Venice Travel Guide
Contents
- Venice — A City Built on Water
- Venice and Its Antipode
- The City
- Top Things to Do in Venice
- Do and See
- Dining in Venice
- Cafés in Venice
- Bars & Nightlife
- Shopping
- Tourist Information
Venice — A City Built on Water
Venice is unlike any other city in the world. Built across more than 100 small islands in a shallow lagoon of the Adriatic Sea, the city is defined entirely by water, stone, and human adaptation. Streets become canals, transport becomes maritime, and architecture rises directly from the lagoon.
Founded by refugees fleeing invasions on the Italian mainland during the 5th century, Venice grew over centuries into one of the most powerful maritime republics in history. At its height, the Venetian Republic controlled vast trade networks across the Mediterranean, shaping commerce, art, and politics for more than a millennium.
Today, Venice remains a cultural absolute — a UNESCO World Heritage city whose beauty lies not only in its landmarks, but in its maze-like neighbourhoods, quiet canals, and shifting light reflected off water and stone.
Venice and Its Antipode
Every place on Earth has an antipode — the point directly opposite it on the globe, connected by a straight line passing through the Earth’s core.
Venice’s antipode lies in the southern Pacific Ocean, far from any major landmass. This land-to-ocean antipode reflects Venice’s unique relationship with water: a city surrounded by sea on one side of the planet, mirrored by ocean again on the other.
This contrast reinforces Venice’s identity as a place shaped entirely by maritime forces — trade, tides, navigation, and adaptation.
The City
Venice is divided into six historic districts, known as sestieri: San Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce, Cannaregio, and Castello. Each has its own rhythm and character, from the monumental spaces of San Marco to the quieter residential canals of Cannaregio.
There are no roads in Venice’s historic centre. Movement happens on foot or by water, with vaporetti (water buses), gondolas, and water taxis forming the backbone of transport. This unique urban form encourages slow exploration and rewards those who wander beyond the main tourist routes.
Top Things to Do in Venice
Saint Mark’s Basilica
The most important religious building in Venice and a masterpiece of Italo-Byzantine architecture, located in Piazza San Marco beside the Doge’s Palace.
St. Mark’s Square
Venice’s most famous public space, long regarded as the symbolic heart of the former Venetian Republic.
Doge’s Palace
The former seat of power of the Venetian Republic, now a museum showcasing Gothic architecture and political history.
Gondola Ride
A traditional way to experience Venice’s canals, offering a unique perspective on the city’s architecture and waterways.
Burano Island
Known for its brightly coloured houses, lace-making tradition, and quiet canals.
Murano Island
Renowned worldwide for its centuries-old glassmaking industry and artisan workshops.
Glassmaking Workshop
Hands-on experiences with local artisans introduce visitors to Murano glassmaking traditions.
Do and See
Bridge of Sighs
A covered bridge connecting the Doge’s Palace to former prison buildings, steeped in legend and history.
Rialto Bridge & Market
One of Venice’s oldest bridges and the historic commercial centre of the city.
Canal Grande
Venice’s main waterway, lined with palaces and crossed by historic bridges.
Teatro La Fenice
A world-renowned opera house that has hosted the premieres of major works by composers such as Verdi.
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
A modern art museum housed in Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, featuring 20th-century European and American art.
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Famous for its Renaissance paintings by Tintoretto.
San Giorgio Maggiore
An island offering panoramic views of Venice from the church’s bell tower.
Venice Lido
An island featuring Venice’s public beaches and host of the annual Venice Film Festival.
Dining in Venice
Venetian cuisine reflects the city’s lagoon setting, with seafood playing a central role. Traditional dishes include bigoli in anchovy sauce, sarde in saor, and seasonal artichokes.
- Ristorante Vini Da Pinto
- Da Fiore
- Ristorante Ca’ Dolfin
- Cantinone Gia Schiavi
- Al Nono Risorto
- Da Mamo
- La Zucca
- Algiubagio Restaurant
- Riviera
- Osteria Antico Giardinetto
Cafés in Venice
Venice played a key role in introducing coffee to Europe, and café culture remains deeply embedded in daily life.
- Caffè del Doge
- Caffè Florian
- Torrefazione Cannaregio
- Rosa Salva
- Gelato Fantasy
- Majer
- Gran Caffè Quadri
- Pasticceria Tonolo
Bars & Nightlife
Venice is not a traditional party city, but offers atmospheric bars and wine taverns known as bacari, particularly in Dorsoduro and Cannaregio.
- Harry’s Bar
- Skyline Rooftop Bar
- Osteria Ai Pugni
- Vineria all’Amarone
- Venice Jazz Club
- Bacaro Jazz
Shopping
Shopping in Venice ranges from traditional food stores and artisan workshops to luxury fashion streets.
- Drogheria Màscari
- Libreria Acqua Alta
- Banco Lotto n.10
- Giuliana Longo Modisteria
- Ottica Vascellari
- Arnoldo Battois
- Marina e Susanna Sent
- Prosciutto e Parmigiano
- Designer Outlet Noventa di Piave
Tourist Information
Venice is served by Venice Marco Polo International Airport and Treviso Airport, with connections by bus, taxi, and boat.
Public transport within Venice is operated by ACTV, using vaporetti (water buses), gondolas, and water taxis.
The best time to visit Venice is mid-spring and early autumn, when temperatures are comfortable and crowds are lighter.
Electricity in Italy is 230 volts / 50 Hz using type C, F, and L plugs.
