Venice Travel Guide

Up until recent times, Venice never really appealed to me as a destination I wanted to visit. The thought of over crowded streets and mass tourism is enough to put anyone off. However, after seeing others spend time there and enjoy it, I decided to visit and spend a small period of time there myself to check it out.

In this Guide I will be sharing how to make the most and get the very best out of a trip to Venice. Where to stay, what to see, the best areas to explore, there is a lot more to Venice than just the typical tourist spots we see 24/7 on Social Media. Mix your time between the more well known hotspots and the quieter more relaxed areas each day, and you will have an amazing time.

Why Venice

Simply put, Venice as a City is one of a kind. Built on wooden posts in the middle of a Lagoon, this means there are no roads, and therefore everything and everyone is transported by Boat. By everything I literally mean everything, from the freshest local goods being delivered, to the bin men collecting the rubbish, Venice truly is a whole different way of life and an amazing spectacle to see. The main island of Venice itself is easily walkable, and you can explore every inch of the area on foot with ease, not to mention Venice is also an absolute Photography paradise. Add the fact there is great food (especially if living off a diet of Pizza, Pasta, and Ice Cream is your thing), a calm and enjoyable atmosphere, and beautiful weather (season dependent), you have the perfect combination at your disposal to have a fantastic time.

When to Visit

Personally I visited in early September and the weather was still glorious, although it was just exiting Holiday season and still busy. Though that being said, whatever time of year you go you’ll still experience crowds. According to a Friend of mine who used to visit Venice a lot in all seasons, Venice is beautiful all year round. One factor to bear in mind if visiting in Winter though is the possibility of a phenomenon known as Acqua Alta, seasonal flooding, and of course cooler and possibly wetter weather. I’d say the sweet spot to visit would be either April-May or September-October.

How Long & Where to Stay

This all depends on how many layers of Venice you really want to see. If you’re only interested in seeing the main sights, then a long Weekend will be enough. However, if you want to explore deeper and also visit a number of the other islands, then anything up to a Week would be ideal. I stayed in Venice for 5 days, 3 full days for exploring the main island, and 2 days spare to visit a couple of the outer islands, Murano and Burano. Although I felt this was enough, I could’ve easily stayed longer to visit more areas away from the main island. The duration of your visit to Venice can be determined by what you’re looking to get out of it. As for where to stay, I would suggest in the districts of either Dorsoduro or Cannaregio, the main reasons being because they are close to both the Bus Terminal and Train Station.

Getting Here & Around

Venice has great transport links which makes it easy to reach by Plane, Rail, or Bus. If you fly into Venice Airport, I would suggest taking the Coach to the entrance of the City rather than the River Taxi. One it’s much cheaper, €10 one way from what I can remember, and two it’s quicker. You can grab tickets for the Coach from the Airport in the arrivals lounge or the ticket machine outside.

As for once you’re in Venice and getting around, you have two options, by boat or by foot. Personally I walked everywhere on the main island, simply because I wanted to explore Venice inside out. More often than not, you’ll find yourself close to an attraction whichever way you Walk. I find Walking to be the best method of transport because you’ll always find great hidden areas and sights, especially whilst getting lost wandering in the narrow winding streets of Venice. Naturally, if you wanted to visit the other islands, taking a boat is needed. You can grab tickets from ticket machines or a kiosk at most stations. Depending on how many days you dedicate to island hopping, you can purchase a return ticket, or alternatively a 48 hour unlimited pass.

Photography/Camera Gear

As mentioned earlier, Venice is an absolute photography paradise, and I came away from here with more photos than any trip gone before. Given the amount of tourists with cameras, the attitude to photography around Venice was relaxed and there were no issues.

Regarding camera gear and what Lenses work best, I’d say a mix of a 24-70mm zoom for example and a wide angle prime such as a 35mm and lower wield the best results. The tight winding streets and alleyways were perfect for the 35mm, then for the more landscape open areas the versatile 24-70mm comes into play. If in doubt, always bring your zoom lens, that way you’re covering all bases.

Dorsoduro

Starting off with the Dorsoduro district, this area is located on the south west part of the island and is more well known as Venice’s University district. Dorsoduro is more off and away from the tourist path and is an area commonly full of locals and students. That being said, the further east you go you’ll start to find more tourists as you start to near popular attractions of the City. You’ll find this area is full of little bars, cafes and local indie shops, perfect for a chilled day living like a local Venetian. Dorsoduro also hosts a series of cultural spots, Art Collections, and Museums. If you’re into that kind of thing, it’s a must visit.

Cannaregio

Moving north west and to the most northern part of the city is where Cannaregio is placed. Considering this is one of the main entry points of Venice since it hosts the Rail Station, and also a direct route into the centre of the city, it can become pretty busy, and therefore also touristy. However, what I loved about Cannaregio is the further north you head while taking the time to explore the streets and canals off the well known tourist paths, you’ll once again find yourself in quieter tourist free zones, and the more beautifully serene parts of Venice where the true Venetian locals spend their time and live. A complete stark contrast from the centre of the city, this was one of my favourite areas, and also where I stayed. Head to the very north to the Seas edge to view a beautiful Sunset here too.

San Polo

Heading more central and further into the city, San Polo is one of the oldest districts of Venice. Also the smallest of the districts, San Polo still holds its weight and packs a punch with numerous attractions. Signified by the Rialto Bridge, it is host to various Fruit and Veg markets and a wide array of restaurants serving a selection of Wine along the Grand Canal edge. All in all it’s one of the liveliest districts in town. Here is also where the oldest church in Venice is located, the San Giacomo di Rialto, a beautiful piece of architecture right on the Canals edge.

San Marco

San Marco is at the heart of and in the very centre of Venice. This historic district is the most well known, and is highlighted by its stunning centrepiece of St Mark’s Square and Basilica. Host to a fine selection of luxury shops and starred restaurants, this area is where the main action of Venice lays. Streets upon streets of little shops and restaurants mazed outside and around the main square, San Marco will keep you entertained each day for hours upon end.

However, with it being the most popular and well known area, this comes with a price. It’s easily the most touristic district of Venice, and is therefore incredibly busy most of the time. Furthermore, over time you get the feeling that a lot of things here are set up for tourists, therefore leading to tourist traps galore. If you want to experience more of the authentic Venice, I’d suggest dedicating more time to elsewhere.

Castello

The district of Castello is located towards the east of the mainland and is very much a residential area where few tourists go. If you want to explore and experience the true authentic Venice, then Castello is the place to be. Within Castello is a number of green Park areas, rare for a place like Venice, which makes for a nice change. Open Church yards, lovely local cafes and quaint cosy lanes, you can easily wander forever through the peaceful surroundings, zig zagging your way from one side to another. On a side note, here you will also see all the locals hanging their washing out between buildings, which is something to look at and behold.

Murano

One of the closer islands to mainland Venice, Murano is only a short ride away and can easily be accessed. The best and easiest place to get a boat from the mainland is at the very north of the Cannaregio district just outside the hospital. Murano itself is most famously known for its glass blowing and many self made ornaments. There are normally numerous workshops taking place on the island for you to experience and watch a true art form taking place. From Vases to Sculptures, Cups to Chandeliers, the display of fine artistry will leave you in awe. The centre of Murano is basically a smaller sized Venice, however wander to the outskirts of the island and you’ll find peace and tranquility within the more residential areas and open space.

Burano

Burano is an island a little further out, and one which you’ve probably seen a lot on social media before. This is because Burano is the small island which is well known for its bright and colourful houses. Not just for entertainment, these vibrant painted houses serve an actual purpose in the fact that they help local fisherman to identify their houses in bad weather. The island itself is incredibly beautiful, and although it’s relatively small, there is still a lot to see and explore, start central and work your way out.

I suggest leaving for Burano in the early morning, as once it gets to midday and beyond, the island gets busy and all of the uniqueness and specialness of the area tends to become lost with the crowds. To reach Burano, take the boat there from the same spot as to Murano in the north of Cannaregio.

When all is said and done, Venice is a beautiful maze just waiting to be explored. If you have even further time, there are numerous other islands you can explore, Guidecca, Pellestrina and Lido just to name a few. I had an amazing time in Venice, and I hope this brief travel guide can help you to plan a fantastic trip to Venice too. If you’ve never been, I can highly recommend that you do.