Venice, known as the floating city, is full of surprises. Be sure to create memories that will last a lifetime. 

Consisting of 117 small islands divided by canals and connected by bridges is truly a beauty for one’s eyes.  But there’s no reason to get blinded by the movie-like scenes, it can actually dent your bank account if you don’t plan it properly. 

To make your trip a memorable one, read the following tips for visiting Venice in Italy, the right way!

Book the Right Accommodation

The worst you can do is to book a hotel somewhere in the city.

You need to be more careful about where to stay in Venice. Details like airport location should be considered before booking your accommodation. VCE Marco Polo is relatively a better choice in comparison to Treviso airport – which is quite distant from the actual city. 

Pro Tip: Try to book a hotel that is not on the mainland. It will take you hours to travel back and forth (by bus) to visit some of the must-visit touristy spots. 

Also, avoid making last-minute bookings as they turn out to be inconvenient and expensive. 

Spend 2 – 3 days in Venice

If you are on a package tour, then you are more likely to stay in the city for a day or two. Let’s tell you straight up – it’s not enough. You need to at least spend a minimum of two to three days in Venice to get the most of it. 

There’s so much to discover. Plus getting to Venice is not cheap, so you might want to make the most of your investment. 

You don’t want to rush around, given that it is a crowded city. You have to allow travel time for getting from one place to another. 

Usually, there are huge queues at every ticket counter. If you truly want to enjoy your stay in Venice, make a travel plan of three days to cover all the best locations and eateries.

Use a Vaporetto Tourist Pass

First thing, it’s common to get lost in this city. But if you are smart enough to have a Vaporetto tourist pass, you’re likely to find your way back easily. 

It’s basically a water taxi or a water bus that lets you explore the city any time of day and night. We highly recommend you take unlimited rides for your stay in Venice. If you are in the city for a minimum of three days, avail the 36-hour offer, the best value for your money. 

There are other offers as well that let you buy a tourist pass for 12 hours and 24 hours. Choose accordingly. 

Venice is Crowded

Venice all year round enchants people from all over the world. Italy has been on the list of the most visited countries in the world for a while now, which probably explains why Venice attracts 20 million tourists annually. 

Honestly, if you ask for our expert travel advice, the months of June, July and August are unbearably crowded. 

Every single street is filled with hundreds of people running around and chatting. It’s not easy to get transportation easily. Cruise ships and boats are fully packed during the daytime, giving you no choice but to walk and be pushed around.

Pro Tip: Try to get skip-the-line tickets for the most part of your stay in Venice. It will cost you extra but saves a lot of time and effort. If you want to visit the outskirts, you’ll notice fewer crowds in comparison to the bustling city. 

But then again, that’s the real taste of Venetian life where the locals are constantly on the go.

To get the best of Venice, explore the city at nighttime – you’ll be charmed by its magic.

Skip Summer 

Yes, we know summer is the perfect time for people to travel around the world, and for most parts of Europe. Venice is breathtaking in the summer, and you’re definitely not the only person planning their holidays in summer. If you are traveling with kids, you obviously plan your holidays around their summer vacations. 

But Venice during summer should be skipped. Here’s why – it’s too crowded – as mentioned earlier – making it hard to move around. The humidity is unbearable, particularly if you are visiting from cooler climate zones. 

If you are okay with extreme heat and sweat, then you could give it a shot. After all, it’s hard to get the best of both worlds. 

The ideal season to visit Venice is late summer or autumn. April is also relatively cooler in Venice. However, if you are okay with extreme heat and sweat, then you could give it a shot. 

Explore Venice from the Water

Venice demands to be experienced from the water, it’s magical. This floating city was built on waters with canals connecting the hundred of islands, which is why you must get on a boat to go around Venice. 

Venice has a different vibe if you compare it to the other cities in Italy. The canals are the streets. So taking a boat right is the same as walking on the local streets. There are beautiful gardens that open up to the water, which is quite a scene for tourists.

Book Gondolas Online

When in Venice, you must get on a gondola for the Venetian experience. 

But here’s the thing about booking just any gondola – you’ll end up spending way more than you actually need. 

Pre-book your gondola online for better rates. Gondola rides are usually short, and it’s not worth spending 80 euros for a 30-minute ride. If you are able to book a gondola ahead, you’ll definitely be saving money. 

Another tip to consider is to avoid Ponte Rialto or Canale grande to board your gondola. Prices shoot up immediately as it is a touristy spot. Rather, start from a small canal right next to the Residenza Veneziana hotel for a better experience. 

Local Tour Guide

The trick with tour guides in Venice is that anyone – we mean anyone from the EU – is qualified to be a tour guide. It’s common to find tour guides from Germany, France or the nearby countries. Now you don’t want that. You want to roam around the city and hear all about it from a local tour guide. 

Find a tour guide who is based in Venice and knows all about its history and architecture.

Spend Wisely

Tourists have taken over Venice, and this is all throughout the year. Making bookings online, through a travel agent, can work out to be pricier. Try to book it directly. Avoid going through middlemen, as they will charge you unnecessarily. 

Booking a gondola or a taxi online can be 200 percent more than what it actually costs. For example, taxi fares can shoot up to 300 euros if you book online, whereas the same taxi grabbed on the street will only cost you 120 euros. 

Communicate

Okay, so Italians love to talk, that’s the general rule that applies to all of Italy. If you are walking into a store or a restaurant, always greet them with a salut. Italians love that.

Try to learn a few ice-breaking words or phrases that you could use in Venice.

Warning: Never walk into a coffee shop and just order coffee without the small talk. Venetians take serious offense to this.

Dress Right

First tip, and the most precious one – SHOES! Wear comfortable shoes, you’ll have to walk a lot. You don’t cancel your plans because you got blisters or have sore feet. 

There are a lot of beautiful churches in the city and if you intend to visit them, make sure you are covered fully. Avoid wearing tank tops, crop tops, shorts, and sandals. 

If you visit Venice during summer, carry a hat or scarf to cover your head. The heat can be unbearable during the daytime. Also wear sunscreen to protect your skin. Sunburns can be painful, especially if you are on holiday. 

Conclusion

The last tip before you wander off – when you are walking in the local streets of Venice, try to walk consciously. You don’t want to hamper the locals who are trying to get to their day jobs. 

It can create chaos. Keep right, and if you are traveling in a group, walk in a row. Also, make sure your stuff doesn’t get stolen in the crowded streets. 

Now, you have all the necessary tips for visiting Venice in Italy. Be sure to keep them in mind. Happy and safe travels!