy, black risotto using cuttlefish ink. It may look unusual, but it delivers deep, seafood-rich flavour.

• Fegato alla veneziana – Thin slices of calf’s liver slowly cooked with onions and served over soft polenta.

• Fritto misto di pesce – Lightly fried prawns, squid and small fish, finished with a squeeze of lemon.

Local drinks

Try one of Venice’s well-known drinks.

• Spritz Veneziano – Made with Aperol, Select or Campari, topped with Prosecco and finished with a slice of orange – a popular choice before dinner.

• Prosecco – The Veneto region is the home of Prosecco – enjoy it chilled on its own or in a spritz.

• Grappa – A strong grape-based spirit, usually served after dinner as a digestivo.

• Venetian wine – Local reds like Valpolicella and Bardolino are served in most osterie and trattoria – local taverns and small restaurants.

Nightlife

Venice stays peaceful after dark, but it still has a few laidback nightlife spots to explore.

• Campo Santa Margherita – A lively square in Dorsoduro filled with student bars, wine spots and cafés that stay open late.

• Canal-side wine bars – Enjoy a glass of wine outside a bàcaro with views of the canals at night – try Fondamenta della Misericordia in Cannaregio.

• Rooftop terraces – Head to the top of Hotel Danieli for cocktails with lagoon views.

• Classical concerts in churches – Evening Vivaldi performances are held throughout the year in historic venues like Chiesa di San Vidal.

Couples’ holidays

Venice is the ideal romantic getaway, with winding canals, candlelit trattorias and beautiful scenery.

• Gondola ride at sunset – Drift through the quiet waterways and watch the sky turn pink over the Grand Canal – some gondoliers even offer serenading, too.

• Dinner by candlelight – Book a table overlooking a canal in Cannaregio or Dorsoduro for a special date night.

• Walk hand in hand across the bridges – Stroll through the narrow streets and discover hidden ‘campi’ – squares – lit up at night.

• Book a boutique palazzo – Historic palaces converted into small hotels make for a romantic stay.

Family holidays

Venice has plenty of things to keep little ones busy.

• Boat trips to Murano and Burano – Kids love the colourful houses and glass-blowing demos.

• Mask-painting workshops – Learn all about Carnevale traditions and decorate your own Venetian mask to take home.

• Rialto Market – Explore the food stalls and look at the fish from the lagoon.

• Gelato stops in every ‘campo’ – Grab a cone of creamy goodness while sightseeing.

Group holidays

Venice’s social scene and cultural experiences make it a good choice for trips with friends.

• Cicchetti and wine crawl – Hop between wine bars in Cannaregio and San Polo, sharing plates of local food and sampling regional wines.

• Private boat tour of the lagoon – Hire a boat for the day and explore the islands together at your own pace.

• Cooking class with wine tasting – Learn to make fresh pasta or tiramisu.

• Night walking tour – Wander the city after dark when it’s quiet and all the bridges and canals are lit up under the moonlight.

Solo holidays

Venice feels safe and walkable – ideal for exploring on your own.

• Stay in Dorsoduro or Cannaregio – Central but laidback, with plenty of cosy cafés and wine bars close by.

• Join a walking or art tour – Learn the local history and meet other travellers while exploring churches and palazzi.

• Sit with an espresso in a ‘campo’ – Watch the world go by from a table in a sunny square.

• Explore museums at your own pace – The Accademia, Peggy Guggenheim and Ca’ Rezzonico are ideal for going slow and taking it all in.

Places to shop

From glass boutiques to streets lined with high-end fashion stores, Venice has plenty of places for some retail therapy.

• Mercerie – A set of historic shopping streets connecting St Mark’s Square to the Rialto Bridge, packed with fashion brands and jewellery stores.

• San Samuele & Calle delle Botteghe – Contemporary design shops, art galleries and artisan studios.

• Campo Santo Stefano – A square filled with boutiques selling handcrafted bags, masks and Murano glass.

Souvenirs and local finds

Take home something authentically Venetian.

• Murano glass – Buy directly from workshops on Murano Island.

• Burano lace – Delicate hand-stitched lace made by island artisans makes a great gift.

• Venetian masks – Traditional papier-mâché Carnevale masks, handmade and painted in local artisan studios.

• Venetian stationery – Beautiful marbled papers, leather notebooks and embossed cards from historic stationery shops.

Markets

Meet local producers and get a taste of daily Venetian life.

• Rialto Market, Tuesday-Saturday – The city’s historic food market, full of fresh lagoon fish, fruit, vegetables and edible souvenirs.

• Campo San Maurizio Antique Market – A quaint market held several weekends a year selling antique jewellery, books and collectibles.

• Christmas markets – Festive markets in Campo Santo Stefano and Campo San Polo, with local crafts and mulled wine.

Walking

Venice is easy to explore on foot – there are no cars, just bridges, narrow streets and waterside paths. Comfortable shoes make a big difference, and taking a wrong turn often leads to something worth seeing.

Water taxi

Water taxis are fast and convenient, especially if you have luggage or are arriving late. It’s one of the pricier options, but it can save time and effort when you need it.

Vaporetto (water bus)

The main way to get around by water, running along the Grand Canal and out to the islands. Tickets need to be validated before boarding, and 24, 48 or 72-hour passes usually offer better value if you plan to move around a lot.

Gondola

A traditional, hand-rowed boat offering private or shared rides – they’re more about the experience than getting from A to B.

Traghetto

A simple local ferry that crosses the Grand Canal at set points. It costs just a few euros and is a practical alternative to a gondola for short crossings.

Train

Venezia Santa Lucia station connects Venice with cities including Verona, Padua, Bologna and Florence, making daytrips or onward travel straightforward.