Venice is a city built on a lagoon in northeastern Italy, where streets became canals and everyday transportation is by boat. Spread across 118 tiny islands connected by more than 400 bridges, it packs in Gothic palaces, mosaic-covered churches, and an entire historic center with zero cars. It’s also a city that charges to be visited: since 2024, Venice has applied an access fee for day-trippers, and in 2026 it comes back into effect on specific dates—the kind of detail that changes your planning and is worth checking before you buy your ticket.
How to get to Venice
There are no direct flights from the US; the most common route involves a connection in Lisbon, Madrid, Paris, or a Middle Eastern hub to Venice (Marco Polo Airport, code VCE), or to Milan/Rome with a connecting train. Marco Polo Airport is about 8 miles from the historic center, within the lagoon. The ATVO or ACTV bus to Piazzale Roma costs around €8 (one way) and takes 20 minutes, making it the cheapest option. If you’d rather arrive by boat, you can take the Alilaguna water bus, which crosses the lagoon to the center for about €15—more scenic, but slower. Water taxis exist, but they cost between €105 and €130—worth it only if you want to save time and don’t mind the price.
If you’re already in Italy, the train is the most practical alternative: Venice has two main stations, Santa Lucia (inside the historic center, right on the water) and Mestre (on the mainland). High-speed trains connect Milan to Venice in about 2h30 and Rome in roughly 3h30, which makes it easy to combine the city with other Italian destinations on the same itinerary without needing a car.
Inside Venice, there are no cars or buses in the historic center: getting around is always on foot or by vaporetto (the local “water bus”). Since the city is small and full of bridges, most sightseeing ends up being done on foot, with the vaporetto reserved for longer trips or heavy luggage.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
April–May and September–October bring mild temperatures and fewer crowds than the European summer, which in July and August completely packs Piazza San Marco and the main bridges. Venice’s Carnival, in February, draws a specific crowd for the costumes and masks, but it also drives up accommodation prices. November, on the other hand, can bring “acqua alta”—temporary floods that cover Piazza San Marco during high tide, usually for a few hours and forecast in advance by the city’s alert system.
Two to three full days already cover the main sights on foot, including a whole morning dedicated to the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace. If you want to include the islands of Murano, Burano, and Torcello at a relaxed pace, add another full day, since the vaporetto transfer there takes time.
What to see in Venice
Piazza San Marco is the city’s tourist heart, surrounded by St. Mark’s Basilica (free entry to the main area, with a line that moves fast outside peak hours) and the Doge’s Palace, the seat of the former Venetian government with decorated halls and the Bridge of Sighs connecting the palace to the old prison. Climbing the Campanile di San Marco delivers the best panoramic view of the lagoon, with an elevator available for those who don’t want to tackle the stairs.
The Grand Canal, Venice’s “main avenue,” can be traveled end to end on the Line 1 vaporetto, which works almost like a guided tour as you watch the historic palaces along the banks. A traditional gondola ride costs between €80 and €120 for 30–40 minutes, with a city-set fare that’s higher at night—splitting it between two or more people helps dilute the cost.
The Rialto Bridge, the oldest spanning the Grand Canal, is packed with shops and a morning fish and fresh produce market, plus it’s one of the most photographed spots in the city. It’s worth setting aside an afternoon to get lost in the Dorsoduro neighborhood, more residential and with fewer tourists, where you’ll find the Gallerie dell’Accademia, with works by Titian and Bellini.
For nearly a thousand years, Venice was an independent maritime republic controlling trade routes between Europe and the East—that’s where the Byzantine influences in the Basilica’s mosaics come from, along with the local taste for glass, lace, and masks, which today are the most sought-after souvenirs among tourists. The artisan mask shops are concentrated near San Marco and in Campo Santo Stefano, with prices varying widely depending on the material—hand-painted papier-mâché pieces cost far more than the plastic versions aimed at quick tourism. The St. Mark’s Basilica has an official website with up-to-date hours for those who want to book priority entry.
What to combine with your trip
The lagoon islands are the classic add-on: Murano is famous for hand-blown glass, with factories offering live demonstrations, and Burano charms with its colorful houses and handmade lace. Torcello, less visited, holds one of the region’s oldest churches, with preserved Byzantine mosaics. A one-day vaporetto pass covers all three islands well in a single itinerary.
Padua and Verona are less than an hour by train from Venice and work as day trips if you have an extra free day: Padua has the Scrovegni Chapel, with frescoes by Giotto, and Verona holds a Roman amphitheater and the famous “Juliet’s balcony,” a setting inspired by Shakespeare’s play (see more on the Wikipedia page about Verona).
Those wrapping up an Italy itinerary also tend to include Rome on the same trip—check out our complete Rome guide to plan the sequence, since the high-speed train links the two cities in about 3h30.
Where to eat
Cicchetti—the Venetian “snacks” served in bars called bacari—are the cheapest and most authentic way to eat in the city, usually paired with a glass of wine (ombra) for just a few euros each. The Cannaregio and Rialto areas concentrate the most traditional bacari, away from Piazza San Marco, where prices climb significantly due to the heavy tourist zone. Sarde in saor (marinated sardines) and baccalà mantecato (creamy cod) are typical dishes worth hunting down on local menus.
Where to stay
Cannaregio is the most recommended neighborhood for those seeking better prices while still being a short walk from Piazza San Marco, with the bonus of more local life than tourist crowds. San Polo and Santa Croce, near the train station, make arriving with luggage easier. Staying right in the San Marco area, on the other hand, costs more but puts the main attractions literally at your doorstep. It’s worth avoiding booking a hotel in Piazzale Roma thinking it’s “central”—it’s just the bus and car terminal, far on foot from the sights.
It’s also worth considering staying in Mestre, Venice’s mainland, connected to the historic center by train in about 10 minutes—hotel prices there are usually much lower than on the islands, which pays off for those traveling on a tight budget and don’t mind making that trip every day.
Practical tips
The day-trip access fee (for visitors not staying overnight) returns in 2026 on specific dates, typically Friday through Sunday in certain months, with rates between €5 (advance booking) and €10 (last-minute booking) per day. Those staying overnight in the city are exempt but must show their hotel reservation as proof. Double-check the exact fee dates on the official Venezia Unica website before locking in your itinerary, since they change from year to year.
For the vaporetto, a single ticket costs €9.50 and is valid for 75 minutes; if you’ll be using public transport multiple times a day, it’s worth getting the 24-hour pass (~€25) or the 48-hour pass (~€35). Lugging around a big rolling suitcase in Venice is a pain because of all the bridges with steps—backpacks or smaller bags make getting around on foot much easier.
The local currency is the euro, and cards are widely accepted, even at small bars. Brazilians don’t need a visa for short tourist stays in Italy, but it’s always a good idea to double-check the current EU entry rules before traveling, since they’ve been changing in recent years. Avoid feeding the pigeons in Piazza San Marco: it’s prohibited by municipal law and can result in a fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days are ideal for visiting Venice?
Two to three days cover the historic center well; if you want to include Murano, Burano, and Torcello at a relaxed pace, set aside an extra day.
Do I need to pay to enter Venice?
Yes, on specific dates in 2026 there’s an access fee for day-trippers, ranging from €5 to €10 per day; guests with a hotel reservation are exempt.
Is a gondola ride worth it?
It’s a classic but pricey experience (€80 to €120 for 30–40 minutes), best for those who want the ride for the experience itself rather than as a means of transport—the vaporetto covers the same routes for a fraction of the cost.
Does Venice have flooding problems during a trip?
“Acqua alta” can occur mainly between autumn and winter, temporarily flooding Piazza San Marco; the city has an alert system, and elevated walkways are set up on those days.
Conclusion
Venice is one of the few cities in the world without cars, and that completely changes the pace of your visit—it’s worth planning carefully to enjoy both Piazza San Marco and the city’s lesser-known corners. Check out the other destination guides here on Voyage Voyage to put together the rest of your Italy itinerary.