Venice

Travel Guide

Grand Canal showing a lake or waterhole, kayaking or canoeing and heritage architecture
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute which includes religious elements, general coastal views and a church or cathedral
Doge\'s Palace featuring general coastal views, a castle and heritage architecture
Venice which includes heritage architecture and boating
Venice showing a city, a gondola and street scenes

Venice Travel Guide Video

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 Grand Canal 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)

In the heart of Venice, this densely built area boasts iconic attractions like St Mark's Square, Saint Mark's Basilica, and the Doge's Palace. Find numerous hotels, banks, and high-end shops amid the bustling tourist scene.

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

Cannaregio

4.5/5(1,000 area reviews)

Explore historic churches like Santa Maria di Nazareth and Santa Maria dei Miracoli, or admire stunning palazzos such as Ca' d'Oro and Ca' Vendramin Calergi. Enjoy morning markets, local shops, and quaint cafés in this residential, peaceful district.

Cannaregio
San Polo featuring heritage architecture and a bay or harbor

San Polo

4.5/5(302 area reviews)

Smallest and most central sestiere, San Polo boasts churches in the west, palaces in the east, and iconic attractions like Rialto Bridge and Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

San Polo
Dorsoduro showing a river or creek and a bridge

Dorsoduro

4.5/5(423 area reviews)

Boasting the highest land areas in Venice, this sestiere features the stunning Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and the picturesque Zattere quay. Easily connect to San Marco via Ponte dell'Accademia.

Dorsoduro
Default Image

Santa Croce

4.5/5(658 area reviews)

In the northwestern part of Venice, Santa Croce boasts a mix of medieval charm in the east and 20th-century land reclamation in the west. Explore churches like San Giacomo dell'Orio and visit the Museum of the History of Fabric and Costume, while enjoying the convenience of Piazzale Roma's transportation hub.

Santa Croce
Hampton By Hilton Venice Isola Nuova
Hampton By Hilton Venice Isola Nuova
Isola Nova del Tronchetto 17, Venice, VE
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ₩154,574 per night from Jul 29 to Jul 30
₩154,574
₩174,832 total
Jul 29 - Jul 30
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour fitness center. Popular attractions Port of Venice and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (128 reviews)
"Friendly staff, English proficient. Directly on the water bus route to go anywhere in Venice. Extremely clean."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Hampton By Hilton Venice Isola Nuova
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 ₩169,690 per night from Jul 29 to Jul 30
₩169,690
₩197,861 total
Jul 29 - Jul 30
includes taxes & fees
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! (1,254 reviews)
"Very nice"

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Hotel Montecarlo
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 ₩205,274 per night from Jul 6 to Jul 7
₩205,274
₩240,204 total
Jul 6 - Jul 7
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Venice. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the bar in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,550 reviews)
"The location is good and convenient to the museums, church and shops."

Reviewed on Jul 1, 2025

Hotel Cavalletto e Doge Orseolo
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 family-friendly campground in Mestre. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and an outdoor pool. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
7.8/10 Good! (2,552 reviews)
"Great short stay, pool great, breakfast ok, most staff friendly. Loved not having a tv in room. Great position to visit Venice. Would recommend a short stay"

Reviewed on Jun 28, 2025

Hu Venezia Camping in Town
Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Via Ca' Marcello 8L, Mestre, VE
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 property ...
9/10 Wonderful! (701 reviews)
"Very nice and accommodating with our luggage"

Reviewed on Jul 2, 2025

Staycity Aparthotels, Venice, Mestre
Palazzo Dei Fiori By Room Mate
Palazzo Dei Fiori By Room Mate
4 out of 5
Calle del Dose da Ponte, 2746, Venice, VE
Stay at this 4-star apartment in Venice. Enjoy free WiFi, in-room massages, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Grand Canal and St. Mark's Square are ...
10/10 Exceptional! (46 reviews)
"Beautiful, modern, spacious and amazing customer service."

Reviewed on Jun 29, 2025

Palazzo Dei Fiori By Room Mate
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

Reviews of Venice

4.6
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
2536
5 - Excellent 70%
4 - Good
901
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
137
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
26
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
12
1 - Terrible 0%

3/5 - Okay

UStraveler

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

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

5/5 - Excellent

nancyj

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

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

5/5 - Excellent

Mr_Noyb

Beautiful... architecture is gorgeous!

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Cities near Venice