{"id":3979,"date":"2020-02-14T18:57:28","date_gmt":"2020-02-14T18:57:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/best-things-to-do-in-venice\/"},"modified":"2024-07-23T08:28:26","modified_gmt":"2024-07-23T08:28:26","slug":"best-things-to-do-in-venice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ulysses.travel\/en\/best-things-to-do-in-venice\/","title":{"rendered":"Visit Venice: The Ultimate Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Venice is one of those cities where you could spend your entire life and still have more to explore!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Planning a trip to Venice can be overwhelming, given the endless list of must-see activities, museums, and monuments in the City of Canals.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

To help you out, Captain Ulysses has compiled all the essential information<\/em> for organizing your Venetian getaway: when to go, how long to stay, how to get there, where to stay, and what to see and do.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s set sail, sailors: follow the guide!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u26a0\ufe0f Venice is a popular destination! <\/strong> To avoid wasting time<\/strong> in long lines at the entrance of monuments, be sure to book your tickets and tours in advance<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83d\udca1 Insider Tips<\/strong> \ud83d\udca1 <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\ud83c\udf1f Top tip:<\/strong> Free guided city tour<\/a> (in English)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udca4 Accommodations:<\/strong> all our tips & recommendations <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udc76 Visiting Venice with Kids:<\/strong> all our best tips<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In This Guide: <\/strong>
Essential Tips for Planning Your Trip to Venice
<\/strong><\/a> When to Visit Venice<\/a>
<\/a>How Much Time to Spend in Venice?<\/a>
<\/a>How to Get to Venice?<\/a>
Where to Stay in Venice?<\/a>
Getting Around Venice<\/a>
What to See and Do in Venice
<\/strong><\/a> St. Mark’s Square & Its Surroundings<\/a>
Venice’s Bridges & Canals<\/a>
Must-See Museums in Venice<\/a>
Islands of the Lagoon<\/a>
Iconic Churches in Venice<\/a>
The Venetian Arsenal and Castello District<\/a>
The Jewish Ghetto in Cannaregio<\/a>
The Carnival of Venice<\/a>
Venice’s Musical Heritage<\/a>
Exploring Venetian Cuisine<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Essential Tips for Planning Your Trip to Venice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When to Visit Venice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Venice is VERY touristy. Regardless of when you visit, be prepared for crowds and long lines (hence why Captain Ulysses recommends booking your tickets and tours in advanc<\/a><\/strong>e).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The summer months are the busiest. If you can, plan your trip for spring or autumn when the weather is mild and the crowds are slightly thinner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

While winter can be cold and windy, it is also the least crowded time (except during Carnival). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You might also consider timing your visit with the famous Venice Carnival, held annually between February and March. Be aware that prices soar during Carnival, so budget accordingly! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Much Time to Spend in Venice<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

It depends on your availability:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2-3 days:<\/strong> You’ll get a quick overview of the main sights (Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Rialto Bridge) but might leave wanting more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

4-5 days:<\/strong> You can explore the major attractions and have time to visit smaller, lesser-known churches and even take a trip to the lagoon islands (Murano, Burano, Torcello). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A week:<\/strong> You can truly experience the city’s vibe and savor the Venetian dolce vita. There\u2019s plenty to keep you entertained! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to Get to Venice?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Where is Venice? <\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Nestled on the Adriatic Sea coast, Venice is in the northeast of Italy, in the Veneto region. The city comprises 118 small islands connected by canals and bridges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2708\ufe0f By Plane:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Venice has its own airport: Marco Polo Airport (VCE), about 12 km \/ 7.5 miles from the city center. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

From the airport, you can reach the city by bus<\/a>, vaporetto<\/a>, or water taxi<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For booking flights, Captain Ulysses highly recommends Skyscanner<\/a> to compare prices and find the best deals. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude86 By Train:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Located on the Grand Canal, the Venezia Santa Lucia train station is serviced by numerous trains from Italy and major European cities. Night trains to Venice depart from Paris and Lyon, among others.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For booking train tickets, Captain Ulysses recommends the Omio<\/a> platform. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude8c By Bus:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Venice is serviced by several bus companies, such as Flixbus. For booking bus tickets, Omio<\/a> is again the go-to recommendation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\ude97 By Car:<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Planning a road trip in Italy? Note that cars are not allowed in Venice: the city is entirely pedestrian. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find parking at Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto. From there, take a vaporetto or walk to Venice\u2019s center.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where to stay in Venice? <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Looking for accommodation in Venice? Captain Ulysses has compiled all his tips in a detailed article: [Where to Stay in Venice?]<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ll find advice on the best neighborhoods to stay in, accommodation prices, and a list of recommendations for every budget! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Skip the lines: book your tickets and visits in advance!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Powered by GetYourGuide<\/a><\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\ud83d\udc49 More tickets, tours & activities in Venice<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Getting Around Venice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Before diving into the must-see sights\nand activities, let\u2019s cover some logistics!\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Venice’s center is entirely pedestrian. The city is\nrelatively compact and easy to explore on foot. Alternatively, the most practical mode of\ntransport is the vaporetto, a boat that\nserves as the city’s public transport. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you\u2019re staying in Mestre, planning to explore the lagoon islands, or just want to save time, Captain Ulysses recommends getting a pass for Venice\u2019s public transport (bus + vaporetto)<\/a>.<\/strong><\/mark> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What to See and Do in Venice<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

St. Mark’s Square & Its Surroundings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

St. Mark’s Square<\/em><\/h4>\n\n\n\n

Located in the heart of the San Marco<\/em> district, St. Mark’s\nSquare is undoubtedly the most iconic square in Venice. It’s the only one\ncalled “piazza<\/em>“; the others are known\nas “campo<\/em>” or “campiello<\/em>“.\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For centuries, it was the heart of the\npolitical, administrative, and religious power of the Republic of Venice. Napoleon even dubbed it\n“the most beautiful drawing room in Europe.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was also the site of public\nexecutions. Today, it\u2019s famous for its monuments and…\npigeons (which, by the way, are prohibited\nfrom being fed)! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

St. Mark’s Square is divided into two\nesplanades: <\/p>\n\n\n\n