St Mark’s BasilicaAttraction
St Mark’s Basilica
The city’s cathedral, covered inside with gold mosaics. Entry is easier with a timed ticket.
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Things to do in Venice
Compare tickets, tours, transfers, hotels and flights for Venice in one place, and see who provides each one before you book.
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
AirportsMarco Polo (VCE), Treviso (TSF)
Getting aroundOn foot and by vaporetto water bus
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
Best monthsApril to June, September and October
Venice in brief
Venice is built on islands in a lagoon, and there are no cars. You walk, or you take a boat. The Grand Canal winds through the centre, and the city is divided into six districts.
St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace are the main sights, and both are best booked ahead for a set time. The rest of the pleasure is in the back lanes, small squares and quiet canals.
Distances are short but slow: lanes twist, and every bridge has steps. Pack light, allow extra time and expect to get a little lost.
Top attractions in Venice
Tickets and guided visits for the city’s best-known sights.
St Mark’s Basilica
Doge’s PalaceAttraction
Doge’s Palace
The Gothic palace of Venice’s rulers, with grand council halls and the Bridge of Sighs.
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Grand CanalAttraction
Grand Canal
The main waterway, lined with palaces. Vaporetto line 1 runs its full length.
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Rialto BridgeAttraction
Rialto Bridge
The stone bridge over the Grand Canal, beside the old food market.
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Gallerie dell’AccademiaAttraction
Gallerie dell’Accademia
The great collection of Venetian painting, from Bellini to Titian and Tintoretto.
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Murano and BuranoAttraction
Murano and Burano
The glassmaking island and the island of brightly painted houses, a boat ride across the lagoon.
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Photo: St Mark’s Basilica — Gary Houston (CC0); Doge’s Palace — Velvet (CC BY-SA 4.0); Grand Canal — Wolfgang Moroder (CC BY-SA 3.0); Rialto Bridge — Wolfgang Moroder (CC BY-SA 3.0); Gallerie dell’Accademia — Wolfgang Moroder (CC BY-SA 3.0); Murano and Burano — kallerna (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikimedia Commons
Tours and day trips
Guided tours, day trips and experiences, with photos, reviews and prices.
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Getting there and around
Airport transfer from Marco Polo (VCE)A pre-booked water taxi to your hotel, or a car to Piazzale Roma. Alternatives are the Alilaguna water bus or the airport bus.
Trains from VeniceTrains reach Padua in under half an hour, Verona in a little over an hour and Florence in a little over two hours.
Car rentalCars cannot enter Venice. They stop at Piazzale Roma, at the edge of the city. Useful only for the mainland and the Dolomites.
Flights
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Where to stay
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1
San Marco
The centre, beside the main sights. The busiest district.
2
Dorsoduro
Art museums, a student quarter and a sunny waterfront. Calmer than San Marco.
3
Cannaregio
A lived-in district with local bars and canalside walks, near the railway station.
4
Castello
Quiet lanes east of St Mark’s, stretching to the public gardens.
Hotels in Venice with live prices
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Venice day by day
- Day 1: St Mark’s and the RialtoSt Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace with timed tickets, then a walk through the lanes to the Rialto Bridge.
- Day 2: The Grand Canal and DorsoduroVaporetto line 1 along the Grand Canal, the Accademia, then the lanes of Dorsoduro and the waterfront at sunset.
- Day 3: The islandsMurano in the morning, Burano in the afternoon, then an evening in Cannaregio.
- With a fourth dayTake a day trip to Verona or Padua, or spend the day on the Lido.
Local tips
- A day or multi-day vaporetto pass is better value than single tickets. Validate it before each boarding.
- Pack light. There are bridges with steps between almost any two points.
- Follow the yellow signs on the walls for San Marco, Rialto and the station.
- High water can flood low areas in autumn and winter. Raised walkways are put out.
- Do not swim in the canals or picnic on bridges and church steps. Fines apply.
Before you go
Travel insuranceCover for medical costs and cancellations.
Luggage storageLeave bags near the station or the sights.
Flight delay compensationCheck whether a delayed or cancelled flight qualifies.
Everything for Venice
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Travel guide
Venice is best in spring and autumn, and two days is enough for the main sights. Day visitors pay an access fee on selected days in spring and summer. The 2026 trial has ended, and the city has published fee days for 2027, so check the official rules for your dates.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Venice?
April to June and September to October are mild. Summer is hot and crowded, and winter is quiet apart from Carnival.
How many days do I need in Venice?
Two full days cover the city. Add a third for the islands.
Should I book St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace ahead?
Yes. Timed tickets let you skip the queues, which are long for most of the year.
How do I get from the airport to the centre?
From Marco Polo, Alilaguna water buses run to the city, and buses run to Piazzale Roma at the edge of Venice. Water taxis and pre-booked transfers are also available. Choose by luggage, arrival time and budget.
Is there a fee to enter Venice?
On certain busy days, day visitors must book and pay an access fee online. Overnight guests are exempt. Check the official dates before you travel.