Visiting Venice Checklist
Essential Information for Your Venice Visit
This list will help you to prepare for and enjoy your visit to Venice.
While it’s not exhaustive and doesn’t include everything, it should help with your packing, preparation and also your enjoyment of Venice.
Travel Documents
- Travel Tickets
- Valid Passport (Check expiration date)
Non EU nationals passports should be valid for at least 3 months after the date you intend to leave the EU and it must have been issued within the last 10 years
More information - Visa (if required based on nationality)
The EU ETIAS visa scheme will come into being soon!
More information - Travel Insurance
- Copies of important documents (passport, reservations, prescriptions etc.)
- Credit/debit cards.
Also consider a Wise card for reduced currency conversion fees
More information - Euros (€) in cash (small denominations for tips, etc.)
If you’re buying a small value item (eg coffee) cash is preferable
Packing Essentials
- Appropriate clothing (depending on the season)
In summer, Venice can be very humid and off-season it can be humid, cold and rainy - Rain jacket or umbrella
Especially in the autumn and spring months a lightweight waterproof jacket can be useful. In case of high water (Acqua Alta) plastic over-footwear protection can be bought in many paces. Aqcua Alta usually takes place Oct – April
More Information - Sunglasses & sunscreen (if visiting in summer)
- Travel adapter & cable for recharging phones/laptops
- Small backpack or crossbody bag for when you are out and about in Venice
- Medications (bring your medications!)
It is also worth bringing your prescription in case you need to refill your medications.
More information - Mosquito spray
Mosquitos can be a problem from May through until October - Finally, take comfortable walking shoes
Transport
TRAVEL FROM THE AIRPORT TO VENICE
Pre-book your airport transfer (Alilaguna water bus, land bus, taxi, or private water taxi)
- Alilaguna water bus is the most cost-effective way to travel from the airport into Venice by water.
Tickets & More Information - Private water taxi is the best and quickest option to get from the airport into Venice by water.
Tickets & More Information - Shared water taxi is a cheaper option.
Tickets & More Information - You can also take an express bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma in Venice
Tickets & More Information
TRAVEL IN VENICE
- Get a Vaporetto (water bus) pass
The vaporetto (waterbus) pass is a cost effective way to travel around Venice and cheaper than buying individual tickets
Tickets & More Information
Accommodation
BOOK YOUR VENICE HOTEL
- 5* and Luxury Hotels in Venice.
Venice has a number of luxury hotels for that once-in-a-lifetime holiday from the Londra Palace to the St Regis by way of the outstanding Gritti Palace and Palazzo Nani,
View 5* and Luxury Venice Hotels - 4* Hotels in Venice
If you want a superb hotel at a more cost-effective price, Venice’s four star hotels could be the answer.
View 4* Hotels in Venice - 3* Hotels in Venice
There are some beautiful four star hotels with a choice of a central location or somewhere a litle quieter
View 3* Hotels in Venice - 1* and 2* Hotels
For those on a budget, choose from our curated selection of one and two star hotels
View 1* and 2* Hotels in Venice - 4* and Luxury Apartments
For travellers to Venice wanting a little more independence, apartments can be the accommodation you are looking for.
View 4* and Luxury Apartments
Must See Attractions
If this is your first time in Venice, these are the must see attractions and things to do.
- St. Mark’s Basilica, Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Belltower
St Mark’s Square is the heart of Venice with the Basilica, Doge’s Palace, famous belltower and more. The Bridge of Sighs is near here as well.
Pre-book your skip-the-line tickets to save time.
Tickets & Information - Rialto Bridge & Grand Canal
The Grand Canal can be viewed from water bus (vaporetto) line 1 which cruises down the Grand Canal stoping at most stops along the way.
Vaporetto Line 1 Information - Gondola or Traghetto ride
A gondola trip can make a trip to Venice something special.
View Gondola Information - Murano (glassmaking) & Burano (colorful houses) day trip
Murano & Burano are the best known and most visited islands other than Venice itself. These can easily be visited without a tour (see vaporetto lines, timetables & maps for information), but a tour may be easier.
Tours, Tickets and Information - Peggy Guggenheim Collection (modern art)
The most popular museum in Venice.
View Website - Take time to enjoy the ambience, architecture and views of Venice.
Other Things to Experience
There are so many things to experience in Venice, here are few more that must be done!
- Try Cicchetti (Venetian tapas) at a bacaro
Cicchetti can be sampled at many bars in Venice. Perhaps take a guided cicchetti tour to see the bars and sample the food!
Tickets & Information - Drink a Spritz (Venice’s famous aperitivo) sitting outside while watching the world go by, become a mixologist and learn to make them or take a catamaran trip into the lagoon and enjoy a spritz while enjoying the view.
Spritz Mixologist Class
Catamaran + Spritz Tour - Taste a Venetian Tiramisu
The Tiramisu was first created in this region, the Veneto. The best place for a Tiramisu in Venice is said to be i Tre Mercanti where you can try, in addition to the traditional Tiramisu, amaretto, chocolate, and pistachio ones!
Google Map - Take a Venetian Cooking Class
If time allows, improve your cookery skills with a lesson in how to make some classic Italian dishes.
Tickets & Information - Try a Water-Based Activity
Fancy kayaking or paddle boarding on the canals or perhaps a cruise with a meal?
Tickets & Information - Tour Areas of Venice
A Private Art & Culture Tour in Dorsoduro and Academia or Private Tour of Venice San Polo, Rialto and San Marco
Tickets & Information
Tips and Etiquette
- When eating out it’s best to reserve a table for your restaurant as, especially in peak season, making a booking can be essential.
Fine Dining Restaurants
Mid Range Restaurants - Learning a little Italian can help. Most people in Venice will speak some English but it’s always appreciated when you can say please or thank you in Italian.
Italian Meals, Language, Food & Drink - Supermarkets are great places to get water or a snack at reasonable prices.
Supermarket Information - Visit one of St Mark’s Square historic cafes.
View Cafe Information
View Cafe Prices - Download Google Maps offline
Phone reception can be spotty across Venice, download Google Maps Venice map to ensure you can find your way around.
How To Download Google Maps - Bookmark our Emergency Information
In case something unexpected happens, bookmark our emergency information page so that you know how to get help. It also includes information on Venice pharmacies.
Medical Help in Venice
VAPORETTO/WATERBUS TICKETS
Buy vaporetto/waterbus tickets in advance
On the following page:
1. Choose your number of passengers and start date.
2. Select how many hours or days you would like the vaporetto ticket for.
Vaporetto tickets can be bought in various machines and kiosks in Venice. Buying in advance can save you time.
ALILAGUNA TICKETS
Buy your Airport to Venice ticket in advance
On the following page:
1. Choose your number of passengers and start date.
2. Click “Check Availability”.
Alilaguna runs three lines delivering people to Venice at various predefined stops.
For more information, see our Alilaguna page here.
PRIVATE WATER TAXI
Book your Private Water Taxi from Venice Airport in advance
On the following page:
1. Choose your number of passengers and the date of your arrival
2. Click “Check Availability”.
SHARED WATER TAXI
Book your Shared Water Taxi from Venice Airport in advance
On the following page:
1. Choose your number of passengers and the date of your arrival
2. Click “Check Availability”.