Skip to Content

Tips for Visiting Venice in Italy

Tips for Visiting Venice in Italy

Be ready for anything in Venice. This floating city consists of a group of 117 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. It can be the most romantic place on earth, but it can also be terribly expensive and feel like a tourist trap if you don’t do your research.

I love Venice and visited it many, many times as I used lived only an hour away – in Verona (which I also recommend visiting).

All you need to know is how to prepare correctly so Venice can live up to your expectations and offer you luxury at an affordable price. Here are my best travel tips for visiting Venice in Italy.

Tips for Visiting Venice in Italy

view from Campanile di San Marco
View from Campanile di San Marco

1. Pay Attention to the Location of Your Accommodation in Venice

“If you go to Venice, book a flight and get a hotel somewhere in the city” – that’s the worst advice anyone can give you.

Specificity matters, you should pay close attention to which airport you’re flying to (VCE Marco Polo is great, but Treviso Airport is very far away).

Also, it does matter where to stay, as you could easily end up VERY unhappy. If you’re going to book a hotel at the last minute you might end up staying over an hour away from Venice due to the high demand.

I’d avoid staying on the mainland, as it might take you up to an hour by bus to get to the part of Venice you actually want to see. If you’re choosing a hotel, check out my guide on where to stay in Venice

Beautiful Venice canals
Beautiful Venice canals

Hotel Danieli – One of the best hotels in Venice. Even the lobby is the most gorgeous ever. If you don’t want to spend a ton on staying there, at least check out their restaurant.

Check out prices on: Booking.com

Residenza Veneziana – Right on the canal with gondolas, this hotel has high standards for an affordable price.

Check out prices on: Booking.com

Generator – Located on Guideca Island with a view on the main square, it’s an affordable and clean hostel. You can book sailing trips and other excursions directly at their front desk. The minus is that you will need a pass to get in and out of Guideca, but the boats are every few minutes. 

Check out prices on: Booking.com

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]
Residenza Veneziana
[/su_column][su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]
Danieli Hotel
[/su_column] [/su_row]


2. Get a Vaporetto Tourist Pass

If you get lost (which happens to everyone in Venice) or you’re simply too tired of walking around you can hop on and off a Vaporetto. It’s a “water taxi” but I would rather call it a “water bus”.

READ NEXT
Tips for Visiting Florence, Italy: How to Avoid Mistakes

It’s $24 for 12 hours of unlimited rides, $26 for 24 hours, and $33 for 36 hours. You don’t have to think twice about taking it only one stop, and you can also take it simply for the sightseeing. Compared to EUR 7.5 for a single ride, it’s a bargain!


tips for visiting Venice
View from Guideca Island

3. Be Prepared for Crowds

Venice is beautiful in the summer, but unfortunately, you’re not the only person who thinks so. Be prepared for a gorgeous, yet crowded experience with a lot of tourists running around.

It may seem like everywhere you go is full of people, especially between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. when the cruise ships pull in and take their passengers onshore for excursions to the museums in the Piazza San Marco.

Do yourself a favor and get skip the line tickets to major points of interest. It’s only a few bucks more, but it can save you a lot of time and frustration.

The further away you go from San Marco square the fewer people you’ll see. Get lost in the small streets to feel like a local. In the residential quarter around the Ormesini and Sensa canals at the northern end of Cannaregio, you can still enjoy a real slice of genuine Venetian life.

tourists getting into a gondola
Tourists getting into a gondola

Best Times to Visit Venice:

  • Carnival but during the week, not weekends (my absolute favorite time)
  • early Spring

When to Avoid:

  • June & July
  • November because of Aqua Alta (it can flood any time between mid-October to January, but Nov is the prime time)

My Favorite Time to Go to Venice: Weekdays during Carnival

Carnival weekends are insanely busy and experience, but during the week there aren’t many people and you can still see beautiful costumes and feel the atmosphere of the carnival. 


4. What to Do in Venice: Take Behind the Scenes Tours

I had an opportunity to visit the Basilica of San Marco after-hours tour with Walks of Italy. I can’t recommend this tour enough as there were only 10 of us in the entire church. We didn’t have to rush anywhere, and we also could explore the catacombs.

DSC01463

The tour is obviously more expensive than regular admission. It only opened to our small group arranged by the Walks of Italy. As my guide explained during the day being the church feels like being in a sardine can because everyone is pushed together side by side. Not to mention the enormous line outside.

Crypt under Basilica of San Marco
Crypt under Basilica of San Marco – only private access

5. Don’t Just Take ANY Gondola

What’s the first thing people think about when they hear about Venice? Gondolas! As I explained in my other post, gondolas cost 80 Euros for half an hour as they are regulated by the city. There’s no arguing over the price unless you pre-booked your gondola online.

READ NEXT
Where to Stay in the Dolomites

While I’m not saying it’s not worth it, in fact I highly recommend it, but it might not be for everyone because of the price. If you’re not willing to spend that much on a short gondola ride take a local boat. It looks like a gondola, but costs just a few Euros as it’s a local transportation and only lasts a few minutes.

If you decide to ride a gondola, take a few things into consideration. A lot of other blogs will tell you that it costs more for your gondoliers to sing or to enter smaller canals – both things couldn’t be further away from the truth!

As long as you avoid Canale Grande or start near Ponte Rialto (I highly recommend taking gondolas from a small canal next to Residenza Veneziana hotel. Otherwise, take a walk and shop around for your gondolier and you’ll have a great experience!

gondola rides in Venice
True gondola experience vs local boat below.
DSC01529
Local “gondola” boat for just 3 EUR


6. Avoid Eating Pizza in Venice

Italy doesn’t always mean pizza. In fact, eating pizza in Venice isn’t recommended as it’s not going to be any better than a cheap pizza you can make at home.

Restaurants in Venice don’t have permission to have real stone ovens so they bake their pizzas in electric ovens. But don’t worry – Venice has tons of other exquisite culinary options so you can definitely be satisfied!

Best tip: The further away from San Marco square the better the food gets.

Tramezzini sandwiches
Tramezzini sandwiches – Venetian specialty

7. See Another Side of Venice

Try the beach at the Lido, a historic, picturesque beach with just enough Italian girls in bikinis to keep a teenage boy’s eyes off of his electronic devices. Rent a bike, get some sun, and enjoy the local vibe!

Burano used to be another great local spot, but then it became Instagram famous. I still recommend going to Burano to see all the colorful houses, but it just might feel slightly more touristy than it used to be. It has some of the best restaurants like Trattoria Al Gato Nero.

If you decide to spend the night in Burano you can experience a bit of the local life, because most tourists only visit during the day. Early morning or late evening there were no tourists around.

Burano

8. Prepare to Get Lost

Venice is very confusing with its narrow streets and alleys quite often Google Maps gets lost, so pay attention to the shape of buildings and bridges instead of the actual blue dot. You can also just ask for directions, but this doesn’t always mean you’re going to easily find your destination.

DSC01507

You will be walking a lot. If you have kids and want to bring the stroller beware – you will be carrying it up and down the canal stairs a LOT. Similar to Positano actually.

READ NEXT
What to Buy in Italy: Fun Italy Souvenirs to Bring Home

I’ve taken my baby in a stroller various times and we had no issues, including getting in and out of Vaporetto, but a lightweight travel stroller is a must for Venice (or really anywhere in Italy). Don’t even think of dragging a giant monster stroller like Uppababy Vista to Italy – you won’t even get into a restaurant or your hotel through the doorway with it. (more on Italy with kids here)


9. Use Water Fountains

Don’t overpay for water in Venice when you can simply fill your bottle with fresh cold water from the local water fountains. It’s safe to drink this water so there’s no need to be afraid.

DSC01575

10. Don’t Buy Souvenirs at Tourist Stalls

As in any other tourist destination, a lot of crappy souvenirs are sold in Venice. Most goods are made in other countries such as China and passed off as “Made in Italy”, so it’s always great to find a genuine Italian product.

For example, you can buy glass directly from Murano, known for its high-quality glassware. You can be taken to a glass-making factory where they put on a glass blowing demonstration for a few minutes before you are escorted into the gallery, but don’t take out your camera. Although no photos are allowed, you can bring a great glass souvenir home!

tips for visiting Venice

Looking for Travel Insurance?

Don’t forget to arrange health insurance before heading to Italy. The easiest and the most reliable travel insurance is Safety Wing Travel Insurance. Get it before your trip to avoid unnecessary troubles that might ruin your holidays!

[su_row class=””] [su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]
TIPS FOR VISITING
[/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″ center=”no” class=””]
Mistakes to avoid visiting Venice
[/su_column] [/su_row]

George

Thursday 19th of October 2023

Bon giorno Anna, Dzieล„ dobry. I was there in September 2023 for the first time. Lots of people everywhere and very hot but I'm glad I visited.

I had no choice but to fly to Treviso from Corfu, Greece. It is not that far to the bus terminal on Venice. About a 40 minute bus ride for 12 euro. I would definitely do it again.

You are right about walking. I never walked so much over so many bridges. I take it as an opportunity for getting to know a city better.

-Keep on traveling!

jackryanwills

Tuesday 20th of August 2019

The Gondolas experience was well described and excellently put forth, detailed information about the hotels and stay. The blog was quite informative.

p. Marion

Tuesday 13th of November 2018

Great preview and wonderful tips. I've been there twice and loved both trips. Though expensive it is best to stay in Venice rather than Mestre because Venice tourist crowds dissipate in the evening as well as early morning. Venise is even more magical in morning and evening light - without the maddening crowds.

Chris Deviney

Monday 15th of October 2018

I'm new to your blog Anna. Great information. I have two weeks in January for possible travel for my girlfriend and myself. Of all the places you've been, does anyplace stick out as a place to definitely consider in January specifically (potentially, but not exclusively, with diving as an option too)? Thanks.

Chris

Anna

Tuesday 16th of October 2018

Are we talking about Italy or in general?

Murano Glass

Sunday 15th of July 2018

Great tips for visiting Venice โ€“ they helped me a lot on my trip. One of my favorite things was visiting the furnace in Murano. P.S. love the pictures!

%d bloggers like this: