Venice Holidays & City Breaks

Venice Marco Polo Airport is located 4.3 miles to the north of the city. The ATVO bus connects you straight to the city centre (Piazzale Roma) in around 20 to 30 minutes, and runs every 20 minutes at the price of €15 return or €8 a single trip. You’ll also find Alilaguna water buses dotted around the airport and they’ll drop you at St. Mark’s Square for as little as €15. Travelling as a large group? Fitting up to 10 people, a water taxi is great for big families but does cost approx €100.
*Prices are correct at the time of writing.

With mild temperatures and fewer crowds, September to October is arguably one of the best times to visit Venice enjoying comfortable highs of 20°C. However, if you want to experience Venice Carnival, we recommend you head here in February or around Easter for other fun-filled fiestas. Mid-spring is also a great choice if you want to avoid any downpours while you’re checking out the sights from the top of St Mark's Campanile.

There’s so much more to Venice holidays than gondola rides and canals. From secret tours to Neoclassical churches, here are our top 5 hidden gems.

1. Gelatoteca Suso: If the name hasn’t already given it away, it’s one of Venice’s tucked-away gelato spots a short walk from Rialto Bridge. Trust us, the chocolate mixed with orange sorbet is an ice cream you never knew you needed! 

2. San Giorgio Maggiore: Art fanatics this one’s for you! This little island is home to one of the most photographed basilicas in Venice, storing three floors of paintings by Tintoretto. 

3. Ca’ Macana: Venice is widely recognised for its 800-year-old mask-wearing tradition, often showcased at Venice Carnival. But did you know down the street of Dorsoduro, you’ll find the shop famous for having created the masks for the Stanley Kubrick film Eyes Wide Shut? Theatres such as the Vienna Opera House also use their masks regularly.

4. Doge’s Palace Secret Tour: Gain entry into Doge’s most exclusive rooms with this one-of-a-kind tour! Here you’ll discover the Chamber of the Secret Chancellery, where cabinets contain top-secret documents. Feel like a VIP as you wander through the Chamber of the Three Head Magistrates, which has a secret passageway leading to the Chamber of the Council of Ten.

5.  Campo San Maurizio - This picturesque square is dominated by the Neoclassical church of Museo della Musica, focusing on Baroque music. And five times a year, an antique market is also held here with stalls housing everything from pocket watches to old postcards. 

Are you a first-timer looking for some tips? Well, look no further! Here are some of our handy Venice do’s and don’ts to save you money, time and more value.

• DO…visit the local fisherman market by the Rialto bridge, and do it well before 12pm! This is the only spot in town to buy anything that comes from the sea.
• DON’T…walk in the centre of the narrow streets, it may seem obvious not to take up the whole alleyway, but it’s basic etiquette to keep to the left.
• DO…hire your own gondola and see the city at your own pace!
• DON'T… be fooled by the fake Murano glass. Real purchases can be found in the Original Murano Glass OMG® Factory & Showroom and MuranoVitrum
• DO…check out the beautiful rainbow-coloured fisherman's island of Burano! It's roughly 37 minutes by ferry from Venice, but totally charming and worth it.
• DON'T… grab a drink or snack at St. Mark’s Square unless you want to pay above the odds. Instead, get lost among the cobbles to discover more affordable and often tastier places to eat. 

If a service charge is included in the bill, there’s no need to tip. But by all means, feel free to leave an extra 5 to 10% if you’ve had exceptional service. If you notice there’s no service charge, leaving around a 12% tip is always a kind gesture, but isn’t expected nor mandatory.

There is no Uber service in or around Venice. The quickest way of transportation is either by water taxi or waterbus. See our section on getting around Venice for more information.

Venice is a great base to explore Italy’s Northern attractions including the nearby islands of Murano and Burano which are a short 37-minute boat ride away. These mini city-like towns are famed for their waterways, bridges and traditional Venetian art. Murano, in particular, is also home to Venice’s glassblowing industry. The awe-inspiring city of Verona can also be reached within just over an hour by train. Here you’ll find one of the finest Roman arenas in existence, lavish churches and a castle repurposed as an art museum! 

For natural wonders, the Dolomite Mountains are a two-hour car journey. And trust us, it’s worth it! Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the top ski resorts in Italy, you’re surrounded by snow-dusted peaks, tiny Alpine villages and shimmering lakes.

If you want an authentic Italian experience, here are a few steps to take on your trip to Venice.

1. Breakfast is minimal: Great news if you’re not a fan of a stodgy Full English! The locals like to start their day with a sweet coffee and pastry at a cafe. 

2. Another coffee break: At around 10:30am, you’ll want another pick-me-up (especially if you’re exploring), so an espresso or macchiato stop is exactly how the locals keep energised. If you want a cappuccino, we’d suggest doing so now, as you won’t find an Italian ordering one after noon. 

3. Hearty lunch: Restaurants tend to serve lunch between 1pm until 2:30pm whipping up the likes of tagliatelle to start and meat dishes for mains. More authentic eateries will shut for a few hours before reopening again for dinner. 

4. Gelato time: Around 4pm Italians like a snack, and what better light bite than a soft scoop of your favourite ice cream?

5. Pre-drinks (aperitivo): Cocktail hours start between 6:30 and end at 8:30pm before having dinner.

6. Late dinner: Kick back with a glass of wine after 8:30pm and devour several small courses of local cuisine including antipasti starters, freshly caught fish with sauteed potatoes as your main and tiramisu for dessert.