Venice

Travel Guide
Venice featuring boating, night scenes and heritage architecture
The Floating City is as romantic as it gets, with its gondolas, serenaders, dazzling palazzos and churches, and almost timeless feel.

Walk on the cobblestone streets and arched bridges of this pedestrian-friendly island city in northeastern Italy and let your senses guide you. Hear the water lap against the gondolas in the canals. Breathe in the aroma of fresh Italian food and taste quality wine on the restaurant terraces. Feel the sun warm your skin as you wander through St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) and listen to street musicians perform serenades to lovers.  

Even in the cooler winter months, Venice is bustling. Summer days can get hot and crowded, while autumn and spring are usually the most pleasant times to visit. It is easy to visit all premier attractions in just a few days. St. Mark’s Square is magnificent and a good place to start. Two of Venice’s most spectacular buildings, St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) and the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale), rub shoulders at the east end of the square. Find the best example of Venice’s Byzantine influence in the basilica, with its ornate golden mosaics and elaborate domes. The palace impresses with ostentatious displays of wealth and power.

The S-shaped Grand Canal brings you to most attractions. You could spend hours just watching gondolas and vaporettos (water buses), or hop on one yourself for a romantic boat ride. Glide past buildings such as the Gothic-style palace Ca’ d’Oro, the Basilica of St. Mary of Health (Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute) and beneath the iconic Rialto Bridge (Ponte di Rialto). Stop for a plate of risi e bise (rice and peas) at a traditional osterie (a bar serving food).

Don’t miss treasures such as the Chiesa Santa Maria dei Miracoli, a 15th-century marble church. Take a ferry ride to the islands of Murano and Burano. Both are known for their artisans who work with glass and lace respectively. The islands make for a peaceful day trip away from the chaotic but irresistible heart of Venice.

Savor your days in the Floating City and enjoy the Italian passion for food, romance and style.

Where to stay in Venice

Dorsoduro featuring heritage architecture and a coastal town

Venice City Center

The stunning cathedral and charming cafes are just a few highlights of Venice City Center. Make a stop by St. Mark's Square or St. Mark's Basilica while you're exploring the area.

Venice City Center
San Marco featuring kayaking or canoeing and a river or creek

San Marco

4.5/5(1,933 area reviews)

A noteworthy feature of San Marco is its popular shops. While you're in town, be sure to stop and check out St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica.

San Marco
Venetian Ghetto showing boating, a coastal town and heritage architecture

Cannaregio

4.5/5(1,000 area reviews)

Travelers to Cannaregio praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by Jewish Museum of Venice and Venetian Ghetto.

Cannaregio
Dorsoduro showing a river or creek and a bridge

Dorsoduro

4.5/5(423 area reviews)

The ample dining options and fascinating museums are top of the list for many visitors to Dorsoduro. A stop by Maritime Station or Campo Santa Margherita might round out your trip.

Dorsoduro
Castello featuring heritage architecture and a river or creek

Castello

4.5/5(666 area reviews)

Castello is beloved for its popular shops. Take some time to explore sights in the area like St. Mark's Square and Venetian Arsenal.

Castello
San Polo featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbor

San Polo

4.5/5(302 area reviews)

San Polo is popular for its abundant dining options, and if you're looking for more to see and do, you might think about a trip to Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari or Palazzo Pisani Moretta.

San Polo
Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
4 out of 5
Piazza San Marco 1107, Calle del Cavalletto, Venice, VE
The price is ¥34,438 per night from Jun 2 to Jun 3
¥34,438
per night
Jun 2 - Jun 3
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, room service, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,003 reviews)
"The hotel is old and in some disrepair. The staff were mostly pleasant and helpful. The free breakfast was well worthwhile. However, if it were not for the charms of Venice in general, and the hotel's location (just off Saint Mark's Square) seemed over-priced and 3-4 stars not 5."

Reviewed on May 9, 2024

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
Hotel Montecarlo
Hotel Montecarlo
3 out of 5
Calle Specchieri 463 San Marco, Venice, VE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥46,301 per night from May 13 to May 14
¥46,301
per night
May 13 - May 14
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,001 reviews)
"Comfortable room with lovely amenities. Super clean and bed was very comfortable. Staff was very friendly and helpful. English is spoken by all we have encountered. Great location for sightseeing. Outstanding breakfast. We were provided several options for transportation from the airport to the hotel ..."

Reviewed on May 8, 2024

Hotel Montecarlo
Hotel Excelsior Venice
Hotel Excelsior Venice
5 out of 5
Lungomare Guglielmo Marconi 41, Venice, VE
The price is ¥60,200 per night from May 22 to May 23
¥60,200
per night
May 22 - May 23
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a beach locale. Popular attractions St. Mark's Square and St. Mark's Basilica ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (974 reviews)
"The grounds were impeccable! Every location of the hotel was service oriented. The breakfast was fresh and constantly replenished. Our room was spacious and well appointed!"

Reviewed on May 6, 2024

Hotel Excelsior Venice
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hu Venezia Camping in Town
Hu Venezia Camping in Town
3 out of 5
Via Giuseppe De Marchi 7, Marghera, Mestre, VE
Stay at this 3-star campground in Mestre. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the pool and the restaurant in our reviews. Popular ...
7.6/10 Good! (2,129 reviews)
"Overall it was a good stay. The only problem was that the bedding provided was a very thin bed cover and we were all quite cold overnight."

Reviewed on Apr 22, 2024

Hu Venezia Camping in Town
Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Via Ca' Marcello 8L, Mestre, Venice
Stay at this aparthotel in Mestre. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a 24-hour fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (533 reviews)
"Room was large and it was really clean. Also have great soundproof walls as we barely hear other guests. A large supermarket and McDonalds nearby with around 8 minutes walk, very convenient when we wanted to cook dinner ourselves using the mini kitchen. Also near to Mestre train station with around ..."

Reviewed on Apr 9, 2024

Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
San Marco Palace
San Marco Palace
4 out of 5
Piazza San Marco, Ponte dei Dai 875, Venice, VE
Stay at this 4-star residence in Venice. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
8/10 Very Good! (680 reviews)
"in room water / tea / coffee not available ..."

Reviewed on May 7, 2024

San Marco Palace
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Venice

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2536
" "5 - Excellent 70.21040974529346%
4 - Good
901
" "4 - Good 24.944629014396455%
3 - Okay
137
" "3 - Okay 3.7929125138427464%
2 - Disappointing
26
" "2 - Disappointing 0.7198228128460686%
1 - Terrible
12
" "1 - Terrible 0.33222591362126247%

3/5 - Okay

UStraveler
Apr 2, 2020

Venice is a very old town.You have to walk a lot! Water taxis are expensive and water buses can be a bit pricy too, but doable. Great location for pictures! I loved the gondola rides!! Great shopping! Lots of highend stores like Chanel, Louis V, etc

5/5 - Excellent

MarkW
Mar 27, 2020

Lovely place to stay and visit. It's one of our favorite places in Italy.

5/5 - Excellent

nancyj
Mar 21, 2020

i love venice and would love the opportunity to travel there a third time!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 9, 2020

Venice has to be one of the most beautiful places in the world.

5/5 - Excellent

Mr_Noyb
Mar 6, 2020

Beautiful... architecture is gorgeous!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 5, 2020

it was a quiet stay, few tourists were but i enjoyed it. felt like i had venice to myself 

Cities near Venice