Built across 118 islands in a lagoon, Venice is unlike anywhere else on earth — a city with canals for streets and boats for buses, where every façade seems to rise straight out of the water. It can be crowded and it is not cheap, but a few days here are unforgettable. Here is what not to miss.
The Canals
In Venice the water is the main road. The Grand Canal curves through the city past faded palazzi, crossed by the great Rialto Bridge. You can take a gondola, but the cheapest and most local way to travel is the vaporetto (water bus) — line 1 down the Grand Canal is a sightseeing tour in itself.
St Mark’s Square
The heart of the city, Piazza San Marco is framed by the golden-domed St Mark’s Basilica, the Gothic Doge’s Palace and the soaring Campanile. Climb the bell tower for the best view over the rooftops and the lagoon, and don’t rush — this is a square made for lingering.
The Bridge of Sighs
This graceful covered bridge once carried prisoners from the Doge’s Palace to the cells across the canal — its name comes from the last sigh they gave at their final glimpse of Venice through its windows. It is one of the city’s most photographed corners.
Art and Culture
Venice is a treasure house of art. The Gallerie dell’Accademia holds Venetian masters such as Titian, Veronese and Tintoretto, while the Peggy Guggenheim Collection and the Biennale bring the story right up to the present.
The Carnival
Each February, in the run-up to Lent, Venice fills with elaborate masks and costumes for its famous Carnival — a centuries-old spectacle of masked balls, parades and street theatre that transforms the whole city.
FAQ
How many days do you need in Venice?
Two days covers the main sights; add a third for the lagoon islands of Murano, Burano and Torcello.
When is the best time to visit?
Spring and autumn are most pleasant. Summer is hot and very busy, and winter can bring acqua alta (high-water flooding) but also atmospheric mists and Carnival.
What is the nearest airport?
Venice Marco Polo (VCE); Treviso (TSF) handles some budget flights. From Marco Polo you can reach the city by bus or by water.
