Introduction
Venice is built on islands in a lagoon, with canals instead of roads and boats instead of cars. Beyond St Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Grand Canal, its quieter districts reward wandering, and a vaporetto ride reaches the colourful island of Burano and the glassmakers of Murano. Venice and its Lagoon is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and staying overnight lets you see it after the day crowds leave.
Travel highlights
- St Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace
- The Grand Canal by vaporetto
- Burano's colourful houses and Murano's glass
- Venice and its Lagoon, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Local experiences
Early morning at St Mark's
See the square and basilica before the crowds arrive.
Vaporetto along the Grand Canal
The public water bus is the best-value canal tour.
Burano and Murano
Lagoon islands for colourful houses, lace, and glassmaking.
Cicchetti crawl
Small snacks and wine in neighbourhood bacari.
Where to stay in Venice
San Marco
Central, near the main sights; busiest and priciest.
Dorsoduro
Galleries, canalside cafés, and a calmer feel.
Cannaregio
Residential and local, with good access from the station.
Castello
Quieter lanes east of San Marco, near the Biennale gardens.
Good to know before you go
- Very crowded around San Marco and the Rialto by day.
- Expensive for food and accommodation.
- Bridges and steps make luggage and limited mobility challenging.
- High tides can flood low-lying areas, mainly from autumn to winter.
