Venice

Venice is a treasure-trove of astonishing architecture and art, which sprawls enticingly across a dense network of islands, connected by sun-spangled canals and ornate bridges. Surrounded by water and inaccessible by car, its historical center offers an immersive trip back in time to the middle ages, with well preserved architectural icons like St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace having lost none of their original lustre.

This bucket-list destination draws visitor crowds throughout the year, but you can escape the hustle and bustle with a romantic gondola ride or a quick water-taxi trip to the Lido, an effortlessly elegant beach resort that plays host to the glamorous Venice Film Festival each September.

What to see & do in Venice

Where & what to eat in Venice

10 Best Local Dishes from Venice
The best local dishes in Venice often consist of various seafood delicacies caught from the city’s famous waterways and lagoon. Venetian cuisine also puts its own twist on Italian favorites such as risotto, lasagna and spaghetti. From seasonal seafood delicacies to...
10 Best Local Restaurants in Venice
The best local restaurants in Venice serve fantastic dishes at much lower prices than the fine dining spots along the...
10 Great Restaurants in Venice
Great restaurants in Venice serve delicious and authentic lagoon cuisine. The food is usually prepared with market-fresh local ingredients, following...

Where to shop & what to buy in Venice

10 Best Places to Go Shopping in Venice
The best places to go shopping in Venice are often hidden in plain sight. You won’t find many malls or arcades in the “floating city”, but you will find small streets and quarters that house some small hidden gems. There...
10 Best Markets in Venice
Venice is home to quite a few shopping opportunities to enjoy, but if you want to immerse yourself in local life, you'll want to head to the best local markets. Nothing gets you closer to local producers and crafters than...

Where to go & what to do at night in Venice

10 Best Things to Do After Dinner in Venice
This guide to the best things to do after dinner in Venice shows you just why it’s a destination on most people’s bucket lists. The romantic charm of a city on water, where you travel around by water taxi cabs,...
10 Best Rooftop Bars in Venice
Venice is known for its scenic canals and historic architecture, and one of the best ways to enjoy that after dark is from the viewpoint of a rooftop bar. Whether you visit a specialty bar or one that's part of...

Useful information

Venice is unlike any other city in Italy, or the world, in that it requires a bit of prior planning and some basic geographical knowledge. Venice’s attractions are mostly navigable by foot, and thanks to its network of regular vaporetti (waterbuses) servicing the Grand Canal, you can get from one point in the lagoon to another relatively easily. It’s good to have some understanding of where the main attractions are, or...

10 Best Festivals in Venice
Venice has many festivals throughout the year, meaning you shouldn’t have to wait long to take part in a celebration. Though small in size, the island's reputation as a center of art history is hard to beat, and the locals...
5 Fun Facts About Venice
Almost everyone I know wants to visit the city of Venice in Italy for a number of good reasons. Some...
Venice Travel Essentials
Our Venice Travel Essentials lays out the essential information you need to help planning your trip to one of the...