WHY VISIT VENICE?

Water canals and gondolas. Go if you’re keen to float through the city on a boat and admire the stunning architecture.

Check out the Travel Honey VENICE PHOTO GALLERY.

View the ITALY COUNTRY OVERVIEW for everything else.

WHERE TO STAY IN VENICE?

Venice is broken down into six wards.  San Marco is at the center, which is the most touristy and most expensive. San Polo is busy along the canal but quieter and more residential as you move to it center. Dorsoduro, Cannaregio, Castello, and Santa Croce are a little more residential so have some hotels and good Airbnb options. Just beware of the dodgy area around the train station in Cannaregio.

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Maps of Venice

Pisani ($$$$) Airy art deco boutique hotel in Dorsoduro.

Sina Centurion Palace ($$$$) Beautiful wood beam ceilings in hotel sitting right on the canal.

Canal Grande ($$$) On a canal and boasts a private dock and rooftop terrace.

Ad Place ($$$) Quirky and colorful in the heart of San Marco.

B&B Fortuny ($$$)  A small B&B with simple, bright and quality rooms in a good location but away from the crowds.

WHERE TO EAT IN VENICE?

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Testiere ($$$) Small gem in the Castello neighborhood that makes everything in house and has the freshest seafood.

Antiche Carampane ($$$) Modern take on traditional Venetian food in San Polo.

La Zucca ($$) In Santa Croce, this place serves tasty seasonal dishes with a focus on veggies.

Osteria Al Portego ($) Cozy and off the beaten track spot with a small menu written on a chalk board.

Cantinone Gia Schiavi ($) Visit this popular wine shop in the Dosoduro known for its tasty cicchetti (Venecian’s version of tapas) and stand with the locals (there are no seats).

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Views from San Marco Plazza; Venice Canals (7 Day itinerary with Maura)

WHERE TO GO AT NIGHT IN VENICE?

Skyline Rooftop Bar ($$$) Gorgeous views of Venice from the rooftop bar. Sip champagne and splash around in the pool.

Harry’s Bar ($$) Birthplace of the Bellini. A classic.

Al Volto ($) One of the city’s oldest wine bars. Tons of by-the-glass wines and snacks.

BEST INSTAGRAM ACCOUNTS FOR VENICE?

Local designer @seventhsoul

City of Venice @veneziaunica

Photographer @lightbulbsun

HOW TO GET TO VENICE?

Most people take the train to Venice, it’s about 4 hours from Rome, 3 hours from Milan and 2 hours from Florence.  Try driving if you want to see the surrounding areas.  You’ll have to park outside of the city and walk or take a small ferry.  Consider flying to or from Venice and starting or ending your trip there.  The airport is about four miles north of the city.

HOW TO GET AROUND VENICE?

Cars and bikes are banned inside the city center, so you’ll have to rely on walking or boats.  The private gondolas are pricy (80-100 EUR for 30 minutes), so try the public gondolas (2 EUR to cross the Grand Canal).  Or get a pass for the Vaporetto, which is the water version of a public bus system (7 EUR per ride but less if you get a pass).