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    Venezia

    Italy

    Venezia

    CityCulture

    Venice is built on 118 small islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea and was the centre of a maritime republic for centuries.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
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    5. Italy
    7. Veneto
    9. Venezia
    Venice is built on 118 small islands in a lagoon on the Adriatic Sea and was the centre of a maritime republic for centuries. Instead of streets, there are canals and alleys; instead of cars, boats and walkways; the city and its lagoon have been UNESCO World Heritage since 1987. St Mark's Square features St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, while the Rialto Bridge crosses the Grand Canal. Quieter than the San Marco area are districts like Cannaregio, Castello, and Dorsoduro, with their bacari, the traditional wine bars. You can reach the islands of Murano, Burano, and the Lido by vaporetto. On selected days, day visitors pay an entry fee for the old town, in 2026 for 60 days between April and July; check current dates before travel. Early in the morning, St Mark's Square is also quiet.

    Sights in Venezia

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    Canal Grande
    Attraction

    1Canal Grande

    The Grand Canal winds in an inverted S-shape for about 3.8 kilometers through the city, lined by more than 170 palaces and buildings, mostly from the 13th to 18th centuries. Four bridges cross it: Rialto, Accademia, Scalzi, and the Ponte della Costituzione by Santiago Calatrava. The best way to experience it is from a Vaporetto. With the Traghetto, a gondola ferry, you can cross to the other bank at several points.
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    Markusplatz
    Attraction

    2Markusplatz

    Venice's main square, popularly known simply as "la Piazza," is flanked on the north and south by the arcaded Procuratie, on the west by the Napoleonic Wing, and on the east stands St. Mark's Basilica. Next to it rises the Campanile, which an elevator takes you up to. Under the arcades are historic cafés like Florian, opened in 1720; prices there are accordingly high. The square lies just barely above sea level and quickly floods during Acqua alta.
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    Rialtobrücke
    Attraction

    3Rialtobrücke

    The stone arch bridge was built from 1588 to 1591 according to plans by Antonio da Ponte and was the only bridge over the Grand Canal until the 19th century. Two rows of shops line it. Right next to it is the Rialto Market: The vegetable market is open Monday to Saturday, the fish market Tuesday to Saturday mornings.
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    Markusdom
    Church

    4Markusdom

    Built in the 11th century and consecrated in 1094, St. Mark's Church features five domes, modeled on Constantinople's Church of the Holy Apostles. Domes, vaults, and upper walls feature gold-ground mosaics. The high altar holds the Pala d'Oro, a golden altarpiece with enamels and gemstones. The original four bronze horses have been inside since 1974. Pala d'Oro, Treasury, and Museum cost extra; tickets via the Basilica's official website. Shoulders and knees must be covered; large bags not allowed.
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    Teatro la Fenice
    Attraction

    5Teatro la Fenice

    The Opera House opened in 1792. Here, operas by Verdi such as La Traviata and Rigoletto premiered. After fires in 1836 and 1996, it was rebuilt each time, most recently reopening in December 2003. During the day, you can tour the house with an audio guide; evenings offer opera, ballet, and concerts.
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    Dogenpalast
    Museum

    6Dogenpalast

    The Gothic palace on the waterfront was the seat of the Doge, the government, and the courts of the Republic of Venice. In the Hall of the Grand Council, one of Europe's largest halls, Tintoretto's “Paradise” hangs. Via the Bridge of Sighs, you reach the New Prisons. The “Itinerari Segreti”, guided tours through hidden passages up to Casanova's cell, who fled from the Lead Chambers under the roof, must be booked in advance.
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    City walks in Venezia

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Venetian Splendour & Hidden Lanes

    Experience Venice's iconic landmarks and immerse yourself in authentic Venetian life. This walk leads you from busy squares to quiet canals and offers breathtaking views of the lagoon city, ideal for a comprehensive first impression.

    ~1 Std. 50 Min.
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    Stops (7)

    Food and Drink

    1

    Bistrot de Venise

    Restaurant between St. Mark's Square and Rialto with a wide selection of wines by the glass. The cuisine blends historic Venetian recipes with modern dishes, including vegetarian options. High-end pricing.
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    2

    L’Osteria di Santa Marina

    Osteria on Campo Santa Marina in Castello with fish dishes from the lagoon, contemporarily prepared. In good weather, you sit on the small square. The price level is upscale.
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    3

    Osteria alle Testiere

    Small Osteria in Castello, between San Marco and Santa Maria Formosa, with few tables. The menu features fish and seafood from the lagoon, changing with the daily catch. Two evening sittings; book early.
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    4

    Trattoria Antiche Carampane

    Family-run Trattoria in a hidden alley in San Polo near the Rialto. Serving Venetian fish dishes like Sarde in saor, spaghetti with seafood, and fried lagoon fish. Deliberately no pizza; book in advance.
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    Food and Drink

    Venetian cuisine thrives on fish and seafood from the lagoon. Typical are the Bacari, small wine bars with Cicchetti.

    Cicchetti

    Small bites that are served in the Bacari with a glass of wine (Ombra) or a Spritz.

    Sarde in saor

    Sardines in a sweet and sour marinade of onions, vinegar, raisins, and pine nuts.

    Baccalà mantecato

    Creamy whipped stockfish with oil, garlic, and lemon, often served on warm bread.

    Bigoli in salsa

    Thick, rustic pasta with an onion and anchovy sauce.

    Fegato alla veneziana

    Veal liver with onions, one of the city’s most common dishes.

    Spritz

    In Venice, the aperitif is, like a glass of wine, a staple with cicchetti in the bacari.

    Culture and History

    The SerenissimaVenice originated in the 5th century when mainland inhabitants fled invasions to the lagoon islands. The Republic of Venice became the leading trading power in the Mediterranean and existed for over a thousand years until Napoleon forced its end in 1797. The city and its lagoon have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1987.ArtBellini, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese shaped Venetian painting. The Biennale, founded in 1895, hosts international exhibitions on art and architecture, and the Film Festival takes place on the Lido.FestivalsCarnival, with its masks and costumes, takes place in the weeks before Ash Wednesday. During the Redentore Festival on the third weekend in July, a pontoon bridge leads to Giudecca, and on Saturday night into Sunday, there's a fireworks display over St. Mark's Basin. On the first Sunday in September, teams row in the Regata Storica along the Grand Canal.Acqua altaIn autumn and winter, high tides can flood parts of the city. Since October 2020, the MOSE barrier system closes off the lagoon during severe flood events.

    Nightlife

    1

    Cantina Do Mori

    One of Venice's oldest Bacari, near the Rialto Market. In the dim room with copper pots on the ceiling, you stand and drink an Ombra, a small glass of wine, and eat Cicchetti, Venetian snacks. In the evenings, the Cantina closes relatively early.
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    2

    Al Timon

    Wine bar on Fondamenta degli Ormesini, Cannaregio. Evenings, guests sit on a moored boat and at canal-side tables with wine, Spritz and Cicchetti. Popular with Venetians, very busy in summer.
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    3

    Wine Estate formerly Schiavi

    Traditional wine shop with a bar on the Rio di San Trovaso in Dorsoduro, opposite one of the last gondola yards. The counter is full of Cicchetti, the walls are filled with bottles up to the ceiling. Many drink their glass outside by the canal.
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    4

    Harry's Bar

    The bar near the San Marco Vaporetto station was founded in 1931 by Giuseppe Cipriani, where the Bellini and Carpaccio were invented. Ernest Hemingway was among its regulars. The decor is simple, prices are very high.
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    5

    Al Mercà

    Tiny bar at Campo Bella Vienna near Rialto Market, barely a counter. Drinks are had on the square, with small Panini. Many Venetians meet here for Spritz early evenings.
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    On the way in Venice

    On FootIn the Old Town, you'll walk almost everywhere, crossing more than 400 bridges. Yellow signs point the way to Rialto, San Marco, and Ferrovia. Expect detours; dead ends often lead to water.VaporettoACTV water buses connect the districts and islands. Single tickets are expensive; multi-day passes for one, two, three, or seven days are worthwhile even for a few trips. Airport connections and Alilaguna boats are not included.Getting ThereSanta Lucia train station is located directly on the Grand Canal. From Marco Polo Airport, buses run to Piazzale Roma, and the Alilaguna water bus company also operates routes into the city. If you arrive by car, park at Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, or on the mainland in Mestre.

    Accommodations in Venezia

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    Nearby

    Padua

    Padua

    Padua is located about 40 kilometers west of Venice and is a lively university city. Its 14th-century fresco cycles, including the Scrovegni Chapel, have been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2021; the Botanical Garden has held this status since 1997.Art and Pilgrimage DestinationGiotto's frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel are the main draw for many visitors; entry is only possible with a pre-booked ticket. The Basilica di Sant'Antonio, popularly known as “Il Santo,” welcomes millions of pilgrims annually and houses works by Donatello.Squares and MarketsBetween Piazza delle Erbe and Piazza della Frutta stands the Palazzo della Ragione, on whose ground floor there is a covered food market. Prato della Valle, covering approximately 90,000 square meters, is one of Europe's largest squares.UniversityFounded in 1222, the university continues to shape the city to this day. Galileo Galilei taught here from 1592 to 1610, and in 1678, Elena Cornaro Piscopia earned the first university degree by a woman in Padua.
    Veneto

    Veneto

    The Veneto stretches from the Adriatic coast with the Venice Lagoon and the Po Delta, across the Po Plain, to the eastern shore of Lake Garda and into the Dolomites. Around 4.9 million people live here; Venice is the capital, and Verona the largest city. In addition, there are Padua, Vicenza, and Treviso, Palladio's villas, the Prosecco Hills, and winter sports resorts like Cortina d'Ampezzo.
    Ferrara

    Ferrara

    Ferrara is located in the Po Valley, approximately 44 kilometres northeast of Bologna. From 1264 to 1598, the d'Este family ruled here, under whom the city became an important Renaissance court.The old town is enclosed by an almost completely preserved city wall, approximately nine kilometres long. To the north lies the Addizione Erculea, a city extension systematically planned from 1492. Since 1995, Ferrara has been a UNESCO World Heritage site; in 1999, the listing was expanded to include the Po Delta.
    Poreč

    Poreč

    Poreč is a coastal town in West Istria with an old town on a narrow peninsula and the Euphrasian Basilica, an early Christian episcopal complex on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Besides the old town, long hotel and bathing bays to the north and south attract many beach holidaymakers.The old town's street network still follows the Roman camp, with its main axes Decumanus and Cardo.
    Verona

    Verona

    Verona is situated on the Adige River and, with approximately 255,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in Veneto. Its Old Town, featuring Roman and medieval buildings, has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2000.Romans and ScaligersFrom Roman times date the Arena and Ponte Pietra, while Piazza delle Erbe lies above the former forum. In the 13th and 14th centuries, the Della Scala family ruled; Castelvecchio, Ponte Scaligero, and the Scaliger Tombs bear witness to their reign. From 1405, Verona belonged to Venice, predominantly to Austria in the 19th century, and joined Italy in 1866.Opera and LiteratureIn summer, the Opera Festival transforms the Arena into an open-air stage. Three of Shakespeare's plays are set in Verona, including “Romeo and Juliet”. The Casa di Giulietta is a popular destination; however, its historical connection is a later attribution, and the balcony was only added in the 1930s.SurroundingsIn the hills north of the city lies the Valpolicella wine region, home to Amarone.

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