How can you make the most of a trip to Venice right now and what do you need to know before you travel? Discover 16 essential things to know about Venice before you travel.
Last Updated: 22nd July, 2021
For years, we’ve heard that Venice is sinking and it may not survive much longer.
This fact about Venice plus the recent “imitations on travel, means that right now is probably the best time in decades to see one of Europe’s top city-break locations.
The lack of tourists crowding the streets and attractions also makes the city even more appealing.
However, there were so many things about Venice we wish we’d known and had to find out the hard way.
That’s where this article comes in! Discover everything you need to know to make your trip to Venice an unforgettable one.
With many of us having spent so long missing the benefits of travel, it’s important to make sure your trip is as amazing and smooth as it can be.
Facts about Venice you should know
1. Venice is really quiet right now
The ‘events’ of the pandemic mean that the floating city has no cruise ships to muddy the waters. As a result, there are far fewer tourists and the canals are crystal clear.
All of this makes it the best time in decades to see Venice (if it wasn’t for some travel restrictions).
At times when walking around Venice, it almost felt “normal”.
However, expect to be reminded of the pandemic by getting your temperature checked, wearing a face covering and using a lot of hand sanitiser.
2. Wearing a face covering is mandatory in some places
You have to wear a mask everywhere indoors, including shops, public transport, churches and museums (even when queuing).
For our first trip during the pandemic, it was difficult to get used to wearing a mask all the time.
With the heat, we found ourselves not bothering to go into some shops because we were overheating.
Something to keep in mind, if you struggle with warmer climate like we do.
Also make sure to pack 3-4 masks (in case they don’t dry in time after you’ve washed them) and a few disposable ones as some airlines require those.
3. Venice is a difficult place to stick to a budget
Venice is a tourist hotspot and unfortunately, it doesn’t come cheap!
We found public transport was quite expensive – for example, a trip on a Vaporetto can set you back 7.50€!
On the more luxurious end, gondolas and private taxis can easily reach 100€.
Food in mid-range restaurants for 2 is usually under 80€ which is comparable to London prices. You can find some cheap eats options if you avoid seafood and opt for Cicchetti and pizza.
For 3 days, we spent around £700 in total for food, hotels, activities and transport. And this was very much with trying to stay on a budget!
4. The best time to go to Venice is August-October
Choosing the right time to visit Venice is a key decision.
In the past you would have had swathes of tourists making the Summer months a sweaty mess. This will probably be the case again soon, so May-July aren’t ideal.
The weather in Venice in August is still fantastic (compared to June or July), but you have less tourists to contend with. There are highs around 30°C, lows around 18°C, and only around 5 days of rain.
You still also get plenty of sunshine. This opens up the option to spend time on the beach in Lido.
When we went for 3 days in August, it was even a little too hot for us sun-starved Londoners…
5. Definitely plan your journey from the airport
As previously mentioned, there are no cars allowed in Venice. If you want to go straight to a hotel on the island itself, your choices are between a shared water taxi (pricey) or private water taxi (very pricey).
For a cheaper option to get to Venice island, you can also take a bus or a taxi to Piazzale Roma.
From here, you can walk to your hotel or take a Vaporetto to the closest water stop.
Check out our guide to getting around Venice.
6. Walking is the best form of transport
Venice is pretty small, so it only takes about an hour to walk from one side of the island to the other.
That said, we’d suggest you pack your most comfortable trainers because you are about to do a lot of walking on cobblestone streets.
7. Venice is not accessible for people With mobility issues
If you have accessibility requirements, Venice is a bit of a nightmare.
The bridges (and there are 391 to be exact) in Venice are almost all steps, and it can be pretty impossible to explore without having to cross some canals.
Anyone in a wheelchair or with a pram will find it very challenging to get around the island without help.
8. You can have the gondola experience without breaking the bank
Want to experience the gondola life without spending big bucks?
Pay 2€ for the traghetto to cross the grand canal. It’s basically a public gondola that you share with other people.
It’s quick, but it’s also fun and cheap.
9. Make sure you visit St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Signs
These three attractions are all marvels of architecture with fascinating histories. Make sure you take your time exploring them, and don’t try to cram them into an afternoon like we did.
Finding tickets online is also pretty confusing. We’d advise being careful you don’t buy inflated prices you don’t want, like with a guide or including extra museums. Entrance to the Basilica is free, while Doge’s Palace is 25€ for an adult ticket (13 euros for a child).
The Campanile also offers an amazing view of the city, but you may feel it doesn’t justify the 8€ entrance fee.
10. Views from the Vaporetto are amazing
Something that we discovered far too late was that the view of the grand canal from the Vaporetto is quite spectacular.
The Vaporetto might be quite busy, but if you pick the right spot, it’s worth it.
If you are travelling in a big group, a private water taxi or your own boat may be far more enjoyable though.
11. Travelling to Burano and Lido are “a must”
The popular ones are Murano (glass making), Burano (colourful houses), Torcello (the peaceful atmosphere) and Lido (beach).
Be sure to make enough time for each one and take the Vaporetto from the right spot! We made the mistake of taking the Vaporetto from San Marco, and it took us 50 minutes to get around the island.
Don’t make the same mistake as us and take the Vaporetto from Ponte Novo if you want to go to Murano and leave from San Marco if you want to go to Lido.
12. Book Burano’s Restaurants to Avoid Disappointment (and “H-anger“)
There are few things more disappointing than choosing the perfect looking restaurant to fit your taste and budget, only to find it’s fully booked.
Especially on an island with limited options.
Planning on eating in Burano? For the love of seafood, make sure you book your restaurant.
We had to sadly look at people with their delicious food while we walked around, looking for restaurants that had space for us.
13. Lido can easily be its own holiday destination
Even though we only spent a few hours, we wish we had booked a hotel in Lido to spend a few days there.
Only 15 minutes away from the busy island of Venice, you can enjoy the quiet sun, sea and sand of Lido. There are some great restaurants and gelaterias too!
Avoid paying the fee for a private beach by walking 400m or just sneak in through an unattended private gate…
Lido may not be able to compare with the top beach destinations, but is definitely a refreshing place to relax.
14. Do your research on where to find the best food and gelato!
If you want to really experience the best of Venice, there are a few good restaurants options with grand canal seating. We really enjoyed our meal at Ristorante Florida, even if their mojitos were lethal!
For the best gelato, head to Suso Gelatoteca. It’s not a hidden gem, but you can find delicious pistachio gelato with nutty chunks. Definitely worth the queue.
An unmissable restaurant everyone has to visit is Trattoria Al Gazzettino! Fresh calamari, delicious pasta and they gave us so much free food (the best free gnocchi and tiramisu we’ve had).
For a quick cheap eat, go to Al Merca near Rialto Bridge and get their little sandwiches (Cicchetti) with truffle cream. Guaranteed that you will want to go back for seconds and thirds.
15. Get a room with a canal view
When it comes to accommodation, if budget is not an issue then you should go for rooms with a grand canal or basilica view!
We went for a room with no view and we felt like we had missed out on part of the Venice experience (although our bank accounts were glad).
16. Spend at least 3-5 days!
We spent 3 days in Venice but to really make the most of this beautiful city and the surrounding islands, we’d recommend 5 days.
This way, you have enough time to thoroughly explore the many sides and restaurants of Venice, and some time for the Lagoon islands too.
Although to be honest… can you really spend too much time in Venice?
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