venice italy tour

THE 10 BEST Venice Tours & Excursions

Venice tours.

• Walking Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

2. Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace

3. Venice: St.Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour with Tickets

4. Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary

5. Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

6. Skip-the-Line: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Fully Guided Tour

7. St Marks, Doges Palace, with Murano and Burano & Gondola Ride

8. Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour

9. Photographic tour

10. Venice: St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Tour with Optional Doge's Palace

11. Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride

12. Welcome to Venice Small Group Tour: Basilica San Marco & Gondola Ride

13. A day among the most beautiful mountains in the world, the Dolomites and Lake Braies

14. Venice Food Tour - Eat like a Venetian

15. Venice: Four Seasons Concert in the Vivaldi Church

16. Tour of The Real Hidden Venice

17. Private Tour from Florence: Venice Full Day Tour by Train

18. Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

19. Experience Venice Like A Local: Small Group Cicchetti & Wine Tour

20. Venice in A Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride

21. Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Venetian Chef

22. Luxury Tour of Murano & Burano Boat

23. Venice: Charming Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal

24. Venice Street Food Tour with Local Guide with Local Food Market Visit

25. Murano Glass Experience with a Visit to a Burano lace island

26. A sparkling day in the Prosecco Hills- From Venice

27. Eat, drink and repeat: Wine tasting tour in Venice

28. Traditional Home Cooking Experience in Venice

29. Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour

30. Semi-private Prosecco Wine Tour from Venice

What travelers are saying.

• Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary
• Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat
• Venice: Four Seasons Concert in the Vivaldi Church
• Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
• Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride
• LivTours Venice
• [deTour]ist - Valerio Coppo: Tour Guide. Take a detour in Venice, be a detourist!
• Lucia Venice Walks and Tours
• Alvise Private Tour Guide in Venice
• Nico Venice Tour
• Think Venice
• Best Photo Tour Venice
• Venice Original Photo Walk and Tour
• Venice Guided Tours
• Friend in Venice Tours
• Venice Kayak
• Sup In Venice
• Venicegroupservices srl
• Venice Deluxe Tour

Venice Private Tours

Venice food tours, st. mark’s basilica, murano & burano, gondola tours, doge’s palace, st. peter’s basilica, st. peter's dome, sistine chapel, raphael rooms, private tours, pompeii from rome, cooking classes, colosseum underground, paris food tours, eiffel tower, statue of liberty, nyc food tours, metropolitan museum (met), central park, last supper, lake como from milan, windsor castle, westminster abbey, tower of london, harry potter, changing of the guard, vegas shows, the grand canyon, uffizi gallery, tuscan wine tours, statue of david, florence food tours, florence duomo, accademia gallery, sagrada familia, montserrat from barcelona, casa batllo, barcelona food tours, barcelona boat tours, athens food tours, rijksmuseum tours, amsterdam food tours, amalfi coast, water & boat tours, sorrento boat tours, capri boat tours, top 10 venice tours.

So what’s the best way to explore Venice? The first obvious choice is our Venice Walking & Boat Tour with St Mark’s Basilica, as it’s the perfect way to get two different views of the city; by land and by sea! For a more exclusive experience, book a Venice Discovery Private Tour. For those of you on a mission to taste and discover Venice’s authentic cuisine, you should definitely join our Local Venice Food Tour with Gondola Ride! To discover the beautiful islands of Murano and Burano, look at our Venice Islands Adventure tour. For more details on each tour, scroll down and remember, The Roman Guy is here to help make your vacation stress-free!

There is something extremely magical about Venice, a city miraculously built on water and still standing strong today. You will watch gondolas and boats make their way through narrow canals, walk along beautiful bridges as if you were in a fairytale and stand in awe as you stand in the middle of St Mark’s Square and see St Mark’s Basilica for the first time. So what’s the best way to explore Venice? The first obvious choice is our Venice Walking & Boat Tour with St Mark’s Basilica, as it’s the perfect way to get two different views of the city; by land and by sea! For a more exclusive experience, book a Venice Discovery Private Tour. For those of you on a mission to taste and discover Venice’s authentic cuisine, you should definitely join our Local Venice Food Tour with Gondola Ride! To discover the beautiful islands of Murano and Burano, look at our Venice Islands Adventure tour. For more details on each tour, scroll down and remember, The Roman Guy is here to help make your vacation stress-free!

Filter by the price per person

9 results found

Skip the Line

St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace Half-Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Explore St. Mark's Square's most iconic attractions with skip-the-line tickets and an expert guide

( 294 ) as low as $94.42

Venice in a Day Tour with Gondola Ride

Visit St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, Rialto Bridge, and hidden areas of Venice

( 170 ) as low as $122.00

Ultimate Venice in a Day with Murano and Burano

Do more in a day: St. Mark's, Doge's Palace, glassblowing and lacemaking demos, and a gondola ride

( 189 ) as low as $134.69

Murano and Burano in a Half Day Boat Tour

Easily explore these colorful Venetian islands and see traditional glassblowing and lacemaking

( 212 ) as low as $43.39

Guided Tour

Venice Evening Food Tour in Cannaregio with Authentic Sit-Down Dinner

Experience top notch Venetian cuisine and wine with a local foodie and dine at a premier restaurant

( 157 ) From: $84.70

Private Venice Highlights Tour with Gondola Ride

Join your own expert guide to discover St. Mark’s Basilica, Rialto Bridge, and Venice's hidden gems

( 17 ) From: $456.47

Venice Discovery Private Tour

Skip the line at St. Mark's, explore Rialto Bridge, and ride a private boat through the Grand Canal

( 12 ) From: $847.45

Private Tour

Venice Islands and Artisans Private Tour

Explore colorful streets and ancient trades in Murano and Burano with a private boat and local guide

( 13 ) From: $497.15

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Outstanding Tour My 2 adult children and I took this tour, as our time was limited, and boy did it deliver! Excellent overview of Venice, all the highlights! A lot of walking, but a gondola ride and lunch break in the middle makes it work. And got to see and hear about areas in the city that we wouldn’t ordinarily have been able to see. nik4nt

Perfect Experience! We thoroughly enjoyed Carolyn’s Yummy Cooking class. It was a delight for all of us, my husband, 2 teens and me! Not only did we learn about Italian cooking, but Carolyn gave us many insights to living and working in Venice Sally S

A great way to see the islands Our first experience of buying a tour via trip advisor was easy to do. Murano glass blowing demonstration really gives an appreciation of of the skills involved and Burano is a fascinating island with lots to see. 48Dane

EXCELLENT My girlfriend and I decided to try this mask making class. I have to say it was one of our favorite experiences. We walked in and were greeted by a man named Nicolao who was the son of a mask maker and an excellent mask maker himself. We were given all the supplies to make beautiful custom mask. ... SeanLuc K

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Imagine the audacity of building a city of marble palaces on a lagoon – and that was only the start.

Best Time to Visit

Best things to do, leave the planning to a local expert.

Experience the real Venice. Let a local expert handle the planning for you.

Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Basilica di San Marco

With a profusion of domes and more than 8000 sq metres of luminous mosaics, Venice's cathedral is unforgettable. It was founded in the 9th century to…

Palazzo Ducale

Holding pride of place on the waterfront, this pretty Gothic confection may be an unlikely setting for the political and administrative seat of a great…

Gallerie dell'Accademia

Venice's historic gallery traces the development of Venetian art from the 14th to 19th centuries, with works by all of the city's artistic superstars. The…

In medieval times this part of Cannaregio housed a getto (foundry), but it was as the designated Jewish quarter from the 16th to 19th centuries that the…

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

Baldassare Longhena's magnificent basilica is prominently positioned near the entrance to the Grand Canal, its white stones, exuberant statuary and high…

Ca' Rezzonico

Baroque dreams come true at this Baldassare Longhena–designed Grand Canal palazzo (mansion), where a marble staircase leads to a vast gilded ballroom and…

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

After losing her father on the Titanic, heiress Peggy Guggenheim became one of the great collectors of the 20th century. Her palatial canalside home,…

Museo Correr

Napoleon pulled down an ancient church to build his royal digs over Piazza San Marco, and then filled them with the riches of the doges while taking some…

Top picks from our travel experts

15 of the best things to do in venice in 2024.

Chiesa di San Sebastiano

Antonio Scarpignano’s relatively austere 1508–48 facade creates a sense of false modesty at this neighbourhood church. The interior is adorned with floor…

Basilica dei SS Maria e Donato

Murano, Burano & the Northern Islands

Fire-breathing is the unifying theme of Murano’s medieval church, with its astounding 12th-century gilded-glass apse mosaic of the Madonna made in Murano…

Museo del Vetro

Since 1861, Murano’s glass-making prowess has been celebrated in Palazzo Giustinian, the home of bishops of Torcello from 1689 until the diocese's…

Rialto Market

San Polo & Santa Croce

Venice’s main market has been whetting appetites for seven centuries, with fruit and vegetable stands abutting the rather more pungent Pescaria. To see it…

Museo del Merletto

Burano's Lace Museum tells the story of a craft that cut across social boundaries, endured for centuries and evoked the epitome of sophistication reached…

Ponte di Rialto

A superb feat of engineering, Antonio da Ponte’s 1592 Istrian stone span took three years and 250,000 gold ducats to construct. Adorned with stone reliefs…

Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca’ d’Oro

One of the most beautiful buildings on the Grand Canal, with a lacy Gothic facade, 15th-century Ca’ d’Oro is resplendent even without the original gold…

Basilica di San Marco's 99m-tall bell tower has been rebuilt twice since its initial construction in AD 888. Galileo Galilei tested his telescope here in…

Schola Levantina

Sometimes called the Turkish Synagogue, the Schola Levantina was founded in 1541 as the first to serve the Ghetto's Sephardic community. Its renovated…

Trattoria al Gatto Nero

Don't expect fancy tricks from this 'Black Cat' – just excellent, traditional fare. Once you’ve tried the homemade tagliolini (ribbon pasta) with spider…

Museo Ebraico

This museum explores the history of Venice’s Jewish community and showcases its pivotal contributions to Venetian, Italian and world history. Opened in…

Piazza San Marco

This grand showpiece square beautifully encapsulates the splendour of Venice's past and its tourist-fuelled present. Flanked by the arcaded Procuratie…

Murano has been the home of Venetian glass-making since the 13th century. Today, artisans continue to ply their trade at workshops dotted around the…

Burano, with its cheery pastel-coloured houses, is renowned for its handmade lace, which once graced the decolletage and ruffs of European aristocracy…

Chiesa di Santa Maria Formosa

Originally built as a thatch-roofed wooden church in the 7th century, Santa Maria Formosa was refashioned by Mauro Codussi in 1492 with new baroque curves…

Chiesa di Sant'Alvise

Don't be fooled by the bare brick exterior of this 1388 church, attached to an Augustinian convent. Inside it's a riot of colour, with extraordinary…

Torcello, the republic's original island settlement, was largely abandoned due to malaria and now counts only around 14 permanent residents. Its mosaic…

Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli

This magnificent church was built between 1481 and 1489 to house Nicolò di Pietro's Madonna icon after the painting began to miraculously weep in its…

Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia

Never mind the doge: insatiable curiosity rules Venice, and inside the former Fondaco dei Turchi (Turkish Trading House) it runs wild. The adventure…

Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta

Life choices are presented in no uncertain terms in the dazzling mosaics of the Assumption Basilica. Look ahead to a golden afterlife amid saints and a…

Fondazione Querini Stampalia

In 1869 Conte Giovanni Querini Stampalia made a gift of his ancestral 16th-century palazzo (mansion) to the city on the forward-thinking condition that…

Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto

This elegantly spare 1365 brick Gothic church remains one of Venice's best-kept secrets. It was the parish church of Venetian Renaissance painter…

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Everyone wanted the commission to paint this building dedicated to St Roch, patron saint of the plague-stricken, so Tintoretto cheated: instead of…

Chiesa di San Pietro Martire

Take a pause from glass shopping to check out The Baptism of Christ, attributed to Tintoretto, in 16th-century St Peter the Martyr's Church. The parish…

6 of the best free things to do in Venice

Parco delle Rimembranze

At the eastern limit of the Giardini Pubblici, on the island of Sant'Elena, this memorial park is planted with umbrella pines, each originally…

Squero di San Trovaso

This wooden cabin on the Rio di San Trovaso looks like a stray ski chalet, but it’s one of Venice's few working squeri (shipyards), with refinished…

Fondaco dei Tedeschi

Occupying one of the Grand Canal's most imposing buildings, a 16th-century German trading house, this branch of the DFS chain is worth visiting whether…

Chiesa di San Zaccaria

When 15th-century Venetian girls showed more interest in sailors than saints, they were sent to the convent adjoining San Zaccaria. The wealth showered on…

Libreria Acqua Alta

Precarious stacks of books appear in constant danger of collapse at this wonderfully ragtag secondhand bookshop. Some books are displayed in a gondola –…

3749 Ponte Chiodo

This charming little B&B offers six sweet rooms with period furnishings, views over the canal and a private front garden. It takes its name from the…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Things to Know

From how to dress to which boat to take, everything you need to know for your trip to Venice.

Best Neighborhoods

The best neighborhoods to stay, play and explore in Venice.

From Lake Garda to Verona, and further afield to Ferrara and Trieste, here are 12 of the best day trips to take by train from Venice.

Money and Costs

Despite a reputation as a playground for the world’s rich, Venice can be surprisingly affordable. Here's how.

Transportation

Navigating a city that is slowly sinking can be daunting but we've got all the info you need on how to get around Venice.

Free Things to Do

Save some money on your Venice vacation with these top free experiences.

Traveling with Kids

Car-free, packed with sights (and gelato shops), children of every age will love Venice. Just be mindful of your toddler by those canals.

Plan with a local

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Latest stories from Venice

Mar 6, 2024 • 8 min read

How does anyone decide between Florence, the Cradle of the Renaissance, and Venice, a city of marble palaces floating on a lagoon? Our writers can help.

Feb 28, 2024 • 12 min read

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Venice and beyond

Top Tours in Venice, Italy

Venice tours.

• Walking Tours
• Historical & Heritage Tours
• Sightseeing Tours
• Up to 1 hour
• 1 to 4 hours
• 4 hours to 1 day
• 5.0 of 5 bubbles
• 4.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 3.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• 2.0 of 5 bubbles & up
• Chinese (Simplified)
• Chinese (Traditional)
• Likely to Sell Out
• Special Offers
• The ranking of tours, activities, and experiences available on Tripadvisor is determined by several factors including the revenue generated by Tripadvisor from these bookings, the frequency of user clicks, and the volume and quality of customer reviews. Occasionally, newly listed offerings may be prioritized and appear higher in the list. The specific placement of these new listings may vary.

1. Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

2. Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace

3. Venice: St.Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace Tour with Tickets

4. Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary

5. Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

6. Skip-the-Line: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Fully Guided Tour

7. St Marks, Doges Palace, with Murano and Burano & Gondola Ride

8. Eat Like a Local: 3-hour Venice Small-Group Food Tasting Walking Tour

9. Venice Historic Walk: the city, its architecture and traditions

10. Venice: St Mark's Basilica After-Hours Tour with Optional Doge's Palace

11. Best Of Venice: Saint Mark's Basilica, Doges Palace with Guide and Gondola Ride

12. Welcome to Venice Small Group Tour: Basilica San Marco & Gondola Ride

13. A day among the most beautiful mountains in the world, the Dolomites and Lake Braies

14. Venice Food Tour - Eat like a Venetian

15. Venice: Four Seasons Concert in the Vivaldi Church

16. Tour of The Real Hidden Venice

17. Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour

18. Experience Venice Like A Local: Small Group Cicchetti & Wine Tour

19. Venice in A Day: St Mark's Basilica, Doge's Palace & Gondola Ride

20. Market Tour and Cooking Class with a Venetian Chef

21. Luxury Tour of Murano & Burano Boat

22. Make a Venetian Mask and Craft your Imagination

23. Venice: Charming Gondola Ride on the Grand Canal

24. Venice Street Food Tour with Local Guide with Local Food Market Visit

25. Murano Glass Experience with a Visit to a Burano lace island

26. A sparkling day in the Prosecco Hills- From Venice

27. Eat, drink and repeat: Wine tasting tour in Venice

28. Traditional Home Cooking Experience in Venice

29. Venice at Sunset: Cicchetti, Food & Wine Tour

30. Semi-private Prosecco Wine Tour from Venice

What travellers are saying.

• Venice: Grand Canal by Gondola with Commentary
• Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat
• Venice: Four Seasons Concert in the Vivaldi Church
• Murano, Burano and Torcello Half-Day Sightseeing Tour
• Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride
• LivTours Venice
• [deTour]ist - Valerio Coppo: Tour Guide. Take a detour in Venice, be a detourist!
• Lucia Venice Walks and Tours
• Alvise Private Tour Guide in Venice
• Nico Venice Tour
• Think Venice
• Best Photo Tour Venice
• Venice Original Photo Walk and Tour
• Venice Guided Tours
• Friend in Venice Tours
• Venice Kayak
• Sup In Venice
• Venicegroupservices srl
• Venice Deluxe Tour

Venice Tours

Discover the hidden gems of venice.

From the iconic Doge's Palace to the stunning St. Mark Basilica our expert guides, we will make your vacation in Venice one to remember.

Recommended by

Skip the line, exclusive care, master storytellers, our venice experiences.

Skip-the-Line: Doge's Palace & St. Mark's Basilica Fully Guided Tour

Enjoy Skip-the-Line Access to St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge's Palace on this tour combining all the sights and sounds of our standard Best of Venice walking tour and the beautiful intrigue of the Doge's Palace.

Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

Private Tour: Murano Glassblowing Experience from Venice with Prosecco

Enjoy venice with city wonders.

Venice could be the one place on earth where the dream matches up to reality. Embarking on an exploration of the Floating City is an experience not to be missed. Whether you’re traveling by water taxi or walking through the city’s famous St. Mark’s Square, you’ll be completely beguiled by Venice’s charm and mysteries.

Our Unique Tours

You’ll experience Venice exactly as you want to with our many tours. From St. Mark Basilica to the iconic Doge's Palce and tours that focus specifically on Venetian attractions, the choice is yours!

Exploring Venice

Once the travel bug has bitten, explore the rest of the lagoon  with a day trip from Venice . Take a boat to the Venetian island of Murano where assassins ensured that the elite craftspersons of the island never gave away their secret glassmaking methods. Or visit colorful Burano where legend has it that the foamy splashes of a mermaid inspired the local signorinas to create their intricate lace veils. 

Our tours are renowned for the “something extra” we try to add to every experience. Take a look at our tour details for information on our unique Skip-the-Line access to cut out the crowds.

20 years of Experience

Expert Guides

Small Groups

Insider Tips For Venice

Venice   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Andreas Koch | EyeEm

Why Go To Venice

Venice is enchanting. Yes, that may be cliché to say, but once you see the city on the water for yourself, you'll surely agree. Step out of the Santa Lucia train station and the breathtaking  Grand Canal  will soon greet you. You'll see water taxis coast along, passing underneath the  Ponte degli Scalzi  (Bridge of the Barefoot) and might hear the faintest hint of a serenading violin, or is that your imagination? It might not be all in your head. Romantic gondolas carrying smitten couples glide through the web of the city's many waterways, and gondola drivers are known to sing when the moment feels right. On land, narrow passageways twist past Old World storefronts and residences, and over bridges. You should note that maps aren't all that helpful here and getting lost is the norm – embrace the disorientation, or enlist the help of a local by signing up for one of the best Venice tours . 

This canal-clad city's main draw is its magical atmosphere, but you'll also find quite a few diversions, too: The tour guides at  St. Mark's Basilica  and the  Doge's Palace  give some great historical insight; the  Gallerie dell'Accademia  hangs works by Titian, Veronese and other famed Venetians; and the  Teatro La Fenice  puts on some world-renowned operas. You can also travel to nearby islands like Lido for the beach, Murano for the well-known glass and Burano for its lace. 

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• # 2 in Best Day Trips from Florence
• # 4 in Best Places to Visit in Italy
• # 5 in Best Winter Vacations in Europe

See All 6 Rankings

Best of Venice

Best hotels in venice.

• # 1 in The Gritti Palace, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Venice
• # 2 in JW Marriott Venice Resort & Spa
• # 3 in Hotel Cipriani, A Belmond Hotel, Venice

Best Things to Do in Venice

• # 1 in St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
• # 2 in Grand Canal
• # 3 in Gondola Rides

Popular Tours

Venice In a Day: Basilica San Marco, Doges Palace & Gondola ride

(1750 reviews)

from $ 152.22

Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace

(3814 reviews)

from $ 114.98

Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat

(3924 reviews)

from $ 42.71

Venice Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Venice is from September to November when tourists desert the city. Although the temperatures – which range from the upper 30s to mid-70s – necessitate some layers, the lowered hotel rates and the barren canals make it worth it. Winters are cold with temperatures in the 30s and 40s, while spring brings Venice's most beautiful weather. Summertime is peak season and is characterized by high hotel rates, high temperatures and – you guessed it – plenty of crowds. Although acqua alta  (high water) can occur anytime between late September and April, it's most likely to happen in November and December, so make sure to pack a pair of rain boots if you plan on traveling then. 

Weather in Venice

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Budget for the tourist entry fee  Starting Jan. 16, 2023, travelers visiting Venice for the day will have to pay an entry fee ranging from 3 to 10 euros (about $3 to $10) per person 6 years and older. Tickets can be reserved online via the city's booking platform, and prices will be determined by ticket demand. Visitors staying overnight do not have to pay the fee as city accommodations already include a tourist tax in the nightly rate. Fines for not paying the entry fee range from 50 to 300 euros (about $50 to $300). 

Rise with the sun  At least once during your trip, you should wake up early and walk to Piazza San Marco for one of the world's best sunrises.

Coincide with a festival  Carnival (held in January and early February) and the International Film Festival (in August and early September) breathe extra life into this romantic destination.

How to Save Money in Venice

Stick to walking  You can enjoy the Venetian ambiance by walking rather than taking a boat, and you'll save quite a few euros, too.

Stick to the bus  Take an ATVO bus or one of the Alilaguna water buses from the Venice airport into Venice proper instead of a water taxi. You'll pay between 8 and 15 euros (around $10 to $18) for the bus ride instead of more than 100 euros (around $120) for the water taxi.

Book in advance  Gondola rides are a must in Venice, yet they're quite expensive. If you aren't traveling with a group, or don't want to share with strangers to split the cost, tour companies often offer rides for less. Find out more in our guide to the best Venice tours .

Culture & Customs

Unlike  Rome , Venice's economy is largely dependent on its very strong tourism industry. So, keep in mind that you'll likely be sharing your Venice trip with loads of other vacationers.

To Italians, everything from a person's dress to his or her actions and manners should be beautiful, or  bella figura.  First impressions are especially lasting for Italians, who, while warm and helpful, do hold outward appearances in very high regard. Dressing well will sometimes even be rewarded by better and more prompt service.  

Bella figura  does not stop with physical presentation as it extends into a person's manners and conduct. Avoid being obnoxiously loud or ostentatious, as this is greatly looked down on as  brutta figura . Learning some Italian and attempting to use it will win you points with Italians, who are generally patient and happy to help you learn more. In any kind of store or restaurant, it's appropriate to greet and say goodbye to employees – even if you do not buy anything – with a  ciao and  arrivederci , respectively. Wherever you go, remember your manners and don't forget your pleases,  per favore , and thank yous,  grazie .

Residents generally speak Italian with a Venetian dialect, which can be unrecognizable – even to native Italian speakers.  Ca,  a shortened form of the word "casa," is used to describe many private residences and palaces. A street or  calle   in Venice, (pronounced ka-lay), is different from the " via " or " strada " streets elsewhere in Italy.

Similar to the rest of Italy, many Venetian businesses and tourist attractions take Sundays and at least one other day off, though it fluctuates from place to place. During the week, some also take a midday siesta after lunch hours.

Meals in Italy are expected to last long and it's very common for patrons to linger. So don't be surprised when your server does not bring your bill the minute you finish your meal. In fact, you will not get your bill,  il conto , until you ask for it. When you do receive it, remember there is a service charge, or  servizo , included, and sometimes a coperto , or cover charge. Italians don't tip, so you don't have to either. Also keep in mind that water and bread are usually not free at meals. If you ask for water, your server will ask you to specify whether you prefer tap water,  acqua di rubinetto ; flat water,  acqua naturale ; or sparkling water,  acqua frizzante  or  acqua con gas . Also be aware that Venetians tend to eat dinner by 7:30, and many Venice restaurants close their kitchens by 10 p.m. As is the case throughout Italy, Venice's official currency is the euro. Since the euro to U.S. dollar exchange rate fluctuates, be sure to check what the current exchange rate is before you go. Major credit cards are accepted at most restaurants and shops.

What to Eat

With such close proximity to the water, it should come as no surprise that fish is the main component of Venetian cuisine. Cuttlefish ( sepia ), clams ( vongole),  and sea bass ( branzino ) are popular ingredients, which can be found in many of the area's most well-known dishes, including  frutti di mare , Venice’s take on a seafood salad.  Tramezzini  is a tasty Venetian street food: These triangular sandwiches, with a range of fillings from cheese to meats, can be found at cafes throughout the city. Wash it all down with  prosecco , a sparkling white wine from the Veneto region. Some of the best Venice tours were designed with foodies in mind. Sign up for a tour if you'd like help navigating the dining scene from a local.

For the best bang for your buck, try to avoid the San Marco area or any establishment that solicits tourists off the street. Instead, try one of the smaller establishments – such as traveler-recommended Ristorante La Caravella – tucked away on one of the many hidden side streets. Locals frequent establishments like Paradiso Perduto, near the Jewish Ghetto , for its long wooden tables and vibrant atmosphere. The farm-to-table Ostaria Boccadoro is another popular haunt. You could also dine at a  bacaro , a smaller wine bar with lower prices, authentic cuisine and more character. Traveler favorites include Cantina Do Spade, Alla Ciurma and Cantina Do Mori.

Venice is considered a very safe destination. However, as is the case with most popular tourist destinations, the city can be a magnet for pickpocket crimes. Keep a watchful eye on your belongings, especially around crowded areas of the city, such as Piazza San Marco and on any of the waterbuses. Travel experts say that you can walk Venice's dark alleys at midnight and still be safe, but you might get lost considering how often street names change. Still, getting lost is part of the allure of a Venice vacation. Keep in mind that there's no way to walk off of Venice: The compilation of islands is surrounded by a lagoon. You should also note that signs with the word "Per," an arrow and an attraction name are pointing you in the right direction. You shouldn't pay attention to graffiti directions, which may or may not have been written to confuse tourists.

Getting Around Venice

The best way to get around Venice is by foot. Although the city's labyrinth of canals and weaving roads can complicate things, getting lost is the best way to discover the city's famed allure. You can traverse the canals by  vaporetto  or water bus/ferry (relatively affordable), water taxi (pretty pricey) or gondola (very expensive). 

To get from the Marco Polo Airport (VCE) to central Venice, you should take an ATVO bus (the Venice Airport Bus Express) or Alilaguna water bus. If you – like many other travelers – choose to take the train from other Italian or European cities, you'll be dropped off at the Venezia Santa Lucia train station, where you can take a  vaporetto to your accommodations . Driving is not an option here – even the police use boats to get around. However, if you'd like to rent a car, there are several companies located at the airport.

Entry & Exit Requirements

A passport with at least six months of remaining validity is required for United States citizens traveling outside the mainland by air or sea, as well as for U.S. citizens trying to re-enter the country. U.S. citizens do not need a visa unless they plan on staying longer than 90 days. Visit the U.S. State Department's  website  for the latest information on foreign exit and entry requirements.

The Basilica di San Marco exudes opulence from every corner.

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15 things you must do in Venice, Italy

Posted: September 26, 2023 | Last updated: September 26, 2023

Even if you've never been to Venice, you know what it looks like. Venetian buildings lined across canals, open courtyards dotted with plants, exotic bridges soft with seaweed, and buzzing with tourists. The mere mention of Venice conjures a whirlpool of images. 

So why not dive in? Visit the historic city and you can amble around sun-speckled canals, mysterious alleyways, unmissable museums, and romantic restaurants. There are a million things to do in Venice, but there are only 15 things you can't go without. 

Grand Canal

The city's beating heart and romantic soul, there's no shortage of things to do here. Take a water taxi or a gondola ride. Admire the view from a bridge or a nearby restaurant. Or circle back at night when the crowds are thin, the streets are quiet and the lights flicker across the canal, beckoning you to take a closer look. 

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St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square is kind of like Times Square without the streakers. Or the homeless people, trash cans, or New Yorkers. OK, so it's not exactly like Times Square, but it is nicknamed "the Times Square of Venice," because it's the central spot for tourists and is surrounded by history. Thankfully, this slice of history is lined with columns and museums, and if you arrive early enough, you can have the place to yourself. 

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Caffe Florian

While you're in St. Mark's Square, you'll want to visit Caffe Florian. This iconic Venetian restaurant was once a watering hole for Proust, Dickens, and Casanova, and the decor hasn't changed much over the years. My advice: enjoy an espresso in the same seat Dickens once enjoyed a beer. 

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Teatro La Fenice

The name Teatro La Fenice, a landmark opera house, means "The Phoenix"--a nod to the fact that it's risen from the ashes not once, but three times, most recently after two arsonists burned it down in 1996. But it's been renovated and restored back to its former glory, complete with rows of balconies and red-velvet chairs. 

Peggy Guggenheim Collection

This private collection was once the home of Peggy Guggenheim, who played a big role in the careers of Jackson Pollock, Max Ernst, and Alberto Giacometti. Now, you'll find the walls lined with Picasso, Dali, Mondrian, and Malevich. Plus, Joseph Cornell! 

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Lido Island

After wandering museums and alleyways, you'll want to lie down on the serene sands of Lido. A 15-minute Vaporetto ride from St. Mark's Square, the island offers beaches that stretch as far as the eye can see, dotted with kids, teens, families, and leather-skin grandpas. Two hours on the beach and you'll have a pretty great tan, too. 

Venice Film Festival

Speaking of the Lido, when the Venice Film Festival hits town every September, there's no better place to be. Pro tip: get to screenings early. Even if you have a pass, you'll need to be there a couple of hours before the film starts. 

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Murano Glass Museum

While your hopping from island to island, make time for a trip to Murano and admire the glass-making artistry. The products are held on display at the Murano glass museum, where you're gonna want to keep an eye on your pocketbook. Not because of pickpockets, which are a problem in Venice. But because these dreamy works of art are going to inspire you to stop by the gift shop on your way out, or at a glass factory nearby. 

Osteria Alla Frasca

For a true Venetian dinner, Osteria Alla Frasca is one of the most authentic spots in town. You come here, of course, for the delightful seafood pasta, but you're really here to eat like the locals, with the locals. It's an adventure just trying to find this small, family-owned gem, though once seated in its courtyard, you won't want to leave. 

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Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

Everyone needs a picture of themselves in Venice. Whether it's for Instagram, Twitter, or Tinder, you can't go wrong with the tower of San Giorgio, which boasts panoramic views of Venice from 350-feet up. 

Rialto Bridge

Another candidate for best-selfie: Rialto Bridge has the best view of the Grand Canal, though best not to go midday. Like every main attraction in Venice, make plans to go in the morning or at night. 

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Burano Island

Burano is a beautiful island 40-minutes away from Venice, but what truly sets this destination apart are the colorful buildings sprinkled around the city. The fisherman painted each house a different color so they knew whose house was whose, which makes it look like a paint sampler come to life. Every street is a rainbow of discovery. 

Carnevale Festival

Every February, the city hosts a carnival where three million people dress up in costumes and dance until dawn. It's the closest thing to Fellini-esque Venice has to offer. 

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Hotel Locanda

Known as the spot where Ernest Hemingway wrote Across the River , the Hotel Locanda is nicely situated just outside of town, and it's $75 a night. Not bad for a place with so much history...and such great croissants! 

Venice is a crazy, decadent maze of streets--and each one leads to a new, exciting place. You're going to get lost. Your map is going to be off. The best thing to do is walk around, lose the schedule, and discover a new restaurant, cafe, canal, or church. Once you've seen the tourist spots, wander into the heart of Venice, glide across a sun-soaked street, dance into a wine-soaked night, share a bottle with a loved one or a spritz with a stranger. There are a million things to do in Venice, but getting lost is mio preferito . 

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Welcome to Venice. That’ll Be 5 Euros.

Starting this month, tourists intending to visit the city on busy dates will be required to register on a website, and those coming for a single day will have to pay an entry fee.

By Elisabetta Povoledo

Reporting from Italy

On its busiest days, Venice swells with tourists who clog the city’s narrow streets, leave behind piles of garbage and often frustrate locals. So the canal-crossed city is fighting back.

Starting on April 25, and for another 29 days scattered mostly around national holidays and weekends through mid-July, day trippers to the historic part of Venice will have to pay 5 euros, about $5.40, a measure that city officials hope will encourage people to come during less busy times.

All visitors to Venice will also have to register their presence in the city on the specified days, filling out an online form that will help officials gauge how many visitors to expect and strategize about how to handle them.

“It’s not about making money — the costs of the operation are higher than what we’re going to make,” Mayor Luigi Brugnaro told reporters on Thursday as Venetian officials kicked off a global advertising campaign.

Instead, said Michele Zuin, the city official in charge of budgeting and economics, the aim is “to better manage the numbers of tourists and disincentivize mass tourism, which is what creates, let’s say, the difficulty of living in this city.”

Visitors staying overnight in Venice will not have to pay, nor will those traveling there to work, to visit relatives or to study. Anyone born in the city is also exempt , as are minors under 14. And Mr. Brugnaro said there would be no cap on the number of visitors allowed in.

Rising improbably from the waters of the Venetian lagoon, the city is as delicate as it is beautiful, and in recent decades it has struggled to protect a uniqueness that is threatened by climate change and rising seas, as well as by mass tourism .

To counter that figurative and literal erosion, the city has installed giant gates at four mouths of the lagoon to keep seawater out and pavements dry, and banned cruise ships from the inner canals. Those efforts helped keep Venice off UNESCO’s list of “World Heritage in Danger” even after experts at the agency raised concerns last year that Italy had not done enough to protect the city.

From 1976 until this year, Italy had allocated funds to help safeguard Venice, and on Thursday, Mr. Brugnaro chided the country’s central government for not renewing that funding. He said he had asked the government for €1.5 billion for the next 10 years to help preserve a city with a unique heritage that requires continuous maintenance.

“We need that financing,” he said.

Occasionally, days have been so busy with tourists that the city has had to limit some streets to one-way pedestrian traffic.

Simone Venturini, the city official in charge of tourism, said of the new measures, “We will be the first city in the world to know exactly how many tourists will come to Venice that day — whether exempt or paying, they have to register.”

After registering on the website, visitors will receive a QR code — valid from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. — that they will be required to show when entering the city at points like the train station, Piazzale Roma, the municipal parking lot, some beachfront locations and St. Mark’s Square. There will also be spot checks throughout the city.

For now, anyone arriving in Venice without a QR code will be allowed to buy it at the last minute, either on a smartphone or at kiosks set up leading up to the access points, officials said.

Transgressors will face fines of €50 to €300 plus a €10 fee, Mr. Zuin said.

The initiative is being introduced on a trial basis so that city officials can see whether the system works and how it can be improved, he said. In the future, the entry fee could be calibrated — “a sliding scale of prices,” Mayor Brugnaro said — depending on the day.

“We’re asking for collaboration,” Mr. Brugnaro said, adding that the data accumulated during the 29 days would be made public. He said that officials from other cities around the world had contacted his administration to find out more about the access system.

So far, more than 50,000 people have registered through the website — about a third of them paying for one-day visits, officials said.

“The entire world wants to come to Venice,” Mr. Venturini said at the introduction of the advertising campaign, which included a video message of the mayor speaking in various languages using A.I.-generated speech translation.

In the video, Mayor Brugnaro apologizes for any inconvenience that the new system might create. But, he said, “the city has to be protected.”

Elisabetta Povoledo is a reporter based in Rome, covering Italy, the Vatican and the culture of the region. She has been a journalist for 35 years. More about Elisabetta Povoledo

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Venice day-trippers will face steep fines if they fail to pay an access fee under a pilot program

FILE -Tourists visit Rialto bridge, in Venice, Italy, Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023. Day-trippers to the lagoon city who fail to pay 5 euros ($5.43) to enter the lagoon city’s historic center during a limited-date pilot program launching later this month will face fines starting at 10 times the entrance fee, officials said Thursday, April 4, 2024. (AP Photo/Luca Bruno, File)

Luigi Brugnaro, mayor of Venice, talks during a press conference in Rome, Thursday, April 4, 2024. Day-trippers to the lagoon city who fail to pay 5 euros ($5.43) to enter the lagoon city’s historic center during a limited-date pilot program launching later this month will face fines starting at five times the entrance fee, the city’s mayor said Thursday. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

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MILAN (AP) — Day-trippers to the fabled canal city of Venice who fail to pay 5 euros ($5.43) to enter the lagoon city’s historic center during a time-limited pilot program launching later this month will face fines starting at 10 times the entrance fee, officials said Thursday.

Venice announced last year it would launch the long-discussed day-tripper fee after the city escaped being placed on the U.N. agency’s list of endangered heritage sites, due largely to the impact of overtourism. Officials have avoided calling it a tax, opting for softer words like contribution, and have downplayed the possibility of waits to enter the city, emphasizing there will be no turnstiles or physical barriers.

But during a press briefing, Mayor Luigi Brugnaro suggested lines could form at the official entry points, and used the word tax to describe the fee.

Brugnaro said personnel have been trained to verify that tourists who are not staying in Venice have either a QR code confirming payment of the fee or an exemption voucher. Exemptions will be issued for a variety of reasons, including to access the city for work, school or medical care, as well as to people born in Venice, and residents of the Veneto region.

Venice has long suffered under the pressure of overtourism, but officials say pre-pandemic estimates ranging from 25 million to 30 million visitors a year —including day-trippers — are not reliable and that the pilot project also aims to come up with more exact figures to help better manage the phenomenon. By contrast, registered visitors spending the night last year numbered 4.6 million, according to city figures, down 16% from pre-pandemic highs.

Visitors arriving at the main train and bus stations will first be met by stewards who will remind tourists of the new requirement and help anyone who hasn’t yet downloaded the QR code. Payment points will be set up for anyone without a smartphone.

Brugnaro said that anyone found beyond designated control points without the required documentation will be subject to fines. These will range from 50 to 300 euros (from around $55 to $326, depending on exchange rates), plus the maximum entrance fee allowed by law, set at 10 euros (nearly $11).

“There is no tax without controls,’’ Brugnaro told foreign reporters in Rome.

Visitors will be subject to random, not systematic, checks, he said.

“If someone turns himself into Batman and tries to enter, and enters all the same, he will not win a medal from me, but we will simply thank him for his rudeness,’’ the mayor said.

Officials have emphasized that the program aims to reduce crowds on peak days, encourage longer visits and improve the quality of life for residents. The fee is not required for anyone staying in Venice, including the mainland districts of Marghera and Mestre.

Venice’s islands, including glass-making Murano, are also outside the pilot program, which is being tested on 29 days, starting with an Italian national holiday on April 25 through mid-July, including most weekends, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. No maximum number of visitors has been set in this phase.

Venice is launching an advertising campaign to inform visitors of the new obligation, featuring Brugnaro speaking a variety of languages aided by artificial intelligence. Visitors can register at the website, www.cda.ve.it , which is operating in five languages.

The pandemic delayed Venice’s plans to launch the day-tripper tax, which has become a keystone of the city’s attempts to deal with overtourism . UNESCO cited the plan when it decided not to include the city on the list of endangered world heritage sites last September, a tarnish that it similarly avoided two years earlier with the cruise ship ban through St. Mark’s Basin and the Giudecca Canal. Cruise ships brought 1.6 million people to Venice in 2019.

Brugnaro said many cities around the globe have contacted him for details of the plan, but that they asked not to be identified.

Activists sounded a warning last summer when the number of tourist beds officially overtook the number of residents, which has dwindled to under 50,000 in a trend dating back decades. They said the imbalance drains the city of services, clogging its tight alleyways and water buses with suitcase-toting tourists and pushing residents to the mainland with its conveniences.