Venice holidays

Perched on 118 islands and linked by more than 400 bridges, Italy’s floating city is every bit as spectacular as the photos suggest. Its small footprint brims with gondola-filled canals, crumbling palazzos and some of the world’s most exquisite art. On your holiday to Venice, venture beyond the tourist throngs to find centuries-old traditions, authentic trattorias and back alleys abuzz with nightlife.

Venice holiday highlights

Panayis Chrysovergis

Canals and gondolas

Venice's 150 canals are its lifeblood, and while the city is a walker's paradise, its majestic architecture is best admired from the water. No holiday to Venice is complete without drifting through The Floating City on a dreamy gondola ride. Gondola stations, each with its own route, are plentiful, with many located near St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge.

A city of palaces

Experience regal splendour on your city break to Venice by exploring grand ‘palazzos’ (palaces). Built in Gothic or Byzantine styles, these structures are dripping with opulence and history. Delve deeper into the city’s story at palazzo museums and galleries like Palazzo Ducale and Ca’ Rezzonico. Or indulge in a stay fit for royalty at a palazzo hotel.

Island hopping

Step beyond the iconic attractions to discover more of the city’s character on your holiday to Venice. Witness artisans crafting exquisite pieces on the island of Murano, renowned for its centuries-old glassmaking tradition. Immerse yourself in the vibrant colours of Burano, the best place to sample ‘cicchetti’ (Venetian tapas) and ‘ombra’ (a small glass of wine). Check the ‘vaporetto’ (water bus) schedules for easy transport to these nearby islands.

Venice: Know before you go

Language

Italian

Currency

Euro (€)

Time zone

UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST)

High season

July – August

Low season

January

Find the best time to go to Venice

Weather in Venice

March – May: Spring starts off cool, with highs climbing to 21°C in May. Enjoy the big attractions with thinner crowds, and be prepared for rain showers.

June – August: Venice gets hot and busy in summer. Plan your sightseeing during the long, balmy evenings. Escape to seaside spots like the Lido during the day.

September – November: Autumn offers mild weather, lots of tasty seasonal produce and festivals like the Venice Biennale. Pack waterproofs. Heavy rains can sometimes lead to floods.

December – February: Expect chilly temperatures, fog and occasional frost. Bundle up and enjoy quieter streets and attractions, except during the Christmas holidays.

Events in Venice

Venice Carnival (February or March): This 800-year-old event captures the city’s mask-making history. Performers wear elaborate costumes and masks from local boutiques. And the city is filled with floating parades, street performances and masquerade balls.

Venice Biennale (May to November): Come experience ‘the Olympics of the art world’. This iconic festival showcases art, architecture, cinema, music, dance and theatre at some of the city’s most iconic venues.

Venice Film Festival (August to September): The world’s oldest international film festival draws celebrities to the island of Lido di Venezia. But it’s not just for A-listers — regular folks can go too. Buy tickets early.

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The best neighbourhoods in Venice

San Marco

San Marco is a prime location for sightseeing in Venice. Admire the white limestone on the Bridge of Sighs and dive into the bustle of St. Mark’s Square. Shop for Venetian glass keepsakes and relax in canal-side cafes. Every moment here is a masterpiece. This bustling neighbourhood is the best area to stay in Venice for iconic attractions like St. Mark’s Basilica and Palazzo Ducale.

Good for: Sightseeing, shopping, central location

Castello

Castello is the best area to stay in Venice for upscale hotels, quick access to iconic landmarks and a tranquil slice of Venetian culture. Explore the expansive Arsenal, a former shipyard and armoury built in the 12th century. Venice’s widest street, Via Garibaldi, is lined with family-run restaurants, boutique shops and bars, while the Giardini beckons with serene greenery and breathtaking sunsets.

Good for: Restaurants, luxury hotels, parkland

Cannaregio

If you’re wondering where to stay in Venice for a more authentic experience, Cannaregio is the place to go. Score affordable digs and budget-friendly Venetian glass here. Stop at a bacaro (wine bar) along Fondamenta de la Misericordia to enjoy a Campari spritz and cicchetti with locals. And don’t miss Ghetto Venezia, the oldest Jewish ghetto in the world.

Good for: Nightlife, affordability, local culture

Things to do in Venice

Panayis Chrysovergis

Beaches

Leave the gondolas for a day and explore the world-class beaches near Venice. Take the hour-long ferry to the pristine sands of Lido di Jesolo. For a quicker trip, relax on Isola delle Rose, a 25-minute boat ride from St Mark’s Square. And to bask in the beauty of the Adriatic Coast, venture a little further to Alberoni or Bibione.

Shopping

The boutique-lined alleys of Venice are a shopaholic's delight. For souvenirs, clothing and jewellery, explore Le Mercerie, a historic commercial hub between Rialto and St Mark’s Square. If you’re hunting for luxury, Salizada San Moise offers international fashion houses and Italian designer labels. For glassware, art and textiles, support local artisans in Castello or Cannaregio.

Take in the culture

Begin your cultural adventure in Venice in the sprawling Piazza San Marco (St Mark’s Square). Marvel at the Byzantine splendour of St Mark's Basilica, then explore over 1,000 years of ruling history at Doge's Palace. Cross the iconic Rialto Bridge to Rialto Market, which has been operating for over a millennia, and don't miss a spellbinding opera performance at Teatro La Fenice. 

Nightlife

While not as wild as other cities, the nightlife in Venice offers a laid-back blend of culture and relaxation. Sip a spritz and sample tasty bites in Campo Santa Margherita or along the canal in Cannaregio. For live music, visit Venice Jazz Club, which offers an in-house quartet or guest musicians most nights of the week.

Places to eat

Similar to Spain's tapas bars, Venice’s bacari offer an array of cheap small plates of snacks called ‘cicchetti’. With everything from fried meatballs to stuffed seafood, these iconic bites can be found in hundreds of restaurants in Venice. For authentic canal-side trattorias, head to Cannaregio. Explore the vibrant Rialto Market area for fresh seafood and local produce.

Free things to do

Despite its pricey reputation, there are plenty of free things to do in Venice. Attend Sunday morning sung mass at St Mark's Basilica or enjoy a peaceful stroll in Giardini, a rare green oasis in The Floating City. Then, explore the whimsical Libreria Acqua Alta, where books are stored in bathtubs and gondolas in case of ‘acqua alta’ (literally high water in Italian).

Plan your holiday to Venice

Budget

With plenty of free attractions and inexpensive ‘cicchetti’ (bar snacks) everywhere you go, a cheap holiday in Venice is easy. You’ll pay around 15 euros (€) for a meal in a simple restaurant. Or better yet, eat at the bar to save on table service. A local beer costs €6, and a cappuccino is around €2.

Day trips from Venice

Venice offers plenty of easy day trips by rail. In just over 30 minutes, the fast train can get you to the city of Vicenza, with its dreamy palazzos and Renaissance architecture. Or zip over to Padua. The medieval city is famous for its ornate church and local markets. And Italy’s culinary hotspot, Bologna, is just 90 minutes by high-speed train.

Getting around Venice

Venice is one of the most walkable cities in Italy. You can hop on the public vaporetto to reach key spots and day trip locations. Water taxis are quick and convenient but costly. And while gondola rides are an iconic Venetian experience, they’re more for sightseeing than getting around.

FAQs about Venice holidays

With an average rainfall of 15 cm, November is the wettest month to go on a Venice holiday. When the skies turn grey, venture indoors and make the most of the city's galleries, shops, museums and more.
For stellar weather, book your holiday to Venice for between June and September, but be warned, these are also the busiest and most expensive months to visit. To save money and beat the crowds, travel to The Floating City during spring (April to June) or autumn (September to November).
During your city break in Venice, conversations around you will likely be in Italian.
The official currency in Venice is the euro (EUR). It's a good idea to carry some cash with you during your trip to Venice, but cards and digital payments are usually widely accepted.
The warmest month in Venice is August, with maximum temperatures of 30ºC (86ºF).
January is the coolest time of year to visit. Plan your Venice trip then and you can anticipate lows of 1ºC (34ºF).
The ideal duration for a Venice visit depends on your interests. Typically, a short break to Venice of two to three days allows for exploring the main attractions comfortably. However, we recommend taking a little more time to lean into the city’s culture and explore its neighbourhoods in greater depth.
Venice is generally considered a safe city for visitors, but like any destination, it's always good to take commonsense precautions. Don't carry too much cash, store emergency numbers in your phone and only use licensed ride-share services or cabs. Additionally, stick to well-lit areas if you're out late at night during your holiday to Venice.
Compared to other cities in Italy, holidays to Venice are expensive. Most of your budget will go towards accommodation and food, but be sure to set aside extra funds for day trips and activities. For a more affordable trip, visit during the off-peak season and stay in hotels outside the city centre.
Whether your thing is history, culture, or anything else, there are countless things to do in Venice. St. Mark's Square and Saint Mark's Basilica are just a taste of what awaits in this holiday-worthy destination.

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