Venice

Venice is captivating. It draws visitors in with the beauty of its canals, its architecture, and the artwork that it houses within its churches and galleries. It seduces with its superb craftsmen, who create masterpieces with leather and glass, and it enchants with its food and drink. There's nowhere like it on earth.

Venice is one of Europe's most fascinating cities. For centuries, the small, former republic on the Adriatic dominated the Mediterranean, developing a sophisticated culture and creating architectural masterpieces like the Basilica San Marco and the Bridge of Sighs. Walking or boat tours with companies like Venice Escapes will make it all come alive in front of your eyes.

What to see in Venice

1. Grand Canal

Canale Grande or Grand Canal is the most important icon of Venice- lined with gorgeous and vibrant looking palaces and castles on both sides. The canal is one of the best places to visit in Venice and meanders through the city in a zigzag way with a few breathtaking bridges built over it.

It is one of the most popular places to visit at Venice at night, to enjoy the stunning sunset and watch the sparkling water of the canal.

Don’t Miss: Thrilling and romantic Gondola ride in the Grand Canals makes it one of the must-visit places to visit in Venice for a honeymoon. Also, enjoy the view of the Venetian Gothic and Early Renaissance facades of the palaces that come off the sides.

2. Rialto Bridge

Rialto Bridge is one of the famous landmarks of Venice- built over the Grand Canal in 1588. Besides linking two crowded streets of the city, the bridge is regarded as one of the best places to visit in Venice, Italy. It is an important crossing point of the Canal.

Don’t Miss: Watching the gondolas and boats passing under the bridge, posing on the bridge, watching the adjacent fresh market, and visiting Bartolomeo – one end of the bridge.

3. Doge’s Palace

One of the famous places to see in Venice, Doge’s Palace is an immensely beautiful and gorgeous palace, located on the bank of the Grand Canal. During the early days, it was the Seat of Government, the Palace of Justice, and the official residence of Doge. The finesse & soberness of its Venetian Gothic architecture and décor set it a class apart. It is one of the best Venice tourist attractions.

4. Basilica Di San Marco

Basilica di San Marco or St Mark’s Basilica is one of the beautifully designed churches in Italy and Venice top attractions. The marvellous décor with gold mosaics and works by Renaissance painters and Byzantine domes are incredibly charming.

5. Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco is the most crowded public square and one of the most happening places to visit in Venice, located in front of St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace. The square is separated from the palace by a small inland waterway, known as the Rio Batario. This is the place where all the government buildings and other offices are located in Venice. It is no doubt one of the best places to visit in Venice.

6. St. Mark's Square

The beating heart of the city where you’ll find some of its most famous sights, its best cafes, and enjoy the true charm of Venice.

Known by locals as El Piazza, St. Mark’s Square is a remarkably dynamic spot. By day it is teeming with tourists taking in the splendour of St Mark’s Basilica, the impressive façade of the Doge’s Palace and all the iconic sights of central Venice. By night it takes on a softer, more romantic atmosphere as couples emerge hand in hand to enjoy the softly illuminated Venetian cityscape.

Where to Eat in Venice

Food is one of the things that Venice is most famous for. If you love Italian cuisine, there are few better cities to visit. Some of the finest restaurants in town include Antico Martini and La Caravella near San Marco, but you don't have to pay the earth for great food. In Castello, Trattoria Alla Rampa serves the freshest fish imaginable, Le Spighe specializes in healthy vegetarian spins on Italian favorites, while the roast rabbit at Trattoria Dalla Marisa is a real treat.

Shopping in Venice

If you have money to splurge, then fashion lovers can chose from several excellent options for shopping in Venice. The city centre around San Marco Piazza is full of swanky emporiums, showrooms and boutiques of both Italian and international brands. These include the house of Prada, famous for its high-quality and craftsmanship; MAX&Co for trendy and glamorous designs; Stefanel for affordable and stylish knitwear; Laura Crovato for seond-hand labels, and the Al Duca d’Aosta Uomo store for exclusive and the latest designer brands. Don’t forget to stop by Banco No. 10, a unique store that sells clothes and handbags made by local female prisoners.

When to Visit Venice

If you want to have the canals to yourself and view the churches in peace, visit Venice in the fall or early spring. September and October see bright, usually warm weather, and the same applies to April and May. Summer brings blazing sunshine, but also heavy crowds, and booking restaurants and attractions can be tough.

How to Reach Venice

Plane

Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is conveniently located for reaching the main islands, lying about eight miles away from the city's historic center. One route into town is to take the Alilaguna water taxi, which takes around an hour. Alternatively, you can take bus number 5, which takes around 30 minutes to reach San Marco.

Train

Venice can be easily reached by train from other Italian cities or European destinations. For example, you can pick up tickets from London or Paris to Venice via Milan. The main station (Santa Lucia) is on the northern edge of the city, but has excellent water bus connections to other parts of town.

Car

Although driving in central Venice isn't an option, driving to Venice is. The city is reachable via the E70 from Milan and the A13 from Florence, and you can park your car at Park and Ride garages on the mainland before catching the boat to Venice itself.

Bus

Buses are a popular way to reach Venice, and companies serving the city include Baltour and Flixbus, providing connections to Milan, Florence, Rome, and European cities like Berlin and Paris. The main bus station is at Piazzale Roma, at the start of the Grand Canal.