Venice
Italy · Country profile
Venice is the lagoon city of a thousand bridges, a maze of canals, marble palaces and hidden squares built on wooden piles driven into the mud of the Adriatic. The Grand Canal curves through the heart of the historic centre, and the Rialto Bridge, St Mark’s Square and the Doge’s Palace anchor the classic circuit. Beyond the crowds, the neighbourhoods of Cannaregio, Castello and Dorsoduro hold quiet courtyards, neighbourhood markets and workshops that keep the city a living place. Ferries, gondolas and the rowing boats of the locals move everything across the water, and the islands of the lagoon, from Murano’s glass to Burano’s lace, spread the story further. Fragile, theatrical and utterly unique, Venice is a city that must be walked slowly and watched from the water.
About Venice
Venice is a city in Italy. The city's documented population is around 250,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Euro (EUR) and Italian is spoken; the dialling code is +39. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Venice Marco Polo Airport.
Lagoons, Island Palaces and the City That Floats
Venice is a city built on water, and its rhythm is set by the tide, the ferry boats and the crowds of the touristic core. The classic picture is real: St Mark’s, the Rialto, the gondolas and the Grand Canal are all there, and they are genuinely beautiful. But the city is also the quieter backstreets, the everyday ferries, the workshops and the vigour of the local neighbourhoods that the day-trippers never reach. The pace is slow, walking is the only real transport, and the water is never far. It rewards arriving early, losing the map on purpose and spending at least one night after the crowds have gone.
High Water, Timed Entries and the Bridges of the Morning
The best months are the mild, dry seasons of spring and autumn; summer days are hot, packed and humid, and winter can bring high water, when the square floods and the walkways go up. Book St Mark’s, the Doge’s Palace and the Accademia ahead in season, and check the ferry ticket rules before you ride. The ferry is a proper transport system, not a tour — a travel card by the day or the hour is the practical buy. Gondola rides are your call but pricey; the shared boats across the Grand Canal cost pocket change. Pack for rain at any time, and leave the huge wheeled cases alone — steps and bridges fill every route.
Vaporetto Runs, Morning Squares and the Art of Getting Lost
The vaporetti, the water buses, run like a metro and are the affordable way to move; the slow Line 1 down the Grand Canal doubles as the scenic tour. Crossing the Rialto Bridge by foot is free, but the standalone gondola crossing is a costly, short ride — walk to the ferry instead. The lagoon islands make easy half-days: Murano for glass, Burano for colour, Torcello for silence. Waterproof shoes and a folding umbrella solve most days. Venice is famously busy between 10am and 4pm, so do the grand sights early, then explore the quiet lanes of Dorsoduro and Cannaregio. Tap water is fine, gelato is serious business, and the locals are kind if you ask in Italian.
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- Country
- Italy
- Population
- 250,000
- Coordinates
- 45.5053, 12.3519
- Capital
- Rome
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- Italian
- Calling code
- +39
- Country code
- IT
Entry requirements for Italy
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Italy for tourism.
Getting to Venice
Airports we list for Venice:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Italy
Other cities we cover in Italy:
Frequently asked questions
Is Venice the capital of Italy?
No — the capital of Italy is Rome.
What currency do I need in Venice?
The local currency is the Euro (EUR). Languages spoken in Italy include Italian.
What is the dialling code for Italy?
The international dialling code for Italy is +39.
Which airport should I fly into for Venice?
Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) is the airport we list for Venice.
How far is Venice from the nearest airport?
Venice is about 282 km from Milan Malpensa Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Italy?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Italy visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Venice? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.