Complete Travel Guide For Venice, Italy

There is a reason Venice, Italy is known for being one of the best spots in all of Europe. Not only is it an incredible Italian marvel that offers some of the best food and scenery in the entire country, but it also showcases thousands of years of preserved history right at your very fingertips.

It should not come as a surprise that this place is widely popular across the entire world for being one of the most sought-after destinations in Italy. However, with that being said, that should not deter you from visiting when planning a trip to Europe.

For those of you who may be considering dropping Venice from your Italian vacation itinerary in fear of it being unauthentic and touristy, I’m here to make you think otherwise.

I myself had the same concern before booking my trip back to this iconic destination during a peak summer month, however now that I’ve gone I can say I couldn’t recommend it more.

We all know there are going to be a lot of people in this city, especially during the summer. As long as you are prepared for this and plan accordingly, I promise you can go during any season and still have an unforgettable time.

I had been to Venice a few times before. However this new time around, my boyfriend was able to get a list of recommendations from some coworkers who were actually born and raised in the city of Venice.

And let me just say, these recommendations were a game changer.

Once we had a few helpful tips from the Venetian locals, our experience completely changed and made is so much better than my first time around.

So without further ado, here is a complete guide to Venice, Italy!

How to get from the Marco Polo Airport to Venice City Center

The Marco Polo airport is outside the main island of Venice. In order to get to the main area, you have several options.

You can either take a private water taxi, however, this is by far the most expensive, costing 120 euros each way. The other more affordable options are either the Aerobus or the public water taxi (basically the local water buses).

The public water taxi costs 15 euros and takes about an hour and a half. I found that this is the best transportation option as soon as you arrive in Venice. Here you can enjoy a nice boat ride while also viewing the surrounding lagoon of Venice.

The other option is the convenient Aerobus which costs 8 euros and takes about 20-25 minutes. We did the Aerobus option heading back to the airport after finishing our trip which I highly recommend doing to save some time.

Where to Stay in Venice, Italy

Venice really is not that big of a city, which means as long as you are on the island, you really aren’t too far from the main attractions. However, if you want to be in the middle of all the action, try looking for accommodations near St. Marks Square, Rialto Bridge, or one of the main public transportation hubs like the bus or train station that are near the Grand Canal.

All these points are centrally located and will be a great area for exploring all the major sites. If you want a more quiet and authentic experience, try staying in the Cannaregio neighborhood. This area is still within a 20-minute walk to the Rialto Bridge but is far from the touristy crowds that are hard to escape from when staying in the most centric areas.

What To See In Venice

While there are countless museums, monuments, and historical buildings that are worth a visit, it is also important to factor in some time to just enjoy the city for what it’s worth.

Start your visit by getting lost in the labyrinth of canals, drink an Aperol spritz in a tucked away plaza, and hop from bar to bar sampling their specialty Cicchetti (more on this later).

If you only stay on the few main walkways that herd tourists from one end of the city to the other, you may leave Venice a bit disappointed. Like I said earlier, this city is infamously famous for the disgusting amount of tourists that visit during the summer months, and if that’s all you experience, it can be quite overwhelming.

Avoid this from happening by branching off on your own. Throw your itinerary into the lagoon for a few hours, and just enjoy Venice for its character and charm.

Points of Interest:

• Realto Bridge
• Piazza San Marco 
• Saint Mark’s Basilica
• Doge’s Palace
• Bridge of Sighs
• Grand Canal
• San Marco Campanile (bell tower)
• Gallerie dell’Accademia
• Santa Maria della Salute
• Peggy Guggenheim Collection

Tips for Visiting Venice

Whatever you do, make sure you buy a skip the line pass for the St. Marks Cathedral. Without one, you may be waiting in a line for hours in the burning heat. Getting inside the Cathedral is free, but you still don’t want to waste your short time in Venice miserably waiting in the hot sun. Spending 3 euros to reserve a time slot is definitely worth it.

Make sure you experience “bacaros” or tapas bars in Venice. Now, I know this seems like more of a Spain thing, but the Venetians have made these small bites a local tradition as well. These bacaros are little bars that serve local wine and Cicchetti, or their version of a tapa. These tapas can be any bite-size treat from fried codfish fritters, shrimp skewers, or even just a mini prosciutto sandwich.

Whether you are on a budget or not, these bars are a great way to experience some local food culture in Venice. They also tend to be significantly cheaper than regular sit-down dinners you would normally find in the city.

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My boyfriend and I found out the hard way how expensive Venice could be after paying 14 euros on one beer the very first day. Once we learned from our mistake, we ended up going to mostly bacaro bars and doing our research beforehand.

Another helpful tip is on what you should be drinking. The local alcoholic beverage in Venice is the Aperol spritz, and if you find a good place, it won’t cost you more than 4 euros. At bacaros, you can get an Aperol spritz for sometimes 2 euros. Wine is also another great option, especially considering you’re in Italy.

If you are more of a beer drinker, expect to pay higher prices. For some reason, beer is upcharged at almost every restaurant. Another famous drink to try in Venice is a Bellini. If you want to try this refreshing mix of peach and prosecco, grab a glass at the famous Al Merca Bar.

Now, a trip to Venice just wouldn’t be complete without a romantic gondola ride through the canals. No matter which gondolier you choose, they will all offer the same prices. For 30 minutes you will pay 80 euros before 7pm or 100 euros after.  I suggest doing your gondola ride right around 6pm when the sun is starting to set and the cruise ship tourists have left the area.

Where to Eat in Venice

This list of places to eat in Venice includes all of my favorite Cicchetti bars. I did not include fancy sit down restaurants that serve pasta and other dinner plates because I I spent most of my meals hopping from bacaro to bacaro!

If you want to experience the local food culture in Venice, I suggest going to 2-3 of these bars below.

• La Merca 
• Farini (breakfast or quick lunch)
• So DiVini
• Bacarando Corte dell’Orso
• Dani Zemei
• Dal Moros (fresh pasta to go)
• Suso (gelato)
• Osteria Al Squero
• Bacareto da Lele
• Antico Forno Venice
• Cantina Do Spade

So, there it is. If you are planning a trip to Venice, my number one recommendation would be to get out of the main center of the city and go explore. Don’t forget you’re on an island… you really can’t get very far if you get yourself lost!

As long as you balance your trip with city sightseeing and exploring, you will have a great experience no matter when you go.

For more Italian adventures, check out these blog posts below! 

Family Trip to the Cinque Terre

Rediscovering the Amalfi Coast

What to Expect During a Weekend in Capri

A Beginners Guide to Cinque Terre

Big thanks to Keaton Browning once again for the amazing photos!