It's a phrase used all too loosely when describing so many cities around the world, but there really is nowhere else on earth like Venice. Built on 117 small islands, 150 canals flow through the city centre and each and every one will have you grabbing for your camera. While its streets can be incessantly busy, something will urge you to propel yourself through as many of them as possible. It can be unashamedly expensive, but eat and drink where the locals do and a visit there won't be as costly as you think.
Download Venice Pocket Guide »
Don't Have Adobe Acrobat Reader?
Download GuideI love love love venice! It has so much character! It is pretty neat to have everything on boats! It is expensive though.
Insider Tip:Don't use a map. Just wander around. The main attraction's routes are on the side of the buildings with arrows to get to them. The vaporettos can take you everywhere so I'd suggest getting a waterbus pass for however long you stayed for. It's worth it! Don't forget to activate it though! It is very expensive though so be prepared!
Venice is beautiful. Do not leave without visiting: Basilica di San Marco, Piazza di San Marco, Burano and Palazzo Ducale.
Insider Tip:Book ahead in plenty of time if you want to take the Itinerari Segreti tour in Palazzo Ducale and if you want to go up the Torre dell'Orologio. Otherwise you will be disappointed as I was. Make sure you visit Piazza di San Marco at night and go to Gran Caffe Chioggia - the live classical music is so beautiful it will bring a tear to your eye. Buy a two day pass for the valporetto and learn how to use it to travel in Venice. The crowds of people in the streets are horrific everywhere all the time.
Don't get me wrong, the Flooded City shouldn't put anyone off. This was whole new look on a beautiful city. I have been before in the summer time, and the hustle and cramping nature of that time is a bit too much if you want to take your time and enjoy the whole atmosphere. We came this time in a colder snap, and it rained quite a bit but a new look on a beautiful city as it all gets flooded. The town is nice enough to place out walking boards for tourists to avoid the knee high water!
Insider Tip:Go in the off-peak, much too busy otherwise. Take your time. Don't eat around the Rialto bridge, much too expensive and there are plenty of quaint restaurants serving the greatest pasta I've ever had the pleasure of trying. Sorry I don't have any names! Mostly just off St Marks Sq was amazing ones! In the rain, bring your boots! The water gets very high, even in restuarants! Very entertaining!
Amazing city, absolutely beautiful! The downside is that everything is pretty expensive there! But it is worth it!
One of the great sites is Muramo and have a lunch in one of.the restaurant overlooking the main canal.
Win free nights, tours and more.
Watch our videos for tips on the world's top cities and more.
Download one of over 110 podcasts for the world's top cities.
Download one of over 90 pocket guides for the world's top cities.
