Venice
Food | Wine | ArchitectureVenice Travel Guide: Things to Know Before You Go
After a weeklong visit in 2002, we returned to Venice almost exactly two decades later for a month-long stay in March – arriving just in time to catch the end of Carnivale.
Venice is built on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by over 400 bridges. The city is divided into six areas called sestieri: Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo, and Santa Croce.
Additionally, several other significant islands in the lagoon deserve attention, including Giudecca, Murano, and Burano.
Below is a guide to our favorite food, wine, and architecture in Venice, plus some additional travel tips and resources we picked up along the way. We hope this information will inspire you to plan your next trip!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Venice Food
Given its history and location, it is hardly surprising that fish and seafood are the defining features of Venetian cuisine.
Less obvious is the widespread use of rice rather than pasta, as is common throughout the rest of Italy. This oddity is due to Venice’s trade history in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Traditional Venetian dishes are primarily characterized by unique ingredients not found in other Italian cuisines.
Perhaps more than any other destination we have visited, we enjoyed every aspect of Venetian cuisine.
Venice Wine
Venice is located in the Veneto region. The Veneto Wine page includes information we’ve gathered about the wines produced in the area.
Wines produced in the Veneto are available in the many bulk wine shops throughout Venice.
Venice Architecture
The merchants of Venice dominated the Eastern Mediterranean trade routes for centuries. The wealth acquired during this period funded the construction of churches and palaces along the city’s many canals.
The result is a floating museum of Venetian Gothic and Renaissance architecture.
Where Is Venice Located?
Venice is a historic city on the Adriatic Sea in northeastern Italy. It is a 7 hr train ride south of Munich, Germany, a 2 hr 30 min ride east of Milan, Italy, and a 2 hr 15 min ride north of Florence, Italy.
Where is the Best Place to Stay in Venice?
Hotels in Venice
There are many great places to stay in Venice. For the best experience, we recommend staying near St. Marks Square (the castle marker on the map below). It’s the epicenter of Venice, with great cafes and bars for people-watching and the stunning Cathedral as a backdrop.
Here’s an interactive map with hotel and apartment options that can be filtered to meet your needs. Select your travel dates to get specific availability and prices.
Book your stay now!
What Is The Best Time To Visit Venice?
The best month to visit Venice depends on what you’re looking for. Do you want the best weather, fewer crowds, or the best value? Following are our suggestions for each.
Weather
The best weather is a personal preference. We find the best weather for exploring a city is around 55° F and sunny. The weather in Venice can get hot, so visitors should plan accordingly if traveling during the summer.
Below is a chart showing the average high and low temperatures for each month so you can decide what is best for you.
Shoulder Season
The time of the year with good weather and fewer crowds is often referred to as the shoulder season. The shoulder season in Venice is March, April, October, and November. For Venice, shoulder season means less crowded but still crowded. It is crowded instead of crazy crowded.
Locals say November is the month with the least number of tourists, but again, it is still crowded in November. Since avoiding crowds in Venice is a fool’s errand, I advise focusing on the most appealing time for the weather. If you are miserable in hot weather, you won’t be happy in Venice in the hot summer sandwiched between hoards of tourists.
Best Value
November and January are good months to visit Venice for the best value and with fewer crowds. Venice does get cold in the winter so you will need to decide if the trade-off is worth it.
FAQs About Venice
Is Venice Worth Visiting?
Yes, Venice is definitely worth visiting. If you enjoy incredible architecture on top of a maze of bridges and canals you will have a wonderful time in Venice. We explored this question in depth in our article “Is Venice, Italy Worth Visiting?”
Is Venice Expensive?
Yes, Venice, Italy is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world which makes it expensive. However, the cost ultimately depends on the level of luxury required. We prepared a Budget for a Month in Venice that analyzes all the necessary expenses.
What is Venice Famous For?
Venice, Italy is famous for its gondolas, canals, bridges, and unique architecture.
Is Venice Pretty?
Yes, Venice is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, which is why it is so popular and crowded with tourists.
How Many Days in Venice Is Enough?
You will need two very busy days to walk the canals of Venice, take a gondola ride, and see a selection of the sites. Add a day or two to that, and you visit the neighboring islands, stroll through the streets at a slower pace, and stop at the bacari bars to eat local cicchetti and drink regional Prosecco wine. For a list of the best things to see and a suggested walking tour, check out our article “27 Best Things to See in Venice, Italy.”
What Region is Venice in?
Venice is located in the Veneto region of Italy. Veneto is in northeastern Italy and is famous for its Prosecco wine.
How To Get to Venice?
If you fly into Venice Airport, you can get to the historic city center by a public water bus, private water taxi, or traditional public bus transfer.
Other Things to Know About Venice
Airport
Venice Marco Polo Airport (code: VCE) – there are direct flights from Philadephia, JFK, Newark, and Atlanta to VCE.
Train Station
Venezia Santa Lucia Station (code: XVQ) – 30100 Venice, Venice, Italy. It is the train station in the heart of Venice.
Time Zone
Central European Standard Time (GMT +1)
Currency
Euro €
Language
Italian – Venice is a city where English is abundantly spoken.
Visa
Citizens from the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia don’t need a visa to visit Italy if they stay 90 days or less. For more information on visa-free travel in Italy, check out our article on traveling visa-free.
Electricity
Italy’s electrical outlets are Type C, F, and L. They have a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz. Travelers from the United States will need an adapter.
If you have many items to plug in, we recommend a travel power strip with multiple USBs and standard plug-ins. Using a power strip, you will only need one adapter to plug the strip into the wall.
SIM Card
Travelers will want a SIM card for Italy. You can get either a local SIM card or an eSIM card.
To get a local SIM card, you have to find a local cellular service provider, often stand in line for assistance, show your passport, and complete some paperwork. The SIM cards work great, but purchasing them is somewhat inconvenient. This option is best if you need more than 5GB of data.
We use eSIMs exclusively because they can be purchased through an app prior to arrival in a new country and activated when you hit a cell tower in the country. We use Airalo eSIMs. They work great, and I recommend them if you plan to use less than 5 GB of data during your stay or if you need internet immediately on arrival.
Car Rental
The fantastic train system in Italy makes rental cars unnecessary for most destinations. However, rental cars are needed to reach smaller towns and explore the countryside. In addition to the major car rental companies found in the United States, Sixt and Europcar are common throughout Europe. For a comparison of rental car offers from large, international brands and smaller regional brands, we recommend Discover Cars.
Venice Blog Posts
34 Best Churches in Venice, Italy
Venice, Italy is famous for its picturesque canals. The city’s magical charm is enhanced by its magnificent architecture. The beautiful churches not only serve as places of worship but also showcase Venice’s cultural heritage and...
24 Pros and Cons of Living in Venice, Italy
Imagine waking up every morning to the sound of gondolas gliding through picturesque canals, surrounded by stunning architecture and unique cultural heritage. Living in Venice, Italy is a dream come true for many. However, living in...
Budget for a Month in Venice, Italy
The budget for a month in Venice, Italy depends on the level of luxury required. We believe that traveling full-time requires a moderate level of comfort. Most people (us included) could not stay in a hostel month after month and continue...
Vino Sfuso Venice: Buy Wine Like a Local
If you're interested in vino sfuso Venice, congratulations! You've discovered the secret to buying wine like a local in Venice, Italy. The vino sfuso or vini sfusi are bulk wine shops that sell quality wines by the liter at discount...
Is Venice Worth Visiting?
Venice is a magical city that has been around for centuries. It is worth visiting because it offers a unique experience that can't be found in any other city in the world. The city is built on water and boasts stunning architecture,...
28 Best Things to See in Venice, Italy
Venice is a magical city with so many must-see attractions. If you’re interested in architecture, the Best Things to See in Venice are: St. Mark's Square St. Mark's Basilica Rialto Bridge Doge’s Palace St. Mark's Campanile Bridge of Sighs...
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We also visited Venice in July 2003…
