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City in Veneto, Italy
Photo: Didier Descouens, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Venice (Italian: Venezia; Venetian: Venexia) is a sanctuary on a lagoon that is virtually the same as it was 600 years ago, which adds to the fascinating character. Venice has decayed since its heyday and suffers from overtourism, but the romantic charm remains. It is also known as the birthplace of composers Tomaso Albinoni and Antonio Vivaldi, and of the poets and opera librettists Apostolo Zeno and Carlo Goldoni. Venice and its lagoon are a UNESCO World Heritage site. It used to be an independent republic, and remains one of Italy's most important cities, with a quarter million inhabitants. Venice is also known as the home of the world's first international film festival, founded in 1932.
Sharpen your elbows and get to stepping. St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace, and half a dozen other top sights are crammed in to Piazza San Marco. If you'd like a good picture (or even a place to sit!), try visiting at dawn or during the winter months.
One of the oldest parts of the city—and featuring the Rialto Bridge—one of its most visited. Several museums and churches hold dozens of antiquities and artistic masterworks.
It consists of two parts separated by the Giudecca Canal. It is home to the Guggenheim and Gallerie Accademia Venezia, some of the finest museums in Italy. This area also plays host to many students, so those seeking budget conscious amenities may have more luck here.
Several captivating palaces, basilica, and museums all live within the "tail of the fish". On your walk from San Marco, pass by the Bridge of Sighs to catch a glimpse of a convicts last view.
A more residential neighbourhood, the city's historic Jewish ghetto is found here as well as the nearby island of San Michele Cemetery. Receives fewer visitors than neighbouring areas, although that's not saying much.
Transit oriented Santa Croce is where Venetian visitors will arrive by bus, car or tram. The rail station is just across the Grand Canal in Cannaregio. The park and churches found here are lovely, while the museums cover mostly non-Italian work.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Half-hour documentary based on the BBC series Francesco's Venice - an 'amazing film that puts the spectacular beauty of this great city in historical context'. Film in English, audioguides in Italian, Russian and Spanish.
One of the favorites is the mini-chain "E Rosa Salva", with three locations in the center - on C. Fiubera (from Piazza San Marco, take the underpass in the middle of the arcade, cross the bridge and take second right off C. Fabbri), Merceria S. Salvadore (off the campo of the same name), and right on Campo San Zanipolo (to the right of the church looking from the canal); the last one is a gelateria as well. For your €1 you'll get exactly 2 and a half sips at the bottom of a small cup, with rich crema and no bitterness. Assorted house-made sweets are €1.10.
By plane
Marco Polo Airport and Treviso Airport serve the city. If no flight suits you, check flying to nearby Bologna or Verona. From both cities trains and buses depart to Venice.
By train
Venice is well-connected with the domestic train network, Rome and Milan are only a few hours away.
By car
Distances to Venice: Rome 540 km, Milan 279 km, Padua 60 km, Vicenza 75 km, Udine 125 km
By bus
For bus services between Marco Polo airport (VCE) and the Piazzale Roma bus station in Venice, see the By Place section. The Piazzale Roma bus station is well served by vaporetti and water-taxis ...
By tram
There is a tram connection from the mainland to Venice: Line T1 from Favaro to Piazzale Roma.50. Ticket booklet - 10 tickets - 75 min €14.
By boat
Ships arrive at the Stazione Marittima which is at the west end of the main islands, it is served by vaporetti and water taxis.
Porters
Clemente, and €60 Murano.Clemente, and €90 Murano.Zaccaria (Jolanda) +39 3495803239 and Rialto (Imbarcadero Actv Rialto line 1 and 2) +39 3474348898.
By public transport
ACTV runs the vaporetti and other public transport services in the lagoon and on land.
By foot
Otherwise, take a walk!
By water taxi
Water taxis (taxi acquei) are operated by Coop. San Marco (+39 041 5222303), Coop. Veneziana (+39 041 716124), Coop. Serenissima (+39 041 5221265 or +39 041 5229538), Soc.
By taxi
'Normal' taxis can be called from Radio Taxi (+39 041 936137). There are taxi ranks at Piazzale Roma (+39 041 5237774) and Lido (+39 041 5265974).
By traghetto
There are small gondola ferries crossing the Canal Grande at
By tour
Alilaguna Green line (linea verde) Alilaguna, +39 041 5235775, operates a 4 hours excursion tour to the island of Murano, Burano and Torcello with explanations in English, French, German and Spanish.
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Venezia (VE) · International · VCE
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