Great question. Obviously, you have the endless canals and unique architecture, but there are so many incredible things about this city that can't be described properly through your favorite influencer's camera. Not to mention, experts claim it is only a matter of time before the city sinks into the ocean, but I'm not here to discuss climate change and you're probably not here to read about it. Anyway, out of all the cities I've been to, this one definitely tops my list of favorites, so let's get into why that is and convince you to finally book that trip you've been dreaming of!
Know before you go!
- Venice is known to have a subtropical climate, which makes for humid summers, damp winters, and a decent amount of rain almost year round. My best advice is to do your research and pack accordingly for when you will be there.
- You will be walking almost everywhere you go, so keep that in mind when considering what to bring. Personally, I visited in early December and was shocked to find myself in sunshine and nearly 60 degree weather, which was much needed after a day of skiing in the Dolomites the day before.
-If visiting in the off-season, I would definitely recommend packing a light to medium-sized jacket in case it does rain or gets cold once the sun is down. However, if the weather is anything like my visit, you may get lucky and be able to walk around for a majority of the day very comfortably.
- Starting in spring of 2024, Venice will be charging a 5€ entrance fee to anyone that chooses to only visit for 1 day. This means that the fee will be waived if you are staying overnight in the city. However, there is also a Venice tourist tax that is already in effect and can range from 1-5€ per night dependent on where you will be staying. This will more than likely be automatically added to your accommodation bill and will be charged per person. With being there in late 2023 and staying overnight in the city, we did not have to worry about the entrance fee, but the tourist tax is something I found out about after arriving in the city, and it was charged as 4€ per night per person.
About 20 minutes out from the city center, you will find the Marco Polo airport. This is definitely the closest airport if you are considering flying directly to Venice, and it is the largest that services the area. This means that you will have plenty of options when it comes to transportation to and from the airport as well.
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- Venice is unique when considering you can choose from a bus, taxi, or different types of water taxis to take you directly to and from the airport dependent on how much you are wanting to spend and how much time you have.
- The cheapest option will be traveling by bus and the most expensive will be the water taxi, but I found the most efficient way was simply getting a normal taxi. Side note: Uber does not exist here, so if you're like me and rely on your phone and Uber anytime you don't have access to a car, you will need to book one of the previously mentioned forms of transportation. Fortunately, there will more than likely be plenty of taxis lined up outside the airport ready to take you as far into town as possible, but they are definitely pretty pricey (typically around 40€ for the ride to Piazzale Roma).
Piazzale Roma is the city square closest to the city center and is the closest you can get to the tourist destinations and canals by car. From here, you will have to walk to your destination, so I would definitely recommend finding a place nearby if you are staying overnight and have luggage to carry. For us, it was only about a 10 minute walk to get to the canal-front home that we stayed in, but even that was pretty exhausting with three bags slung over my shoulders.😅
Dependent on your itinerary, this will more than likely be the station that will be easiest for you to use due to its central location near Piazzale Roma. It is the second and final stop in Venice, so this is where I would recommend booking your ticket to.
This is the first stop along the train route in Venice, and is actually closer to the airport than the Santa Lucia station on the mainland. To suit our specific plans to go to the airport after arriving by train, this is the station we chose to get off at. We chose to pick up a rental car immediately after arriving in Venice, and stopping here allowed us to save some time and money by shortening the taxi ride to the airport. Also, we blindly followed a kind Italian man that was standing in the station repeating "taxi" to my friend, so I'm not sure I would recommend that, but we survived and saved some money compared to normal taxi rates...so do with that information what you will😅
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Rental Car🚗
- If you are traveling to Venice by car or picking one up upon arrival, the first thing to know is that you will more than likely have to pay to park it. For us, this cost 35€ per night in a parking garage next to Piazzale Roma, but I felt this was worth it to shorten our walking distance.
- The easiest place to pick up a car will more than likely be the Marco Polo airport. You will also need to look into getting an International Driving Permit from your local AAA (American Automobile Association). This is simply proof that you hold a driver's license in your country of residence and only costs about $25. I did find out once I was there that this is not a requirement of the rental car company, but the lady at the front desk said it was required by police in case of a stop or emergency so I would definitely recommend getting it taken care of before your trip.
This unique hotel on the outskirts of Venice was once a monastery! A 15 minute walk to the Rialto Bridge, this hotel has more of a local/relaxed feel to it and will allow you to catch a break from the tourist side of Venice.
This hotel is a little further from tourist destinations like St. Marks Square, but it is a 2 minute walk from the Santa Lucia station! If you are bringing lots of luggage and don't mind a 20 or so minute walk each day, this is definitely a place I would consider!
This is the heart of the tourist area here in Venice but for good reason. Even while we were here in early December, there were still plenty of tourists taking pictures and waiting in lines to enter some of the iconic monuments that are found here (St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Campanile, the Doge's Palace, etc.)
This is actually the only building in the square that I went inside of due to time constraints, but if every building looks like this one, I definitely missed out! There was a decent sized line when we were there mid-day, but the insane architecture on both the interior and exterior was well worth the wait! Definitely stop in here and get some great pictures during your stay!
The most famous bridge in Venice, located right on the Grand Canal. There are plenty of gondola services available in this area due to high tourist traffic if interested.
As told to us by a random lady working in a souvenir shop, this bridge received it's name from the "sighs" that prisoners would make as they passed through the bridge on their way to imprisonment. This bridge is attached to the Doge's Palace and it's small windows provided criminals with their final view of Venice as they were on their way to imprisonment.
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What to Do
Gondola Ride
- If anyone has ever told you that a gondola ride in Venice is not worth the money, I would highly disagree. Even while trying to keep this trip somewhat affordable, I knew that this was something I couldn't miss. While it did cost 90€ for a 30 minute ride, I would definitely recommend this once in a lifetime experience and the BEST way to see this city!
What used to be the palace for the Doge (the highest official in the Republic of Venice) has been operating as a museum since 1913. 25€ if tickets are purchased online but can only be purchased within 30 days of visit. 30€ if tickets are purchased on site.
One of the most famous opera houses in the genre's history, this theater has been the victim of three devastating fires since its doors opened in 1792. Today, you can tour the property, catch a live show, and even have lunch or dinner at the attached restaurant!
The famously self-proclaimed "most beautiful bookstore in the world" is definitely high on the list of places to check out if you are a lover of books. This store also famously stores its books in devices that are capable of floating (bathtubs, rowboats, and even a gondola) to avoid any books being damaged when the city floods. Beware to anyone that doesn't like cats as there are a few cats that reside in and around the store.
A highly reviewed cafe with amazing pastries, coffee, and other treats. We chose to check this place out in the spur of the moment, and it did not disappoint! I had a latte and a pastry that only cost about 5€, so if you're looking for a quick and very affordable breakfast, definitely give them a visit!
A cafe in the heart of St. Mark's Square that I'm sure you've seen all over Instagram if you've spent any amount of time researching Venice on that godforsaken app. A bit pricier than your average cafe - you are definitely paying for the aesthetics and history. However, they do have a seemingly endless menu and delicious drinks, so I'd find it hard to believe if you went and didn't find something on the menu that looks appetizing.
A very quaint restaurant tucked away from the high traffic areas. Although it might not be as well known as other restaurants in Venice, I can safely recommend it if you are looking for a place that definitely isn't a tourist trap. They serve traditional Italian meals along with seafood and made for what I would consider an excellent and reasonably priced lunch!
Ok, I already know what you're thinking. Why would I go to a steakhouse in Italy...but hear me out. Nearly a 30 minute walk from St. Mark's Square, this is a restaurant that you would only find if you were specifically looking for it, and I'm glad I was! I was so determined to eat here that I didn't let the swarm of 15-20 locals standing outside the restaurant or the 1+ hour wait deter me from my dinner plans, and I would recommend that everyone do the same if necessary! This was one of the best steaks I've ever had in my entire life, and the sides that came with the platter added a nice touch. From what I gathered, you will need at least 2 people to be able to order one of these, so if you're solo traveling maybe do some more research before taking my advice.
Another place that you've probably seen on Instagram, Suso has created quite the reputation among both tourists and locals. Unlike a few of my other suggestions, they are in a very convenient location, so feel free to coordinate a stop inside along your walk. You wont be disappointed!
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Day Trips
If you find yourself with maybe a day or two to spare on your trip or you like to have a full itinerary when you travel, don't be afraid to check out one or two of these places!
Murano & Burano
These two famous Venetian islands can often be combined into a one day trip or tour. While both are famous for their colorful buildings, Murano is also famous for its glass blowing technique, and Burano is a fishing village also known for it's lace work. Both are easily accessible by boat and are great locations for awesome pictures!
The Dolomites
If you're feeling a little more adventurous or looking for something more outdoor-oriented than your typical tourist activity, you've come to the right place! This mountain range in the Italian Alps is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most beautiful mountain ranges in the world. In the summer, you will find a plethora of hiking options, while the winter provides skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and plenty of other activities if you aren't afraid of the cold weather. Cortina d'Ampezzo is a charming mountain town dubbed the "Queen of the Dolomites" and is about 2 hours north of the Venice Airport. Hopefully, you wont end up like me and be stuck making that drive on icy mountain roads at 1:00 AM due to train delays, but I do always say that bad travel experiences make for the best stories
I do hope that this has been somewhat helpful to anyone thinking about making the trip and if you've made it this far, please do not hesitate to ask me any questions that may not have been answered.
US-based traveler with a desire to see the world.🫡
Very detailed planner with plenty of suggestions for trips that I have taken myself🗺️
More often than not, I find myself traveling on a budget. Which means you're in luck if you're looking to do the same!👀
