The Insider’s Guide to Visiting Venice: A Comprehensive Overview

A view of Santa Maria delle Salute in Venice

If you’re looking for a beautiful, romantic city to visit in Europe, look no further than Venice. This stunning city is full of canals, gondolas, and incredible architecture that will take your breath away. It’s no wonder it’s one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world! In this blog post, we will provide a comprehensive guide to visiting Venice. We’ll give you tips on where to stay, what to see and do, and how to get around. So whether you’re already planning a trip to Venice or just dreaming about it, this blog post is for you!

Accommodation in Venice

When it comes to accommodation in Venice, you have a few different options. You can stay in a traditional hotel, an Airbnb, or even on a houseboat! 

If you’re looking for the most authentic Venetian experience, we recommend staying in an Airbnb. This way, you’ll be able to live like a local and really immerse yourself in the culture. Plus, it’s often more affordable than staying in a hotel. Just make sure to do your research and read reviews before booking anything.

Venice is a very popular tourist destination, so it’s important to book your accommodation well in advance. We recommend doing this at least three months before your trip. This will give you the best chance of getting your first choice of accommodation.

Second, consider staying in an apartment or hostel rather than a hotel. These options are usually much cheaper and can be just as comfortable.

Third, look for hotels that offer free breakfast or other amenities. This can help offset the cost of your room.

Getting Around Venice

Venice is divided into six different quarters, or sestieri. These are Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, and San Marco. Most tourists tend to spend the majority of their time in San Marco and Cannaregio, as these are the most central and convenient sestieri.

The best way to get around Venice is on foot. This allows you to really take in all the sights and sounds of this amazing city. However, if you’re tired or want to cover more ground, you can also take a water bus or vaporetto. These are public boats that run along Venice’s canals and stop at various points throughout the city. You can buy tickets for single journeys or day passes.

When it comes to getting around Venice, there’s no need to rent a car. In fact, cars are not allowed in the city center! If you’re staying outside of Venice, you can reach the city center by taking a water taxi from the airport or parking your car in one of the many public car parks.

If you’re looking for a more scenic way to get around, we recommend taking a water taxi. Water taxis are a bit more expensive than the vaporetto, but they’re definitely worth it for the views. Plus, they’re a great way to avoid crowds.

  • Things to See and Do in Venice

There is no shortage of things to see and do in Venice! Here are some of our top recommendations:

  • Visit St. Mark’s Basilica

This stunning basilica is one of Venice’s most iconic landmarks. It’s free to enter, but we recommend getting there early to avoid the crowds.

  • Take a Gondola Ride

A gondola ride is a must-do when visiting Venice! You can find gondolas all around the city, and prices start at around €80 for a 30-minute ride.

  • Explore Doge’s Palace

Doge’s Palace is a beautiful Venetian palace that was once the home of the city’s ruling family. It’s now open to the public and houses a number of museums.

  • Walk Through Venice’s Hidden Passageways

Venice is full of hidden alleyways and passageways, known as calle. Exploring these is one of the best ways to get off the beaten path and see another side of Venice.

  • Visit the Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is one of Venice’s most iconic bridges. It spans the Grand Canal and offers stunning views of the city.

Packing for Your Trip to Venice

Now that you know where to stay and what to do in Venice, it’s time to start packing for your trip. Here are a few essential items to pack:

  • Comfortable walking shoes 

You’ll be doing a lot of walking in Venice, so make sure you pack comfortable shoes. We recommend bringing a pair of sneakers and a pair of sandals or flip-flops.

  • A hat 

Venice can be quite warm, so a hat is a great way to keep the sun off your face.

  • Sunscreen 

Again, Venice can be quite warm, so don’t forget to pack sunscreen. We recommend bringing at least SPF 30.

  • Bug spray 

Venice is surrounded by water, which means there are a lot of bugs! Be sure to pack bug spray to keep them away.

  • A rain jacket 

It’s always a good idea to pack a rain jacket when traveling, and this is especially true for Venice. The city is known for its frequent rain showers, so a rain jacket will come in handy.

  • An umbrella 

Speaking of rain, don’t forget to pack an umbrella. You’ll be glad you have it when the rain starts to fall.

  • A Venice map 

A Venice map is a must-have, as it will help you navigate the city’s winding streets and canals.

  • A good guidebook 

Venice is a popular tourist destination, so there are plenty of guidebooks to choose from. We recommend picking up a copy before your trip.

Venice dining guide

Venice is notorious for its high-end dining options, but there are plenty of affordable places to eat as well. 

The first thing to know is that most restaurants offer two menus: a lower-priced tourist menu and a more expensive local menu. 

If you’re looking to save money, stick to the tourist menu. That being said, there are still some great deals to be found if you know where to look. 

For example, the bacaro tour is a great way to sample a variety of Venetian specialties at a reasonable price. And for those with a sweet tooth, gelato is always a good choice. There are hundreds of gelaterias around Venice, so you’re sure to find one that suits your taste. 

With a little bit of planning, you can enjoy a delicious and affordable meal in Venice.

Now that you know where to stay, what to do, and what to eat in Venice, you’re ready to start planning your trip. Bon, voyage!