Top 5 Insider Tips for Venice

Magnificent buildings, significant architecture, gondoliers guiding you over the water - this is Venice. For those who have never been there, this article will make you appreciate and fall in love with Venice.

What city boasts more clichés than Venice? It is the city of love, the city of bridges, the city of gondoliers. It seems as though all the romance and beauty converge in one city, creating a fascinating portrait. Charming little islands are interconnected by a multitude of canals adorned with over 400 bridges - impressive buildings with breathtaking architecture come together to delight. We want to bring you a touch of this romance, wherever you might be. Open your heart and allow the city a very special place within it. With these Venice tips, you will also be well-informed.

Venice: A city that has been talked about so much and from which so much is promised should be visited at least once in a lifetime. After all, here you will experience many things you cannot encounter every day. Especially the beauty of the architectural buildings, which can be seen from afar, has touched us. No matter where in Italy you travel to Venice from, by the time you reach Piazzale Roma, you will leave the mainland and let yourself be ferried into the city center by a Venetian Vaporetto, a water taxi. Even from a distance, the magnificent buildings are visible, and crowds gather here and there to explore the beauty of Venice.

More and more popular travel destinations are taking a stand against overtourism. Following the new traffic regulations for the popular Amalfi Coast, the lagoon city of Venice is also introducing new rules for its visitors.

Starting January 16, 2023, day tourists must register their trip to Venice in advance. On a designated website, you must specify the planned travel period, and you can expect to pay up to 10 euros per visit. The ticket price primarily depends on the travel season, i.e., peak or off-peak, and the time of registration. After registering, you will receive a QR code that you must show upon arrival. Those who cannot provide proof of prior registration may face a fine of up to 300 euros.

Travel Guru Tip: The earlier you register for your Venice vacation, the lower the fee. The plan is for tickets to range from 3 to 10 euros. Important: This rule only applies to day tourists! If you have booked a hotel or vacation rental in Venice, you do not have to pay the entrance fee, as the tourist tax is already included in your accommodation.

What would Venice be without the Grand Canal? Clearly, simply unthinkable. This 4-kilometer-long main waterway winds through Venice in an S-shape, providing perfect connectivity to the hotspots. The famous Rialto Bridge is also indispensable. Surely, even if you have never visited Venice, you have heard of this bridge more than once.

It impresses with beautiful architecture, is considered one of the main attractions of the city, and is almost always overcrowded with tourists eager to have their pictures taken here. Well, there are also a few who simply want to enjoy the beautiful view over the Grand Canal. And who benefits from this influx of tourists? Of course, the surrounding cafés, souvenir vendors, and especially the gondoliers. So, think carefully about whether you want to indulge in the tourist scene right here, as the prices will definitely leave you speechless.

Equally famous is the beautiful Piazza San Marco. You will be greeted by a flock of pigeons, which are as typical for this square as gondolas are for this wonderful city. From here, it is advisable to start your sightseeing tour.

If you are standing with your back to the Grand Canal, the Doge's Palace lies to your right. What once served as the government and administrative center of Venice, and later as Napoleon's residence, today is a recognized museum of contemporary art. Close to history, you can access secret passages of the Doge's Palace, which were once connected to the prison for state prisoners, with an additional ticket. Take a stroll over the Bridge of Sighs, just as the former prisoners did. Because not only does the building tell history, but so does the name of the bridge: While the convicts marched straight from the Doge's Palace to prison, they sighed a last sigh while looking at their freedom. Now you too can take a look into the former prison cells and get close to the past.

At the head of St. Mark's Square shines the majestic Basilica di San Marco. With an oriental flair, glorious domes, and mosaics, it draws great enthusiasm from tourists from all over the world. And that's exactly why a long queue forms every day at the entrance. However, you can also buy your ticket in advance online, bypassing the long waiting line. The so-called skip-the-line ticket saves you a lot of time. Please remember that strict rules apply in the Roman Catholic Church, and you should cover your shoulders. Very short skirts or pants may also cause you problems at the entrance.

To not miss out on any highlights at St. Mark's Square, a worthy photo of the Campanile di San Marco is still needed. The blue-green roof of the bell tower and the golden angel at the top are undeniably distinctive. While it is nice to look at from below, the view from the observation deck at 100 meters high is even better: from there you have a beautiful view of the roofs of the historic old town. Even if you are usually not a fan of places filled with countless tourists, we can only recommend St. Mark's Square with all its sights and special buildings. Unfortunately, you will also have to brace for prices in the restaurants here that reach unimaginable heights. Whether you just want to enjoy a small scoop of ice cream or an Italian coffee - inflated prices await you everywhere.

Excursion tip from Venice: Take a water taxi to Burano - this small colorful town will charm you just as much as Venice itself. It's best to go very early in the morning or late in the afternoon when it is quieter. Here you can find all the information about Burano. Also enchanting and yet quieter and less visited is the neighboring island of Murano, known for its long tradition of glassmaking.

You can learn more about the most beautiful places in Venice in the travel magazine article The Top 12 Sights in Venice.

If you happen to be in Venice for a second time or have planned a longer stay, it is definitely worth taking a look behind the scenes of this tourist town. If you want to experience the original Venice up close, we can only recommend the Dorsoduro district. Here, you can catch a glimpse of the everyday life of Venetians, see children happily playing soccer in the streets, and enjoy the scent of Italian cuisine wafting from the homes. In this district, you can easily spend a few peaceful hours. Original mask and artist shops invite you to wander, and the cafés and pizzerias here are also reasonably priced.

If you're in the mood for a beach outing during your city trip in Venice, you can take one of the running water buses, called Vaporetto, to Lido di Venezia, the expansive Adriatic beach near Venice. In summer, you can sunbathe here and give your feet a break from sightseeing, and even during other seasons, a leisurely stroll along the beach is a welcome break from the bustling activity of the city.

A special magic surrounds Venice at night. When the day-trippers have left, and you no longer have to share the most beautiful spots in the city with crowds of other vacationers, the city of canals becomes truly romantic. Find a small, authentic restaurant in the many courtyards and then take a stroll along the illuminated canals. A gondola may still pass through the canals here and there, but overall, it seems that all of Venice has transformed into a completely different little town.

A city that is overflowing with romance should of course be fully experienced. This includes not only one of the popular gondola rides where you can snuggle up together while the gondolier shows you the most beautiful corners of Venice, but also a great hotel. For example, stay at the luxurious 4-star Hotel Liassidi Palace and let yourself be enchanted by the exquisite charm. You can enjoy beautiful Bisazza mosaic tiles and relax peacefully with a glass of champagne in your private whirlpool. Since an unforgettable trip to Venice also includes an evening in the graceful city, you can almost jump out of the bathtub and be at the Rialto Bridge for dinner in five minutes.

A bit cheaper but no less exquisite will be your vacation if you opt for a stay at the 4-star Hotel Ai Mori d'Oriente. Stay in the orientally styled rooms in the picturesque Cannaregio neighborhood. Enjoy the view and location right by the canal. You will stay in a quiet area while still having the best conditions for an exciting sightseeing day. In just a few minutes' walk, you can be at the Rialto Bridge and the Rialto Market, the church of Madonna del'Orto, or even in the Jewish Quarter.

If you prefer more private togetherness, there are private accommodations available in Venice as well. Great and affordable vacation rentals can also be found with us. Browse through our numerous offers and find your dream lodging - whether apartment or hotel.

As you can see, there are various ways to create your own picture of Venice. In a luxurious hotel where every wish is anticipated, in a private accommodation where you are close to the life of the Venetians, or even just as a day trip during your visit on your cruise. One thing we are sure of: the city of love will also enchant you on your city trip and captivate you with its individual charm.