There is no other city like Venice. It has 180 canals and 450 bridges connecting 118 small islands and magnificent buildings. It is a city rich with museums and historical landmarks of great artistic and cultural importance. The transient feeling and the quiet everyday life bring the whole together. The beauty of it all is truly apparent.
1 Euro = 100 cents
Police: 112
Carabinieri Force: 113
Fire Brigade: 115
Emergency Medical Service: 118
Il Gazzettino
La Nuova Venezia
La Rivista di Venezia
La Voce di Venezia
Venezia made in Veneto
Shops in Venice are usually open 9.00-13.00 and 15.00-20.00, with some variations depending on the time of year.
261,905 (2017)
San Marco Tourist Information Office (Azienda di Promozione Turistica)
71/f, San Marco, Venice, Italy
+39 041 5298711
Daily 9am-3.30pm
info@turismovenezia.it
The City
Historical evidences suggest that refugees founded Venice. When Germanic tribes ravaged northern Italy in the 5th century, many mainlanders escaped to this difficult-to-access area on the Adriatic Sea.
Over the centuries the refugee community grew into the most powerful trading port in the Mediterranean. At its peak, Venice counted 3.000 trade ships and 300 navy vessels. After Napoleon's fall, it became part of the Austrian Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia, but after the uprising in 1848, the city reached its independence once again. Shortly after, in 1866, Venice was annexed to the Kingdom of Italy. 1932 saw the opening of the motor and rail bridge between Venice and the mainland, which led this city to come out on top as a tourist destination.
It is hard to navigate around the city, but don’t let that put you off, as this is part of Venice’s charm. Leave the other tourists at St Mark’s square and the Rialto Bridge and explore the maze-like little neighbourhoods instead. The most interesting areas and islands are Cannaregio, SanPolo/Santa Croce, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello.
Do & See
Venice is the only city of its type in the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site representing a cultural absolute, demanding preservation and transmission to future generations. The whole city is a unique sight in itself, and to enjoy its exceptional beauty, the best way to explore it is by foot.
Doge’s Palace
Saint Mark's Basilica
Rialto Fish Market
Canal Grande
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
St. Mark’s Square
Ca’ Rezzonico
Ca’ Pesaro
Palace Music
Interpreti Veneziani
St. Mary of the Friars
San Giorgio Maggiore
National Library of St Mark's
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Santa Maria dei Miracoli Church
Gondola Ride
Rialto Bridge
Bridge of Sighs
Torcello Island
Museum of Natural History
Dining
Venice has a large variety of restaurants. As usual with Italian cities, the best dining experience can be enjoyed at a simple neighbourhood trattoria off the tourist rabble. Venice has many culinary specialities, like bigoli in anchovy and mushroom sauce, or castraure—tiny artichokes with Parmesan shavings and olive oil.
Make sure to always look at the bottom of the menu to see if a service fee is added to your bill. "Service included" or "12% added/charged" means that another 12% of the total cost will be added to your bill. "Non cover" means no service fee will be included in the price and there will be no additional charge.
Da Fiore
Locanda Cipriani
Osteria Vini da Pinto
Da Mamo
Osteria La Zucca
Cantinone Gia Schiavi
Riviera
Algiubagio
Osteria Antico Giardinetto
Ristorante Marco Polo
Ristorante a Beccafico Arte
Cafés
When it comes to cafés in Venice, you can find the best value places located a couple of blocks away from main tourists strips. Stay alert while taking a stroll and find your own favorite café!
La Mela Verde
Rosasalva
Majer Piazzale Roma
Grancaffè Quadri
Caffé Florian
Gelato Fantasy
Bars & Nightlife
Venice has many good bars, primarily in the Dorsoduro district, but it is not a party scene city. Youngsters and party-seekers often hop over to Venice’s modern sister city, Mestre, on the mainland. In summer, they prefer to travel to the seaside town of Jesolo, where they can enjoy tanning and swimming.
Cafè Noir
Piccolo Mondo
Harry’s Bar
Venice Jazz Club
The Irish Pub Venezia
Devil's Forest Pub
Chet Bar
Bacaro Jazz
Osteria Ai Pugni
Bar Dandolo
Margaret Duchamp
LondraBar
TAG Club
AquAlta
Aurora Beach Club
Molocinque
Orange
El Refolo
Shopping
If you are after high fashion shops, they are located at Via XXII Marzo and neighbouring streets. Via XXII Marzo stretches from St. Mark Square towards Academia, where you will find renowned brands like Prada, Valentino, Etro, Chanel and Gucci. There are also several banks and currency exchange offices in this area. Browse Venice’s boutiques and take in the atmosphere of the city.
Drogheria Mascari
Banco Lotto 10
Marina e Susanna Sent
Giuliana Longo
Ottica Vascellari
Arnoldo.].[.Battois
Libreria Acqua Alta di Frizzo Luigi
Prosciutto e Parmigiano
Cipolato Sigfrido
Gilberto Penzo
Outlet Noventa di Piave
Essential Information
Passport / Visa
Italy can be visited visa-free for up to 90 days by citizens from Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Israel, UAE and most countries in America. If you are not sure whether or not you need to apply for a visa, we recommend you to contact the embassy or consulate in your country. In order to enter the Schengen zone, international (non-Schengen) travelers need a passport that is valid for at least 3 months after the end of their intended trip. Citizens from Schengen countries can travel without a passport, but they must bring with them a valid ID during their stay.
Venice Marco Polo Airport
Venice Marco Polo Airport is situated 7 km north of the city. There is a wide selection of transports from the airport to the city. Choose between buses, taxicabs and boats.
If you choose boat be prepared for a short walk first. The water bus is operated by Alilaguna and the journey takes about 1 hour and 20 minutes. There are also motor boats and the price vary from company to company but calculate around €80.
A land route to Venice is offered too. The two transport companies ACTV and ATVO have direct buses between the city and the airport. The journey takes approx. 20-25 minutes. Taxis are waiting outside the terminal and the prices start at €40.
Address: Venice Marco Polo Airport
Phone: +39 041 2609 260
Website: www.veniceairport.it
More Information: www.alilaguna.it / www.actv.it / www.atvo.it
Treviso Airport
Treviso Airport, sometimes referred to as Venice’s package tour airport, is located 30 km north of Venice. ATVO and Barzi buses depart from/to Venice and the journey takes about 40 minutes. There is a ticket office located at the arrivals hall.
A taxi from the airport to Piazzale Roma in Venice starts at €65.
Address: Treviso Airport
Phone: +39 041 2606111
Website: www.trevisoairport.it
More Information: www.atvo.it / www.barziservice.com
Best Time to Visit
The best time to enjoy sightseeing in Venice is mid-spring, particularly the first half of May, when the cold winter gives way to sunny days and comfortably warm temperatures. With less boat traffic on the canals and calm waters, this season is best for relaxing on a Gondola ride.
If you want to avoid the stress of high tourist season, December through February may do the trick with quiet and peaceful local areas. Low season also provides for discounted accommodation rates. Moreover, the famous Venetian Carnival takes place annually in February, which gives visitors the chance to join in on the festivities and try on a traditional ornate mask.
Public Transport
The ACTV operates the ordinary buses together with the bus boats, the so-called vaporettos. Tickets can be purchased at the stations, from newsstands or on board the boats. There are also several travel cards to choose from, but remember that you need to swipe them before boarding.
If you need to cross the Grand Canal you can catch a traghetto, a large gondola leaving from different places between the bridges.
Website: www.actv.it
Taxi
The taxis in Venice are mainly boats of different sorts. Travelling by gondola is rather expensive and it is better used for sightseeing or special excursions. The boat taxis are slightly cheaper. One of the premier boat taxi operators in Venice is Consorzio Motoscafi Venezia.
Phone: +39 041 240 6711
Website: www.motoscafivenezia.it
Post
Stamps can be purchased from tobacconists that carry either the blue and white "Tabacchi" sign or that are simply marked with a "T". There are a couple of post offices across the city and you find one of them at:
Address: Barbaria de le Tole, 6674, Venice
Phone: +39 041 528 62 43
Website: www.poste.it
Pharmacy
Pharmacies have alternating opening hours during weekends and nights. Addresses of pharmacies on duty at night are posted at every pharmacy. You find one of the local pharmacies called Farmacia Santa Margherita at:
Address: Sestiere Dorsoduro, Venice
Phone: +39 041 522 3872
Telephone
Country code: +39
Area code: 041 (also dialled in Venice) If you call to Italy from abroad, you must always dial zero in the area code (do not omit it as is the general practice when making international telephone calls), e.g. +39 041 + the number.
Electricity
240 V, 50 Hz