Venice is a miracle 1,200 years in the making. It defies both reality and imagination – and does so in the most spectacular way possible. It’s a city woven of more than a hundred islands. Its sumptuous palazzos and churches stand on thousand-year-old piles of wood and yet graciously float on shimmering water. It’s home to the grandest of Grand Canals and the narrowest alleyways that, come February, dress up to evoke the 18th-century golden age of Repubblica di Venezia, with its gilded decadence and grandiose carnival balls, once enjoyed by Giacomo Casanova himself. Lord Byron’s “fairy city of the heart” has been nothing short of a pilgrimage site for traders and tourists, kings and provocateurs that, though painted and sung a million times and in a million ways, one truly has to see to believe.
Travel to Venice, Italy for
The Queen of the Adriatic
“To build a city where it is impossible to build a city is madness in itself, but to build there one of the most elegant and grandest of cities is the madness of genius,” Alexander Herzen once famously reflected on Venice’s beginnings and with good reason. Uncharacteristically of major Italian cities, the Floating City came to be after the fall of the Roman Empire. Its founders were mainlanders from Padua, Aquileia, Treviso and Altino who fled barbarian invaders and found refuge in the marshy Venetian lagoon. In 697, the former home of fishermen and salt workers turned into the capital of the feared and admired Republic of Venice, a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages. The city’s incredible wealth has only been matched by its artistic, architectural and cultural merits, proudly displayed along its winding canals to this very day.
All that glitters
Sitting at the mouth of the Grand Canal, Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square) and its smaller sister, Piazzetta di San Marco are the beating heart of Venice and its trademark extravaganza, the annual Carnevale di Venezia. Fringed with unmissable sights and hidden gems at every turn, the Square is dominated by St Mark's Basilica at the eastern end. Marvel at its iconic Gothic façade and breathtaking gold mosaics that cover some 4,300 square metres across five Byzantine domes, having earned the church the moniker of Basilica d'Oro (Golden Basilica). Pinched between the basilica and the sea stands the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace), an iconic feat of Venetian Gothic architecture and lavish residence of the doges, the rulers the Venetian Republic for over a thousand years. On the east side of the Doge's Palace, the storied Bridge of Sighs has been the source of many legends, both romantic and sombre. Whichever tickles your fancy, it’s well worth stopping by this white limestone stunner over Rio di Palazzo. Expect a forest of selfie sticks, though. Don’t miss Torre dell’Orologio (St Mark's Clocktower) either, built between 1496 and 1499 to be seen from the waters of the lagoon as a symbol of the power and greatness of Venice. For more contemporary marvels, make your way to the Peggy Guggenheim Collection in the Dorsoduro sestiere (district). Housed in the former home of Peggy Guggenheim, the 18th-century Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, the museum lays out the American heiress’s vast collection of Cubist, Surrealist and Abstract Expressionist masterpieces.
Seafoodies, rejoice!
Venetian cuisine is synonymous with fresh fish and vegetables, thanks to its location and proximity to the island gardens of Sant’Erasmo, aka the “Garden of Venice”. Try the veneziani’s sweet-and-sour favourite, sarde in saor, fried sardines cooked with vinegar, onions, raisins and pine nuts. Baccalà mantecato (creamed dried cod) is also worth sampling (as often as you possibly can) with some fresh bread or grilled polenta. Despite its rather grim looks, spaghetti al nero di seppia will definitely jazz up your tastebuds. This traditional Venetian (and Sicilian) pasta dish blends sliced cuttlefish with garlic, olive oil, white wine and cuttlefish ink into a deep-black, deep-sea affair. Taste the bountiful seafood the lagoons have to offer at Osteria alle Testiere on Calle del Mondo Novo. This pocket-sized restaurant prides itself on its imaginative menu that changes according to what the chef finds the most promising from the catch of the day. Tucked away from the torrent of tourists, Osteria Boccardoro on Campiello Widmann draws foodies, famous and non-famous, with fresh seafood, homemade pasta and vegetables grown in the restaurant’s own kitchen garden. Had enough fish for a lifetime? Spice up your Venetian diet with La Zucca and its veggie-based options made from market-fresh ingredients, such as their delish savoury pumpkin flan.
Mask up!
When it comes to shopping, Venice is a treasure trove of hidden gems. Looking for Venetian carnival masks? Of course you are. Find the real deal in shops that sell masks made of papier-mâché and in a unique, fairly easily recognisable style. A tell-tale sign that you’ve come to the right place? A resident mascarer (mask maker), who will gladly tell you everything about his craft and creations, most probably while working on yet another. Try Alberto Sarria Masks by the Rialto Bridge or Ca’ Macana at Calle delle Botteghe or at Toletta. Le Mercerie between Ponte di Rialto and Piazza San Marco is there for your more conventional (but pricey) shopping needs, while the Rialto Market is a must-visit for its atmosphere alone. Turn an action-packed day into a laid-back night with some cicchetti and a glass of prosecco. The former is Venice’s answer to Spanish tapas, while the latter is locals’ favourite poison of choice that goes well with anything from light-hearted discussions through serious bacaro-tours to quick after-work snacks. Look for Bancogiro on Campo San Giacometto. Part bacaro (wine bar), part osteria (restaurant), this much-loved local hotspot boasts an impressive selection of cicchetti and Italian wines, plus a canal-front terrace. Cross the Rialto Bridge to find All' Arco, tucked away on San Polo’s Calle Arco. Munch on cicchetti with langoustines, calamari, liver and prawns, best washed down with a bubbly prosecco.
Islands galore
Ready for some (more) serious island-hopping? Spend a day visiting Murano, Torcello and Burano, the three most famous islands in the Venetian Lagoon. Hop on a vaporetto (water bus) and make Burano your first stop. This picturesque island is dotted with colourful fishermen’s cottages and fishing boats to match, as well as locals practising Burano’s most famous craft, lacemaking. A short boat ride from Burano, Torcello awaits visitors with serene greenery and the ornate, 7th-century Cathedral of Santa Maria Dell'Assunta. Watch glass being blown at a fornace (glass factory) in Murano, the glass heart of Venice that still preserves this delicate, ancient art form.
Weather in Venice
The climate of Venice is on the moderate side of continental, meaning cold, wet winters and hot, sticky summers. The capital of the Veneto region is always stunning but maybe less ideal for a high-summer city break, thanks to the massive tourist and mosquito influx. Schedule your visit for spring, early summer or September when the weather is more forgiving, even if the crowds aren’t.
Venice Airport
Located 3 kilometres west-southwest of Treviso and approximately 31 kilometres from the city of Venice, Treviso Airport (Aeroporto di Treviso A. Canova) is a small, single-terminal airport. Reach Venice in 40 minutes using the Barzi Bus Service, leaving from Via Noalese to the right of the airport exit. Alternatively, car rental and taxi services are also available.
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the primary airport serving Venice, Italy, located approximately 13 kilometers north of the city. Transport options from the airport include Alilaguna Water Bus, Water Taxis, ATVO Express Bus, ACTV City Bus (offering direct bus services to Piazzale Roma bus terminus) and taxis.
FAQs for booking flights to Venice
How to get cheap flights to to Venice?
Use FareFinder to compare fares and discover the cheapest Venice flights for the next 6 months, helping you to plan ahead and save. Frequent flyers can save even more by joining the Wizz Discount Club, which gives you and your companions access to an instant €10.00 discount on fares from €19.99 and further discounts on checked-in baggage purchased online.
When is the best time to visit Venice?
Enchanted by the charms of Venice, it is a place of fascination at all times of the year, but avoid hot summer heat and the crowds of tourists that engulf the city by visiting in spring, early summer, or September, when the climate is less oppressive. With a rich history visible in every nook and cranny, the city bears a continental climate with cold, damp winters and hot, humid summers. Although Venice is popular year-round, the September-to-November period is less crowded, with more comfortable temperatures and better prices for hotels.
During winter the city of Venice transforms, it becomes less crowded, and one can enjoy hot chocolate in a cosy cafe. Aim for spring or early autumn for a balance between good weather and fewer tourists due to it being outside the Easter season peak. The unique charm and a plethora of cultural events make any visit to Venice worth it, but choosing the right season can enhance your experience of this iconic city.
How do I offset the carbon emissions of a Venice flight?
As part of our commitment to reduce carbon emissions, we've launched a carbon offsetting scheme. Input the details of your Venice flight into our travel footprint calculator to calculate your carbon emissions. You can choose to offset your emissions by making a payment supporting two verified carbon-reducing projects. You will receive a certificate in return, recognising the offset emissions.
