Venice city breaks

Your first glimpse of Venice will instantly inspire you. Meander through the mazes of hidden streets and you’ll discover intimate eateries, artisan boutiques and hidden gems. Grab a gondola across to each part of this floating city and ogle at glorious galleries and ornate churches, then make a reservation at traditional Italian eateries.

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 – Venice is teeming with delis, plus its many Michelin-starred restaurants serve every cuisine going.

No.15 – TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Destinations

Let the Prosecco flow – celebrate the floating city’s status as number 15 on TripAdvisor’s Top 25 Destinations in Europe. It’s totally worthy of the title.

Principe Hotel

Venice City, Venice

Our rating

Based on 2598 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 Amadeus

Venice City, Venice

Our rating

Based on 977 reviews

Great for local culture
100m from the Grand Canal
200m from the vaporetto stop
1.6km from the Rialto Bridge
2.1km from St. Mark's Square

Hotel Scandinavia

Venice City, Venice

Our rating

Based on 908 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 / €4.55

24-hour vaporetto ticket (water bus)

£17 / €19.35

Three course meal

£45 / €51

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, 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.

2020 dates TBC – Venice International Film Festival

The Lido island has the privilege of hosting all the stars in this classic festival of cinematography. It’s up there with Cannes and Berlin.

15-25 February 2020 – Venice Carnival

The world’s best-known baroque fancy-dress party, this sensational shindig is every bit as extravagant as the famous Rio Carnival. And it's definitely one to tick off the bucket list.

21 July 2020 – Festival of the Redeemer

A local favourite, this festival sees thousands take to the Grand Canal in boats decorated with flowers and balloons. A gondola regatta follows the next day.

Please note, the event dates above are just a guide and could be subject to change.