Before you go in Venice

Venice is a city without cars: over a hundred small islets knit together by bridges, its streets are canals and its traffic travels on water. When planning, think of two zones - the island and the mainland. On the island you get around on foot or by vaporetto and soak up daily Venetian life; the mainland, Mestre and its neighbors, offers lower hotel prices and abundant cheap parking, but hardly any charm. Head to Mestre only to change trains, park the car or sleep on a budget, because the island lies just 10–15 minutes away.

In a nutshell: planning Venice is easy once you know the rhythms. How you arrive sets the tone - the airport (Marco Polo), the train (Santa Lucia lands you straight on the Grand Canal) or the car (which stops at Piazzale Roma). Book the big three in advance - St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace and the Campanile - and plan your days around the weekly rhythm: Sundays close the churches, Mondays the museums, Tuesdays the Guggenheim. The weather is mild: spring and early autumn are the sweet spot, winter brings fog and acqua alta, summer is hot and crowded. Where to stay: sleep on the island, not in Mestre - expect €140–180 for a double and book the moment your dates are locked in. Money is easy: cards work everywhere, cash is barely needed, and the day-visitor access fee is gone since July 2026. Pack layers, comfortable shoes and a refillable bottle; stay connected with an eSIM or the free Venezia Unica Wi-Fi. Everything else - the numbers, etiquette and honest advice - is below.

Venice in numbers