Is a visit to the Floating City on your travel bucket list? Venice, Italy is a dream destination for many, but the city has gotten a lot of buzz recently surrounding overtourism and sustainability.
Last year, Venice became the first Italian city to introduce an entrance fee for day-trippers on certain days in the peak season, which in part prevented Venice from being placed on the UNESCO Danger List. We have an entire blog post covering this entrance fee—something every visitor should be aware of before planning a trip to Venice, Italy.
One way to make your trip even more magical and ease the burden of “hit-and-run” tourism is to opt for a longer stay rather than a short day trip. After all, a few hours just isn’t enough to enjoy the once-in-a-lifetime feeling you’ll get when you first set foot in La Serenissima and feast your eyes on St.Mark’s Square!
With our perfectly planned, three-day itinerary, you’ll be able to achieve your dream Venice, Italy trip in a way that feels good for both you and the city.
What You Need to Know About Venice Before You Go
Any true traveler has a desire to truly understand the context and history behind the destinations they visit, and Venice should be no exception. Along with other famous “floating” cities like Amsterdam or Bangkok, Venice holds a unique history as an extraordinary feat of architecture and infrastructure.
History of Venice: How Was Venice Built?
Venice was constructed on a swampy lagoon with over a hundred islands in the fifth century, primarily for defensive purposes. The lagoon provided a natural barrier, making it difficult for enemy ships to navigate.
Buildings were constructed on a foundation of long, wooden piles driven deep into the ground, so deep that the wood reaches a solid layer of clay, protected from oxygenation—which is why the wood doesn’t rot in the water and the city still stands thousands of years later.
The canals have always served as the main streets, allowing for trade and commerce. To this day, there are no cars allowed in the main city center of Venice because there is truly no infrastructure for them. The main mode of travel is by boat or on foot, a fascinating experience for those living in car-dependent cities. Even the local police and ambulance all get around by boat.
When you understand the historical context of the city, it makes a visit to Venice all the more exhilarating knowing that you’re standing on a marvel of engineering and human ingenuity.
Why Is Venice Sinking?
As a city built entirely on water, Venice naturally deals with flooding. While the sinking phenomenon is partially due to natural land subsidence and the weight of the buildings, there are several factors that contribute to the issue. Factors such as climate change cause rising sea levels everywhere, which makes Venice very vulnerable to excess flooding.
Setting aside the environmental impact, overtourism has unfortunately caused a significant decrease in the population over the past fifty years, which erodes the city’s local culture. With infrastructure overwhelmed and large daily crowds, many residents move out of the city due to rising housing costs and the inconvenience of simply getting to work. This is part of the reason we choose not to visit Venice’s city center on our slow, small-group tours and opt for Venice’s hidden gem Islands on the Venetian Lagoon, which helps bring locals back home to revive their regions and maintain their local culture that makes Italy such a magnet for tourists.
On your Venice Italy trip, you can help ease the burden and embrace the pace of local Italian life by adopting the principles of slow, sustainable tourism: staying longer, choosing local businesses, and understanding the broader cultural context behind your destination choice and the way you travel.
Overview on Venice Travel
Your dream Venice vacation starts before you board the plane! We’ve got you covered with essential planning tips on getting to and around Venice, the best times to go, and how long you should stay.
How To Get to Venice from the Airport
If you’re flying internationally to Venice directly, you’ll want to opt for the Marco Polo Airport, which is about ten miles away from the city center. But, it’s important to take into account that landing isn’t just a matter of hopping in an Uber to the door of your hotel.
Cars and buses are only allowed up to the Piazzale Roma—from there, you’ll need to reach your destination on foot or via the water taxis, which is why we recommend packing as light as possible to avoid the inconvenience of hauling heavy luggage on and off a water taxi! Read our packing guide here.
With that, you have a couple of options for getting to the city center from the airport. The most convenient and economical option is the buses, which run every 15-30 minutes and get you to the city center in about 25 minutes. You can book via the ticket machines or book online.
Taxis are also available, however these can be quite pricey and again, can only take you up to the Piazzale Roma. You’ll find drivers available outside of the airport. The final option is by water, of course! If you’re traveling with a group, you can book a private water taxi for up to eight people or you can ride the shared water taxi, depending on your budget. You can book at the water taxi desk in the airport arrivals hall.
You can also take the Vaporetto, Venice’s water bus service, directly from the airport for a very inexpensive rate per person, although this can get very crowded. Keep in mind that the water options, particularly the shared water taxis or buses, take almost twice as long as the on-land buses or taxis, and while some hotels may have a private port, you’ll likely still have to transfer or walk to your hotel.
How to Get to Venice By Train
Adding on a trip to Venice from another major city in Italy? You can reach Venice by train as well! There’s two train stations with Venice in the name, with Venice Santa Lucia being right on the island and Venice Mestre on the mainland. If you want to go to Venice proper to visit the Rialto Bridge and all the famous canals, you’re going to want to book your ticket to Venice Santa Lucia.
From Rome Tiburtina, it will take you about four hours to get to Venice Santa Lucia via ItaliaRail. From Florence’s Santa Maria Novella station, it will take you about two hours. From Milano Centrale, it will take anywhere from two hours to four hours, depending on whether you book the direct route or the route with a train change.
Click here to read our comprehensive guide on exploring Italy by train. Train travel is a great option for moving between larger cities, but if you want an off-the-beaten path experience of Italy, rushing from station to station for two weeks may not be for you. Book a tour with us and all you have to do is get on the plane and we’ll help you take care of the rest! Allowing you to have a truly relaxing and immersive food and wine filled Italian adventure.
How to Get Around In Venice
When you’re in Venice, your primary mode of transport will be on foot. With Venice being relatively compact, you’ll find it easy to walk to most destinations, but you should be okay with wandering a little and getting lost in the winding streets!
The other option is of course the water bus, which you can book an unlimited pass for during your stay. You can also choose other boats such as gondolas and water taxis to move along the canals, although these can be significantly more expensive and more so paying for an experience, particularly when it comes to the gondolas. But, it’s truly one of the most memorable ways to see the city and something you have to do at least once during your stay!
How Many Days Do You Need in Venice?
Only 10% of Venice’s yearly visitors stay overnight, which not only wreaks havoc on the city’s infrastructure, but also results in a lackluster experience for you. When visiting one of the world’s most magical cities, a few hours just isn’t enough to make the most out of the trip and truly appreciate the local Venetian culture.
Staying longer will allow you to see not only the main tourist attractions, but the hidden gems and enjoy Venice by night after all the daily crowds have dispersed. Instead of rushing around and waiting in lines, you’ll be able to meander the charming streets and support local businesses along the way. We recommend staying at least two nights in Venice to make the trip worth your while.
Need recommendations for boutique hotels that are centrally located, yet not overrun with tourist crowds? Click here to read our blog post on The Best Boutique Hotels in Venice!
What Is the Best Month to Go to Venice?
Venice, Italy weather can be unpredictable sometimes, and given that you’ll be spending a lot of time outdoors exploring, you want to choose a season where the weather will work with you rather than against you. We recommend visiting Venice in the shoulder seasons, which is late April-early May or late September-early October. Which is why many of our guests that join us on the Northern Italian Delights visit Venice before or after their trip with us.
In the spring and the fall, you’ll enjoy mild weather that’s perfect for exploring and you won’t have to deal with excessive crowds. While you may run into some rain, particularly in the Spring season, packing the right items will help you to still enjoy your trip even if you have to bring your umbrella. Also don’t assume just because it is summer you won’t encounter rain, it’s also best to be prepared with a packable umbrella no matter what time of year you plan a trip to Venice, Italy.
Many travelers may worry about the acqua alta or the floods in Venice, which are the result of high tides due to winds or strong storms. The most common time for Venice to flood would be from late October through January, although it can happen at any time—it’s been a fact of life in Venice since its inception!
Luckily, the floods typically only affect the shallow parts of the island and the city is well-prepared for these types of events. You can check the acqua alta forecast here.
Planning a Trip During Venice Festivals
Something else to take into account in terms of when to plan your visit are the festivals that take place in Venice, like Carnevale or Biennale.
Carnevale is by far the most well known for its iconic tradition of elaborate masks and costumes. The festival takes place for two weeks every year in late February, depending on the start of Lent. An estimated three million people attend this festival every year. While Carnevale is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, the crowds can be intense.
If you choose to visit during this festival, we recommend attending the festival events that are lesser known to most tourists and away from Piazza San Marco, such as The Flight of the Angel or the Best Mask Contest—and don’t miss the water parades along the Grand Canal! Explore more of Italy’s Best Cultural Festivals in this blog post.
Another large festival in Venice is the Biennale, a week-long festival hosted annually in late August, alternating between art and architecture. The Venice Film Festival is also part of Biennale, one of the oldest and most prestigious film festivals in the world. In 2024, the festival attracted over 700,000 visitors from Italy and abroad.
When visiting during Venice’s festivals, make sure to book accommodations well in advance.
The Neighborhoods of Venice You Need to Know
Venice has six main sestieri (neighborhoods) you need to know in order to navigate the city. And, the rumors are true—there’s a pretty high chance you are going to get lost in the winding streets, narrow alleyways, and surprise dead ends! The beauty of a longer stay is you can actually enjoy these moments and discover something that wasn’t on your itinerary. A more relaxed pace of traveling is truly conducive to experiencing those serendipitous moments of everyday Venetian life.
Here’s your rundown of each of Venice’s neighborhoods:
- San Marco: Venice’s most famous neighborhood containing many of the main attractions, such as Piazza San Marco and the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge. Watch out for tourist trap restaurants! Ahem! Hard pass on those with photos of all the food.
- Castello: The largest of the neighborhoods and home to Arsenale, once the largest shipyard in Venice, Castello is one of the quieter, more authentic areas away from the hustle and bustle. Most day-trippers don’t even make their way to this part of the city!
- Dorsoduro: Home to Venice’s most famous art gallery, this neighborhood is known for its nightlife as the University district. Great location with access to the Grand Canal, but still a bit quieter and more authentic than the central neighborhoods.
- Santa Croce: Connected to the main port of Venice and the Piazzale Roma entry point, Santa Croce has some interesting sights on the eastern side of the neighborhood, like the San Giacomo dell’Orio and the Natural History Museum.
- San Polo: The smallest of the sestiere, this centrally-located, lively neighborhood on the other side of the Rialto Bridge is home to Venice’s Fish Market and the Church of San Giacomo di Rialto, Venice’s Oldest Church.
- Cannaregio: Taking the train into Venice? You’ll end up in this lovely neighborhood at the Santa Lucia Station. Make sure to check out the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in Europe, and the Church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli for some of the most beautiful Venetian Renaissance architecture in the city. Stay in this neighborhood for access to the islands of Burano and Murano!
The Perfect 3-Day Venice Itinerary
The moment is finally here: you’ve arrived in Venice! With a slow-paced, loose itinerary to guide your 3 days in Venice, your trip will have the perfect balance between planned activities and spontaneity.
Day One: Do As the Italians Do!
When you arrive in Venice, take a moment to settle into your hotel and relax after making the journey over to the island from the airport or the train.
Once you’ve freshened up and are ready to venture out into the city, go for a leisurely lunch at one of Venice’s authentic restaurants—avoid the tourist traps! Check out our recommendations for authentic eats in Venice here. Craving pizza? While Venice was once notorious for lacking in the authentic Italian pizza department, we’ve found some great options that you won’t want to miss.
After lunch, take a guided tour of the Piazza San Marco, the Campanile (the iconic bell tower), the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, and the Bridge of Sighs. Most tours will take about 2-3 hours.
Don’t miss out on the Terrace of the Moors on top of the clock tower! This terrace offers a stunning view of all of St. Mark’s Square, the rooftops of Venice, and the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. Additionally, you can get a close view of the colossal bronze statues of the two Moors with the bell.
Once you’ve seen all the sights, you’ll probably be in need of some refreshments. Do as the Italians do and enjoy an Aperol Spritz or your favorite Italian cocktail at Caffe Florian Terrace. Established in 1720, this piece of Venetian history offers a unique perspective of the Piazza and captures the essence of Venice as locals and tourists alike pass by below.
If you’re looking for some cicchetti, which is Venice’s answer to the Spanish tapas, check out the Osteria dai Zemi in the San Polo neighborhood. On a sunny day, you can sit outside and choose your cicchetti inside. You can order the classic crostini with different toppings, meat/vegetarian polpette, seafood, and mozzarella in carrozza.
Pro-Tip: Struggling with jet lag? The best way to overcome it is to eat when the locals do! Enjoy some small bites during cocktail hour to help tide you over until the 8:00PM dinner time in Northern Italy.
Post-cocktail hour, head back to your hotel to get changed for a nice dinner out and some time wandering the piazza before ending off the night.
Day Two: The Grand Canals
Hopefully feeling refreshed from a good night’s sleep, today is the day to see Venice as it’s meant to be: from the water!
Once you’ve had your morning espresso, head out for a tour of the Grand Canal, visit the Rialto Bridge, and then enjoy a cicchetti lunch at one of these places:
- Al Merca: One of the most famous bacari in Venice not far from the Rialto Market—strictly on the street!
- Cantina Do Mori: One of the oldest bacari in Venice and a few backstreets away from the Rialto bridge, this is a real institution in Venice to try cichetti.
- Osteria Bancogiro: Offering a wide range of cicchetti for every taste, freshly prepared everyday. Make sure to take a seat at the outside tables for a view facing the Grand Canal!
The rest of the day, head back to your hotel to relax, take some time to wander the streets, and enjoy a casual or fancy dinner out. Venice is full of options for whatever style of dining you have in mind.
Day Three: Shopping, Local Markets, and Museums
Choose your own adventure! There’s something for everybody when it comes to exploring Venice, and a slow-paced itinerary gives you the freedom to do everything you want to do and nothing you don’t want to do.
- Hit the Markets: The market neighborhood is located in San Polo, which connects to the Rialto Bridge. Both the Erberia (Vegetable Market) and the Pescheria (Fish Market) are open Tuesdays-Sundays from 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM. After you’ve hit the markets, you can cross the bridge to visit Libreria Acqua Alta, a famous bookstore featuring vintage titles and resident cats.
- Marvel at the Museums: First, visit the Museo Correr in San Marco to uncover the story of Venice, featuring Venetian art and architecture and stunning ballrooms. In the afternoon, art enthusiasts will love the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in the Dorsoduro neighborhood or the Ca’Pesaro International Gallery of Modern Art, just a few streets over from the market.
Other options to fill your itinerary around San Marco are the Teatro La Fenice, a historic opera house in San Marco, the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, or the Santa Maria della Salute. If you’re willing to venture further out, the Church of Santa Maria Assunta in Cannaregio is truly breathtaking for its fresco-style artwork and architecture.
Pro-Tip: When entering the basilicas of Italy, make sure to dress modestly. For ladies, bring something to cover your shoulders and ensure that dresses/skirts are an appropriate length.
Not much for shopping but want a souvenir you’ll cherish forever? We highly recommend hiring a local photographer to capture your time in Venice! Not only will your photographer know the perfect photo spots that best capture La Serenissima, but you’ll also have a unique gift that supports the local economy—as opposed to a cheap souvenir that’s not even made in Italy.
Fuel up for your adventures with cicchetti throughout the day! These options are nearby where you’ll be visiting:
- Osteria al Squero: Near the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, lowkey and rustic spot right on the canals.
- Cantine del Vino Già Schiavi: Also near the Peggy Museum, a classic spot with great wine options and delectable cicchetti.
- Osteria dal Riccio Peoco: Near the Ca’Pesaro with tables on the piazza.
- Cà D’oro alla Vedova: Cozy bacaro also near the Ca’Pesaro.
After dinner, wrap up your trip with a peaceful nighttime gondola ride!
Easy Day Trips from Venice
Looking for nearby destinations to explore while you’re in Venice? These locations are close enough for a short day trip if you plan on returning to Venice and staying even longer than just a Venice itinerary of 3 days.
Mazzorbo, Murano and Burano
Did you know that Venice is actually made up of 118 different islands in the Venetian Lagoon? The islands are accessible from Venice via a 30-45 minute ride on the Vaporetto! However, that’s minus the wait in the line-up which is why when you join us on the Northern Italian Delights tour we take you by private boat.
Burano and Mazzorbo are located right across from one another linked by a wooden bridge. On the islands, you’ll find charming, brightly-colored houses and several charming artisan shops. Murano, which is world-famous for its colorful glass-blowing tradition, is a tiny island located on the way back to Venice.
We recommend a locally guided tour to make the most out of your island day trip—which is included as part of your itinerary on Northern Italian Delights! Complete with a fully-guided walking tour of Mazzorbo and Burano, along with an artisan glass-blowing demonstration, our guests are charmed by Venice off the tourist trail and lunch at a local Venetian vineyard.
Prosecco Hills
Just an hour’s car ride from Venice, the Prosecco Hills are another UNESCO Heritage Site you just can’t miss in Northern Italy. The UNESCO title recognizes not only the quality of the wine produced in this region, but the distinctive cultivation of the land and the steep, terraced vineyards or cignoli—a remnant of 17th-century wine production.
The area is also famous for cheese production. What’s a glass of Prosecco without cheese, after all?! The organic, zero-km cheese tasting in the heart of the sprawling vineyards is a favorite with guests of Northern Italian Delights.
Treviso
Another city of canals, Treviso has been nicknamed “Little Venice,” by some. When you join us on Northern Italian Delights, you’ll explore the city of art known as the Birthplace of Tiramisu with a local history expert! You’ll love the charming architecture, seeing the tallest Roman Gothic Church, and trying the famous risotto with radicchio when it’s in season.
Where to Go After your Venice trip
After Venice, Northern Italy has so much to offer for every type of traveler. Head to Lake Como or Lake Garda for outdoor activities, luxury lakeside stays, and delicious food & wine. We have blog posts on Lake Como and Lake Garda you can check out.
The Dolomites is also a great option. We’ve stayed in the villages of the mountain range region of Alta Badia many times—quaint, walkable city centers with easy access to the lift, lush mountain views, and gorgeous weather!
Before or after your Venice trip, join us on Northern Italian Delights, a ten-day journey of world-class wine, incredible cuisine, and Italy’s most breathtaking hidden gems. With us as your new Italian best friends and tour hosts, you’ll trade the crowds of Venice to travel like a local, visiting family-owned vineyards, an organic farm, multi-generational cheese producers, Italy’s Most Beautiful Medieval Towns, and so much more.
You can also travel south to join us on Italy’s Epicurean Journey or Italy Uncorked, both based partially in our home region of Le Marche—hailed as all of Italy wrapped up into one region! You’ll trade the tourist crowds of Venice for an off-the-beaten-path experience with privately guided tours and countless best-meal-of-your-life moments.
Not sure what Italy itinerary is best for you? Get matched with your perfect Italy itinerary when you take the quiz to discover which type of Italian Traveler are you!
