Venice
Veneto
Floating city with unique Venetian dishes, fresh seafood, and the famous cicchetti small plates tradition. Best experienced at dawn or dusk.
Floating city with unique Venetian dishes, fresh seafood, and the famous cicchetti small plates tradition. Best experienced at dawn or dusk.
There's not much left to say about Venice that hasn't already been said. It's magical. There are so many places in the world (e.g. casinos in Vegas, Disney theme parks) that attempt to capture the essence of Venice; all pale in comparison to the original.
If you haven't been - all the written words in the world aren't going to be able to help describe what Venice actually is. Trust us. We weren't convinced that we needed to go. Why deal with the crowds? Was it as amazing as everyone said? Or did they just not know any better? Finally our friends from Italy convinced us when we were touring their home town of Ferrera (another great small Italian town in nearby Emilia-Romagna) that we must go. Almost a rite of passage. We urge you to do the same.
Venice (Venezia) is the capital of the Veneto region in northeast Italy. Slovenia and Croatia are to the east and the Dolomites are to the north. If you go west, first you'll run into Padua and Verona, and if you keep going, Milan. To the southwest are Bologna and Florence. But if you're going to Venice, it's a destination all on its own and can be reached from almost anywhere.
Once you get here, you'll immediately be wowed - either by the buzzing of ships, the lack of roads and cars, the beautiful architecture, or the sheer number of people (highly recommend going in the offseason). Venice isn't for the faint of heart; there's plenty of bridges to climb and tourist traps to avoid. Going on a whim without a plan could be a recipe for disaster; with the proper planning and the right mindset, it's got the potential to be a once in a lifetime experience.
Best Airport(s)
Venice Marco Polo (VCE), Treviso (TSF)
Estimated Time (Airport → City)
VCE → Venice: ~20–35 min (car/taxi) / ~25–60 min (bus/water taxi options)
TSF → Venice: ~45–70 min (car) / ~60–90 min (bus/train)
Main Train Station(s)
Venezia Santa Lucia, Venezia Mestre
Quick Tip
Venezia Santa Lucia is best for arrival on the island (steps from the canals).
Jump to:
On our first trip to Venice, we stayed at this beautiful hotel. It was close to all of the biggest attractions, but not overflowing with foot traffic. It was quiet, the breakfast was fantastic, and the dock that overlooks the canals was so peaceful and pretty.
Photo source: Hotel Ai Cavalieri
From the moment you walk into this cozy place, you'll feel like you're being served out of a close family friend's kitchen - it's that intimate! The menu is seafood driven, by what's available at the market that day. Everything is super fresh and expertly prepared, without a lot of pomp and circumstance. The seafood dishes are the star but everything is excellent - well-prepared beverages, freshly made bread, and incredible desserts. We recommend going for the grigliata mista di pesce e crostacei (mixed grilled fish and crustaceans). It's really a treat. This is a meal you'll remember years after. Reservations ahead of time are a must.
Being in St. Mark’s Square at sunrise is magical. There’s the lack of crowds plus the sun hitting just the right angles; you’ll be surprised at the peacefulness and calm you feel standing in the square. Coming early allows you to appreciate the views and to take the time to study and appreciate the architecture, without the worry of getting in someone’s TikTok or trying to side step that big tour group coming through.
Yes, this is one that you’re going to see recommended everywhere. The Rialto bridge is world famous, and rightfully so. It’s beautiful, and captures the essence of Venice; the city is built for boats and walking bridges are needed to connect the over the canals. Rialto Bridge is one of the most stunning, as well as one of the most popular. We recommend you get here early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the crowds and see the bridge in its magnificence.
Like tapas, Venetian cicchetti are small, shareable plates. Found in bàcari (bars), cicchetti typically have a bread or polenta based, and are topped with fresh seafood, marinated vegetables, fried delicacies, and cured meats. With the option to order them per piece, you can explore a ton of different offerings and see which one suits your palate best!
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Where will your next journey in Italia take you?
