Metropolitan Venice has nearly a million inhabitants, and includes coastal and inland towns such as Bibione, Chioggia and Eraclea.

The comune (municipality) of Venice lies at the coast of northern Italy. It is made up of many islands in the Venetian Lagoon and a stretch of terraferma (mainland). The comune is divided into six boroughs, the most famous of which (known as Venezia Insulare) comprises the historic city of Venice as well as the islands of Giudecca, Murano, Burano, Torcello, Mazzorbo and Sant'Erasmo. Lido and Mestre are other popular areas of the comune.

The historic city is divided into six sestieri (districts): Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce and finally San Marco, where the main monuments and sights are. Each sestiere uses separate house numbers, however they are not allocated in a specific pattern.

See also: Medieval and Renaissance Italy

The Most Serene Republic of Venice dates back to 827, when a Byzantine Duke moved its seat to what is now known as the Rialto, and for the following 970 years, it prospered on trade (especially from the Silk Road) and under the rule of a Roman-style Senate headed by the Doge. Eventually, the Republic of Venice grew into a powerful city-state, and the cradle of Italian renaissance. In the late 15th century, the Ottoman Empire's expansion around the Mediterranean, new routes on the high seas shifted commerce to the Atlantic, demoting Venice's political status.

The city remains a centre for the arts. One of the significant events in the history of Venice was the opening of the first public opera house in 1637, which allowed members of the general public (those who could afford to pay for the tickets) to enjoy what was once court entertainment reserved for the aristocracy, thus allowing the genre of opera to flourish. Venice was an important destination of the Grand Tour from the 17th century. In 1797, the city was conquered by Napoleon, a blow from which it never recovered. The city was soon absorbed into Austria-Hungary, then ping-ponged back and forth between Austria and a nascent Italy, but Venice is still a monument to the glory days of the Renaissance, and historical culture still throbs powerfully in the old Italians' veins.

Venice has a humid-subtropical climate with hot summers and cool winters. For those who don't enjoy the heat, July and August may be the worst time to visit: it's sometimes very hot and often humid, there are mosquitoes and occasional infestations of flies, and there are a lot of tourists and large crowds. Mid to late spring and early to mid autumn are probably best, a compromise between temperature (expect 10-25°C) and the tourist load. Between November and January, you may manage to feel you have Venice all to yourself, an interesting experience. Beware of the weather during the winter months: it can be quite chilly, windy, and damp. Fog is an additional hazard if you are driving in or out, doubly so in the unlikely chance that you will pilot a boat. But if you've never been to Venice, it's better to go in summer than not to go. You won't regret it. Many cities are far worse in summer. Although Venice has no cars, diesel motors used by boats contribute to less than stellar air quality.

Acqua alta (high water) has become a fact of life in Venice. The lagoon water level occasionally rises above the level of the squares and streets, flooding them. This can happen several times a year, at irregular intervals, usually in the colder months. Acqua alta usually lasts a few hours and coincides with high tide. You'll see raised walkways in side alleys ready to be pulled out when acqua alta hits. When the city begins to flood, sirens will sound to warn residents and businesses. If you speak fluent Italian, tune into news programs since their predictions of the times the flood begins and ends are usually accurate. Normally, the tide rises and falls in six-hour cycles.

You can get an acqua alta map at the tourist offices either at the railway station or St Mark's Square. This will show you the higher, dry routes and the ones with walkways set up during the various flood alerts. There is a tide measuring station at the Rialto vaporetto piers, and a noticeboard at the base of the Campanile in the Piazza San Marco that shows a live tide reading and predictions for the next few days.

• Venice tourism website

Marco Polo Airport and Treviso Airport serve the city. If no flight suits you, check flying to nearby Bologna or Verona. From both cities trains and buses depart to Venice.

Venice is well-connected with the domestic train network, Rome and Milan are only a few hours away. Also there are some night trains from cities in southern Italy, though since 2012 most services have been canceled. Freccia Bianca (White Arrow) trains to Trieste leave from Venezia Mestre at 10:24, 19:45 and 21:59 and the trip takes about 1 hr 35 min. Regionale Veloce (Fast Regional) trains leave from Santa Lucia station at 09:11, 09:48, 12:09, 13:09, every hour from 14:11 to 18:11, at 19:35, the trip taking about 2 hr 5 min. Freccia Bianca (White Arrow) trains to Milan leave Santa Lucia station at 05:20, 06:20, 06:50, 07:50, 08:50, 10:50, 12:50, 13:20, 14:20, 14:50, 15:20, 16:20, 17:20, 18:20 and 19:50, duration of the trip is about 2 hr 35 min. There are Freccia Argento (Silver Arrow) trains to Rome leaving Santa Lucia at 10:25, 13:25, 15:25 and 18:25, via Bologna and Florence arriving in Rome 3 hr 50 min later, and an Intercity Night train leaving Santa Lucia at 00:07, arriving in Rome at 06:35 next morning. Iitalo offers train services from Santa Lucia to Rome at 07:55, 09:55, 12:55 and 18:55, arriving Romea Ostiense at 11:50, 13:50, 16:50 and 22:50, and at 15:55 arriving at Roma Tiburtina at 19:30.

Direct trains to Venice are available from many international destinations, there are sleeper trains from Munich and Vienna operated by ÖBB as part of their Nightjet^{[dead link]} brand.

• Nightjet trains to Munich depart Santa Lucia at 21:04 and arrive in Munich at 06:10. The train from Munich leaves at 23:20 to reach Santa Lucia at 08:24.
• Trains to Vienna depart at 21:04 and arrive in Vienna at 07:55 next morning. The other way departs Vienna at 21:27, arriving at 08:24 in Santa Lucia.
• The Thello sleeper leaves Paris Gare de Lyon at 19:15 and arrives in Santa Lucia at 09:35. The reverse trajectory departs Venice at 19:20, arriving in Paris at 09:37.

Also, Venice is the terminus for the luxurious Venice Simplon Orient-Express, a historical train that still makes the overnight journey from London and Paris in original 1920s coaches. There are departures at least once a week between March and November. As one of the most sumptuous journeys in the world, the trip is expectedly very expensive, starting at €2,900.

Trains from the mainland run through Mestre on the mainland to the terminus Venezia Santa Lucia railway station on the west side of Venice; make sure you don't get it confused with the two stations on the mainland before the bridge. Many through trains only stop in Mestre, in that case just hop on to one of the very frequent trains to Santa Lucia (ticket €1.25). Also, ACTV has a ticket office at Mestre station, and queues might be shorter here. From the Santa Lucia station district, water buses (vaporetti) or water taxis can take you to hotels or other locations on the islands, but walking is usually the best option.

• 45.44097512.3210392 Venezia Santa Lucia railway station (Stazione di Venezia Santa Lucia), Fondamenta Santa Lucia (Northern edge of Cannaregio district). The main terminus station located in proper Venice. The strikingly modern building was built in 1934. Stepping out from the station you are immediately met with views of the canals and historic Venice. The station itself has plenty of amenities, including lounges for holders of first-class tickets. There's a left luggage facility next to the track on the north side of the station (to the right when facing the tracks). Price is €6 per piece for the first six hours. (updated Mar 2021)
• 45.4824512.232043 Venezia Mestre railway station (Stazione di Venezia Mestre), Piazzale Pietro Favretti. Main station on the mainland, many through trains only call here. (updated Mar 2021)
• 45.472512.25614 Venezia Porto Marghera railway station (Stazione di Venezia Porto Marghera). Smaller station on the mainland, only local services call here. (updated Mar 2021)

Distances to Venice: Rome 540 km, Milan 279 km, Padua 60 km, Vicenza 75 km, Udine 125 km

Cars arrive on the far western edge of Venice, but remain parked at the entrance to the city (Piazzale Roma or Tronchetto, which is Europe's largest car park.) There are no roads past this point, and never were, even before cars.

For bus services between Marco Polo airport (VCE) and the Piazzale Roma bus station in Venice, see the By Place section. The 45.437912.318910 Piazzale Roma bus station is well served by vaporetti and water-taxis ... and of course, you can walk everywhere.

From Mestre, you can take a bus to Venezia-Piazzale Roma. The ticket is €1.30, but if you buy it in the bus it will cost €2.50. You can buy bus tickets from specialized ticket kiosks and vending machines, as well as from tobacconists and newsstands. All of the city is connected to Venice by bus.

There is a tram connection from the mainland to Venice: Line T1 from Favaro to Piazzale Roma. One way/Single Ticket - 75 min €1.50. Ticket booklet - 10 tickets - 75 min €14. You can buy tram tickets from specialized ticket kiosks, vending machines, tobacconists and newsstands, and you can use the same ticket for buses and People Mover.

Ships arrive at the Stazione Marittima which is at the west end of the main islands, it is served by vaporetti and water taxis. To Piazzale Roma: take the People Mover operating every 3 minutes weekdays from 07:10 to 22:50, holidays from 08:10 to 21:50, price €1. To Santa Lucia Railway Station (distance 1 km): take the People Mover to Piazzale Roma, then walk or take the water taxi (☏ +39 0412402711, ☏ +39 041716922, ☏ +39 0415222303 or ☏ +39 0415229040). To Venezia Mestre Railway Station (distance 7 km (4.3 mi)) take a taxi (Radiotaxi: ☏ +39 041 5952080) or take the People Mover to Piazzale Roma and the bus line to Mestre. To Marco Polo Airport (distance 13 km (8.1 mi)) take a taxi (40 minutes trip), a water taxi or take the People Mover to Piazzale Roma and then ACTV bus no 6 or ATVO buses.

Cooperative Trasbagagli^{[dead link]}, ☏ +39 041 713719 offers porter services at the following rates: 1 or 2 pieces €25 Venice City, €40 Giudecca, San Giorgio, Riva 7 Martiri, €50 Lido, S.Elena, Giardini, S.Servolo, S.Clemente, and €60 Murano. 3 or 4 pieces €35 Venice City, €50 Giudecca, San Giorgio, Riva 7 Martiri, €60 Lido, S.Elena, Giardini, S.Servolo, S.Clemente, and €80 Murano, 5 or 6 pieces €45 Venice City, €60 Giudecca, San Giorgio, Riva 7 Martiri, €70 Lido, S.Elena, Giardini, S.Servolo, S.Clemente, and €90 Murano. There are porter stations at Ferrovia ☏ +39 041 715272, Piazzale Roma ☏ +39 041 5223590, S.Marco Campo della Guerra ☏ +39 3478675491, S.Marco Calle Vallaresso ☏ +39 3465881508, S.Marco Bacino Orseolo ☏ +39 3282696025, S.Marco Sant'Angelo ☏ +39 3406382287, S.Zaccaria (Danieli) ☏ +39 3203385248, S.Zaccaria (Jolanda) ☏ +39 3495803239 and Rialto (Imbarcadero Actv Rialto line 1 and 2) ☏ +39 3474348898.

ACTV runs the vaporetti and other public transport services in the lagoon and on land.

• Line 1 runs from Piazzale Roma to Lido, passing the Railway Station (Ferrovia), Canal Grande, Rialto, S.Marco and S.Zaccaria and vice versa, leaving Piazzale Roma every 20 minutes from 05:01 to 06:01 and from 22:21 to 23:41, every 10 minutes from 06:21 to 22:01, leaving Lido every 20 minutes from 04:16 to 05:36 and from 21:46 to 23:06, every 10 minutes from 5:56 to 21:26. Notice that this service can be very crowded during the day as it passes through many sights along the Grand Canal.
• Line N is a night line, connecting Lido with Canal Grande, Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, Canale and vice versa. Boats leave Lido every 20 minutes from 23:26 to 04:06 and Piazzale Roma every 20 minutes from 00:09 to 04:49.
• Line 2 goes from S.Zaccaria over S.Giorgio, Giudecca, Zattere, Tronchetto, Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, S.Marcuola, Rialto, S.Tomà, S.Samuele, Academia and S.Marco. Departure from S.Zaccaria every 20 minutes from 04:59 to 08:39 and from 20:49 to 23:09, every 10 minutes from 08:59 to 20:29. The route can be seen as a "C" running along the Grand Canal and Giudeca Canal, hugging the districts of San Polo, Santa Croce and Dorsoduro.
• Line 4.1 runs from San Zaccaria (Jolanda) to Murano via Arsenale, Giardini, S.Elena, S.Pietro di Castello, Bacini, Celestia, Ospedale. Fondamente Nove and Cimiterio and from Murano to San Zaccaria (Jolanda) via Cimitero, Fondamente Nove, Orto, Sant’Alvise, Tre Archi, Gugle, Ferrovia, Piazzale Roma, S.Marta, Palanca, Redentore and Zitelle. Boats leave Fondamente Nove to Murano (Museo) from 06:14 to 21:34 and from 21:42 to 23:22, from Murano (Museo) to Piazzale Roma from 06:32 to 19:32, from Murano (Museo) to Fondamente Nove from 19:52 to 21:52 and from Piazzale Roma to San Zaccaria from 06:18 to 20:18 every 20 minutes.
• Line 4.2 runs from San Zaccaria (Jolanda) to Murano via Zitelle, Redentore, Palanca, Sacca Fisola, S.Marta, Piazzale Roma, Ferrovia, Guglie, Crea, S.Alvise, Orto, Fondamente Nove and Cimitero, and return from Murano to San Zaccaria (Jolanda) via Cimitero, Fondamente Nove. Ospedale, Celestia, Bacini, S.Elena, Giardini and Arsenale. Boats depart at San Zaccaria from 06:13 to 20:33, from Piazzale Roma to Fondamente Nove from 06:56 to 20:56, from Fondamente Nove to Murano from 06:23 to 21:23, from Murano (Museo) to San Zaccaria from 06:43 to 20:43, and from Murano (Museo) to Fondamente Nove from 20:43 to 21:43 and from 22:07 to 23.47 every 20 minutes.
• Line 5.1 runs anti-clockwise from Lido to Piazzale Roma via S.Pietro, Bacini, Celetstia, Ospedale, Fondamente Nove, Orto, S.Alvise, Tre Archi, Guglie, Riva de Biasio and Ferrovia and from Piazzale Roma to Lido via S.Marta, Zattere. S.Zaccaria, Giardini and S.Elenea. Boats leave from Lido from 06:20 to 20:20, from Fondamente Nove from 06:24 to 23:04, from Piazzale Roma from 06:08 to 23:48 and from S.Zaccaria from 06:38 to 00:08 every 20 minutes.
• Line 5.2 runs clockwise from Lido to Piazzale Roma and back to Lido. Boats leave Lido from 5.52 to 20.32 and from 20:42 to 00:22, from S.Zaccaria from 06:06 to 20:46 and from 20:56 to 00:36, from Piattale Roma from 0626 to 21:06 and from 21:16 to 23:16 every 20 minutes.
• Line 6 runs from Piazzale Roma to Lido via S.Marta, S.Basilio, Zattere, Giardini and S.Elena. Boats leave Piazzale Roma from 06:19 to 20:29, and Lido from 05:42 to 20:02 every 20 minutes.
• Line 9 runs from Burano to Torcello, leaving Burno from 07:05 to 20:35 and Torcello from 06:40 to 20:10 every 30 minutes.
• Line 10 runs from Lido to San Marco Giardinetti via S.Elena, Giardini, Arsenale and S.Zaccaria and return from San Marco Giardinetti to Lido via S.Zaccaria. Boats from 18:01 to 20:21 and from San Marco Giardinetti from 17:39 to 20:21 every 10 minutes.
• Line 12 runs from Fondamente Nove to Punta Sabbioni via Murano Faro, Mazzorbo, (Torcello), Burano and Treporti and back. Boats leave Fondamente Nove from 07:10 to 19:40 and Punta Sabbioni from 07:56 to 20:26 every 30 minutes.
• Line 14, 14L, 15 runs from San Zaccaria Pieta to Punta Sabbioni via Lido and back. Boats leave S.Zaccaria Pietà from 08:15 to 20:15 every 30 minutes, later at varying intervals, last boat at 23.45. Boats leave Punta Sabbioni from 08:30 to 17:00 every 30 minutes, later at varying intervals, last boat at 00:20 Some boats do not stop at Lido.
• Line 17 is the Tronchetto to Lido (S.Nicoló) ferry. Ferry boats leave at Tronchetto at 00:10, 01:40, and from 06:40 to 23:20 every 50 minutes and Lido (S.Nicoló) at 00:55 and from 05:50 to 23:20 every 50 minutes.

Additional services for all lines in the early morning. Information for all ACTV services at Hello Venezia ☏ +39 041 2424, daily 07:30 to 20:00. You can download a map of Venice water buses

A single ticket (biglietto solo andata) costs €9.50, permitting the use of public transports for 75 minutes from the moment you validate the ticket including transfers heading in the same direction. If you board a boat without having bought a ticket, you have to buy one from the on-board collector. There are no return tickets.

There are tourist travel cards (biglietto turistico a tempo) that cost €25 for 24 hours, €35 for 48 hours, €45 for 72 hours and €65 for 7 days. There are other versions available, including those offering discounts for youth under 29 year of age. Current rates can be found here.

Something you won't be told easily is that now anyone can purchase the Venezia Unica City Pass card (formerly IMOB) - the only difference is that in addition to its €10 cost for residents, foreigners need to pay a €90 extra "transport activation" fee. Unless you are in town for a couple of days and planning never to return, do it. It's a durable plastic card with your (webcam) picture, and once you have it, you are more or less a local - which means access to €1.50 single vaporetto tickets (save even more by recharging the card with 10 at once for €14), half-price discount on Alilaguna services, and even €0.70 traghetto crossings (instead of €2; flash the card to the gondolier). It is valid for 5 years from the month of issue. Register at the Venezia Unica site and pre-fill the application online, then go to one of the ACTV offices (not simply ticket points; probably the easiest location is at Piazzale Roma) and tell the clerk that you have a "contratto precompilato" - they'll pull it up, ask you to sign the privacy disclosures and issue the card on the spot (or you can fill the form at the counter; bear in mind it's in Italian). Moreover, if you happen to have a +39 Italian cell phone number, with it and your new Unica you can get a free code for use of the communal WiFi spots. If you lose the card, do not despair: it costs only €10 to get an immediate replacement, and the balance (along with your old photograph) is automatically transferred over.

The Venice Connected^{[dead link]} website of the Comune di Venezia (now integrated into Unica site) makes possible to book online (at least 7 days in advance) most services controlled by the town administration (public transportation, access to the civic museums, access to public restrooms, car park tickets, entrance to the Casinò and access to the municipal WiFi network covering the entire historic centre); the online prices vary according to the projected number of visitors but are always cheaper than the current on-site prices (and cheaper than with a Venice Card).

You can also get a Venice Card, which has various options that you can choose when you buy it (public transportation, cultural attractions, toilet access, Alilaguna, etc.) There is a 'Junior' version of the Venice that is available at a slightly reduced rate for those between 5 and 29 years of age. A Venice Card is not recommended for those with less than 3 days in Venice, as most of the top attractions are not included in the Venice Card. If you'll be staying in Venice for a week - get the Venice Card and enjoy travelling from island to island and exploring the various museums and churches it offers access to.

Maps are available at the vaporetto stops in the ticket booths. The map is quite reliable, and is free when getting a Venice Card (€2 otherwise) can be viewed on Internet.

Venice Cards can be reserved on-line ^{[dead link]} for a considerable discount. There are long lines when taking the Venice Card from the ticket booths. The Venezia St. Lucia ticket booth that offers Venice Cards is the one most on the right when you exit the train station.

Otherwise, take a walk! The city is not that big, and you can walk from one end to the other in a few hours if you stick to the paths conveniently marked with arrows in the direction of major landmarks. But it would take months for a fit person to discover every path in the city. Make sure to visit some of the smaller alleyways, as they can be very interesting. Along the way you will discover marvelous art, superb architecture and breathtaking urban landscaping. Exploring the city randomly by walking is well worth it, but also be prepared to get lost easily! Signs all over the city indicate the direction to the main attractions, "Rialto" and "San Marco", as well as the way back to the train station ("ferrovia") and the bus terminal ("Piazzale Roma"). These signs make it easy to have the "get lost experience" even as a one-day tourist. For a faster and safer walk, you should walk on the right side of every path.

Be aware that addresses in Venice are of the form "District Number" (the Venetian word for district is "Sestiere"), not "Street Number". To find a specific place using a map, make sure you know which district it is in. The numbers are assigned at the start of the district and increase as they move farther away from the Grand Canal.

Travellers with mobility impairments will need to plan their routes carefully and allow extra time. Although the city is nearly flat, moving from one section to another requires either getting on a boat or climbing stairs to cross a bridge. The water buses are generally wheelchair accessible, though a wheelchair user may not be able to board when they are crowded. A few bridges have temporary ramps, and the city plans to add permanent ramps to a few more. This should, hopefully by 2030, allow people to move between the most popular attractions in the city without climbing stairs, although some areas of the city will remain difficult to access.

Water taxis (taxi acquei) are operated by Coop. San Marco (☏ +39 041 5222303), Coop. Veneziana (☏ +39 041 716124), Coop. Serenissima (☏ +39 041 5221265 or ☏ +39 041 5229538), Soc. Narduzzi Solemar (☏ +39 041 5200838), Soc. Marco Polo (☏ +39 041 966170), Soc. Sotoriva (☏ +39 041 5209586), Soc. Serenissima (☏ +39 041 5228538) and Venezia Taxi (☏ +39 041 723112).

There are water taxi ranks at Ferrovia (Railway Station) (☏ +39 041716286), Piazzale Roma (S.Chiara) (☏ +39 041716922), Rialto (☏ +39 041723112), Lido (☏ +39 0414222303) and at Marco Polo Airport (☏ +39 0415415084).

In the historic city centre there is a fixed tariff for water taxis of €15 at departure plus €2 per minute on urban routes. There are supplements of €5 for call services and customer pick-up outside the taxi ranks, of €10 for night services between 22:00 and 06:00, of €3 pieces of luggage exceeding 4 pieces and of €5 or €10 for every person exceeding a group of 4. Rates are fixed by a resolution^{[dead link]} of the Venice City Council.

A water taxi service for persons with special needs is available at ☏ +39 041 2747332 or directly through the website Book Taxi Venice.

'Normal' taxis can be called from Radio Taxi (☏ +39 041 936137). There are taxi ranks at Piazzale Roma (☏ +39 041 5237774) and Lido (☏ +39 041 5265974).

There are small gondola ferries crossing the Canal Grande at

• 45.440212.3343511 S.Sofia, M–Sa 07:30–20:00, Su and holidays 08:45–19:00
• 45.4367812.3337312 Carbon (Rialto), M–F 07:00–12:30, weekdays only
• 45.4353712.3289613 S.Tomá, M–Sa 07:30–20:00, Su and holidays 08:30–19:30
• 45.4333612.3273514 San Barnaba, M–F 07:45–12:30,
• 45.4312912.3330215 S.Maria del Giglio, daily 09:00–18:00
• 45.4316512.3367216 Dogana, daily 09:00–14:00

Ticket price €2 one way, €0.70 for Venice residents and IMOB card holders.

Alilaguna Green line (linea verde) Alilaguna, ☏ +39 041 5235775, operates a 4 hours excursion tour to the island of Murano, Burano and Torcello with explanations in English, French, German and Spanish. Departure from imbarcadero San Marco Giardinetti, Minimum 4 participants. Boat starts in Apr, May and Oct at 09:30, 11:00 and 14:30, from Jun to Sept at 09:30, 11:00, 14:30 and 15:30, from Nov to Mar at 11:00 and 14:00. Ticket price €20 (free for holders of Alilaguna 72-hr pass).

A lot of churches will charge an entry fee. This is true of the Basilica di San Marco. There is a "Chorus Pass" for entry into some churches, but be aware there is a limited selection of churches this applies to. If you plan to visit three churches or more, you are better off buying the churches pass. There is also a combined pass for museums, churches and transportation only available at the tourist information office but it is relatively expensive.

• 45.4345312.339698 Saint Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), Piazza San Marco, San Marco 328 (water lines #1, 52, and 82 will take you from Santa Lucia (the train station) or Piazzale Roma to Piazza San Marco. Walking is another option but will require a map and lots of time and energy), ☏ +39 041 5225205 (procuratorial phone number). Oct-Mar: 09:45-16:45; Apr-Sep: 09:45-17:00. Saint Mark's Basilica is on the Piazza San Marco and is one of the highlights of a visit to Venice. As with most churches in Italy, you must be dressed appropriately to be allowed in; this means no short skirts or bare shoulders. You are not allowed to carry large bags or rucksacks inside, sometimes even small daypacks may need to be deposited. Storage is available just around the corner from the main entrance (free of charge). Filming and photography is forbidden so be prepared in advance. The visit within the basilica lasts ten minutes. Waiting for entry into the basilica can last up to five or so hours and it may be wise to use a ticket service to reserve your visit (reservation costs €3). Once you have a reservation you can take the group entrance on the left, where you hand in the printout of your reservation. As of April 2022 there is a small charge for admission to the basilica. Do note there are extra charges for the high altar and the museum. The museum entry is worth paying for as it allows you access to the balcony overlooking the Piazza San Marco; do note that museum access may be difficult if you have mobility issues.. (updated Nov 2021)
• 45.4385112.335479 San Giacomo di Rialto, San Polo. This church, built around 421, is possibly the oldest in Venice. It is most recognized for its 15th-century clock above the entrance. It is also recognized for the red pillars and beautiful gold accents around the church.  
• 45.4392712.3421810 San Giovanni e Paolo (San Zanipolo), Castello. A fine, huge Dominican church with the tombs of many Doges. It shares its piazza with the fine Renaissance façade of the Scuola San Marco and an equestrian statue of the mercenary (condottiere) captain Bartolomeo Colleoni. Look out for the testicles (coglioni in Italian - it's a lousy pun) on his coat of arms!  
• 45.4367912.3262411 Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (Basilica dei Frai, often just referred to as the Frari), San Polo 3072, ☏ +39 041 2728618. M-F 09:00-18:00, Su and holidays 13:00-18:00. Last admission 30 min before closing time. The big friary church, fine example of Venetian Gothic architecture, with fine monuments and paintings of Titian, Belliniand Donatello, among which the famous 'Assunta' by Titian. Adult €3, reduced €1.50.  
• 45.4395112.3392712 Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Cannaregio. A perfect jewel box church, simple in form but ornamented with fine exterior marble facings.  
• 45.440412.322313 San Simeone Piccolo, Santa Croce (located opposite the Santa Lucia train station across the Canal Grande). The last church built in Venice. One of the things that it is recognized for is the fact that they celebrate Tridentine Mass on Sundays. It is also recognized for its dome because it is used to make the church look taller than it is and the dome itself is entirely covered with lead sheet.  
• 45.434112.3449314 Santa Maria della Pietà, Castello. A church that used to house an orphanage and hospital in the 18th century, it is known among classical music enthusiasts as the church where the Catholic priest and composer Antonio Vivaldi worked for most of his career.  
• 45.4735712.4171315 ^{[dead link]} Convento di S.Francesco del Deserto, S.Francesco del Deserto. Tu-Su 09:00-11:00, 15:00-17:00. Old Franciscan convent in one of the most beautiful islands in the Venice lagoon. By donation. 
• 45.438112.348616 S. Francesco della Vigna, Campo San Francesco della Vigna, Castello, ☏ +39 041 5206102. Daily 08:00-12:00, 16:30-18:00.  
• 45.42944412.32722217 Gesuati (S.Maria del Rosario), Fondamente Zattere delle Gesuati, Dorsoduro, ☏ +39 041 5230625. Daily 08:00-12:00, 17:00-19:00.  
• 45.44333312.33916718 Gesuiti (S.Maria Assunta), Campo dei Gesuiti, Cannaregio, ☏ +39 041 5286579. Summer 10:00-12:00, 17:00-19:00, winter 10:00-12:00, 16:00-18:00, closed Su afternoon.  
• 45.44502812.32032219 S. Giobbe, Campo San Giobbe, Cannaregio. Daily 08:30-12:00, 15:30-18:00.  
• 45.434412.34720 S. Giovanni in Bragora, Campo Bandiera e Moro, Castello, ☏ +39 041 5205906. Daily 06:00-11:00, 17:00-19:00.  
• 45.43916712.33722221 S. Giovanni Crisostomo, Campo San Giovanni Crisostomo, Cannaregio, ☏ +39 041 5227155. Daily 07:00-12:30, 15:00-19:00.  
• 45.43569412.33866722 S. Giuliano, Campo di San Giuliano, San Marco.  
• 45.4463912.3325123 Madonna dell'Orto, Campo Madonne dell'Orto, Cannaregio, ☏ +39 041 719933. Summer 09:30-12:00, 16:00-19:00, winter 09:30-12:00, 15:00-17:30. With the grave and 10 paintings of Tintoretto.  
• 45.433212.322524 S. Maria del Carmelo (Carmini).  
• 45.436912.341125 S. Maria Formosa, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, Castello, ☏ +39 041 5234645. Daily 08:30-12:30, 17:00-19:00.  
• 45.43083312.33444426 S. Maria della Salute, Campo delle Salute, Dorsoduro, ☏ +39 041 5225558. 08:30-12:00, 15:00-17:30.  
• 45.448712.346927 S. Michele in Isola, Isola San Michele.  
• 45.434612.3595728 Basilica di San Pietro di Castello, Campo di San Pietro, Castello. Venice cathedral up to 1807, when the see was transferred to San Marco.  
• 45.42499212.33245329 SS. Redentore, Fondamente della Croce, Giudecca.  
• 45.436612.336530 S. Salvatore, Campo San Salvatore.  
• 45.43212.3231 S. Sebastiano, Campo San Sebastiano, Dorsoduro, ☏ +39 041 5282487.  
• 45.43317812.33018932 S. Stefano, Campo Santo Stefano, San Marco 3825, ☏ +39 041 5222362.  
• 45.43472212.34333333 S. Zaccaria, Campo San Zaccaria, ☏ +39 041 5221257. Daily 10:00-12:00, 16:00-18:00.  

The Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia (MUVE) (call center 848–08.2000) offers two museums passes for the San Marco Museums valid for 3 months at €16 (€8 reduced) granting admission to Palazzo Ducale, Museo Correr, Museo Archaeologico Nazionale, Sale Monumentali della Bibliotheca Marciana, and another museum pass valid for 6 months for €24 (reduced €18) granting admission to the above mentioned museums plus Ca' Rezzonico, Mesue del '700 Veneziano, Palazzo Mocenigo, Casa di Carlo Goldoni, Ca' Pesaro, Museo del Vetro Murano, Museo di Merletto Burano and Museo di Storia Naturale.

Museums on religion

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• 45.445112.3271746 Jewish Museum (Museo Ebraico), Cannaregio 2902/b (vaporetto line 1 and 2 to San Marcuola), ☏ +39 041 715 359, fax: +39 041 72 3007, museoebraico@codesscultura.it. 1 Jun-30 Sep: 10:00-19:00; 1 Oct-31 May: 10:00-18:00. The museum is closed on Saturday (Shabbat), during Jewish festivities, on 25 Dec, 1 Jan and 1 May. Objects related to the social life of the Jewish community, in two synagogues of the 16th century. Entrance to the museum: adults €3, reduced €2. Entrance to the museum and guided tours to synagogues: adults €8.50, reduced €7. 
• 45.412312.360947 Mekhitarist Monastery (Monasterio Mekhitarista), Isola di San Lazzaro degli Armeni (15.10 hrs at San Zaccaria), ☏ +39 041 5260104. Daily 15:25 (guided tour only). Library with historical manuscripts, collection of works, miniatures and documents of the Armenian history, Monastery Church. Tours in Italian, English, and Armenian. On the small island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni. Adults €6, reduced €4.50. (updated Aug 2019)
• 45.434512.340948 Museo Diocesano, P.te della Canonica, Castello 4312 (vaporetto line 1-5 or 1-5-2 to San Zaccaria), ☏ +39 041 5229166. Th-Tu 10:00-17:00. Religious furniture and objects from now demolished churches and convents, one of the most appealing Romanesque cloisters of Venice. €4.00, reduced €2.50.  

• 45.448612.346263 San Michele Cemetery (Cimitero di San Michele), Isola di San Michele (vaporetto line 4.1-4.2), ☏ +39 041 7292811. Apr-Sep: 07:30-18:00; Oct-Mar: 07:30-16:30. Cemetery established following Napoleon Bonaparte's edict of 1804, part of the European circuit of monumental cemeteries. The Russian ballet dancer Serge Diaghilew, the Austrian physicist Christan Doppler, the American poet Ezra Pound, the Russian composer Igor Stravinsky and the German-Italian composer Ermanno Wolf-Ferrari are buried in San Michele Cemetery. Free. (updated Aug 2016)

• 45.431912.351164 Giovanni Caboto (John Cabot), Via Garibaldi 1581. Venetian explorer of North America who worked for the British (c. 1450-c. 1500). 
• Claudio Monteverdi, S. Maria dei Frari. Tomb, composer (1567-1643) and champion of the early Baroque seconda pratica and then-new genre of opera. 
• Giuseppe Verdi, Giardini pubblici. Composer of operas; Italian nationalist and national hero (1813-1901). 
• Richard Wagner, Giardini pubblici. German opera composer (1813-1883). 
• Jacopo Robusti (Tintoretto), Madonna dell' Orto Church. Venetian painter (1578-1594), tomb. 
• Gentile Bellini, San Giovanni e Paolo Church. Venetian painter and official portraitist of the Doges (1439-1507), tomb. 
• Giovanni Bellini, San Giovanni e Paolo Church. Early Venetian oil painter and the most famous of the Bellini brothers (1430-1516), tomb. 
• Caterina Cornaro, San Salvatore Church. Queen of Cyprus (1454-1510), tomb. (updated Aug 2016)
• Paolo Veronese, San Sebastiano Church. Painter from Verona whose career was in Venice (1528-1588), tomb. 

• La Biennale di Venezia is one of the most well-known culture institutions. Two events organised by Biennale are the Art and Architecture International Exhibitions happening alternately (Architecture Biennale in even years, Art Biennale in odd) but other fields are also covered - contemporary theatre, dance, music, cinema (Venice International Film Festival). Exhibitions take place mostly in two locations: 45.4334712.350581 Arsenale and 45.4288512.357972 Giardini. They are both worth visiting even when no event is scheduled. Arsenale is the largest pre-industrial production centre in the world, dating back to 13th century, and Giardini is architectural gem filled with national pavilions from different parts of the world, often designed by famous architects, it was a venue for the International Art Exhibition since the 19th century.
  • Art Biennale (Esposizione internazionale d’arte): April – November 2024, ☏ +39 041 5218711, aav@labiennale.org. It is held at Arsenale (vaporetto line 4.1 and 4.2 to Arsenale) and Giardini (vaporetto line 4.1 and 4.2 to Giardini). The Central Pavillion and the pavilions of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brasil, Canada, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Israel, Japan, Korea, The Netherlands, Nordic Countries, Poland, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovak Republic, Spain, Switzerland, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela and the pavilion of Venice are located in the Giardini. The Biennale is open every second year from April to November, Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Admission for 219 was €30 for two days, multiple entries (ID required); €25 one day, single entry to each venue; €20 over 65, €14 students. There are many other exhibitions (collateral events) all over the city, often permitting to visit buildings which normally are not open to the public. Online guides to the exhibits are not substantive. The British Council provides a comprehensive guide to all exhibits available at the British pavilion at the Giardini. The Concordia/Antarctic Exhibition has closed early. (date needs updating)
• 45.439712.33193 Carnival of Venice (Carnevale di Venezia). Annual festival that is world famous for the carnival masks.  
• Regata Storica (Historic fleet event): , ☏ +39 041 2424, vela@velaspa.com. Celebrating a historic event from 1489, the regatta displays almost a hundred varieties of Venetian boats from the city's rich past. Large oarships, replicating ancient roman and medieval vessels, are rowed along the Canal Grande, followed by many smaller boats. There are several races, including a master championship for solo sculling in streamlined gondolini, painted in unusual white, pink, etc. colours. There are many excellent photo opportunities for this event. Early September. (date needs fixing)
• Vogalonga: 2, ☏ +39 041 5210544, fax: +39 041 5200771, info@vogalonga.com. The yearly equivalent of a marathon run on water. Vogalonga competitors must row 32 km under 3½ hours to receive a certificate of attendance at the finish line, but everybody with a human-powered vessel is welcome to participate (some foreigner teams take up to 10 hours to complete the journey just for the fun of it). The official purpose of the Vogalonga was to protest the sharply increasing use of powerboats in Venice, but the event has gradually grown into a festival since 1974, with up to 5500 racers in 1500 vessels attending by the early 2000s. The racetrack visits different parts of Venice as well as some of the nearby islands. Locals and tourists lining up alongside rios and canals cheer the racers. Visitors wishing to participate should have serious experience in rowing or sculling and practise duely, as the journey is physically demanding (even seasoned oarsmen develop calluses by the finish line). The event is mainly for teams, completing Voga Longa on a single oar is considered a major achievement. Extreme participation (scuba frogmen and surface swimmers) sometimes occurs, but it is not recommended due to water contamination issues. Late May. (date needs fixing)

• 45.4336212.333684 La Fenice Theater (Teatro La Fenice), Campo San Fantin, San Marco 1965 (300 m west of San Marco square), ☏ +39 041 786511, info@teatrolafenice.org. One of the best opera houses in the world. Info at Bigletteria Hello Venezia Call Center ☏ +39 041 2424. You can also visit this historic theater with an audioguide (good explanations in several languages). The theater is an identical reconstruction (rebuilt in 2003) of the previous theater building that burned down in 1996. Tours: adults €10, students up to 26 and seniors over 65 €7, children up to 6 free. Slightly cheaper if purchased as part of a combined ticket with the Doge's palace.  
• 45.4389612.338135 Teatro Malibran, Campo del Malibran, Cannaregio 5873 (vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Rialto), ☏ +39 041 2424.  
• Scuola Grande di S.Teodoro, Campo San Salvador. Opera and concert performances. €40, reduced €30. 
• Ateneo San Basso, Piazetta del Leoncini, San Marco (vaporetto line 1 or 2 to San Marco or S.Zaccaria), ☏ +39 041 52 82 825, info@virtuosidivenezia.com. Classical concerts. €25, reduced €20. 
• 45.4324212.329536 Chiesa San Vidal, Campo San Vidal, San Marco 2862/B (vaporetto line 1 or 2 to Accademia), ☏ +39 041 27770561, info@interoretiveneziani.com. Classical concerts by Interpreti Veneziani. They also run the nearby Music Museum in the nearby San Maurizio church. Adults €29, reduced €24. 
• Chiesa della Pietà, Riva degli Schiavoni (vaporetto lines 1, 5.1, 5.2, 4.1, 4,.2 to San Zaccaria). €25, reduced €20. 
• 45.4336912.322417 Scuola Grande dei Carmini, Campo Santa Margherita, Dorsoduro 2616-2617, ☏ +39 041 5289420, info@scuolagrandecarmini.it. Daily 11:00-17:00. €5 full price; €4 concession. 

Spend a day on the islands, mainly Murano, Burano and Torcello. There are boat services to all these islands at scheduled times, including between the islands themselves. Be prepared for long lines and long waits for the boats between islands. The Glass Museum in Murano and the Lace Museum in Burano are certainly worth a visit. In Burano you will find some of the most picturesque streets and houses, with each house sporting a different pastel shade. Its really beautiful. Though there is not much to see in Torcello except for the old church, and the supposed "Throne of Atilla". However, the peace and tranquility of the island is not to be found anywhere else in Venice! Torcello is also home to a very expensive Cipriani restaurant. But just walking around on these islands is a nice enough experience. If you've had enough of the hype and the other tourists, hop off the vaporetto at 'Cimitero', Venice's graveyard for a peaceful walk. There are many famous tombs, and the section dedicated to deceased children is particularly haunting. There is also a free toilet there.

While going through Venice, make sure you take in the beauty of it all. Walk through the alley ways, and take the water taxi to different parts of the island, sometimes at night you can just go sit in an open area and watch locals and tourists passing by. It is wonderful. There are many museums and churches that are around the city that allow tourists to go in a visit. They are many great sights to keep you busy throughout your visit.

The “Secret Itineraries in Doge's Palace” worth a visit, take the visitor into the most secret and fascinating rooms in the Palace. It's better to book in advance.

Because Venice is now pretty much only inhabited by tourists and people serving the trade, it gets very quiet by 21:00 and there is very little to do in the evening (outside of eating). There are a few exceptions, like some classical music concerts, which most probably only play Vivaldi.

If you would like to have a guide to show up the highlights of Venice, you can choose between many offers. There are walking or boat tours, focused on shopping or history or for art lovers, and many itineraries.

Take photos, using your camera or phone on every corner of Venice will inspire you. And if you have taken good pictures, consider entering the photo competition "OneDayInVenezia", running all year round, awarding monthly winners, and dedicated to amateur photographers. The Grand Prize is a weekend in Venice, trip included.

Send a postcard or even better, an entire letter dedicated to a loved one (the old "snail mail" one, not the electronic variety)! Venice has a long, celebrated tradition in postal services, paper and written communication in general (including one of the earliest medieval book printing houses).

Venice it's also Riviera del Brenta old canals. The Riviera del Brenta is famous for its extraordinary Palladian villas along the Brenta river, its museums and historical buildings and it is 40 km (25 miles) from Venice. This Riviera and its mainland include 7 small cities: Stra, Fiesso d’Artico, Dolo, Fossò, Mira, Oriago and Malcontenta. These places are good for cycling excursions and to see antique Palladian Villas built on the Brenta river. In Stra village, there is the famous gardens of Villa Pisani and the museum of the shoes is in Villa Foscarini Rossi. In this last museum you can admire 1,500 models of Italian-made shoes created in local factories for major brands including Fendi, Genny, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy, Ungaro, Anne Kleyn, Richard Tyles and Vera Wang. In Dolo village you can visit the square, old watermill (XI century) and big open air market.

• Teatro San Gallo, ☏ +39 041 2412002. Nov-Apr: 19:00, May-Oct: 20:00. Half-hour documentary based on the BBC series Francesco's Venice - an 'amazing film that puts the spectacular beauty of this great city in historical context'. Film in English, audioguides in Italian, Russian and Spanish. €39, seniors €35, students €25, children €15. (updated Apr 2015)

Football: Venezia FC were promoted in 2024, so they now play soccer in Serie A, the top tier. Their home ground Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo (capacity 11,000) is on Sant'Elena, connected by streets to the main east island.

• L’Isola, Calle de le Botteghe, San Marco 2970, ☏ +39 041 523 1973, info@lisola.com. 
• Archimede Seguso, San Marco 143, ☏ +39 041 5289041. 
• Venini, Piazzetta Leoncini, San Marco 314, ☏ +39 041 5224045, venezia@venini.it. 

To save money at lunch, eat standing up - that's what Venetians themselves do. Every cafe, trattoria, osteria, enoteca or whatever it chooses to call itself is stocked at lunchtime with cicchetti - Venetian tapas, including tramezzini (triangular sandwiches on white bread), bite-sized rolls with various cold cuts, polpette (fried balls of minced fish or meat) and assorted antipasti. Order by pointing at what you want on the glass shelves, and wash the whole thing down with a glass of wine (un' ombra) or a spritz (made with, in order of bitterness and alcohol content, Aperol, Campari or Select). Bear in mind that as soon as you allow yourself to sit at the table and be waited on, instead of ordering and consuming your food at the counter, the prices for the same items go up - you can end up paying double. If you look at the (government-mandated) chart of prices stapled to the wall near the bar, you'll see 2 columns of numbers, accommodating this arrangement. However, sitting is worth it if you plan on staying a while. Some places will also serve free bread and water for seated patrons, but then there is usually also a small charge (€1-3 per person) for "pane e coperto" (bread and cover charge).

There are a few supermarkets in the city, so if you are in the need to save some money, these are an option as they serve a wide array of prepared and semi-prepared food. On the main street from the station to the Rialto bridge there is a Coop and a Billa supermarket. There are still many small bakery shops and "biavaroli" where you can buy bread, cheese etc., particularly near the Rialto market area. For fresh fruit (including chilled coconut) watch out for the street market stalls. There is always a boat parked in the canal on campo San Barnaba selling fruit and vegetables into the late hours.

If you want to buy water (Venice has excellent free tap water easily accessible at the numerous fountains located outside throughout the city) it is usually cheapest to get it at the supermarkets: there are Billa or Co-op stores located throughout the city, though supermarkets are often "disguised" in nondescript buildings in Venice for space limitations.

Head to the Dorsoduro area of Venice if you want to save a few euros. It is located on the south side of the city. It has the highest concentration of places where locals, especially students, go to eat. Generally staying away from the main squares will be the cheapest option. If you're willing and able to walk around the town, some back streets offer the best food for the lowest price. Seeing the city from this vantage point is a lot of fun too!

The Rialto food markets are an absolute must for fruit, vegetables and cheese, but most of all for the huge range of seafood, much of it fresh out of the lagoon and still moving! There are a variety of small stores around the city that sell fruits and vegetables, but tourists will be hard-pressed to find them. Anything else you will find in the one of the few supermarkets in the city.

There are 6-7 Michelin star restaurants in Venice, with prices to match.

Near the Rialto bridge there's a row of restaurants with tables by the canal, where you can have the quintessential Venice experience of dining by the canal lights. Although they do have waiters outside bugging you, some have pretty acceptable quality for price, which is almost always expensive anyway.

You will find ice cream all over the city, and you will hardly survive a hot summer day without it. Prices are €1.00-1.50 for one scoop, €2.50-3.50 for three scoops.

Coffee is everywhere in Venice, and both Venetians and the tourists avail themselves of the opportunities, usually by downing a quick dose at the counter (see warning about sit-down prices above). Rule of thumb: the bigger (and shinier) the espresso machine, the better the result. Espresso, the real Italian, is about €1 at the bar, €2 at a table.

• E Rosa Salva. One of the favorites is the mini-chain "E Rosa Salva", with three locations in the center - on C. Fiubera (from Piazza San Marco, take the underpass in the middle of the arcade, cross the bridge and take second right off C. Fabbri), Merceria S. Salvadore (off the campo of the same name), and right on Campo San Zanipolo (to the right of the church looking from the canal); the last one is a gelateria as well. For your €1 you'll get exactly 2 and a half sips at the bottom of a small cup, with rich crema and no bitterness. Assorted house-made sweets are €1.10. 

There are a number of fantastic bars in Venice, most are small places with lots of charm. Bars that stay open after 23:00 are clustered around a few few late-night drinking areas in Venice. Notice that Piazza San Marco is not one of them, although it is very pleasant with many people wandering around late.

The actual late night scene is in either Campo Santa Margherita, where the student crowds from nearby the University Ca' Foscari in Dorsoduro hangs out; upscale Erbaria on the West side of the Rialto Bridge where the main vegetable market is held during the day and along Fondamenta de la Misericordia in Cannaregio. The bars along Fondamenta de la Misericordia is anchored by Paradiso Perduto, which features live music on most nights. There's usually youths cruising (in motor boats) along the canal, blaring Italian rap songs in Italian from the loudspeakers.

Pub crawls are best planned in advance, as there's a real risk of wasting an hour or two wandering aimlessly in search of a watering hole that's open, especially midweek. Most bars close at 1 AM, so make sure you notice which ones are open until 2 AM or 3 AM.

There's next to no night clubs in proper Venice, to get to those you have to follow the locals and head over the bridge into Mestre, or hop on the boat to Lido. Those looking for LGBT nightlife in Venice will be disappointed. Hop on the train to Padua instead.

There are two Irish pubs in Venice. One is located along the Strada Nova in Cannaregio; the other one is the Inishark just before Campo Santa Maria Formosa.

The unfortunate side-effect of the small alleys which make Venice such a delight to visit is that it is remarkably easy to get lost. Even maps provided by hotels are frequently inaccurate, and the maze-like structure of the city can become very confusing. The tight cluster of little islands that comprise Venice is completely surrounded by the Lagoon, so it is not possible, no matter how lost you become, to leave Venice on foot. Sooner or later you will come upon a piazza that you can locate on your map.

One tip: as you cross bridges, note the house numbers before and after. A small change probably means you are on the same island/district and have crossed a "new" canal. A major change means you are now on another island. Most maps clump islands together into their voting districts, there are many more islands than districts.

One piece of assistance is to look for directional signs. These will be marked "Per" and then with the name of a prominent location or bridge in the city, complete with an arrow pointing in the relevant direction. Hence, to get to the Rialto bridge, the signs to follow are marked "Per Rialto". Those to St Mark's Square read "Per S Marco", and those to the train station "Per Ferrovia" (there are some others as well). Having oriented yourself to the nearest landmark, direction-finding can thus become (slightly) easier.

Remember, though, that the signs to read are the official ones. Graffiti will occasionally give other directions, frequently incorrect ones.

That said, some argue that getting lost in Venice is part of the experience of the city. The number of photogenic canals, hidden restaurants and shops where glass blowing is done almost guarantees that there is no such thing as a "dull neighbourhood". Additionally, the public transport means that it is relatively easy to arrive at the intended destination even after one has emerged from the web of alleys in a totally unexpected place.

While Venice may not get more tourists than other famous Italian destinations such as Rome and Florence, the narrowness of streets and open areas may at times make Venice feel uncomfortably crowded during (but not only) the peak seasons, at the San Marco sestiere, the surroundings of the Rialto bridge and the streets leading from Venezia Santa Lucia and Piazzale Roma to San Marco. Walking by itself can be difficult, let alone snapping a good photo, using a public lavatory, or sitting at a decent cafe or restaurant.

To avoid the worst of the crowds, unless it is winter, try to visit the San Marco and Rialto bridge areas during early morning and late evening. During the late morning and afternoon, stay away as far as possible from this area, for instance walking around west Santa Croce, north Cannaregio, eastern Castello and Giudecca. Alternatively, take day trips to places outside central Venice such as Burano, the Lido, Padua or Vicenza, or simply take the opportunity to refresh in your hotel.

• Police (emergency call), ☏ 113. 
• Carabinieri (emergency call), ☏ 112. 
• First Aid (emergency call), ☏ 118. 
• Venice Hospital, ☏ +39 041 5294111. 
• Medical Service on Duty, ☏ +39 041 5294060. 
• Tourist Information, ☏ +39 041 5298700. 
• Gondola Service San Marco, ☏ +39 041 5200685. 
• Gondola Service Rialto, ☏ +39 041 5224904. 
• Gondola Service Danieli, ☏ +39 041 5222254. 
• Airport San Marco Information, ☏ +39 041 2609260. 
• Airport San Marco Lost and Found Office, ☏ +39 041 2609222. 
• Railway information, ☏ 892021 (in country only). 
• Railway Lost and Found Office, ☏ +39 041 785531. 

Most of the consulates listed here are only honorary consulates, so can only offer limited consular services. If you need any serious help, try visiting Milan, where larger consulates can sometimes be found; however, it will usually be easier to visit the Italian capital, Rome, where most countries' embassies are found.

• Australia, Via della Libertà, 12, ☏ +39 041 5093061, mc@castelbrando.it. 
• Austria, Santa Croce, 251, ☏ +39 041 5240556, consolato.austria@zoppas.com. 
• Belgium, Dorsoduro, 3464, ☏ +39 041 5242944, piero.reis@sgpaa.lu. 
• Czech Republic, Cannaregio, 3821, ☏ +39 041 2413984, venice@honorary.mzv.cz. 
• Denmark, Santa Croce, 466/g, ☏ +39 041 2413984, covedk@hotmail.com. 
• Finland, Rio dei Scudi 2654/A, ☏ +39 347 1245016, finland.consulate.venice@gmail.com. 
• France, Castello, 6140, ☏ +39 041 5224319, cfvenise@yahoo.fr. 
• Germany, Santa Croce, 251, ☏ +39 041 5237675, venedig@hk-diplo.de. 
• Greece, Castello 4683/C, ☏ +39 041 5237260, grcon.ven@mfa.gr. 
• Lithuania, Santa Croce, 764, ☏ +39 041 5241131, info@consolatodilituania.venezia.it. 
• Luxembourg, Castello, 5312, ☏ +39 041 5222047, conslux@fastwebnet.it. 
• Malta, Piazzale l.da Vinci, 8, Mestre, ☏ +39 041 3969100, maltaconsul.venice@gov.mt. 
• Mexico, Santa Marta , Fabbricato, 17, ☏ +39 041 2712642, consuladodemexico.venecia@service.net. 
• Monaco, San Polo. 747, ☏ +39 041 5223772, consmonaco.venise@tin.it. 
• 45.4322812.328891 Netherlands, San Marco, 2888, ☏ +39 041 5283416, cons.paesibassi.ve@libero.it. 
• Norway, Santa Croce, 466/b, ☏ +39 041 5231345, consolato.norvegia.ve@longanesicattani.it. 
• Portugal, San Marco, 1747, ☏ +39 041 5223446, perchidoni@yahoo.it. 
• Russia, San Marco, 4718/a, ☏ +39 04 12418879. 
• Spain, San Polo, 2646, ☏ +39 041 5233254. 
• Sweden, Sestiere Cannaregio 166, ☏ +39 041 5225489, consolato.svezia.venezia@gmail.com. 
• Switzerland, Dorsoduro, 810, ☏ +39 041 5225996, venezia@honrep.ch. 
• Turkey, Santa Marta, Fabbricato 17, ☏ +39 041 5230707, consolatoturchia@bassani.it. 
• United States, Venice Marco Polo Airport, Via Galileo Galilei, 30, ☏ +39 041 5415944, USCitizensVenice@state.gov. 

• Venezia Centro: San Marco. Sottoportico delle Acque 5016
• Venezia 1: Cannaregio, Lista di Spagna 233
• Venezia 3: San Polo, Campo San Polo 2012
• Venezia 4: San Marco, Calle Larga de l'Ascension 1241
• Venezia 5: Castello, Calle Barbaria delle Tole 6674
• Venezia 8: Giudecca, Fondamenta Sant'Eufemia
• Venezia 9: Castello, Via Garibaldi 1641
• Venezia 10: Dorsoduro, Zattere Fondamenta al Ponte Longo 1507
• Venezia 11: Sant'Elena, Viale 4 Novembre 23/24
• Venezia 12: Santa Croce, Fondamenta Santa Chiara 411
• Venezia 13: Cannaregio, Calle dele Cooperative snc
• Murano: Fondamenta Navagero 48
• Burano: Fondamenta Terranova 162
• Lido di Venezia: Via Doge Domenico Michiel 1
• Malamocco: Campo Chiesa 1