The Ultimate Travel Guide to Venice: How to Explore Italy’s Floating City

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I’ve been to Venice a couple of times and always love coming back. My biggest tip is to set aside enough time to actually enjoy Venice. Yes, it’s touristy and there are a lot of people here, but it’s for a very good reason. However, if you have enough time you can venture a bit outside the main attractions and enjoy just exploring Venice.

If you want to truly enjoy Venice, see both the highlights and some more hidden gems, this guide is here to help you. I’ve also added all the practical information you need to know, like how to get there, how to get around (without losing your mind in the maze of canals!), and the best areas to explore, the best places to eat, as well as the top things to see and do along the way.

Whether you’re visiting for a romantic weekend or staying long enough to wander every quiet campo, I can guarantee that Venice will sweep you away.

Best Ways of Getting to Venice

Venice might be a cluster of small islands in the middle of a lagoon, but getting there is surprisingly easy.

Getting to Venice By Train

The most scenic and convenient way to arrive is by train. The Venezia Santa Lucia station drops you right at the edge of the Grand Canal, and the moment you walk out, you’re greeted by one of the most cinematic views in Italy. Trains run frequently from Milan (2.5 hours), Florence (2 hours), Bologna (1.5 hours), and Rome (3.5–4 hours). I advice you to book your train tickets in advance through Omio, especially during high season. I always book all my long distance train rides in Italy through Omio.

Getting to Venice By Plane

If you’re flying in, the Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is about 30 minutes away. From there, you can hop on an Alilaguna water bus straight into the city. It’s a slow, scenic way to arrive, winding through the lagoon with incredible views. Alternatively, take a bus to Piazzale Roma, the last stop before Venice becomes completely car-free.

Getting to Venice By Car

If you’re driving, you’ll have to leave your car at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto Island and continue on foot or by vaporetto. Venice itself is entirely pedestrian—there are no cars or bikes allowed anywhere in the city.

Getting Around Venice

Venice is best explored on foot. The beauty of the city lies in its labyrinth of alleys, bridges, and canals. You’ll get lost—and that’s part of the fun. Every turn reveals another charming square or stunning palace reflected in the water.

When you need a break from walking, hop on a vaporetto (water bus). Line 1 runs the length of the Grand Canal and is perfect for sightseeing, especially if you grab a seat outside. If you plan to use public transport often, I recommend buying a vaporetto pass for 24-72 hours to save money.

For shorter crossings, take the traghetto, a local gondola ferry that costs just a couple of euros to cross the canal.

The Best Things to Do in Venice

Visit the Rialto Bridge and Market

The Rialto Bridge is Venice’s most famous and most photographed bridge. Cross it in the early morning before the crowds, then wander through the nearby Rialto Market, where locals buy fresh fish, fruit, and vegetables. It’s a vibrant slice of daily Venetian life, perfect for grabbing a snack and watch the canal.

Join a Rialto Market Food and Wine Lunchtime Tour

Discover the food, wine, and culture of Venice on a guided walking tour with tastings. Explore the hidden treasures of “La Serenissima” at sights such as the Rialto Bridge.

Climb to the top of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

For some reason, this place is almost always empty whenever I visit, and I honestly don’t understand why. The building itself is incredibly charming, and climbing the spiral staircase to the top is part of the experience. From the top, you’re rewarded with one of the most beautiful views over Venice’s rooftops. There’s also a small museum on-site, but unless you’re particularly interested in Venetian history and architecture, I’d recommend saving your time for other experiences.

St. Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco)

This grand square is the beating heart of Venice, lined with elegant cafés and historic buildings. If you’re traveling during high season I advise you to visit early in the morning before the crowds arrive, when the square feels calm and golden in the first light.

If you want panoramic views of Venice you can choose to climb the Campanile (bell tower). I highly recommend doing this, as it’s my favourite view of the city.

Another stop you can consider here is Caffè Florian. This is one of Europes oldest cafés, dating back to 1720. I personally think the prices are a bit steep, but if you want to enjoy coffee in a historic spot or just want to rest your feet after walking around all morning, you can pop in here.

St. Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark’s Basilica is a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture and glitters with gold mosaics and intricate domes. The entry here is free, but the line can get quite long. My tip is to either arrive early or book a skip-the-line ticket.

The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)

Next door to the basilica, the Doge’s Palace was once the home of Venice’s rulers. Its pink-and-white façade is iconic, but what’s inside is even more fascinating—lavish halls, dramatic frescoes, and the eerie Bridge of Sighs, which prisoners once crossed on their way to the dungeons.

Book Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets here

Skip the ticket lines at Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica. Pick the audioguide for a self-paced visit, or join a licensed guided tour. Upgrade with terrace access or a hosted Bell Tower visit.

Enjoy an Opera in a Church or Palace

Another must-do in Venice is to experience the Opera scene. You can join everything from intimate classical concerts held inside historic, candlelit churches or attend a bigger Vivaldi concert in one of the bigger palaces. It's one of the more emotional and atmospheric experiences you can have in Venice, which is also deeply rooted in the cities history.

Opera in a Historic Palace on Grand Canal

Experience Italian opera in a new way as you watch a performance in a historic building on the Grand Canal. Enjoy each part of the show set in a different hall in one of the most fascinating Venetian palaces, the Palazzo Barbarigo Minotto.

Veneziani Concert at Church of San Vidal

Take a musical journey back in time to the Baroque period in Venice. Enjoy the refined ambiance of a 17th-century church steeped in history and beauty.

Enjoy the Canal From a Boat or Gondola

Venice’s different canals winds through the city like a liquid highway lined with Renaissance palaces. The most budget friendly way to experience it is by vaporetto Line 1, which slowly cruises from Piazzale Roma to St. Mark’s Square.

Another option is of course to take the popular gondola ride. I did this on my first visit to Venice and had lots of fun. It's just important to know that at points it will fell like you're in line because there are so many gondolas and the canals are pretty narrow at points. It's definitely romantic and cozy, but it can also feel a bit overwhelming, so it really depends on your preference and budget, because it is quite expensive.

No matter how you choose to explore the canals, try to do it at sunset for absolutely stunning views of the water and palaces.

Book a Grand Canal Gondola Ride with App Commentary here

If you want to learn more along the way, this gondola ride with commentary is great to book in advance.

Gondola Ride with Photographer

If you really want to splurge and have someone snap pictures as you enjoy the gondola, you can book this trip with a photographer.

Explore the Hidden Canals of Dorsoduro

While San Marco and Rialto can be packed, the Dorsoduro district feels local and peaceful. Home to artists, students, and galleries, it’s the perfect place to wander aimlessly. Don’t miss the Gallerie dell’Accademia, filled with Venetian masters, or the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of Europe’s best modern art museums housed in Peggy’s former home overlooking the Grand Canal.

Make Your Own Venetian Mask

I have two Venetion masks already and would probably get even more on my next trip. You can of course choose to just buy one from one of the many stores around Venice, but it's extra fun to make your own. There are some local workshops where you can make one yourself with an expert guide as you learn more about the history and tradition. It's the best souvenir to take home!

Book your mask-making workshop here

Craft a Venetian masterpiece at Carta Alta's Mask Workshop! Choose historic designs, learn baroque techniques, and take home a unique creation.

Get Lost in Cannaregio

Cannaregio is where you’ll find authentic Venice with locals chatting outside tiny wine bars, laundry fluttering above quiet canals, and affordable cicchetti (Venetian tapas). Stop at Cantina Do Mori or Al Timon for a spritz and a few small plates. This area is also home to the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in Europe, with poignant history and excellent kosher bakeries.

See the Colourful Houses in Burano

Burano island is pure joy, with rainbow-colored houses along the canals. There isn't one specific thing to do or watch here, so just wander around the colourful streets, criss crossing between the bridges and narrow streets while eating gelato. If you want to avoid some of the crowds, a tip is to come after lunch and enjoy the island until the sun sets. Most people seem to come in the morning, so you will avoid that and also see the colourful houses in amazing light.

Murano & Burano Guided Tour by Private Boat with Glassmaking

If you want to visit both islands, I recommend this private tour that takes you to all the highlights.

Watch the Glassmakers in Murano

Murano is famous for glassmaking and still to this day you'll find locals making beautiful sculptures or different kinds of glass, vases and bowls. You can come in and watch the glassmakers in action for a small sum, or choose to browse around for some nice souvenirs.

Join a Glassblower Workshop for Beginners

Learn the basics of glassblowing from a master craftsman in Murano. Let your creativity shine as you craft your own glass artifact to take home as a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Visit Libreria Acqua Alta

This is a debatable stop, but I'm adding it here so you have all the information. If you're watching videos on Tik Tok while planning your trip to Venice, you've probably seen this and heard that it’s a place you can sit in a gondola and take pictures for free. How this story came to be, I cannot tell, but I can assure you that it’s not possible.

This is in fact a book store. A very old and beautiful one. You can stand in line to take a picture on the outside of the bookstore, towards the canal, but there is no gondola there and based on my recent visit I can't see how its' possible to ever have been one since there is no entrance to the water. You can off course take a picture on the books as many do, but that's it.

However, if you are interested in old books, this is an amazing place to explore. Just be aware that the place is often packed with people standing in line through the store to take a picture on the other side.

I had to check it out one morning when there were no crowds, but I honestly don't see the hype.

Take a Cooking Class

This isn't a specifically Venetian thing, and if you're travelling through Italy you can take a cooking class in every city. However, if Venice is your only stop I highly recommend taking a cooking class. Learn how to make pasta from scratch and enjoy the meal in a social and fun atmosphere.

Below are some of the most popular and highly rated cooking classes in Venice, and the three I would recommend booking.

Learn to make Pasta and Tiramisu here

Take a cooking class inside a 16th century Venetian palace

Learn to make your own pasta and gelato here

Enjoy one of the charming brigdes

Venice is packed with bridges everywhere, but some are a bit cuter than others or have an amazing view over a specific part of the canal. Some are also more tucked away giving you time to grab a nice picture without the crowds. Some of my favourite and more secluded ones are Ponte Chiodo, Ponte Storto, Ponte de la Pignate, Ponte dei Conzafelzi and Ponte dell’Accademia (this one isn't that small, but still less famous than the bigger ones).

Best Places to Stay in Venice

Best Budget Friendly Stays in Venice

Locanda Ca' Zose ($170 per night)

This is a charming and budget-friendly guesthouse in Venice’s Cannaregio district, offering simple, comfortable rooms in a peaceful canal-side location just a short walk from the train station and bustling city centre.

San Gregorio Apartments ($250 per night)

This is a bright, self-catering accommodations in a peaceful Venetian neighborhood, perfect for travelers who want space, flexibility, and a more local living experience just a short walk from public transport and key sights.

Maison Boutique Al Redentore ($300 per night)

This is a stylish boutique stay in Venice’s quieter Giudecca district, blending contemporary design with Venetian charm and offering easy water-bus access to St. Mark’s Square.

Best Mid-Range Stays in Venice

Monaco & Grand Canal ($500 per night)

This Hotel stands out for its front-row Grand Canal views, elegant Venetian character, and rare privilege of watching gondolas drift past from breakfast or your room—right in the heart of San Marco without feeling overly touristy.

Flora Hotel ($600 per night)

This is a romantic boutique hideaway near St. Mark’s Square, best known for its lush private courtyard garden that feels like a secret oasis in the heart of Venice.

Londra Palace Venezia ($800 per night)

This is a refined luxury hotel on Venice’s Grand Canal, known for its timeless elegance, spacious rooms with canal views, and a beautiful terrace where guests can enjoy breakfast or drinks overlooking the water.

Best Luxury Stays in Venice

Ca Maria Adele ($1000 per night)

This is a beautifully designed boutique hotel in Venice’s Dorsoduro district with uniquely decorated rooms overlooking the Santa Maria della Salute Basilica, a rooftop terrace for breakfast, and an intimate romantic atmosphere in a quiet yet central location.

The St. Regis ($1200 per night)

This is a luxurious waterfront palace hotel on the Grand Canal, offering elegant rooms, superb service, refined dining, and a lavish spa — all within walking distance of St. Mark’s Square.

The Gritti Palace ($1700 per night)

This is an iconic and opulent Grand Canal palace offering exquisitely furnished rooms, world-class service, refined dining, and a prime location just steps from St. Mark’s Square and Venetian landmarks.

Best Places to Eat in Venice

Where to eat is always hard to nail down in a touristy spot even if it's Italy where I personally think the food is almost always good. Below is a list of actually good places to eat in Venice. You'll find everything from casual cicchetti stops to memorable sit-down meals.

Cantina Aziende Agricole

A tiny, no-frills spot loved by locals for its affordable, homemade pasta. The bigoli (thick Venetian pasta) with duck ragù is the star here, rich and comforting without being heavy. It’s perfect for a relaxed lunch away from tourist menus.

Da Codroma

Classic, old-school Venetian cooking done really well. This is the place to try traditional dishes like spaghetti with clams, seafood risotto, or fegato alla veneziana (Venetian-style liver).

El Refolo

One of the best spots in Venice for a casual bite. Famous for its panini piled high with prosciutto, cheese, and fresh vegetables, it’s ideal for a quick lunch or snack between sightseeing stops. Grab a spritz and enjoy it standing outside like the locals do.

Osteria alla Bifora

A lively, local osteria with a long history and a buzzing atmosphere. Known for hearty Venetian comfort food, especially pasta dishes and fried seafood. It’s informal, loud in the best way, and feels like a true neighbourhood spot.

Gelateria Nico

A Venice institution and a must for dessert lovers. Known for its legendary gianduiotto (chocolate and hazelnut) served with whipped cream, this is the perfect sweet stop while strolling along the Zattere.

Ristorante Riviera

Come here for the view as much as the food. Set right on the Zattere waterfront, this is a great place for a long lunch or sunset dinner. The seafood is excellent — think perfectly cooked fish, prawns, and refined Venetian classics — all paired with one of the best views in the city.

Enoteca Ai Artisti

A small, refined restaurant offering beautifully presented dishes with seasonal ingredients. The tasting menu is a highlight if you want something a bit more elevated, without crossing into stiff fine dining territory.

Osteria Al Squero

Right across from a traditional gondola workshop, this is one of the best cicchetti spots in Venice. The small bites are simple but delicious — crostini topped with fresh seafood, cheese, or vegetables. Pair them with a glass of wine and enjoy the canal view.

Trattoria Antiche Carampane

One of the best places in Venice for serious seafood lovers. The menu focuses on fresh fish and classic Venetian recipes, done properly. It’s slightly pricier, but the quality and authenticity make it worth it — especially for a special dinner.

Final Thoughts: Is Venice Still Worth Visiting?

There's no denying that Venice is a hot-spot for tourism, it always has been and probably always will be. However, I don't want you to get discouraged by that, it only means that you need to plan your trip a bit better and make sure you have enough time.

Travel in the shoulder season if possible, spend at least a couple of nights so you can wander aimlessly and join a cooking class, concert or local tour that lets you learn more about the history and culture of this beautiful city.

I hope this helps you plan your upcoming adventure to Venice and Italy. If you have any questions about travel in Italy, or just want to follow along as I travel the world full time, don‘t hesitate to reach out to me on social media. I would love to connect and help out!

-Ingrid

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