Venice Vacation Guide & Travel Information

About Venice

Venice - floating on its calm lagoon with its labyrinth of canals, bridges and narrow streets - is a captivating city facing a new millenium crisis. Visitors still flock in their thousands to see the blend of Byzantine, Gothic and Renaissance architecture for which Venice is renowned. Splendid palaces (palazzi) and numerous churches are filled with Renaissance art in the form of frescoes, sculptures, paintings and mosaics. Works of art by Leonardo da Vinci, Bellini, Titian, Tintoretto and Canaletto adorn the walls of galleries, including St Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) and the Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale).

Venice is built on 117 small islands and has some 150 canals and 409 bridges (only three of which cross the Grand Canal). The historic centre is divided into six sestieri (quarters): San Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio and Castello. It covers a deceptively small area. The city's 'main street' is the Grand Canal, which passes each of the districts as it twists along the length of Venice from the railway station to San Marco. Venice goes well beyond the six sestieri. The shallow waters of the Laguna Veneta are dotted by a crumbling mosaic of islands, including Murano, Burano and Torcello.

We constantly update Venice vacation deals and flights + hotel packages for Europe. If you just need a hotel reservation, check out our discount hotels in Venice. You can also book popular sightseeing tours in Venice and save your vacation time.

Most visitors flying into Venice land at Marco Polo Airport, 12km (7.5mi) from Venice, just east of Mestre. A few charter flights land at Treviso's tiny San Giuseppe Airport, about 35km (21.5mi) north of Venice.

Marco Polo Airport is connected to Venice by inexpensive bus (25 minutes), hydrofoil (a very scenic 60 minutes), somewhat expensive taxi (15 minutes) or super-expensive water taxi. From San Giuseppe Airport there's a one-hour connecting Eurobus service, the local bus 6 to the Treviso train station. From there to Venice, your options are a (pricy) taxi to Piazzale Roma or your own car.


Venice is a very accessible city and easily reached from the rest of Italy and beyond by the country's excellent road and rail networks.

Buses : Buses run from Piazzale Roma to Mestre and other mainland destinations, but it's probably the least exciting way to get around the city.

Walking : Walking in Venice can be a rewarding pursuit. Be prepared to get lost in the timeless backstreets, dead-end alleys, canalside fondamente and deserted squares that make up the real Venice.

Water Bus : Vaporetto (water bus) is the quintessential method of getting around Venice; you won't find too many public transport routes as unforgettable as vaporetto No 1's trip along the Grand Canal. More about vaporetto in Venice

Gondolas : Everyone’s motif of Romantic Venice, the traditional serenaded gondola is not so much a transport option as an enjoyable way to relax and see some sights. They are an adjunct of tourism and are priced accordingly. Various tours can be taken including dinner trips and extended tours to places like the Murano, Burano and Torcello Islands or Cannaregio and the Jewish Ghetto (3 hours from around €20). Expect to pay more for night trips. More about gondolas in Venice

Train : Venice's principal train station, Santa Lucia (Ferrovia) is located on the north side of the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio district, on the island side of the causeway. Venice Mestre station is located in Piazzale Favretti on mainland. ATVO Flybus shuttle links Marco Polo airport to Mestre station in about 20 minutes.

Taxis : Car taxis operate from Piazzale Roma and Lido, and are used to link the historic centre to Mestre and the casino.

Venice is full of attractions for all ages. Below is a list of some suggested things to do in Venice. You can also book some of these attractions online and save your vacation time.

Basilica di San Marco
One of the most precious Christian relics, the body of St Mark, was recovered by a miracle and buried beneath the Basilica di San Marco. The church is a jewel in the Venetian crown and a symbol of the power and wealth that Venice once attained. The outside is elaborately decorated with beautiful marble and amazing mosaics, including one from the 13th century. Inside there are an endless amount of mosaics on the walls and ceiling, which help to dim the natural light to create a mysterious, exotic atmosphere.

Palazzo Ducale
The Doge's Palace served as the official Venetian residence of the Doges, who were the elected officials of the former Venetian Republic. This splendid, Gothic-style palace was a showplace for the artistry, architecture and craftmanship of the day.

Canal Grande
Illustrating the uniqueness of Venice, this great 'road of water' is the most beautiful street in Venice. One can glide along the Grand Canal and be surrounded by the most opulent architecture. The atmosphere is absolutely unforgettable, as the splendour of the Grand Canal is unparalleled. To meander along the canal by gondola is literally to take a journey through Venetian history.

Gallerie dell'Accademia
This amazing gallery contains the finest collection of Venetian art. You can see renowned works such as Pieta by Titian, The Tempest by Giorgione, Veronese's Christ in the House of Levi and Bellini's Madonna Enthroned. Twenty-four separate rooms house works by all the great Venetian artists.

Ponte di Rialto
Arched high over the Grand Canal, Ponte di Rialto is the most famous of the city's bridges. Built seven times, today's bridge was constructed by Antonio di Ponte in 1591. It's in the centre of the city's old trading area, and trades such as wine, coal and iron are still reflected in the nearby street names. To this day, shops are strung along this famous bridge, selling jewellery, linens and Murano glass.

Chiesa dei Frari
Due to the size and style of this massive church, it is often compared with the Church of San Giovanni e Paolo. The architecture displays fine detail around the plain brickwork, but due to the sheer size of the building it appears rather rigid and plain, although nonetheless pleasing to the eye.

Ca' d'Oro
This Venetian Gothic palace displays incredible opulence with its elegant Gothic architecture and decor. The mansion was given the name Ca' d'Oro, or House of Gold, because the façade was once gilded, but over time it has suffered from erosion. Through restoration, the original majestic colours of the façade reflect in the Grand Canal once again. Ca' d'Oro houses the Franchetti Gallery, which is dedicated to Venetian Byzantine art.

Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute
The Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute is a famous Venetian landmark, guarding the entrance to the Grand Canal. After the 1630 plague subsided, this gigantic, white-domed, 17th-century church was designed by Longhena and officially dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health. This majestic church demonstrates serenity and grandeur through its bold baroque architectural style.