There is no doubt Venice, Italy is unlike any other place. The beautiful canals, the labyrinth alleys and the countless bridges! The beauty of the city is best enjoyed by foot and water. Millions of tourists flock to this tiny island every year to emerge in its unique and unmatched atmosphere. But with high tourists, comes high prices, not-so-great food and you can easily fall victim to tourist traps. Read along for everything you need to know before you visit to ensure you’re getting the best of this city.

Getting There

Getting to Venice can be a bit tricky. Since there are no vehicles allowed, you will likely have to rely on public transportation. There are several options and taxis are by far the most convenient but can be really expensive.

Driving

If you are driving, once you arrive in Venice, you will have to park your car. There are three options:

Public garage on Piazzale Roma – The cost of parking in the Piazzale Roma ranges from 24-29€ per day. The first garage on the right, ASM Venezia, is the least expensive. From there, you can grab a vaporetto to the nearest station to your hotel or the city center.

Private garage on Tronchetto. You can find this parking garage in an artificial island right behind Piazzale Roma. It is 21€ per day though they offer a 20% discount if you stay 3 or more days. To get to Piazzale Roma from there you can take the shuttle train for 1.30€,  the no. 6 bus line or simply walk there (it’s less than a mile away)!

Public parking lot on S. Guliano in Mestre. This is the least expensive and therefore the most inconvenient option. The lots in the mainland of Mestre cost 12€ per day. If you’re staying for several days, look for Parcheggio Porta Gialla as the others don’t offer overnight parking.  You will have to take a short bus ride to Piazzale Roma and then catch a vaporetto from there.

Flying

If you are arriving at the Venice-Marco Polo airport, you also have several options.

A water taxi will set you back 100€ but will take you directly to your destination. And if your hotel has a “water door” be sure to tell the taxi to take you all the way to the door. So check with your lodging prior to arrival. To reserve a water taxi you can go to the airport desk or prebook with Consorzio Motoscafi.

For a less expensive but still a great option, Private boat transfers can be booked ahead of time and start at 43€.

The Alilaguna Ferry is another good option; for 15€ you can also arrive by a ferry. But, just be sure to know which line will bring you closes to your hotel.

Probably the most inexpensive option is the ATVO bus. Line n° 5 takes you to Piazzale Roma in Venice in about half an hour for 8€. And from Piazzale Roma you can take a vaporetto.

Train

The most important thing to know if you are traveling by train is to get off in the Venice-Santa Lucia station. Do not get off in Venice-Tiestre. Once you arrive at the Saint Lucia train station, in front of you will be the Grand Canal! From here, you can take a vaporetto to your destination. The line no. 1 will be to your right and line no. 2 will be on the dock to your left.

Walking

Of course, you could always walk to Venice from Piazzale Roma. Depending on how much luggage you’re carrying and how familiar you are with Venice, this could be a bit time-consuming and a little tiring with the luggage (a lot of bridges).

Things to Do

Truly the best part of Venice is wandering the streets, admiring the culture and taking in the its beauty. And there are certain monuments you wont want to miss: Piazza San Marco, Rialto Bridge, Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Basillica. Here are a few other hidden gems to make sure you visit:

Acqua Alta Library

Acqua Alta Library is so neat and full of Italian gems. Inside you can find a gondola filled to the brim with books. Walk towards the back and the stairs of books is a great photo opp.

Murano and Burano

Murano and Burano are nearby islands that can be reached by vaporetto or taxi. Less than an hour away, you can easily do both in one day. Check out the full post on visiting Burano and Murano here! Murano is know for glass-making and you can watch glass-making artisans work their magic. And Burano is also famous for lace, however the real attraction is the bright, lollipop-colored houses! Walking around is the real attraction here.

Market

Italy is no stranger to markets and the ones in Venice are awesome. You can find them all over the city but the Rialto Market is in the heart of the city and you’ll find fresh seafood and produce. This market is open everyday except Sundays.

Gondola Ride

Take a ride on a gondola. Yes it’s super touristy and pricey but it’s one of those things you just have to do. The flat fee for 40 minutes is 80€ during the day and 100€ after dawn.

What to Eat

Be forewarned that it is possible to have bad meals in Venice. And the closer you are to the tourists attractions like the Rialto Bridge or Piazza San Marco, the higher the prices. While you will find that most restaurants will offer menus in different languages, a good rule of thumb is to stay away from places with pictures of food on the menu.

Cicchetti

Venetians’ version of tapas are cicchetti and are commonly served all day long. Typically eaten standing up, hanging around the counter where they are displayed in numerous bars, or bàcari, these tasty bites are usually served with a glass of wine. The best part of all is they usually run 1-2€ each so they make for a tasty and inexpensive meal. Great places to try cicchetti are All’Arco, Cantina Do Mori, Cantine del Vino già Schiavi.

Squid Ink Pasta

One of the most delicious Venetian specialties is the squid ink pasta. If you’re not afraid of a little black sauce, be sure to try this as it’s absolutely scrumptious.

Brick Oven Pizza

While you can find delicious pizza in many parts of Italy, Venice is not famous for their pizza. Because all constructions in Venice are technically ovens – brick around, wood within – fires are a big concern. Consequently, brick ovens for pizza are not easy to find in Venice! Antico Forno, located in the Rialto Bridge and Rossopomodoro Venezia near San Marco Square are two places that still use traditional brick ovens to make their pizza.

Pasta To Go

For a tasty and inexpensive lunch, grab a pasta to go and sit by the bridge or a square to enjoy it. Dal Moro’s is cute and tasty spot for lunch on the go. Homemade pasta served in Chinese to-go containers.

Amarena Cherry Gelato

You can find gelato in every corner. The specialty of Venice is the Amarena Cherry so don’t leave without trying it!

Restaurant Recommendations

For truly delicious restaurants check out Muro, Osteria Mocenigo and La Zucca (be sure to make a reservation far in advanced as this place books up).

Where to Stay in Venice

Hotel Al Ponte Mocenigo was our favorite hotel during our road trip in Italy. At a very reasonable price, you get true Venetian style – tapestry on the walls , Murano glass chandeliers and typical wooden beam ceiling – with modern upgrades. Walter and Sandro are kind and gave us amazing recommendations. The hospitality was amazing. Breakfast is served in a cute courtyard and the staff is super friendly. Another perk is that is located just 30 yards off the San Stae station without needing to cross any bridges.

Things to Consider

Lots of Walking!

Venice is extremely walkable and there are bridges all over the place. Keep this in mind as the majority don’t have ramps so be ready to climb lot of stairs.

Venice Hours

Venice is so alive during the day but don’t expect much activity at night. Still, be sure to stroll around the city at night as it is purely magical.

With that said, expect to eat dinner late. Most restaurants open at 11am for lunch, close between 3pm and 7pm and dinner is usually between 7pm and 11pm.

Vaporetto

Ask your hotel or lodging what is the closest vaporetto stop or easiest way to arrive. This will save you the stress of trying to figure it out when you arrive. The cost for a single ride Vaporetto ticket is € 7.50 but I strongly suggest you purchase daily passes as they are a better deal and you can hop on and off as often as you like. This pass also includes access to the bus and the train. And If you’re planning to visit the nearby islands of Murano or Burano, vaporetti will get you there! The cost for the passes are:

24 hrs    € 20,00
48 hrs    € 30,00
72 hrs    € 40,00
7 days   € 60,00

Visitor Tax

As of 2011, Venice began charging a Visitor Tax. The cost is about €2 per person per night. Your hotel will likely request this in cash.

Are you planning a trip to Venice? What are you most excited to see or do? Let me know!