Venice

🏛️ Why Visit Venice, Italy?

This floating city is like nowhere else on earth, built on 118 islands connected by over 400 bridges and steeped in romance. You've got stunning palaces rising straight from the water, gondoliers singing opera as they glide through canals, and every corner you turn reveals another jaw-dropping vista. It's romantic, it's historic, and it's absolutely crackers – which is exactly why millions of people fall head over heels for Venice every year.

Top reasons to visit Venice:

• 🏛️ Floating city magic – There's literally nowhere else like it, with palaces and churches rising directly from the water

• 🎭 St. Mark's Square spectacular – Home to the stunning Byzantine basilica and the Gothic Doge's Palace that'll blow your mind

• 🚣 Grand Canal adventures – Take a vaporetto ride down this aquatic highway lined with Renaissance palaces

• 🏰 Island hopping brilliance – Escape the crowds to colorful Burano and glass-making Murano for proper local vibes

• 🍷 Cicchetti culture – Venice's answer to tapas, perfect for a budget-friendly feast with local wine

🎭 Top Things to Do in Venice

Art & Culture Buffs

🏛️ St. Mark's Basilica – This Byzantine masterpiece will leave you absolutely speechless with its 24-carat gold mosaics and intricate paintings. Entry's free, but you'll want to book online for €6 to skip the mental queues!

🎨 Doge's Palace – This gothic palace was home to the Doge (basically the city's top boss) and is packed with grand halls, golden ceilings, and secret prison cells. You can even walk across the actual Bridge of Sighs – because why just look at it when you can dramatically sigh your way across?

📚 Libreria Acqua Alta – Since 2002, the Liberia Acqua Alta has been Venice's answer to Paris's Shakespeare and Co. and New York's Strand. Books are piled high outside, and inside you'll find a proper book-filled gondola – talk about literary magic!

Beach Lovers & Water Enthusiasts

🚣 Grand Canal Vaporetto Ride – Skip the pricey gondola and hop on the water bus for epic views of Renaissance palaces lining this busy waterway. A day pass is brilliant value if you're planning to explore!

⛵ Traghetto Experience – Essentially a public gondola, they cross the Grand Canal at five points. You get all the views, with less of the waves caused by all the boats – and all for €2 a pop. Genius!

🏝️ Island Adventures – Just a short ferry ride away, you'll find Burano, which is known for its intricate lace and brightly colored houses, and Murano, world-famous for its vibrant, hand-blown glass. Proper Instagram gold!

🏨 Top Hotels in Venice

• Hilton Molino Stucky Venice - Located on Giudecca Island, this swanky hotel boasts a rooftop pool with panoramic views, a luxurious spa, and multiple dining options including the renowned Skyline rooftop bar. With a private shuttle boat to St. Mark’s Square, you’re just minutes away from the heart of Venice.

• Carlton on the Grand Canal - Situated right on Venice’s most famous waterway, this elegant hotel offers classic Venetian decor, a rooftop lounge, and easy access to major attractions like the Rialto Bridge and St. Mark’s Square. Enjoy a romantic dinner at the on-site restaurant or sip cocktails with a view.

• Palazzo Barocci - A historic gem dating back to the 1300s, this hotel combines old-world charm with modern amenities. Located near the Rialto Bridge, it features a beautiful garden, elegant rooms with canal views, and a delightful breakfast buffet to start your day.​

• Paganelli - Just steps from Piazza San Marco, Paganelli offers breathtaking views of the San Marco basin and the Island of San Giorgio. This former Benedictine convent now features elegantly refurbished rooms and a rooftop terrace perfect for evening aperitifs.

• Hotel Al Piave - Nestled in the Castello district, this family-run hotel is a short stroll from St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge. With modern amenities, comfortable rooms, and a hearty buffet breakfast, it’s an excellent base for exploring Venice.

💰 How to Have a Very Cheap Venice Holiday (that's still brilliant)

🗓️ When to Go

Just like a businesswoman in the 80’s it’s all about the shoulders - in this case, the shoulder seasons! Spring and fall in Venice are magical. The weather is comfortable, perfect for wandering the streets and taking in the sights. You'll dodge the summer crowds, find cheaper flights, and actually be able to move around without being squeezed like a sardine! January might sound mental, but it was a fantastic opportunity to see Venice without the crowds of peak summer time – plus you'll get proper local vibes.

🎉 What's On in Venice

• 🎭 Carnevale (Every February) The world's most glamorous fancy dress party. Two weeks of masked balls, parades, and absolute mayhem in St Mark's Square. Book accommodation months ahead.

• 🎬 Venice Film Festival (Every late August - early September) Hollywood descends on the Lido for one of the world's oldest film festivals. Red carpet glamour and star spotting galore.

• 🚣 Regata Storica (Every first Sunday of September) Historic boat parade and rowing races down the Grand Canal. Gondoliers in Renaissance costumes, crowds lining the banks – properly spectacular.

• ⛪ Festa del Redentore (Every third weekend of July) Venice's biggest party. A temporary bridge connects Giudecca to the main island, locals picnic on boats in the lagoon, and the night ends with an absolutely massive fireworks display.

• 🙏 Festa della Madonna della Salute (Every 21st November) Venetians walk across a temporary bridge to the Salute church to give thanks for deliverance from the plague. Locals take it seriously – candles, processions, and traditional frittelle pastries.

• 🎨 Venice Biennale (Every odd-numbered year, May - November) The art world's Olympics. Contemporary art takes over the city with exhibitions in the Giardini, Arsenale, and random palazzos everywhere.

💡 Smart Savings

• 🚌 Vaporetto passes – While individual tickets are ridiculously expensive at 9.50 euros, there are travel passes that are actually not that bad. The more days you buy, the cheaper your rides become. A 24-hour pass works for actual 24 hours from when you validate it – clever!

• 🏠 Stay in Mestre – Consider staying in Mestre (on the mainland) and taking the bus/tram to the city. Accommodations in Mestre are considerably cheaper and the bus ride is very quick and affordable. You'll escape the tourist madness at night too!

• 💧 Free water fountains – There are 122 water fountains to refill a water bottle around Venice. Skip the €1.50 restaurant water and stay hydrated for free!

🎉 Free Fun

🏛️ St. Mark's Basilica is completely free to enter! 🎨 Wander the squares – every campo (square) has its own character and costs nothing to explore. 📚 Libreria Acqua Alta browsing is free and absolutely bonkers. 🌉 Bridge views – The Accademia Bridge view is stunning and won't cost you a penny! 🎭 People watching in St. Mark's Square is proper entertainment, especially with a gelato in hand.

🛍️ Shopping in Venice

Where to Shop

• 🛒 Le Mercerie – Venice's historic shopping heart, connecting St Mark's Square to the Rialto Bridge. A maze of narrow streets packed with everything from luxury brands to traditional Venetian crafts. This is where locals and visitors have shopped for centuries.

• 👜 Calle Larga XXII Marzo – Venice's designer row, just off St Mark's Square. Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, Valentino – all the big names in elegant surroundings. Window shopping is free!

• 🏛️ Fondaco dei Tedeschi – A beautifully restored Renaissance palazzo near the Rialto Bridge, now home to luxury shopping. The real draw? Free rooftop terrace with 360° views of Venice (book your slot in advance online).

• 🍅 Rialto Market – Not just for groceries! The area around the fish market and Rialto Bridge is brilliant for souvenirs, leather goods, and Carnival masks. The fresh produce market itself (Tues-Sat mornings) is a proper local experience.

• 🎭 Around Campo Santo Stefano – More independent shops and artisan workshops selling masks, glass, handmade paper, and one-off pieces. Less touristy than the main drag.

• 🎨 Dorsoduro – The university district has a younger, artier vibe with indie shops, vintage fashion, and contemporary design alongside traditional crafts.

What to Buy

• 🔮 Murano Glass – The real stuff, not the Chinese knockoffs flooding the tourist shops. Look for the "Vetro Artistico Murano" trademark or buy directly on Murano island. Everything from tiny earrings (€20+) to chandeliers (€thousands). Reputable shops: Venini, Barovier & Toso, or smaller artisan workshops.

• 🎭 Carnival Masks – Proper handmade papier-mâché masks from traditional workshops are works of art. Cheap plastic ones from street stalls are not. Ca' Macana and Ca' del Sol are well-regarded mask makers.

• 📜 Marbled Paper – Venice has a centuries-old tradition of decorative paper-making. Gorgeous notebooks, journals, and wrapping paper. Legatoria Piazzesi and Alberto Valese are standouts.

• 👟 Furlane Slippers – The velvet gondolier slippers that have become an Italian fashion statement. Traditionally worn by gondoliers for grip on wet decks. Piedàterre near the Rialto is the go-to spot.

• 🧵 Burano Lace – The real handmade stuff is expensive and rare (most "Burano lace" is machine-made elsewhere). If you want authentic pieces, visit Burano island and check the provenance carefully.

• 🍷 Wine & Food – Quality olive oil, dried pasta, balsamic vinegar, and local wines make brilliant take-home gifts. Drogheria Màscari near Rialto is a proper old-school Italian deli.

Shopping Tips

• 💡 Watch out for "Murano glass" that's actually made in China – if it's suspiciously cheap, it's probably fake. Authentic pieces have slight imperfections and often come with certificates.

• 💡 Most shops close for lunch (around 1-3pm) and all day Sunday. Tourist shops stay open longer.

• 💡 Haggling isn't really done in Venice, except perhaps at market stalls.

• 💡 VAT refunds are available for non-EU visitors on purchases over €154.94 – ask for a tax-free form.

• 💡 Prices at the bar are cheaper than sitting at a table – that's standard practice, not a scam!

🚌 Getting About

Walking is your best mate in Venice – the whole city center is perfectly walkable! When you need water transport, the vaporetto is your best friend. This water bus system is like the metro but on water. Download the ACTV app to navigate schedules like a pro. For island hopping, your vaporetto pass covers Murano and Burano too – sorted! 🚣

Venice might have a reputation for being pricey, but with a bit of planning you can experience all the magic without spending a fortune. Get lost in the backstreets, munch on cicchetti, and remember – the main sights are free, cheap bar snacks are nutritious, and the city center is walkable. Now that's what we call a proper brilliant jollie! 🎉