The 30 best Hotels Hostels in Venice

About Venice

Introduction to the destination The city of romance where mystery, magic and elegance come together between captivating channels, palaces and bridges. Venice, the Queen of the Adriatic, is a city designed to be explored on foot and by water. A trip to Venice isn't complete without a gondola ride to admire the palaces lining the Grand Canal in all its splendor. More than 100 islands linked by hundreds of bridges make up this enchanted city beautiful, suggestive and suspicious.

Moving around

Venice is very small so it's not necessary to use the means of transport but, to fully enjoy the charms of the city, there's nothing like a gondola ride. Other way to get around the city is the vaporetto, which is a kind of water bus or water taxi.

Out & About

The Grand Canal crosses the city and divides it into two halves connected by pedestrian bridges: Rialto (the oldest and most famous) or Academy. Ca d'Oro is one of the buildings that attract the most attention at the edge of the channel. The most prominent landmark of the city is Piazza San Marco with the Cathedral, one of the most beautiful ones in Europe. If you climb the Campanile, you can see the city from above. Close by you find the Palazzo Ducale and the Ponte dei Sospiri. The Gallerie dell'Accademia has the largest collection of Venetian art in the world with works by Titian and Bellini. On the other hand, the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute is one of the most representative buildings of the city. Furthermore, Venice is surrounded by other islands that you cannot miss such as Murano and Burano, famous for its magnificent glass and laces. There is also the Lido where you can enjoy the best beaches. It is also famous for being the setting of Death in Venice and the venue of the Mostra.

What's going on in

The most important events in the city of Venice are without any doubt the Carnival in February and the International Film Festival, the Mostra, in September. The Carnival of Venice is known throughout the world for its class and elegance as well as its antiqueness. The costumes preserve the typical Venetian style of the XVII Century. Another important event is the Regata Storica the first Sunday in September. Before the race, there's a parade through the channels with period costumes.

Shopping

The commercial heart of Venice is the sestiere San Polo, still one of the most vibrant parts of the city, full of small shops and markets. Venice is also a city of craftsmen, who enjoy high prestige. You can find all kinds of items such as masks, blown glass, etc. The masks are a tradition and its manufacture is an art. If you want to buy blown glass, the perfect place is Murano, while if you're looking for laces, go to Burano. In the Ponte di Rialto a small market is organized. You can also find the shops of the big firms such as Versace or Prada near Piazza San Marco. Near Campo San Bartolomeo you'll find the stores that are more suitable for all budgets.

What's cooking?

The best place to eat without spending all your budget is a trattoria where you'll find a wide variety of foods and wines of the area. The typical dishes of the city are based on seafood. Some of the most famous and rich are the Sarde in Saor, fish risotto and cod. This area is also rich in cakes. Just look for the distinctive Antichi Pasticcieri Veneziani on the pastry shops, go in and try everything you can. Yummy. The Spritz is the quintessential Venetian cocktail. It's best to have the aperitivo just before dinner.

Weather

Winter in Venice is cold and rainy so it's advisable to come prepared. In October and March, the phenomenon known as Acqua Alta offers the unforgettable picture of the Piazza San Marco covered with water. In summer, temperatures are high although at night they go down slightly.

Practical information

In Venice, it's easy to get lost but it's equally easy to find your way again, especially thanks to the many signs that the city has hung around indicating the locations of interest. If you don't want to upset the Venetians or other visitors, don't stop too long on bridges or on crowded streets so you won't clog the way. With the Venice Card you'll enjoy discounts on transport and tickets.

So...

There's nothing better than enjoying a romantic gondola ride, letting yourself go through the canals of this beautiful floating city or wander around the narrow streets that hide a secret past, such as the Ponte del Diavolo. There's no doubt that Venice is a unique city.