Venice Tourist Information

Venice is arguably the most magical city in the world.

An absolute treasure where you will find some of the most magnificent buildings and priceless works of art in the world.

When to visit Venice.

Venice is a beautiful city no matter when you visit.
However July and August are uncomfortably hot and the city is teeming with tourists and souvenir stalls. The end of August and early September can bring short but violent thunderstorms. The winters are cold and can be foggy. Venice is frequently flooded in the winter and negotiating the duckboards laid down by the Venetians to keep your feet dry can be a bit tricky!
The best time to visit Venice is Spring and Autumn, when it is less hot and humid and there are probably fewer tourists.

Finding Your Way Around Venice

Venice is a very gentle unhurried city.
The mistake I made on my first visit was to try to see everything on my itinerary. Impossible.
Venice cannot be rushed, so take your time and savour the magic and the beauty.

It is surprisingly easy to find your way around Venice. You will probably do more walking in Venice even though it is a city of canals. Look out for the yellow signs on the corners of buildings and follow the arrows. The three main signs are per Rialto and per San Marco and per Academia. These three signs will really help you find your way anywhere in Venice. There are other signs which will guide you to your destination, but do keep looking out for them as they are quite small and can be missed. Invest in a map of Venice, but even if you do temporarily lose your way the bonus will be coming across a beautiful church or building you would otherwise have missed. I found some of my favourite places when I was “lost”. You should of course travel along the Grand Canal in a water bus for the best views of the beautiful buildings lining the canal. The water buses are always crowded so be polite but do be firm otherwise you could be crowded out of a seat. Do be sensible with money and valuables Make sure they are secure. I have never been a victim of thieves or pickpockets in Venice, but I am aware that, as in any big city, there are risks. If you are busy with a camera or a camcorder you are vulnerable, so take care.

It is absolutely essential to drink plenty of water as you wander around Venice. You can buy bottled water very easily. Wear very light clothes in the warmer months, comfortable shoes and a cool hat. There is a code of dress in Venice. The Venetians themselves are poised and elegant. You will not be allowed into most churches or monuments unless you are dressed appropriately. My 14 year old son was reprimanded for removing his t-shirt in the Piazza. Bikini type tops for ladies and bare chested men are not really suitable for a sight seeing tour of Venice. So cover up in light loose clothing. It is so much more comfortable in this hot and humid city.

What to see in Venice.

Venice cannot be rushed. There are, however, some wonderful sights every visitor must see.

The Basilica di San Marco Venice

To see the evening sun glinting on the marble clad facade of this magnificent church is a most memorable sight. The horses above the main entrance are replicas, the originals are inside the Basilica. The interior is a marvel, dark yet rich and glowing. The marble floor undulates as if with the movement of the waters of the lagoon below and the walls are covered in exquisite mosaics. The body of Saint Mark lies under the high altar and it is here you will find the most amazing treasure in Venice. The Pala d` Oro or golden altar screen was started 1000 years ago in Constantinople and came to Venice in 1342.This solid gold screen is embellished with thousands of jewels. There is too much to see in one visit, but do join the apparently never ending queue to visit – it moves along quite quickly- and make sure you are dressed correctly otherwise you will be refused admission. Shorts are not allowed and ladies shoulders must be covered.

Piazza San Marco – Saint Mark`s Square – Venice

Napoleon named this “the drawing room of Europe”
The hub of Venice, this is a place to just sit and look.
The beautiful buildings which form the square, house the most expensive shops in Venice. Treat yourself to a coffee at a very elegant and very expensive café , listen to the orchestra and watch the world go by. The Campanile Venice rises from a corner of the Piazza. At 99 metres high it is the tallest building in Venice. The one you see today is a replica of the original building which slowly collapsed without loss of life in 1902. A smooth modern elevator will transport you to the top of the Campanile for a wonderful view of Venice, with the Adriatic to the south and the Dolomites to the north. My favourite time in the Piazza is in the evening. It is gently illuminated, the musicians are playing, the air is warm. It is a time to dress up, sit at a café with a very expensive drink and dance with your partner. It is worth every euro.

Palazzo Ducale –Doges Palace – Venice.

This truly magnificent building was the home of the doges of Venice.
It is steeped in history and to get the most out of your visit I recommend a guided tour. This will take about two hours so if your visit to Venice is short give it a miss. You can still appreciate this lovely building from the outside. Walk along the Riva degli Schiavoni to see the beautiful stonework of the Doges Palace, to catch a glimpse of the Bridge of Sighs and to look out over St. Marks Basin. It is such an impressive waterfront. But be warned it will be teeming with tourists, souvenir stalls and artists. It is easy to lose sight of your companions here and it is the only place in Venice where I have felt vulnerable. So move on to what is my personal favourite journey through Venice.

Take a vaporetto from San Marco across the Grand Canal to Salute that most imposing church at the entrance to the Grand Canal. Stop for a while and enjoy the view. From there follow the signs clearly marked to Scuola di San Rocco.. It is I think the prettiest part of Venice. There are narrow alleyways with vivid flowers hanging from window sills and rooftops, lovely miniature stone bridges over canals and shady squares. After the heat and glare of the waterfront and the ornate elegance of the Piazza I felt I had at last found the real Venice.

The Scuola De San Rocco.

A visit here is an amazing experience and I often wonder how many visitors to Venice actually miss it.
The interior of the Scuola is impressive in its own right.
It is hushed and reverential.
But the collection of work by Tintoretto is breathtaking. Every wall and ceiling is covered with his work. Looking up at the ceilings is dizzying so use one of the little mirrors provided so you can view in comfort Wander up the grand staircases until you arrive at the Sala dell`Albergo. Sit there and be almost hypnotised by the beauty, pathos and incredible detail of the Crucifixion. This is one sight in Venice not to be missed.

The Frari Venice

Follow the signs from San Rocco to I Frari [Santa Maria Glorosa dei Frari] It only a short walk and you really should see it while you are here. This is a huge brick building with no sign of beauty on the exterior but go in to a see a towering interior. Here you will see Titians masterpiece The Assumption over the high altar, his Madonna di Ca` Pesaro to the left and Bellinis beautiful Madonna and Child. There are often small groups of musicians in this area and it is a sweet respite from sightseeing to stop and listen for a while. I think after this wonderful assault on the senses you will be more than ready for a rest. There are many small cafes and bars but I have always headed for San Stin in the Campo San Stin on the north side of I Frari. It isn’t too far to walk, easy to find and you can buy a satisfying snack, coffee or a cold drink. Leave the rest of your sightseeing for another day.

Rialto Venice

After San Marco all tourists head for Rialto. There is a strange feeling of déjà vu when you see it for the first time, probably because it must be the most photographed view of Venice. The stone bridge is lined with shops and there is a glorious view of the Grand Canal. There are numerous cafes and restaurants lining both sides of the canal. The food is mediocre and the prices are high. By day this is a noisy busy thoroughfare but it is a wonderful place to sit with a long cold drink especially at night. The lights reflect off the water and the gondolas glide by and the gondoliers sing their serenades. Truly a romantic part of Venice.

Visit the outdoor market at Rialto. There is an amazing variety of fruit, vegetables and cheese, try a ripe peach as big as your hand to refresh you as you wander around. The fish market must be seen. You can buy sea bass, mussels crabs, octopus, eels, inky squid, in fact almost anything that comes out of the sea. But even if you do not buy, the atmosphere is amazing. Here is the real Venice with real Venetians doing their daily shopping. The sights ,the sounds ,the smells make this unmissable.

After Rialto I always head for the little gem of Venice. The Miracoli. It is not really easy to find, but worth the effort. You will need a map for this one It is a small marble clad church in a quiet backwater. Inside there is some of the most exquisite carving you will see anywhere in Venice. Look out for the tiny intricate carvings of birds at the end of the pews and the children`s heads at the top of the stairs. The people of Venice are extremely proud of this church and it is a very popular place for local weddings. If you look in the shop windows in the square outside you will see numerous photographs on display of weddings which have taken place there. It is a remarkably quiet part of Venice just off the beaten track for many tourists.

Santi Giovanni e Paolo known by the Venetians as San Zanipolo.

I have been to Venice many times but for me a visit to Zanipolo is obligatory. This colossal brick church is set in a large square. The interior is vast. It is lined with the tombs of former doges of Venice and quiet little side chapels. In spite of its size it is not an ornate church, but it is has an atmosphere which is all its own and is immensely cool and peaceful. You should use your guide book for a who`s who”

I love the exterior of the church alongside a canal next to the ornate Ospedale Civile {hospital). In the centre of the square is the marvellous Corleonni monument. I have sat here many times to relax. Have a cup of coffee and listen to the Venetians calling out to each other, watch elegantly dressed men and women stepping out across the square to attend to their business, old ladies gossiping and see young boys playing football and using the beautiful walls of the church as the goal. I watched a funeral here once. The black and gold ornate gondola carrying the coffin was decorated with masses of dark red gladioli. You may see an ambulance or a police boat or a boat carrying anything from vegetables to building materials all of this n water while you relax in a traffic free square.
Forget your itinerary and stop here for a while for this is Venice.

This then is “my” Venice. You no doubt will find “your Venice” There is still the lovely church known as Gesuiti where marble hangs like damask, the rather spooky church of San Zaccaria, with its gloomy intimidating interior (until the lights go on) and eerie damp crypt and of course the gorgeous palaces lining the Grand Canal.
Enjoy Venice find your own treasure and I hope you come to love the city as much as I do.