Venice, facts and travel tips
Explore the timeless beauty of Venice, Italy! Discover unmissable attractions, local secrets, and everything this romantic city has to offer.
The city of Venice is located in the Veneto region of Italy — one of the northernmost states. This ancient and historically important city was originally built on 100 small islands in the Adriatic Sea. Instead or roads, Venice relies on a series of waterways and canals.
One of the most famous areas of the city is the world-renowned Grand Canal thoroughfare, which was a major centre of the Renaissance. Another unmistakable area is the central square in Venice, called the Piazza San Marco. This is where you’ll find a range of Byzantine mosaics, the Campanile bell and, of course, the stunning St. Mark’s Basilica.
What are the best things to do in Venice?
Few cities can claim such a priceless art and history heritage as Venice. This unique city with its magical, spectacular scenery is not just beautiful; it is a real miracle of creative genius: a city built on mud, sand and the slime of a difficult, inhospitable landscape.
The biggest attraction in the gorgeous city of Venice is the architecture — which is enhanced by the ancient canals that surround it. As well as Piazza San Marco and St. Mark’s Basilica, the city is home to the Gothic masterpiece Doge’s Palace. This pink and white marble buildings has to be seen in the flesh to be fully appreciated. Not only is it a breathtaking example of Italian architecture, it is also the centre of Venice Carnival celebrations every year.
Just a short gondola ride from Doge’s Palace is the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, which is one of the world’s most illustrious modern art collections. If you’re looking for more traditional works from the Renaissance period, spend some time at the Galleria dell’Accademia, which houses several classics from this era.
There are many places in Venice which characterise the city’s illustrious history and association with the arts and architecture. Take the Bridge of Sighs, for example, which is a white limestone masterpiece that the interrogation rooms of Doge’s Palace to the prison.
But the most beautiful bridge in all of Venice has to be the Rialto Bridge. This ornate structure hangs over the Grand Canal with masterful confidence. Connecting San Polo to the sestieri of San Marco, the bridge has been rebuilt many times over the years.
If you’re looking for entertainment in Venice, you truly are spoilt for choice. Spend a few hours perusing the artworks at Museo Correr, or explore an exciting mix of Renaissance and modern art at Punta della Dogana.
Perhaps you'd prefer to take in an evening of ballet or live music at Teatro La Fenice, which is a truly magnificent 1000-seat theatre. If you're interested in the history of Venice, a trip to either the Lace Museum or Fortuny Museum will take you on a journey of discovery. And no trip to Venice should pass by without a trip to Ca’ d’Oro — a Venetian-Gothic palace that also happens to be home to the Franchetti collection of Renaissance art.
What is the best time of year to visit Venice?
Venice is always at its busiest and most vibrant in the summer, between the beginning of June and the end of July. A phenomenon called the acqua alta floods areas of Venice during the winter months between November and March, and this can affect access to Piazza San Marco.
But if you’re looking to party during the Venice Carnival, make sure you’re around towards the end of February and beginning of March. This is the time of year when music, costumes and a celebration of the arts takes over.
What is the weather and climate like in Venice?
Venice enjoys a relatively cool Mediterranean climate. Temperatures at the height of summer rarely exceed 32C, with the hottest months being July and August. The summer months also happen to be among the driest of the year too.
The time of year with the most rain is usually the spring months of April and May. However, the spring is a particularly nice time of the year to visit Venice if you don’t like hot weather, as average temperatures fluctuate between just 17C and 22C. The coldest months are December and January, when the average temperatures languish in the single digits.
Venice is a true masterpiece of beauty and exquisite architecture. With so much to do and see, the city of romance will keep you coming back for more.