Venice, Italy - Travel Guide

Venice is a unique city built on water, famous for its canals, gondolas, and stunning architecture. It offers a romantic and historic atmosphere with hidden alleys and beautiful bridges.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay3 days

Budget$70/day

Mid-range$150/day

Luxury$500/day

Known For

VeniceVeneziaVenetianDoge's PalaceGrand CanalGondolaRialto BridgeSt. Mark's SquareLidoMuranoBurano

🇮🇹 Country Information: Italy

CapitalRome

CurrencyEuro (€)

LanguageItalian , German, French, Slovene, Ladin, Albanian, Greek, Sardinian, Catalan

Phone Code+39

Electricity230V (Type C, F, L)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is not obligatory but appreciated for good service; 5
10% in restaurants for good service; rounding up taxi fares; 1
2 euros per bag for porters; 1
2 euros per night for hotel housekeepers

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available, especially in cities
Credit cards are widely accepted, especially in tourist areas and larger establishments; cash is still common for smaller purchases and local markets
It is advisable to carry some cash, especially for smaller towns and certain local vendors
There is no black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Dress respectfully when visiting religious sites
"Fare la bella figura" (making a good impression) is important, so dress neatly
Meals are social events and can be lengthy; wait to be seated in restaurants
Italians often greet each other with a kiss on both cheeks among friends and family

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. Italy recognizes civil unions for same-sex couples, but not marriage. Discrimination based on sexual orientation is prohibited in employment.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 18
Drug laws are strict, even for small amounts; penalties include heavy fines and imprisonment

Special Laws

It is mandatory to carry identification at all times
Driving in ZTL (Limited Traffic Zones) without a permit can result in fines
Be aware of pickpockets, especially in crowded tourist areas

Common Phrases

NoNo (noh) No

YesSì (see) Sì

HelloCiao (chah-oh) Ciao

PleasePer favore (pehr fah-voh-reh) Per favore

Excuse meMi scusi (mee skoo-zee) Mi scusi

Thank youGrazie (grah-tsee-eh) Grazie

Climate

Climate Zone: Humid Subtropical

Best Time to Visit

Extreme hot season: Jul
Aug
Extreme cold season: Dec
Feb
Prone to floods (acqua alta): Oct
Jan

Getting There

Fly into Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) or Treviso Airport (TSF), then bus/boat to city center
Train to Venezia Santa Lucia station from major Italian/European cities
Cruise ships dock at Venezia Marittima or San Basilio

Getting Around

Vaporettos (water buses) are the primary public transport
Water taxis are available (expensive)
Walking is a main way to explore
No ride
sharing apps within the historic center, but taxis operate outside the historic center

Health & Vaccinations

Routine vaccines recommended
No specific altitude sickness concerns
Probiotics can be helpful for travel
Motion sickness remedies might be useful on boats

Staying Connected

eSIMs available
Major Italian providers (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Iliad) work
Airalo and Nomad eSIM work well

Local Cuisine

Sarde in Saor regional_speciality

A classic Venetian dish of fried sardine fillets marinated in vinegar, onions, pine nuts, and raisins. This sweet and sour preparation was originally

Cicchetti street_food

Small, savory snacks, similar to Spanish tapas, typically served at bacari (Venetian bars). These can include anything from tiny sandwiches and polent

Bigoli in Salsa must_try

Thick, whole-wheat spaghetti (bigoli) often served with a rich, dark sauce made from onions and salted fish, typically anchovies or sardines. This hea

Fegato alla Veneziana regional_speciality

A simple but flavorful dish of calf's liver and caramelized onions, traditionally served with grilled polenta. The sweetness of the onions perfectly b

Baicoli snack

Thin, dry, oval-shaped biscuits named after the shape of a small Venetian boat (barca piccola). They are traditionally twice-baked to make them extrem

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) Timed Entry Attraction

Book 2 weeks to 2 months in advance

Booking ahead is essential to skip the notoriously long queues, especially during high season.

Doge's Palace Secret Itineraries Tour tour_or_activity

Book 1–3 months in advance

These specialized tours have limited daily capacity and sell out quickly, often months ahead.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Doge's Palace (Palazzo Ducale) Attraction

Book 1 week to 1 month in advance

Pre-booking tickets allows you to bypass the general ticket line, saving considerable time.

Vaporetto Pass (Public Water Bus Pass) Transport

Book 1 week to 1 month in advance

Booking the Vaporetto Pass in advance allows you to skip ticket lines upon arrival and immediately start using Venice's essential water transport system.

Fun Facts

1. Venice's foundations are made of ancient wooden logs that have petrified over centuries due to being constantly submerged in water, sediment, and a lack of oxygen.
2. The city is home to a small agricultural island called Sant Erasmo, where farming takes place, contradicting the common perception of Venice as only canals and historic centers.
3. The famous Italian greeting "Ciao" actually originated in Venice from the typical Venetian greeting "s-ciavo vostro," which translates to "your slave."
4. Sirens on top of bell towers in Venice, once used for air strikes during WWII, now alert residents to "Acqua Alta," or high water events.

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