The most beautiful sights & attractions in Venice
The lagoon city of Venice, also known as the city on the water, enchants people from all over the world with its historic charm and grandiose location. In addition to beautiful palaces and churches that you can view on a gondola ride through the canals, there are many more highlights to discover.
The most impressive sights in Venice
Strolling through St Mark’s Square, catching a glimpse of the Grand Canal from a historic bridge, and enjoying the flair of Venice with Italian food – all this and much more should be on your personal travel bucket list and ticked off for your next visit. However, you should especially pay a visit to the following sights during your holiday in Venice.
Transfer to Venice
If you travel to Venice by plane and arrive at Venice Marco Polo Tessera Airport, you can either get to the lagoon city by land with a bus or taxi or reach the city by water with water taxis or public boats. Tickets for the comfortable and easy transfer by water can be booked directly in advance:
Free activities in Venice
Unfortunately, Venice is not exactly known for its cheap prices. Find out how you can experience the most beautiful moments on your trip and still save some money in the following tips.
- You can enjoy a fantastic view over the whole of Venice from the free panorama terrace of the luxury department stores’ Fondaco dei Tedesci, which is located right next to the Rialto Bridge.
- When the temperatures rise again in summer, one thing should not be forgotten – drink enough. Therefore, the free drinking water at numerous fountains in Venice proves to be a real blessing!
- For art lovers, the free art exhibitions in the Biennale Gardens and in Arsenale, a district of Venice, are of particular interest. Here you can view great art for free.
- One of Venice’s most famous highlights, St Mark’s Square, is fortunately also free to visit. So there’s nothing to stop you from walking around the square, looking at the historic surrounding buildings.
- Books and cats in Venice? You’ll find this cozy mix at the Libreria Acqua Alta, a great library.
- The Mercati di Rialto is a fish market really worth seeing, where locals offer fresh produce until noon and you can completely immerse yourself in the world of Venice while strolling and shopping.
- You can get to know the city better on a free walking tour and decide for yourself how much you pay for the guided tour.
- The best way to get to know a city is probably on foot – while walking through the alleys of Venice you can discover a lot of interesting places for free.
What you should know about Venice
Venice is a lagoon city of over 100 islands connected by more than 150 canals and 400 bridges. With the fall of the Roman Empire, many of the inhabitants of what is now Veneto sought refuge in the lagoon, but it is difficult to date the establishment of Venice. After the unification of a few small quarreling islands, Venice, as we know it today, was founded. Later a strong naval power, it suffered several blows from 1453 onwards that robbed it of its power in the Mediterranean.
Today, the city on the water flourishes as one of Europe’s most popular tourist hotspots, captivating young and old alike. And rightly so, because the canal-lined city is full of exciting stories, great buildings, and a breathtaking flair.
Culinary delights in Venice
Pizza and pasta lovers don’t miss out on Venice, because like everywhere else in Italy, you can dine excellently here. But Venetian cuisine has a lot more to offer: Particularly popular with the locals is Cicchetti, sandwiches made of white bread, which are best obtained at a Bacardi. Explore corners that are not directly in the sights to avoid tourist restaurants and discover authentic eateries.
Shopping in Venice
Shopping in Venice in the summer lasts until late at night. If you are willing to spend a little more money, you will be happy in Calle Larga XXII Marzo, where designer shops and high-quality brands are lined up. Le Mercerie is also particularly well-known, where you can find everything your heart desires. Besides fashion and pretty souvenirs, however, the glass art from Murano, in particular, is the perfect souvenir of your trip to Venice.
Don’ts in Venice
- Feeding pigeons is forbidden and costs around 500 euros in fines.
- It is better not to park your car in Venice, as this can be relatively expensive.
- Sitting on public squares and sights is forbidden.
- It is particularly expensive to eat in restaurants and cafés in St Mark’s Square, so it is better to find an alternative.
Dos in Venice
- You can book accommodation directly on the island and visit the city early in the morning to avoid the crowds.
- With the Venice Pass, you can visit the most amazing sights.
- You should also explore the alleys away from the hustle and bustle, as there are wonderful places hidden here.
- If you travel to Venice outside the high season, you pay less and escape the crowds.