Things to do in Venice: activities and tours

Planning your Venice visit

When to go?

Venice’s timeless beauty can be enjoyed all through the year, depending on what you’re looking for. Get a jump on those off-season crowds by coming in spring, but keep in mind the trade-off will be the certainty of good weather. Summer instead is the city’s peak season and guarantees warm weather, along with higher rates and bigger crowds. September to November is best for those looking to see the city without so many tourists, although you’ll have to watch out for the acqua alta (high tide). Winter gets quite chilly; sights tend to close earlier but it also can be blissfully quiet. That is, except when Carnival comes round, the tourists stream in and the whole city celebrates.

How many days should you spend?

Around three days will be enough to see all the city’s main attractions and also include some of the neighbouring islands, such as Murano or Burano. That said, if you’re looking to enjoy a more local experience, four to five days will give you the chance to wander down some hidden lanes, feast on seafood and soak up the gentle pace of life.

How to get there?

The closest airport is named after the famed Venetian explorer, Marco Polo. From there it’s a scenic ride by water taxi (from €110) or water shuttle (€22) to central Venice. You can also get there by bus, which is the fastest (20 minutes) and cheapest (€8) option. By taxi it costs around €40. Otherwise, you can also fly into Treviso airport, which is used mostly by low-budget airlines. Situated to the north of Venice, it’s an hour-long bus ride (€12 one way) to Piazzale Roma. Taxis cost €80.

How to move around the city?

It may seem daunting at first getting around this city of winding streets, bridges and canals, but it’s relatively easy once you get the hang of it. Vaporetti are the small passenger ferries that are the city’s main form of public transport. A single ride costs €7.50. If you’re staying for longer or are planning on moving around a lot, it might be worth your while investing in a pass; options go from one to seven days and cost €20-60. The ACTV also runs buses that run on the mainland and in Lido. Gondola rides instead are quite pricey (from €80) and are more of an ‘experience’ than a form of transport.

Where to shop?

Escape the many souvenir shops and you’ll find that while Venice is by no means one of Italy’s shopping mecca’s, it still manages to hold its own. T Fondaco dei Tedeschi by DFS is its most recently hyped locale. A shopping centre in a historic building from the 1500s, the building alone is worth a visit, while sweeping views can be enjoyed from the roof. Le Mercerie instead is the city’s classic shopping destination, made up of a warren’s den of streets boasting mostly luxury brands. On Salizada San Moisè, you’ll also find high-end brands, many of which hail from Italy, such as Versace, Miu Miu and Etro. Those looking for something a bit more niche will enjoy exploring the San Samuele area, with its galleries, craft and textile stores and independent boutiques.