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To visit Venice is to step into a dream. It seems unreal to be in a city where the streets are canals, and snatches of Italian opera sung by gondoliers waft down narrow lanes. Newcomers are usually openmouthed as they are swept along the Grand Canal for the first time, past crumbling palaces, bobbing gondolas and domed churches.

After you’ve seen the main sights, lose yourself along the paths that cling to the canal-sides or take a water taxi to the island of Murano, famed for its glass, or admire Burano’s colourful houses. For a truly authentic Venetian meal, skip the pizza and instead opt for a superb seafood risotto in one of the tiny bacari (or pubs) frequented by the
locals.

The city, known as La Serenissima, (the Most Serene), faces a less than peaceful future. Venice is sinking and so far no-one has worked out how to stop it disappearing beneath the Adriatic’s waves. So, go now: tomorrow might be too late.

 

Bridge over the canals in VeniceVenice Fast Facts
• Made up of around 118 islands.
• The population is around 270,000.
• Also known as “La Serenissima”: the most serenely beautiful one.
• It has around 150 canals connected by around 400 bridges, and over 3000 alleyways.
• Over 15 million tourists visit Venice each year.
• A “calle” is a street, a “compo” is a square, there is only one compo large enough to be called a piazza in Venice – San Marco Piazza.
• No matter how good you are at reading maps you will still most likely get lost!

 

Brightly coloured houses Venice Highlights

Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) – this was the seat of the government of Venice for centuries and is one of the city’s most famous buildings. If you book a guided tour you can follow in the footsteps of the leaders of Venice who wouldn’t use the public doors and stairways but would slip through passageways and
secret entrances.

Torcello Island - head out to this uninhabited island and see the extraordinary mosaic of the last Judgement dating back to the 12th & 13th century in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

Burano - another island very close by and is renowned for the production of handmade lace (they’ve been making it there since the 1500’s) it’s a photographer’s dream with the most amazing brightly coloured homes.

Rialto Food Market - locals have depended on these markets for fresh fruit, veges and fish since 1097! They’re open at dawn so it is best for photo opportunities early in the morning when it is really bustling.

Murano - this is the island for glass, everything from vases, glassware & chandeliers to gorgeous brightly coloured jewellery and ornamental dishes. Be careful of the ‘sharks’ offering free trips to Murano working along the strip by San Zaccaria. Yes the trip is free, but when you get there, you are ushered into shops and factories where you really are pressured to buy.

Academy Galleries (Gallerie Dell ‘Accademia) – this art gallery gives a complete overview of Venetian art history from the 14th-18th century. If you are there on a Tuesday you can also visit the warehouses on the top floor of the monastery designed by Palladio. If modern art is more your cup of tea, then check out the Peggy Guggenheim Museum.

Venice Accommodation
With a range of accommodation in Venice, there is something to suit every requirement and budget. Contact your local House of Travel for full Venice accommodation options.

Venice Sightseeing 
There is so much to see and do in Venice! Visit one of the 118 islands, experience the great markets or have a meal at a bacari or pub. Contact your local House of Travel for full Venice sightseeing options. 

 

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