Venice, located on the Italian Adriatic coast, has been famously attracting tourists and inspiring passers by with its lagunes, over 400 bridges and piazzas for the longest time. Venice, with its beautifully temperate climate, is ideal for a city trip all year round, but between June and September you can also enjoy the beaches of Venice which are called the ‘Lido’. Expect temperatures in the 40s°F (10s°C) and quite often also ‘Acqua Alta’ flooding in winter and highs of up to 83°F (28°C) in summer. You can easily reach the island off the coast within 15 mins by boat. Venice is most famously known for its Saint Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace on the Saint Mark’s Square. In 1987 UNESCO nominated Venice and the Laguna as a World Heritage Site. Further highlights of Venice include the ‘Carnevale’ in February, the Venice Film Festival in August as well as the Biennale in September.
Best Time to Visit Venice
The beautifully unique and spectacular city of Venice is great for a city break any time of the year. The winter months usually last from December until March when temperatures range between 32°F (0°C) and 55°F (13°C). It can be a bit frosty at parts and flooding (Acqua alta) is likely. Spring starts in March and by May temperatures already reach highs of 71°F (22°C). The shoulder seasons of spring and autumn are good for getting slightly better deals. July and August are the hottest months in Venice with highs of 83°F (28°C) and an average of 8h daily sunshine.
Things to know about Venice
20 great sights, attractions and highlights, which you should see when in Venice
Venice is mysterious, grand and unique: The lagoon in the North of Italy is always worth a visit. Below you will find a summary of what we think are the best sights and events as well as some travel tips.
1. Canale Grande
The Canale Grande winds itself through the world famous lagoona in an S-shape over 3 miles, between 30 to 70 yards wide and up to 5 yards deep. 4 bridges cross the Calane, the newest of which is the Ponte della Costituzione. This circa 90 yard long pedestrian bridge was built in 2008 according to the plans of the Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.
Very impressive are the over 200 magnificent palaces, which you can see left and right of the Canale. Most of what can be seen today dates back to the 15th century and reflects a combination of gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture.
2. Gondola Ride
Well a
Gondola Ride is quite expensive but after all it’s an important part of this unique city so definitely a must and worth it! The profession of the ‘gondoliere’ has a very long tradition dating back to the year 1000 AD.
But be aware that you shouldn’t expect to enjoy the ride in a peaceful and romantic manner (especially if you travel to Venice in the high season). Constantly one gondola is being pushed after another through the narrow channels. But be prepared and just enjoy the beauty and uniqueness.
We definitely recommend a slightly more expensive private gondale rather than a shared one. At least you are between yourselves on the gondola if you already have to share the waterways with so many others.
Sit back, relax and enjoy the ride, the singing of the gondoliere as well as the beautiful architecture all around you.
Book your ride as early in the morning as possible as you will find the waterways to be least crowded then.
3. Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Over 1000 years ago this impressive palace was built at the same time as the adjoining Saint Mark’s Basilica. Since 836 the palace has been used for public services of the legislative and executive of the Republic of Venice with its head the Doge.
The doge at the time started with the redesigning of the palace around 1340. After several fires the facade has been built according to the original plans but the inside has been redesigned. Today, the Doge’s Palace is one of the main requisites of the Venetian architectural style and one of the main profane buildings of the Gothic style. Must-sees are the luxuriously designed interiors as well as the huge hall.
To avoid the crowd try to be there either very early or very late.
Tip: Every first Sunday of the month in the evening you can get into the Doge’s as well as into other public museums for free! It’s called ‘
Domenica al Museo’.
4. Bridge of Sighs (Ponte dei Sospiri)
The bridge of sighs connects the Doge’s Palace with the Prigioni nuove, the new prison. The bridge was built at the beginning of the 17th century with two parallel running corridors.
The bridge received its name in the romanticism. According to a legend the prisoners were sighing after the daylight, which they would see for a last time before heading off to prison. From the Ponte della Paglia you can enjoy good views of the bridge from outside and when visiting the Doge’s Palace you will also be able to walk inside the Bridge of Sighs.
5. Saint Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco)
Cornering the Doge’s Palace as well as Saint Mark’s Basilica you will find this most famous square of Venice and definitely one of the highlights of the city. On the ‘Porta della Carta’, the gatehouse, you can see the famous Saint Mark’s lion with its wings, the key symbol of the city. The square has always been host to many of the Venetian festivities including the Carnival.
Given the square is built almost at sea level it is commonly flooded during ‘Acqua Alta’. You can only walk along the specially built, lifted footpaths then - a very special experience.
Tip: Get up early to experience the square with all its beauty without the crowd.
Tip: Having a drink whilst sitting down at the square is hugely expensive. Go inside the bar and have a drink ‘al banco’ (standing at the bar) and you will only pay a fraction of the price. Cafe Florian is the hot spot!
6. Saint Mark's Tower (Campanile)
Right on Saint Mark’s square you will also find the ‘Campanile’. The over 300 ft tall clock tower was used as a lighthouse for the boats as it is the tallest building of Venice. They first started to build the tower in 888 but only finished its top a few centuries later in 1511. The tower collapsed in 1902 during renovation works. So today you can climb the reconstruction of the original tower. You will be able to enjoy some breathtaking views from the top!
7. Murano, Trocello & Burano
A
boat trip to the islands of Murano, Torcello and Burano is one of our most special tips when visiting Venice. The artistic and colorful Burano is a wonderful contrast to the sophisticated Venice. The island of Torcello is quiet with lots of nature and famous for its numerous churches such as the cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
Murano, on the other hand, is of course world famous for its glasswork. You can even visit local
glass workshops and watch them making beautiful things out of wafer thin glass.
8. Scuola Grande di San Rocco
One of the most famous Venetian artists from the 16th century is Jacopo Tintoretto. One of his most significant works is a picture cycle consisting of 56 paintings, which can be seen at the Scuola grande di San Rocco.
9. San Francesco del Deserto
San Francesco del Deserto, which is also known as Isola del Deserto, is a tiny island near Burano. The beautifully peaceful island hosts a Franciscan monastery which dates back to 1230. Enjoy walking through the gardens whilst finding out more about the monastery’s history during a guided tour by a monk. Only 5 monks live on the island today but if you are after some quiet and a special experience you can also sleep in the monastery.
The Rialto Bridge is without doubt the most famous bridge across the Canale Grande. It is indeed a huge bridge having in mind when it was built already. For more than 250 years it was the only bridge crossing the Canale grande.
Tip: Head there in the early morning to beat the crowd and take some great camera shots!
11. Insider tip: Fondaco dei Tedeschi
Right next to the Rialto Bridge you will find this impressive building. It used to be a trading post but nowadays hosts a luxury shopping mall.
On its 4th floor you will find a terrace with breathtaking views across Venice. The entrance is free but we highly recommend
booking a free slot in advance in order to avoid huge waiting times.
A sign on its entrance promises the ‘prettiest book shop in the world’ to be right there at the San Giovanni di Paolo square. Besides books you can also find pictures, postcards and drawings there.
Well, what’s so special about it? The owner loves cats so all around the bookshop you find cats in between old books...whether it’s the prettiest bookshop in the world or not, it is definitely one of the most unique!
Nowadays Cannaregio, which inhabits the northern part of the island, is the only part where you will still find quite a few real Venetians who actually live there. The reason being because it’s the only part where they didn’t sell off properties as second homes.
That’s why you will still be able to find quite a few shops, bars and restaurants where locals meet and live their lives, with fewer tourists than elsewhere in the lagoon.
14. Nearby beach: Lido di Venezia
If you fancy a day or even a few days on the beach head to Lido di Venezia. This almost 10 mile long island borders the lagoon from the Adriatic Ocean.
Its sophisticated hotels, including the
Grand Hotel des Bains, are inhabited by many of the Hollywood film stars during the annual Venice Film Festival.
The museum opened in 1980 and shows Peggy’s personal collection. Peggy fled to the US during the war and returned to Europe after WWII. Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which you can visit as a museum today, actually used to be Peggy’s home. You will be stunned by the collection of Picassos, Kandinskys, Mondrians and many many more!
La Fenice is the main Opera house in Venice. Its visit is certainly one of the highlights of any Venice trip.
The Opera house as you can see it today is a reconstruction of the original as the original completely burned down during renovation works in 1996.
Whether original or not - you will always remember a visit to this fantastic building with splendid performances.
17. Saint Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
On top of this incredible building you find 5 wonderfully decorated domes. These domes as well as all of the upper interior and ceiling of the church are decorated with the most artistic mosaics from the inside. The layout of the church is designed in an irregular Greek cross.
The floor is decorated with the most beautiful marble mosaics - it is indeed a breathtaking experience standing here in the middle of this magnificent basilica. The ‘campanile’ or tower forms part of the church too. It has been rebuilt according to the original plans after it collapsed at the beginning of the 20th century, when they first tried to install an elevator. Today you can safely get up to the top via an elevator.
The carnival certainly is the vastest event Venice has to offer. The spectacle starts 10 days before Ash Wednesday. The Volo dell’ Angelo is breathtaking - an acrobat flies (on a rope) down to Saint Mark’s square from the top of the Campanile.
All over the town you will find impressive artistic performances and the city offers a unique atmosphere with many many people dressed up.
Each year a jury decides the best costumes during a special show.
The Venetian half masks have been in use since medieval times and have their origins in the theater, particularly the play ‘Commedia dell’ Arte’.
Right next to the Rialto Bridge you will find the ‘Mercato di Rialto’, a fruit, vegetable and fish market. All around the market you will also find sweet little bars and restaurants.
Tip: Try a
streetfood tour, where a guide will show you the real venetian delicacies and where to still find them in between all the touristy food.
In the Palazzo Barbarigo a Minotti you will be able to enjoy a very unique opera performance. There is no stage and no barrier between the performance and the visitor. Each act is performed in a different room of the palace - performer and visitor walk through the different rooms of the palace throughout the opera - it’s a very special experience indeed.
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