25 Helpful Things to Know Before Visiting Venice, Italy
I’ve been to Venice a few times now, first in July with my family and most recently in September with my husband, and I’ve learned a lot during my adventures. These are the most helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy that I wish someone had told me before that first trip. If you’re juggling a full-time job and squeezing in trips like we do, the right planning makes all the difference. Think of this as practical, slightly opinionated Venice travel tips from someone who has hauled a heavy suitcase over one too many bridges.
Venice is one of those places that feels almost unreal at first. But once you understand a few key things to know before visiting Venice, Italy, it becomes manageable and way more enjoyable. So here are my favorite Venice travel tips, based on real experience, mild navigational confusion, and a few overpriced spritzes.
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1. Venice is Car-Free
One of the most helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy is that there are no cars. Zero. The entire city is built on over 100 small islands connected by bridges, and everything moves by foot or boat. The first time I visited, I kept looking for a road. There are none.
This means you’ll walk everywhere unless you’re on the water. It also means no Uber, no taxis pulling up curbside, and no quick drop-offs with heavy bags (unless it is by boat). As far as Venice travel tips go, mentally prepare for lots of walking over bridges and down little alleys.
2. Use Water Buses (Vaporetto)
Another item on the list of useful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy: get comfortable with the Vaporetto. It’s Venice’s public water bus system and your main way to get around longer distances. I loved riding it because you get canal views without paying for a private boat.
One very important detail from my own mistake: if you buy your Vaporetto ticket online, you usually have to exchange the QR code for a physical ticket in person. The QR code alone won’t scan on the boat. That’s one of those Venice travel tips you’ll appreciate before you’re standing awkwardly at the dock.
3. Buy a Transport Pass
If you plan to move around a lot, this is one of the key things to know before visiting Venice, Italy. A multi-day transport pass can save you money and time, especially if you’re hopping between neighborhoods or heading to the islands.
On our September trip, we used the Vaporetto several times a day and the pass paid for itself quickly. Venice travel tips often focus on attractions, but transportation costs can definitely add up. A pass keeps you from debating every single ride. Also, riding is honestly a lot of fun!
4. Validate Your Vaporetto Ticket
Here’s a big one on the list of helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy: always validate your Vaporetto ticket before boarding. There are validation machines at each stop. Tap your ticket there before you step on.
If you board without a valid ticket, you can usually buy one onboard for a 75-minute ride or a 24-hour option. But some stops, like Rialto A and Burano, require you to scan a ticket just to enter the platform so you’ll need to purchase that ticket in advance. Venice travel tips don’t get much more practical than this because fines are not cheap and the inspectors are not sympathetic.
5. To and From the Airport: Alilaguna
Getting from the airport to the city is easier than you’d think, and that’s one of the most helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy. The Alilaguna boat line runs directly from Venice Marco Polo Airport into the city by water.
When we arrived in September, stepping onto a boat instead of a shuttle bus felt like the perfect welcome. It’s simple to use, clearly marked, and very Venice.
6. Luggage: Pack Light
If you take only one thing from this list of helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy, let it be this: pack light. Venice is not friendly to oversized suitcases. There are countless bridges and most (or maybe even all) have steps.
The first time I visited in July, I dragged a heavy suitcase over bridge after bridge. By the third one, I was questioning all of my life choices. I fortunately had my strong husband with me the second time around, but would still recommend trying to keep those bags light. If you aren’t able to pack light, consider booking a transfer directly from the airport to your hotel.
7. Plan for High Tide (Acqua Alta)
Acqua alta is another key item on the helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy list. From about October to March, parts of the city, especially Piazza San Marco, can flood during high tide.
The Venetians are used to it. They set up raised walkways in flood-prone areas, and life goes on. Still, waterproof shoes help if you do end up visiting during this time.
8. Visit Major Attractions Early
If you’re serious about seeing places like Piazza San Marco, St. Mark’s Basilica, and Doge’s Palace, here’s one of the most important things to know before visiting Venice: go early. I’m talking right when they open for attractions that have opening hours and at sunrise for public areas.
During my first visit, we made the mistake of strolling over to Doge’s Palace mid-morning and the crowds were a lot. On my most recent trip, my husband and I went first thing, and it felt like a different city. For Piazza San Marco, we actually visited at sunrise, and it was absolutely magical and nearly empty; I would highly recommend an early alarm clock that day. Early mornings in Venice are quiet, cooler, and honestly just better.
9. Book Tickets in Advance
Another big one on the helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy checklist is to book major attraction tickets online in advance. St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace regularly sell out, especially on weekends or when cruise ships are in port. Waiting in long lines eats into your trip, and I’m just not that patient.
Recommended Tour: Skip-the-Line: Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica Fully Guided Tour
10. Dress Modestly in Churches
One of the most valuable things to know before visiting Venice, Italy is that churches have dress codes. If you enter a church like St. Mark’s Basilica, you’ll be expected to cover your shoulders and knees. They do turn people away, even in peak summer.
On my July trip, I saw more than a few tourists scrambling to use scarves as emergency shawls. In September, I just planned outfits accordingly and avoided the awkward shuffle at the entrance. It’s a small thing, but solid Venice travel tips include respecting local customs so you can actually get inside.
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11. Explore Beyond San Marco and Rialto
Yes, see the big sights (early in the day). But one of my helpful things to know before visiting Venice is to wander beyond Piazza San Marco and Rialto. Neighborhoods like Cannaregio and Dorsoduro feel calmer and more local.
I loved getting lost there during the day, popping into small cafés and wandering down streets I could never find again. Some of our best meals were down quiet side streets. These Venice travel tips are about balance: see the highlights, then step away from them.
Recommended Tour: Tour of The Real Hidden Venice
12. Choose Your Hotel Location Wisely
Accommodation is another underrated entry on the helpful things to know before visiting Venice list. I recommend staying within about a 5 to 10-minute walk of San Marco, but not right next to it.
Too close and you’ll pay more for the noise and crowds. Too far and you’ll walk forever. Good mid-range hotels sell out quickly, especially in summer and shoulder season, so book early. We stayed at Hotel Colombina, which was about 5 minutes from Piazza San Marco. Our room was quiet at night, but it was still easy to get to the main tourist attractions quickly.
13. You Will Get Lost
You just will. Venice is a maze of winding alleys, canals, dead ends, tiny passageways, and then more canals. Accepting this is one of the freeing things to know before visiting Venice, Italy.
Google Maps helps to a point, and I do recommend downloading an eSim in advance. But honestly, some of my favorite moments happened when we wandered in the general right direction and let the city unfold. Venice travel tips don’t always have to be about efficiency.
14. Stay at Least 2-3 Nights
Please don’t day-trip Venice if you can help it at all. This is one of the most helpful things to know when planning your trip. We stayed three nights in September, and it felt perfect.
Venice can feel overwhelming when cruise passengers flood in mid-morning. But early mornings and evenings, once they leave, are calm and beautiful. If you’re working full time and planning bucket-list trips, give yourself enough time to actually experience the place.
15. Visit During Shoulder Season
If you have flexibility around the time of your visit, this might be the biggest of all the things to know before visiting Venice, Italy: avoid peak summer if possible. My first July trip was pretty hot and busy with crowds.
September, on the other hand, was a big improvement. Fewer crowds, better hotel prices, and much more pleasant weather. Having experienced both, I would choose shoulder season every time.
16. Expect Crowds
Even in shoulder season, there will be crowds. That’s just part of visiting a city this iconic, and it’s one of those helpful things to know before visiting Venice. The trick isn’t eliminating tourists, and it’s more about timing and neighborhood choice. Early mornings, evenings, and quieter districts make a huge difference. These Venice travel tips are about working with Venice, not against it.
Whenever someone tells me they didn’t like Venice, the first complaint is almost always the crowds. And I get it…I really don’t love big crowds either. But with a bit of planning, Venice becomes one of the most rewarding trips. It’s actually one of my favorite destinations, and that’s saying a lot for someone who actively avoids packed places whenever possible.
17. Watch for Restaurant Cover Charges
When you sit down at a restaurant, you’ll likely see a coperto charge added per person. This is normal and one of those small but helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy. It’s not a scam, just part of dining culture here.
18. Beware Restaurants with Tourist Menus
Another key entry on the helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy list: be cautious of restaurants with big picture menus and staff waving you in. In my experience, that’s often a sign of overpriced, average food.
Venice has incredible cuisine, but you usually won’t find it in places advertising “Tourist Menu €15” in 10 different languages. Walk a few streets away and look for spots filled with locals or at least menus written primarily in Italian.
19. Avoid Eating Near Piazza San Marco
This might sound obvious, but it’s one of those helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy that people ignore. Restaurants right around Piazza San Marco tend to have higher prices, and the quality isn’t necessarily better.
You’re paying for location and views, not always for flavor. I’ve had much better meals tucked into quieter neighborhoods like Dorsoduro and Cannaregio. Venice travel tips around food are simple: a short walk can save you money and upgrade your dinner significantly.
20. Try the Cicchetti
You can’t talk about things to know before visiting Venice without mentioning cicchetti. These small Venetian snacks are served in bars and are perfect with a glass of wine or aperol spritz. We spent an evening hopping between little bars, trying different bites instead of committing to one big dinner, and I’d highly recommend this approach.
21. Safety
Venice is generally safe, but one of the helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy is to watch for pickpockets in crowded areas, especially around Piazza San Marco and tourist-heavy areas. Keep your bag zipped and be aware of your surroundings. Basic city awareness goes a long way.
22. Explore the Islands: Murano and Burano
Exploring the lagoon islands is absolutely one of the best things to do when visiting Venice, Italy. Two of the most popular are Murano and Burano, and they each feel completely different.
Murano is famous for its hand-blown glass and is only about 10 minutes from Venice by Vaporetto. It’s interesting to see the glass workshops, but know that not all the glass sold on the island is actually made locally. A surprising amount is imported, so look carefully if you’re buying something special.
Burano, about 45 minutes away, is known for its brightly colored houses and lace-making history. It’s incredibly photogenic and I absolutely loved my time on the island. We spent a few relaxed hours walking along the canals, and it felt slower and quieter than central Venice. I’d recommend trying to get to Burano early in the morning while it is still relatively uncrowded. Adding the islands to your itinerary is one of the most helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy.
23. Take a Gondola Ride
Let’s talk about gondolas, because this is one of the most helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy. Gondola ride prices are set by the city and are non-negotiable, which means you can’t haggle your way into a deal. You’re paying for a private 30-minute ride for the full boat, not per person.
Recommended Tour: Gondola Ride with Private Walking Tour
Yes, it’s expensive. But you’re also paying for a licensed gondolier, a traditional boat (and its upkeep), and an experience that’s been part of Venetian culture for centuries. I took a gondola ride when I visited and navigating our way through the smaller canals felt completely different from riding the Vaporetto. Not cheap, but I have zero regrets. Sometimes Venice travel tips include splurging strategically.
24. On a Budget? Try the Traghetto
If a full gondola ride doesn’t fit your budget, this is one of the most helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy. You can take a traghetto, which is kind of like a gondola taxi that crosses the Grand Canal at certain points.
It costs around 2€, takes just a few minutes, and gives you the experience of trying out a gondola without committing to the full price. It’s not exactly romantic or peaceful, but it’s practical and still a lot of fun. I love Venice travel tips that make iconic experiences more accessible.
25. Ride Vaporetto Line 1 on the Grand Canal
Finally, one of my helpful things to know before visiting Venice, Italy is that Vaporetto Line 1 runs down the Grand Canal. It’s basically a scenic boat tour for the cost of public transport. We rode it just before sunset and watched the light hit the stunning palaces along the water. It’s simple, affordable, and a must-do when visiting Venice.
Where to Stay in Venice, Italy
Here are my recommendations on where to stay in Venice, Italy:
- Hotel Colombina for best classic Venetian charm near Piazza San Marco (*My Recommendation*)
- The Gritti Palace for best luxury hotel
- Ai Mori d’Oriente for best hotel in the Cannaregio district
- Hotel Palazzo Priuli for best boutique hotel
- Hotel Antigo Trovatore for the best value near Piazza San Marco
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