Explore Venice's Summer Beauty: A Guide

Venice, the floating city of Italy, is an all-time favorite for summer holidays. With its winding canals, beautiful architecture, and rich cultural heritage, Venice is a perfect destination for those seeking a unique and unforgettable experience. Whether you’re looking to relax on the beaches, explore the art and architecture, or indulge in the local cuisine, Venice has something to offer everyone. Here’s your ultimate guide to a summer holiday in Venice.

The Best of Venice And Important Travel Tips

Getting to Venice

By plane
By train
By car

Venice’s Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the main airport serving the city and is about 12 km rom the city center. From the airport, you can take a water taxi, a private water shuttle, or a public water bus (vaporetto) to reach the city center.

Low-cost carrier Ryanair also makes use of the nearby airport of Treviso.

Venice is well connected by train and there are several train stations in the city, including Santa Lucia station, which is the main station. From Santa Lucia station, you can take a water taxi, a private water shuttle, or a public water bus (vaporetto) to reach the city center.

If you’re driving to Venice, you’ll need to park your car in a car park outside the city and then take a water taxi, a private water shuttle, or a public water bus (vaporetto) to reach the city center, as private vehicles are not allowed in the city center.

Once you’re in Venice, the best way to get around is by foot, as the city’s narrow streets and canals make it difficult to drive or take public transport. However, there are several local transportation options available, including:

Buses
Trains
Taxis

ACTV operates several bus lines in the city, but they are mainly used to connect the mainland with the islands in the Venetian lagoon.

Water buses (vaporetto):

The public water bus system, operated by ACTV, is a good option for getting around the city’s canals. There are several lines that serve different parts of the city, and tickets can be purchased at ACTV ticket booths or on board the boats.

There are no trains in the city center, but the main train station, Santa Lucia Station, is a good starting point for exploring the surrounding areas.

Taxis in Venice are only water taxis, also known as “motoscafi”. These are a convenient and expensive option for getting around the city’s waterways, especially for longer distances or for travelers with mobility issues.

The 10 best 5-star hotels in Venice, Italy

Convenient access to the city center! View these Venice hotels with five stars.

Top attractions in Venice

1. Doge's Palace

With its elaborate Gothic front, frescoed interiors, and gilded ceilings, it is undoubtedly a sight to behold.

2. Saint Mark's Basilica

Venice’s most well-known church is a wonderful example of the city’s wealth and influence in the Middle Ages.

3. Grand Canal

Taking a gondola trip down Venice’s longest canal will allow you to see the grand residences of past merchants.

4. Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Admire contemporary works by Picasso and Pollock as well as masterpieces created in the Cubist, Surrealist, and Abstract Expressionist movements.

How many days in Venice?

The number of days you need to explore Venice depends on your personal interests and pace of travel. However, I would recommend a minimum of 2 to 3 days to get a good sense of the city and its main attractions.

With 2 to 3 days, you can visit St. Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace, take a gondola ride, enjoy a traditional Venetian lunch, and explore the city’s charming streets and waterways. You can also visit some of the city’s many museums and art galleries, such as the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

If you have more time, you can visit the nearby islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello, which offer a glimpse into the traditional Venetian way of life and beautiful views of the lagoon. You can also take a day trip to the nearby towns of Padua, Verona, and Vicenza to explore the rich cultural heritage of the Veneto region.

Just for you

A two-day itinerary to help you explore and discover the best of Venice and make the most of your time!

Day 1
Day 2

9:00am – Start your day at St. Mark’s Square, one of the most famous landmarks in Venice and home to the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica. Take a tour of the basilica and enjoy its incredible architecture and history.

11:00am – Take a gondola ride along the famous canals of Venice. This is a unique and intimate way to see the city and experience its beautiful waterways.

1:00pm – Have lunch at a local restaurant and try some traditional Venetian cuisine, such as seafood dishes and pasta.

2:00pm – Visit the Doge’s Palace, which was once the home of the powerful Doge of Venice and is now a museum showcasing the city’s rich history and art.

4:00pm – Take a stroll through the vibrant streets of the Dorsoduro neighborhood and admire the colorful buildings, street art, and charming canals.

6:00pm – Enjoy a sunset aperitif at one of the many bars and cafes along the Grand Canal.

9:00am – Start your day at the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, one of the world’s finest collections of modern art, including works by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí.

11:00am – Take a walk through the beautiful and peaceful gardens of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, a Renaissance palace with a stunning spiral staircase.

1:00pm – Have lunch at a traditional Venetian “bacaro” (wine bar) and sample some local wine and small plates of food.

2:00pm – Visit the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, a stunning Renaissance building famous for its Tintoretto frescoes.

4:00pm – Take a boat ride to the beautiful island of Murano, famous for its glass-making tradition and breathtaking views of the Venetian lagoon.

6:00pm – End your day with a farewell dinner at a local restaurant and savor the last flavors of this enchanting city.

Eat & Drink

Eating in the square is way more expensive than eating in the backstreets. We found the tiniest of tiny little restaurants on one of the narrow streets. The food was superb, and the vibe was great. The best part… The price was much cheaper than what we paid at the square.

Street Food Tour with a Local Guide and Tastings

“Experience the flavors of Venice on a guided walking tour. Visit the Rialto Market, try tapas, such as “cicchetti,” and admire historical highlights along the way, including Basilica dei Frari.” – more about this activity...

Rialto Market Tour, Hands-On Cooking Class & Lunch

“See an abundance of delicious food produce at the Rialto Market in Venice, and select seasonal ingredients with your chef before the start of your cooking lesson. Then, enter a Venetian home for a hands-on cooking class and enjoy lunch with wine.” – more about this activity…

Venetian Lagoon Tour and Galleon Dinner

“Embark on a candlelit dinner cruise through the Venetian Lagoon. Taste the chef’s specialities and admire the views of San Marco Square from the water. Feel the magic of Venice as the night falls.” – more about this activity...

Travel Tips

Don't do this in Venice

Riding motorized surfboards, surfing, paddle boarding, canoeing, and swimming are all banned on the Grand Canal. You’ll be facing a steep fine, your equipment will be confiscated, and you could face further action for damaging Venice’s image.

Ecco due imbecilli prepotenti che si fanno beffa della Città… chiedo a tutti di aiutarci a individuarli per punirli anche se le nostre armi sono davvero spuntate… servono urgentemente più poteri ai Sindaci in tema di sicurezza pubblica!
A chi li individua offro una cena! pic.twitter.com/DV2ONO3hUs
— Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) August 17, 2022

You will pay a tourist fee

A tourist fee was introduced to limit day traffic caused by day-trippers. Take note, it does not apply to tourists that have overnight accommodation, because they already pay a €5 ($5.06) per night tax.

The new tourist tax was planned to go into effect on Jan. 16, 2023. However, the taxation has now been delayed, which means day visitors will not have to buy a ticket to visit Venice – at least for now.

According to Associated Press, you’ll have to sign up online and pay up depending on the time of the year, and how crowded the city is. The tourist tax could range from three to ten euros per person.

Tickets will be distributed as QR codes that “ticket controllers” will scan as the visitor enters the city at one of the entry points.

The Venice City Council may delay the process by “at least six months”.

Should you risk not paying the tourist tax, you could face a fine of up to 300 euros (or $315). So, clearly, it’s in your best interest to pay the tax for a hassle-free trip.

Forget about a map

Save yourself the laughable futility of attempting to navigate Venice’s maze of arms-length-wide lanes that serve as its streets. Go exploring instead of feeling obligated to be there or at any given time. I assure you that you will uncover just as many amazing, gorgeous things, each of which will be much more satisfying because it was a genuine discovery.

Another tip on this subject is to meander the narrow streets at night-time. When most people have gone to bed, the only sounds are the sound of your footsteps on the stone and the sound of water lapping against the canal walls. Quite awesome!

Avoid visiting over weekends or in summer. It’s far more crowded, accommodation is more expensive, and many churches and cathedrals are closed for local services.
Whatever you plan to do, book your tickets in advance online. The city is small tourism in Venice is always booming. Thus, spare yourself having to wait in long lines to buy a ticket. Instead, use that time to explore this exhilarating city.
Don’t accept freebies like a “free glass factory tour”. Life’s Golden Rule applies: Nothing in life is for free, especially in this instance. For instance, your tour was free, right!? But the catch is that they end up pressuring you to buy glass from their merchants. And the latter can be rather annoying!
I did not find a free washroom. Expect to pay up to €2 to use a public washroom.
While you made the effort and spent the money to get to Venice, you might as well make the most of your trip. Take the Vaporetto (water bus) to Burano and Murano. These islands are so beautiful and well worth a trip of about forty-five minutes.
Taking a Vaporetto instead of the traditional gondola is far less expensive when you want to do sightseeing in the canals. I opted for the gondola ride because it was a bucket list item. You pay dearly for that done-that experience!