Venice city breaks

Venice has a dream-like quality that makes it the most magical of all Italy’s cities. And locals say the best way to experience it is to get lost. Forget the map and head down side streets to find a quaint trattoria where you can dine on cicchetti with the Venetians. Of course, St. Mark’s Square with its terracotta clock tower, Basilica and Doge’s Palace is a bucket-list must. While you’re there, treat yourself to bow-tied waiter service and a creamy cappuccino at Caffè Florian. Arty types can swing by the Peggy Guggenheim Museum and foodies can get their fill at the Rialto Market, but no trip to Venice is complete without a fizzy peach Bellini at iconic Harry’s Bar.

Things to see in Venice

An architectural triumph

Few cities in the world can compete with Venice’s sheer beauty and architectural feats. A breathtaking clash of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque buildings line its gondola-filled canals. The Basilica di San Marco is a site for sore eyes – the church was 800 years in the making and is undoubtedly the pearl of Venice.

An old romantic

Many consider Venice the most romantic city in the world, and you can see why in just one glance. At dawn, watch the amber sun rising over the blue lagoon as this magical city starts to shine. Take a stroll across the stunning Ponte di Rialto, or a moonlight river trip aboard a gondola.

Culinary delights

Enjoy an ice-cold Peroni in an Italian osteria, or head to the famous Harry's Bar, the birthplace of the Bellini. It was a regular haunt for the likes of Ernest Hemingway. Foodies will be in heaven on a Venice holiday – the city is teeming with delis, plus its many Michelin-starred restaurants serve every cuisine going.

Principe Hotel

Venice City, Venice

Our rating

Based on 2647 reviews

Great for sightseeing
Located next to the Grand Canal
1.6km from the Rialto Bridge
2.1km from St. Mark's Square
150m from the nearest vaporetto stop

Hotel Scandinavia

Venice City, Venice

Our rating

Based on 936 reviews

Beautiful, historic building
Great for sightseeing
Central location on a charming square
450m from St Mark's Square
550m from Doge's Palace

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Accademia Gallery

Venice

Founded in 1807 by Napoleon, the greatest collection of Venetian paintings in the world hangs in the Gallerie della Accademia on the south bank of the Grand Canal. Take the water bus or walk across Accademia...

Bridge of Sighs

Venice

The Bridge of Sighs connects the opulent Doge's Palace with the new prison, and is named after the sighs of the prisoners who passed across it. The limestone enclosure crosses the Rio di Palazzo and the bars on...

Church of San Giorgio Maggiore

Venice

San Giorgio Maggiore is a Benedictine church sat on the island of the same name. It looks directly towards the St Mark's area and you get a perfect view when travelling on the public waterbus. Queues here are...

Language

Italian

Currency

Euro

Time difference

+1hr

Cost of a beer

£4

24-hour vaporetto ticket (water bus)

£17.20 / €20

Three course meal

£45

Sightseeing

Connecting San Polo and San Marco, Rialto Bridge makes for splendid views and a stretch of the legs. But if you want to unearth the rich fabric of history on your Venice city break, St Mark’s Square is great. You’ll find art galleries all around, but the government chambers and prison cells of Doge’s Palace up the ante.

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Eating and drinking

Rialto Market is alive with traders calling out goods on their stalls, while even quiet canals feature authentic ice cream shops with an exotic array of flavours. Originality flows throughout this city – something you’ll find when you try local Venetian delicacies like soft-shell sweet crab, cuttlefish pasta, and pancetta risotto.

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Shopping

You’ll come across lots of shops filled with colourful, curving glass figures, many made on the nearby island of Murano, the home of world-famous glassware. As you wander, you’ll also spot Venetian mask shops – their intricate, delicate designs add more intrigue to this elegant city. Shop the latest fashions on the Mercerie network of streets.

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Getting around

Travelling in Venice is truly unique. There are many water-based ways to get around, including the frequent, super-value water buses (vaporetti). Traditional rides on the iconic gondola are also a must, or opt for a private water taxi and arrive like a celebrity! Strolling on foot alongside the many canals is a real joy too.