Venice can be tricky at first. It’s one of those places everyone visits in Europe, maybe the whole world honestly. Busy most of the year, prices make you blink twice, easy to get turned around walking those alleys. You know how people mix up gondolas with vaporettos and whatever those traghetto boats are called. Even finding good food gets weird sometimes in a city known for its cooking.

But hold on before writing it off entirely.

I remember this sunset once over the Grand Canal, all orange and pink smudges on the water. Boats creaking, gondoliers humming under their breath. My friend Erica who writes about Italy trips said something that stuck with me. She called Venice “the city that won’t let you stay mad at it.” Kinda true honestly. It pushes your buttons then hits you with some hidden courtyard or light hitting a church facade just right. The whole place feels impossible like how does this floating maze even exist? But it does, and once you stop fighting the crowds you see it different.

Been there enough times now to piece together what actually works. Good hotels that aren’t all tourist traps, where to grab cicchetti without getting ripped off, quiet spots most visitors rush past. Little things that add up to why Venice stays stuck in your head long after you leave.

Things you Can’t Miss in Venice

Take the gondola ride: Venice might not be on your return list later, better grab this chance while you can. Those gondola rides? That’s a Venice-only thing. You won’t find that vibe anywhere else, really. Just how the place works, you know.

Try cicchetti for a meal: These are the Venetian version of tapas — small, tasty bites that can fill you up if you order several. A great place to enjoy them is Cantina Do Spade in the San Polo district, one of my personal favorites.

Treat yourself to a balcony suite: There is nothing like opening your hotel window and looking directly at the Grand Canal. Few places offer this better than the St. Regis Venice, where the view feels unforgettable.

Walk through Venice at night: The city changes completely after dark. The moon reflects on the canals, boats creak softly in the water, and the small streets are quiet and calm. At night, Venice truly earns its name as “the most serene.”

Have a spritz with a view: Avoid the tourist traps around Piazza San Marco, but do find a stylish bar by the canal where you can enjoy a cocktail with some snacks. Bar Longhi at the Gritti Palace is a wonderful place with a rich history.

Best Hotels and Resorts in Venice

St. Regis Venice

T+L readers keep picking this Venice spot for a reason – it actually earns the hype. Every inch here just works you know, space feels bright and airy with cool art everywhere that mixes old-school Venice vibes with modern flair. They nail the details too – think Murano glass stuff everywhere plus those Grand Canal views that slap you awake about where you’re standing literally nobody does views like this. Oh and definitely grab their Bloody Mary at St R’s Thing’s legendary around here.

Hotel Flora

Venice has no shortage of great hotels but Flora keeps ending up on any traveler’s list you know It doesn’t do the whole luxury five-star thing but packs in warmth and solid prices plus this garden that feels like the hotel’s beating heart Basically the kind of spot where you immediately feel at home But here’s the thing what really makes it stand out is how it’s stayed in local hands all these years And get this that family-run operation vibe? Rare as anything in this city these days Still feels genuine like they actually care about keeping things real instead of chasing some corporate checklist.

Venice Venice

Venice’s hotel scene has this new spot everyone’s buzzing about called Venice Venice. They call their vibe “Postevenetian.” Basically takes classic Venetian charm and slaps a modern twist on it. Walk inside and boom – contemporary art everywhere. Spacious rooms packed with custom furniture that’s all sleek lines and new-school design. All tucked into this centuries-old palazzo you know how those buildings just ooze history. Oh and those Rialto views? Rooms facing it give you this panorama that just sticks in your brain forever. Not exactly your average hotel experience if you ask me but hey they’re going for something different here..

Best Things to Do in Venice

Gondola Ride

Okay hot take but here goes. Missing out on a gondola ride in Venice is one of those things youll kick yourself for later. The city from water level hits different. Like its this whole other dimension you cant get from walking around bridges and alleys all day.

Heres the move though dont grab one near the main tourist traps. Head over to San Polo instead. Hop in one of those gondolas there. You get these narrow canals where you can breathe and take it all in. Less Instagram crowd noise more actual Venice vibes.

Trust me ive seen people try to save money by skipping it then spend weeks going man i shouldve just done it. The thing is its not just a boat ride its how you connect with what makes that place tick. Water slapping old stone walls, gondoliers muttering in dialect, sunlight cutting between buildings in ways that dont make sense.

Anyway San Polos routes give you that without feeling like part of some conveyor belt experience. Youre still paying Venice prices obviously but at least youre getting something that feels lived in rather than staged for visitors.

And yeah maybe its cliche but sometimes cliches exist because they work right? Just go early or late when the light gets moody and the crowds thin out. Walk away with memories that arent just checklist items but actual moments where Venice felt real instead of like a museum exhibit. Oh and dont stress about finding the perfect gondolier or route either. Half the magic is letting the city show itself without overplanning every second of it.

Doge’s Palace Secret Itineraries Tour

Back in its day this place ran Venice”s political and financial show. The Doge”s Palace still keeps its secrets tight though you”d never guess from the outside. Those big old walls hide way more than fancy art though they”ve got that too. Carvings with coded meanings ceilings dripping gold leaf stuff that basically screams “look how rich we were.”

A guided tour here isn”t just about dates and names you know you get context for all that visual flexing. Plus there”s practical perks like skipping ticket lines which matters when you see how crowds pile up by noon sometimes. Walk right past them straight into rooms where decisions changed Europe”s game centuries back.

The architecture alone tells half the story if you know where to look arches whispering maritime dominance marble floors worn smooth by power brokers long gone. Guides point out details most miss a lion carving here a hidden saint there symbols layered like Venetian trade routes themselves. You walk away feeling like you cracked some ancient insider code almost. And yeah no waiting around that part”s key when vacation time”s limited better spent seeing things than standing in queues right.

Burano

Burano’s rainbow houses are total eye candy for Instagram reels obviously. But don’t let the pics fool ya this place isn’t just some tourist set piece. Real lacemaking crews and fishing boats still hustle daily between those bright walls you’ve seen online. Centuries-deep traditions stick around here cause actual people live and work this island every day not just pose for cameras.

Pro tip show up at sunrise if you want empty streets for filming or swing by late afternoon when crowds thin out. Early birds get quiet lanes reflecting in the canals without fifty strangers photobombing your shot. Thing is Burano keeps being Burano whether visitors come or not you know fishermen still mend nets after dusk while grandmas teach kids lace patterns passed down forever.

Local life keeps rolling here long after influencers pack up their ring lights and tripods basically so timing your visit right lets you glimpse both sides of the story.

Best Restaurants in Venice

Cantina Do Spade

The place does have a full restaurant setup if that’s your vibe, but most regulars skip it for the buzzing cicchetti counter instead. Order at the counter for those little snacks they’re known for, then either squeeze into a spot at one of the shared tables or post up in the alleyway outside with your drink and plate balanced carefully. Let’s be real, plenty of spots in Venice serve up mediocre cicchetti that just go through the motions, but this isn’t one of those places. They actually care about what comes out of the kitchen here, you can taste it in every bite.

The standing crowd spilling into the street tells you everything without saying a word anyway. People don’t linger where the food doesn’t deliver, but here they stay planted even when space gets tight. You’ll see folks elbow-to-elbow clutching their spritzes and polpette like they’ve struck gold, because honestly compared to some tourist traps around town? This place actually gets it right without trying too hard.

Nevodi

Weinreich Luppi brought me to this spot she called reliable with food that never misses and staff who actually give a damn about what they do. The walk over to Via Garibaldi right in Castello district’s busy center turned out way better than expected. Place did homemade pasta from scratch bread still warm from the oven veggies pulled straight from their dirt patch outside fish hauled in that morning off the boats.

No fancy tricks just real ingredients thrown together right in a space that felt like your loud aunt’s kitchen during Sunday lunch. You could tell people there weren’t faking the hospitality thing either every plate came with this vibe like they wanted you to enjoy it as much as they enjoyed making it. Basic setup maybe but sometimes basic done right hits harder than some Michelin star circus act anyway.

Trattoria al Gatto Nero

Eating at a legendary spot that actually matches the hype feels pretty rare these days. Got to experience it firsthand during a visit to that iconic Burano place everyone talks about. Fresh seafood straight off the boats dominated the menu which makes sense given the location. Their risotto de gò stood out, this creamy thing they’re known for nailing every time. If you time it right in fall or spring, grab the moeche when available. You know, those soft-shell crabs Venice does better than anywhere. Pro tip though. Book ahead because showing up without reservations? Basically a guaranteed waitlist situation even on slower days anyway.

The vibe stays unpretentious despite the reputation which helps. Servers didn’t bother with over-the-top descriptions, just pointed out what’s freshest that afternoon. Portions felt generous without being wasteful which matters when prices lean toward special occasion territory. Tables turn fast during peak hours so don’t expect to linger too long after dessert plates clear up. Overall Trattoria al Gatto Nero is one of those spots that gets why people keep coming back beyond just the food itself honestly.

Best Time to Visit Venice

Venice gets packed, right? The colder months work better if you want space to breathe. November and December before holidays hit are good picks, same with January and February before Carnevale kicks off. Mornings stay calmer then nighttime gets busy again if you’re there during peak season. Here’s the thing though, plan around siesta hours. Start early, chill midday, then explore later when crowds thin out.

Staying in Venice proper matters more than you’d think. Seriously, booking local hotels or guesthouses keeps money flowing where it should. Hotels here aren’t hard to find either way. There’s new rules coming too that day-trippers won’t love but hey, fees for visitors on busy dates and group size caps are happening soon anyway. Better to bunk in town and skip that mess entirely.

Oh and wandering empty alleys at dusk? That’s when you see the real Venice anyway. No tour groups elbowing past while you’re trying to soak it in. Just canals doing their thing under streetlights with nobody around but locals going about their business like always.

How to Get to Venice

Venice connects best through Marco Polo Airport (VCE) with direct flights from East Coast spots like New York or Atlanta easy enough. Once landed travelers have options for getting downtown. Buses head straight to Santa Lucia station by the Grand Canal. Solid option if you want simplicity. The Alilaguna boat shuttle runs from airport docks too takes longer but gives that classic Venice vibe right away. Private water taxis cost more obviously but cut through crowds and drop you exactly where you need faster no stops.

Trains from other Italian cities pretty much all end at Santa Lucia station anyway makes things simple there too. From there most grab a vaporetto water bus to their hotel’s closest stop. Water taxis work here as well if convenience beats budget concerns no judgment.

Driving in? Yeah cars can’t enter Venice itself period. You’ll park at mainland lots near Mestre or Tronchetto first then transfer by train or vaporetto into the city proper. Heard that advice about packing light? Triple it here dragging suitcases over bridges and onto boats turns into a workout real quick trust me on that one.