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Gondolas on the Grand Canal approaching the Rialto Bridge in Venice
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Italy

Venice

Canals, campi and a city unlike any other

Last reviewed: 3 September 2026

Recommended stay
2–4 days
Best time to visit
April to June and September to October
Airports
VCE
Photo by Maksim Shutov · Unsplash

Venice at a glance

Venice is a lagoon city of canals, campi and layered art. St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal, the Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Market, Santa Maria della Salute, Teatro La Fenice and Cannaregio sit in a car-free historic core, with boats to Murano, Burano and Torcello and rail days to Padua, Verona or — with a long organised outing — the Dolomites. Marco Polo (VCE) is the catalogue airport.

Quick information

Recommended stay2–4 days
Best time to visitApril to June and September to October
AirportsVCE
Budget travelAccommodation and boat or palace days drive costs most strongly. Check prices shortly before your trip instead of relying on a fixed estimate.

Shoulder months suit campi walks without peak crowds. Summer is hot and busy; winter can bring acqua alta. Recheck tide notices rather than assuming dry streets.

Plan your visit

Airport to centre

ACTV bus 5 to Piazzale Roma

City bus between the airport and Piazzale Roma

Standard public-transport fareTransport

Must-see sights

St Mark’s Square
St Mark’s Basilica
Doge’s Palace
Sights

One-day itinerary

  1. Morning: St Mark’s Square, St Mark’s Basilica exterior and the Doge’s Palace.
  2. Lunch: cicchetti and prosecco at a San Polo bacaro.
  3. Afternoon: Rialto Bridge, Rialto Market and a Grand Canal vaporetto.
  4. Evening: sarde in saor and seafood at a table away from the square.
Itineraries

Best areas to stay

  1. San Marco

    The busiest sestiere, with crowds, higher costs and acqua alta exposure on the square.

    Best for

    First visits to the basilica and palace

  2. San Polo / Rialto

    San Polo

    Central and walkable, still busy by day.

    Best for

    Market, bridge and cicchetti

  3. Cannaregio

    Useful near Santa Lucia with easier luggage; expect a walk or vaporetto to San Marco.

    Best for

    A slightly quieter canal stay

  4. Dorsoduro

    Galleries and student energy; still a boat or long walk to the palace.

    Best for

    Salute views and a calmer evening

Approximate budget

  • Budget

    Varies

    per day, per person

    Simple rooms, cicchetti and walking; excludes travel to Venice.

  • Mid-range

    Varies

    per day, per person

    Comfortable room, restaurants, vaporetto and selected interiors.

  • Comfort

    Varies

    per day, per person

    Canal-side stays, frequent dining, water transfers and reserved palace visits.

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